Q:Will I be charged anything to use this service?
A: We offer a free option. But there are also low-cost paid options that have more bells and whistles, it depends on which package you choose, but either way you're not paying much. Compare us to others, you'll find we're the low cost FSBO.
Q: What size pictures can I upload for my listing?
A: Our site will allow you to upload large, high-resolution images so that you can best market your property.
Q: What are listing analytics?
A: Listing Analytics are statistics. We show you how many people have viewed your listing, and what sites they came from. This helps you understand your progress in marketing your home.
Q: Will search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing be able to find and index my listing on ChoiceA ?
A: Yes
Q: Why do you provide HTML code to be used on Craigslist ?
A: We understand that most people who are listing their property for sale by owner will also use Craigslist. If you list with ChoiceA too then you get added benefits like high-resolution photos, printable flyers, free legal forms, a crisp clean interface, and listing statistics and analytics. If you list your property on ChoiceA first, and then take then copy and paste the HTML code that we provide into a Craigslist posting there are a number of benefits. First, the look and feel of your ChoiceA listing is preserved and displayed on Craigslist. That's right, no more black text on a white background, instead you can use our look and feel on Craigslist including the bigger pictures! Second, with ChoiceA listing analytics we can help you track how many people have viewed your listing on Craigslist and what sites they came from. Just copy and paste the HTML code that we provide into a Craigslist posting and you'll see what we mean.
Q: Is this a FSBO (for sale by owner) website?
A: Yes. Listings are intended to be by-owner and the contact information on each listing should be direct to the owner.
Q: Do I need a realtor?
A: It is our independent and respectful opinion that realtors have less and less to offer buyers and sellers with each passing year. Most web-savvy people can do their own homework and no longer need to be chaperoned through the process.
Q: If a realtor isn't truly 'needed' anymore, then who is?
A: The title company remains a crucial part of the process, but the title company is happy to work with individuals like you - a realtor is not required in order to set up an appointment with the title company. Further, an attorney may cost you $300-$500 to review the paperwork and give you peace-of-mind, but this amount is far less than the average 6% fee a realtor will charge. It is our goal that should you take our paperwork to an attorney for review, that it will be judged as complete, fair and offer the necessary protections to either buy or sell a property. If you'd like a referral to an attorney email us your zip code with a the subject of REFERRAL to: referral@choicea.com
Q: What about inspections?
A: A property inspection by a professional should always be performed. But again, you don't need a realtor to set up an appointment with an inspector - there are many inspectors in each metropolitan area. For a buyer, you'll of course want to make sure the home is inspected by a trusted and licensed professional.
Q: What about the ChoiceA legal forms?
A: Our forms were created by an attorney with instruction to make them as comprehensive as possible, and with Internet dispersion in mind. They are deemed appropriate for real estate transactions in the states they were created for (each is specific to a single state), and are designed to offer protections to both buyers and sellers - favoring neither. There have long been for sale by owner sites that have provided such forms for a fee, we feel that there is no reason not to provide them for FREE here on our site. If it makes you feel more comfortable, take the forms to an attorney for review. Also, the title company will likely do a good job reviewing the mandated documents at closing to make sure everything is in order. Our forms are provided to guide you; we may not provide all the necessary forms, and it may be necessary to retain an attorney, but again, an attorney will likely be far less expensive than realtor fees. Our forms are legal documents that require signature of all parties to complete a transaction and/or agreement. Please make sure you understand the forms and all terminology prior to use. We encourage you to take our forms to an attorney for review as each transaction is unique.
Q: Should I negotiate over email?
A: It's up to you. Most people feel that barriers to communication are eliminated when corresponding over email. Questions and answers are more candid and accurate. For example: haven't you wished that you could negotiate your purchase of a car over email? Also, email is fast. You don't have to wait for paperwork to be sent around town by courier when all you want to know is whether or not your offer or terms will be accepted. After all, nothing is final until it's on paper and signed by both parties. Email will help the two parties cut to the chase - so to speak.
Q: Should I be cautious in showing my property?
A: Yes, always be cautious in showing your property to anyone. You are inviting someone you don't know into your home. The overwhelming majority of people are likely simply interested in buying the property and want to see the inside of the home, the backyard et cetera. But to be on the safe side, it's best to take precautions such as having more than one person at home when you show it to a potential buyer in addition to verifying a phone number of the visitor. It is suggested that viewings are limited to 15 minutes. If you are a seller, be direct in what your expectations are when showing your property.
Q: What if potential buyers try to negotiate with me during a visit?
A: In-person negotiation is a personal preference, but most people would rather avoid such negotiation, at least in person. When arranging a time for a potential buyer to view your property, be very clear on whether or not you would like to discuss price or terms in person. Email is a great way to get everyone on the same page in regard to expectations. Sometimes by email or phone is the most effective way to come to an agreement on such topics. Usually a seller has a good idea of what type of offer they'll accept.
Q: What about yard signs?
A: For some states we already have this service, including professional delivery and installation - for the rest we're working on it. Soon you'll be able to get ChoiceA.com yard signs to post in your front yard - we'll provide them as inexpensively as possible to our users. Generic signs are available at most hardware stores.
Q: "But my aunt is a realtor."
A: No personal offense intended toward any one person. It's the industry as a whole that we are intending to change. The traditional structure of the listing and the transaction are obsolete, at least in our view. This site was created primarily because we thought that the Internet hadn't yet changed the overall process to the extent that it could, or should. We just think there's a better way, that's all.
Q: How long will the ChoiceA service be free ?
A: Things have changed a bit, we still have a free option for 90 days, but we now also offered tiered services - but our packages remain very inexpensive, pocket-change in comparison to the traditional model.
Q: Can I post video of my property?
A: Not yet, but we're working on it. Stand-by for video and a host of other cool tools that we're building.
Q: What are the advantages of listing on Choice A ?
Q: What if I lost my password, or have questions about how to list my property ?
A: Email us at info@choicea.com and we'll do our best to assist you.
Q: During image upload on the List It page, my pictures take a very long time to upload. What do I do?
A: We suggest that you upload images that are less than 8MB in size (8MB is a very large image). If you are on a broadband connection, most images should upload in 10-15 seconds, if you upload very large images this may take a bit longer. If you are on a slow Internet connection you may want to resize your images before uploading them to our site.
Q: Do you give industry referrals?
A: We will have a formal referral program in the future. For now, we have an internal list of professionals that have treated us well, and who we understand to be good, fair and honest at what they do. Obviously we don't know someone in every town (yet), but we'll soon be able to direct our users to a good attorney, title company, inspector et cetera. Our referral program will have a large meritocracy component; the better the feedback the more often they are recommended - a top 10 list so-to-speak that is based on the feedback of our users. For now, we have a pretty good network of people in various professions on the west coast, so if you need a referral in Washington, Oregon or California email us at: referral@choicea.com and we'll do our best to help you.
