Refer a Friend

General

• What happens when potential buyers call regarding my property? Will they receive my information from the listing agent or can I expect to handle all showings and calls?
• Why should I buy or sell using the by owner method?
• How do I place an ad?
• How many people will see my ad?
• Is it necessary for me to hire an attorney in order to sell my own home?
• What does the Sign Package include?
• Will my email address remain private after I place it on your site?
• How do I find out how many people have viewed my ad?
• How do I find property that is listed for sale online?
• What is your success rate in selling properties?
• Do you own multiple web sites with similar names?
• For my featured home listing, what is the best photo to use?

MLS

• What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
• Can I be placed on the MLS for longer than 6 months?
• Who will be my listing Broker/Agent?
• Will anyone want to show my home if I'm only paying 3% commission?
• Why is my contact information not present on Realtor.com?
• Why would a real estate agent want to list my home if they're not going to receive a commission when it sells?
• How many photos can I list on the MLS?
• Does the buyer's agent assist with the offer paperwork?
• How many forms do I have to fill out to get my property listed on the MLS?
• I just chose a package that includes a MLS listing, how long until my home is posted to the MLS and how does work?

Payment

• How often am I charged?
• How much does it cost to sell property?
• Can I pay for my ad by a method other than credit card?

Edit Your Listing

• How do I edit my ad and how often can I edit my ad?
• Can we help you upload photos to your ad?
• I replaced a photo on my ad with a new photo but the photo upload tool shows the old one, why?

Error Messages and Problems

• I got disconnected before I could activate my ad! What now?
• I lost my account information, what should I do?
• I can't remember my password!
• I received an error message when I attempted to activate my ad, what should I do?
• I created an ad already but didn't activate it. Can I still activate my ad?
• Why isn't the Map It button working?
• What is your contact information? I want more assistance.
• I just created a listing, and I can't find it on Yahoo.com

Advertising

• I want to advertise on the 123MainSt.com site.

General

What happens when potential buyers call regarding my property? Will they receive my information from the listing agent or can I expect to handle all showings and calls?

This is entirely up to you. We enable you to stay in control of showings, buyer inquiries and all negotiations. Our Affiliate Agent can assist you with paperwork, showings and buyer inquiries for an additional fee. In many cases, our Affiliate Agent may even volunteer their services for a portion on the buyer side commission or an additional fee.

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Why should I buy or sell using the by owner method?

There are many reasons. Click here for reasons to sell by owner, or click here for reasons to buy a home direct from an owner.

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How do I place an ad?

Go to the PLACE AN AD page and follow the instructions there. Once the form is complete and you are satisfied with your ad, click the I'M SATISFIED button to place your ad in our database. You will then be presented with payment options.

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How many people will see my ad?

Well, 123MainSt.com is the largest website of its kind in the world. And we can prove it! If you click on the following link you will be brought to a website that ranks every website on world-wide-web based on the traffic it receives: www.alexa.com

Every month millions of people visit 123MainSt.com and we let you track how many people actually view your ad! On top of our enormous traffic we distribute your listing to the biggest names on the Internet including Yahoo, SaleByOwner.com, ByOwnerSales.com, ATT.net, Military.com, Be-Jane.com, Administaff, USAToday.com and many more. Note: the sites on which your listing will appear depends upon the plan purchased.

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Is it necessary for me to hire an attorney in order to sell my own home?

In most real estate markets within the United States a title company can handle every aspect of a real estate transaction.

123MainSt.com has a directory of title companies across the United States, which can be searched here.

However, many customers hire a real-estate lawyer to protect their interests throughout any real estate transaction. A lawyer can act as an escrow agent for down payments, evaluate any complicated offers from potential buyers and handle closings.

When selecting a lawyer, choose one that specializes in real estate transactions (and don't be afraid to shop around for competitive rates).

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What does the Sign Package include?

When you choose the sign package, you receive one 24" x 18" yard sign and a heavy duty metal stand upon which to place it. Also, you will receive two 24" x 9" directional signs (for use as arrows to help people navigate from main thoroughfares to your home) at no extra cost.

All of our signs are double sided and all are made out a very durable plastic called Coroplast, which will last for many years regardless of weather and wear. You will receive the sign package via UPS about five to eight days after placing your property online.

To view the yard sign and directional signs, click on the links below:

Yard Sign

Directional Signs

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Will my email address remain private after I place it on your site?

