FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Minnesota Real Estate & Mortgage a full service real estate company?
Yes, we can assist anyone selling, buying, building and/or in need of financing in Minnesota.

How do you compare to the large company real estate firms?
We are smaller and have fewer people to pay and less buildings to maintain and because of that can create value for you, the consumer.  Other than that, we can do the exact same services they can provide!  We welcome the challenge to compare.

How much do you charge to List and Sell my house?
Our fee is negotiable for full service real estate between 5 and 6%.  You can sell for as low as 3% if you buy/build your next home with us!

Do you have a niche that you are known for?
Yes, our niche is the person selling in the Twin Cities area and then Buying or Building in the Twin Cities area.  We call it Buy With Me, Sell For Three (3%)™

How can you afford to charge just 3% for full service?
We make very little money on the sale of your property with the Buy With Me, Sell For Three (3%)™ Package.   See Why 3% Make Sense page.

Can other companys sell for just 3%?
We are aware of no other company that has this service.  Buy With Me, Sell For Three (3%)™ is a registered trade mark of Minnesota Real Estate & Mortgage.  Many of the "for sale by owner" companies can't even compete with this program, and we are full service!  Most corporate owned companies will not allow their agents to advertise what percentage they charge, so you will not see this advertised by anyone working with a large company.  Plus, the big companies usually limit how low the agent can charge, since other agents in the office can get a higher commission, the company doesn't want to be known as having a certain program if they can make more without it.  Our philosophy is different.

Do we have to buy one of Minnesota Real Estate & Mortgage's listings to qualify for the Buy With Me, Sell For Three (3%)™ Program?
No, you can buy any property that the seller or builder has agreed to pay the commission for the agent that brings in the buyer for that property.  Which includes ALL MLS properties, including for sale by owner listings, new contruction, etc.  An agent can not list a property on MLS unless they agree to pay the agent that brings in the buyer, that is just how it works in the Twin Cities area and that is why the program works so well for everyone!

Who will be showing my house if I list with Minnesota Real Estate & Mortgage?
Minnesota Real Estate & Mortgage is a part of the Realtor network, as are most real estate firms in the Twin Cities, large and small.  Their are over 15,000 Realtors just in the Twin Cities area alone.  Any one of those 15,000+ can show and sell your property and be paid part of the commission we charge you.  (the seller or builder nearly always pays both the listing agent and the agent that brings in the buyer)  We pay out 2.7% to the agent that brings in the buyer for your property, whether we charge you 5% or 3%, we pay out the same.

I heard that this Dual Agency thing is a huge conflict of interest, how can I avoid Dual Agency?
Dual Agency is when the same company/broker that has a house listed for sale is also working with the Buyer.  So if the agent you are working with works for the same company that has the property listed for sale, there is a good chance you are in a dual agency situation. We are small enough that the chance that one of our agents also sells your property is small, there is a better chance with proper marketing that one of the other 15,000+ Realtors brings in the buyer for your property.  Same holds true when we represent you as a buyer, we will show you any and all properties on the market, it does not and should not matter who has the property listed for sale.  The chance that you buy one of our listings is small versus all the other listings out there.  Either way, there is a better chance you will avoid dual agency with working with a small to medium sized company. 

What should I do if I am in a Dual Agency situation?
Ask lots of questions.  When you are in a Dual Agency, the agent and/or broker now "represents" both the seller AND the buyer, which is where the conflict of interest comes into play.  Basically, the agent/broker now represents neither of you in a Dual Agency situation.  Make sure you understand this so you don't pay too much for a property, receive too little if selling, and/or sign documents you shouldn't.

What if I go straight to the Builder and work with whoever is working the model, or go to an open house and work with that agent that is hosting the open house, am I in Dual Agency then?
Yes, in both instances you would be in Dual Agency.  Since the Builder almost always has the commission fixed into the price to pay the agent that brings in the buyer, you might as well have someone representing you.  Same with open houses, it is fun to go an look at open houses, no question about it, but if you are serious about buying, you should have us help you buy so you see all properties available and make sure you don't pay too much!

Doesn't a Builder have the person working those models help me pick out colors, etc.?
Yes, most builders have a process you go through to design and build your home.  You would still go through that exact same process, we would just make sure you are being represented during the process.