Yes, your email address will remain private. We do not use customer email addresses for any reason other than to communicate details regarding payment and customer service. Also, we don't sell our customers' email addresses to direct marketers like many of our competitors.

From time to time we do email special service offers to our customers, but the email will come directly from us.

If you believe you have received unsolicited email in response to your ad, please report it immediately to abuse@123MainSt.com

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How do I find out how many people have viewed my ad?

To view how many hits you have on your ad, or in other words how many people have looked at your ad, you can log into your Listing Manager.

You will be asked to provide your listing number and password. That information was sent to you in an email. Once you access your Listing Manager, look at the right hand side for the link "Make Changes" and then go on to the next page where you will see the "Hits" item with the total number of visits to your listing. The number you see represents the number of people who have viewed your listing since you posted it.

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How do I find property that is listed for sale online?

Go to our homepage and click BUY A HOME. Or, simply click here. On the Buy a Home page, pick one of the three options to search for property in our database. You may search by zip code, by city and state, or by listing number.

You are now at the "Find a Home" page, and down below you will see that you have three different options available to you in order to search for property in our database.

The first option allows you to search by city and state, but it also allows you to do proximity searches so that you can search whole metro areas regardless of state lines. For example, if you stipulated New York City in New York State and then clicked on a proximity of 50 miles, the database would show all homes in New York City and within 50 miles of New York City regardless of whether they were in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. (You can also stipulate the type of property with this search.)

The second option allows you search our database by zip code and, like the first option, allows you to set proximity limits.

Finally, we allow customers to jump directly to a specific ad by typing a property's listing number directly into the third dialogue box. (This is particularly helpful if potential buyers are responding to a newspaper ad that references a listing number directly.)

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What is your success rate in regard to selling properties?

Because we're not real estate agents (and don't charge a commission) we are legally prohibited from taking part in the actual sales transaction of any of the properties advertised on our site, which makes it difficult for us to track how many of our properties sell and how quickly.

However, we do try to poll our customers on a regular basis in order to gauge our success rate. Depending upon the metro area and region our success rates range from about 40% to 85%. Like all real estate marketing, the most important factor is the location of your property (both from a local and regional standpoint).

Attractive properties (good homes in good areas priced correctly) sell and unattractive ones don't. It's the same issue that real estate agents face.

We can, however, guarantee that we will work diligently to insure that as many potential buyers as possible see your ad. And to this end, we spend tens of thousands of dollars every month on advertising both online and offline across North America.

However, regardless of the property, in most markets, we have the same success rate as full commission real estate agents.

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Yes we do. 123MainSt.com is the parent company of Byownersales.com and SaleByOwner.com. When you sign up to sell your home on any of these sites, please use the site you signed up on to manage your account.

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For my featured home listing, what is the best photo to use?

Use a photo that makes the home buyer want to look inside and see more. Generally, this photo will show the front of your home. Pick a photo that shows off the landscaping and other "curb-side" selling points. The goal is to make home buyers click on the photo so they will read your listing. Most people will click on an "inviting" photo -- one that is taken during the daytime and looks like a nice, clean place. In the event that you do not supply us with a photo showing off the face of your home, we'll look through what you send, and pick the best one for your featured home ad's #1 spot.

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MLS

What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the primary data system that most Real Estate Agents use to market and sell property. 75% of all properties sold are sold through the MLS.

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Can I be placed on the MLS for longer than 6 months?

Yes. Our Affiliate Agent can renew your listing for a nominal charge.

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Who will be my listing Broker/Agent?

Our Affiliate Agent will handle the initial listing paperwork, but will indicate on the MLS that showings and all negotiations are done through you.

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Will anyone want to show my home if I'm only paying 3% commission?

Yes. Our Affiliate Agent has already agreed to list the property for a flat fee, so the listing commission of 3% is no longer a factor. The selling agent (buyer's agent) will get 3% if they bring a buyer.

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Why is my contact information not present on Realtor.com?

Realtor.com does not allow seller information to be displayed on their site because they are basically an MLS on the Internet and have strict guidelines regarding property listings. Additionally, they make money by selling advertising and marketing packages to Real Estate Agents. These Realtors purchase these services based on the promise that they'll receive buyer leads directly.

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Why would a real estate agent want to list my home if they're not going to receive a commission when it sells?

Our Affiliate Agents work for a flat fee for two reasons - volume and more exposure to their name. Furthermore, if our agent lists your home and brings a buyer, they receive the 3% you've agreed to pay the selling agent.

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How many photos can I list on the MLS?

Most MLS listings are allowed one photo and charge between $10 and $20 for each additional photo. This is a one-time charge.

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Does the buyer's agent assist with the offer paperwork?

In most cases, yes. However, our Affiliate Agent will usually look over the offer for you.

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How many forms do I have to fill out to get my property listed on the MLS?

You will need to complete a standard "Listing Agreement" and in some cases an Addendum stating that you have paid the listing agent a flat fee.

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I just chose a 123MainSt.com package that includes a MLS listing, how long until my home is posted to the MLS and how does work?

You will be contacted by one of our MLS representatives within two business days. He/she will work with you to insure that your MLS listing says exactly what you want. If you have not been contacted, please email mls@123MainSt.com. You will be contacted

After you have filled out all of the necessary paperwork and returned it, your home will be placed in the MLS within five business days. Two weeks after your home goes into the MLS it will also be shown on Realtor.com, however it is important to remember that Realtor.com is not the MLS and 123MainSt.com is in no way affiliated with Realtor.com.

When you sign up for a MLS listing through 123MainSt.com it's no different than walking down to your local real estate agent's office and paying him (6% of the equity you've built up in your home) to put your home on the MLS.

The Multiple Listing Service is the online database that Real Estate Agents use to let one another know that there are homes for sale in their area. So when you put your home on the MLS through 123MainSt.com, every Real Estate Agent in your area will see it.

Traditionally, there were two Real Estate Agents involved in every property transaction: the listing agent (the person who puts your property on the MLS) and the agent that actually sells the property. Typically the two agents would split the 6% commission.

With 123MainSt.com the listing agent is paid a flat fee by us and the agent who sells the house gets only 3%, thereby saving you 3% of your home equity.

Of course if you sell your home through the regular Internet section of 123MainSt.com you pay 0% commission! With a $699 package you get both. Either way you're still saving thousands and you're never obligated to accept a buyer from either 123MainSt.com or from a broker.

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Payment

How often am I charged?

Your ad is automatically renewed every 30 days only if you are on the monthly billing program. However you may cancel your ad at any time and the billing instantly stops. Any charges prior to that are valid. To cancel your ad and billing click here EDIT/CANCEL. If you are not on the monthly program your ad will simply run until canceled.

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How much does it cost to sell property on 123MainSt.com?

We have local offices in more than thirty different markets throughout the United States, and these local offices print magazines in addition to offering online services. And because the cost of producing magazines varies from market to market, our prices vary (moderately) from market to market.

It is for these reasons that it is necessary for you to first enter in your zip code before being shown the prices available to you in your area. If your property lies within the territory of one of our local offices you will be shown our local office's contact information and pricing, otherwise you will be shown our online pricing

However, regardless of whether or not you use our online service or a combination of our online service and a local magazine, we sell your home fast and save you thousands.

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Can I pay for my ad by a method other than credit card?

We encourage all of our customers to pay for their ads online via credit card because it is very safe and very efficient.

However, if you are more comfortable paying by check or money order you may do so. (Please note: the monthly $89.95 option is not available to customers who pay by check or money order.)

First, go online and create your ad and take note of the listing number that is issued for your ad. Complete all of the steps necessary to create your ad except for paying by credit card. (Once you create your ad and confirm that the information is correct our database will store the ad even though it has not been activated.)

Then mail us your check with the listing number written in the memo line. Upon receipt of your check we will activate your ad (we will not wait for your check to clear before activating your ad).

Checks and money orders should be mailed to the following address:

Customer Support 230 West 200 South Suite 3201 Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Please make check or money order payable to 123MainSt.com, Corporation.

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Edit Your Listing

How do I edit my ad and how often can I edit my ad?

Customers can edit their ads as often as they please.

The editing process is simple. Click Here and enter your listing number and password then click the button entitled "Login."

This will bring you to your ad, and if you scroll down the page you will see a button entitled "Continue editing." Clicking the "Continue editing" button will bring you to a page that lets you change any and all of the fields that constitute your ad.

When you are done editing your ad scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the button entitled "Preview Ad." This will show you the way your ad will look to potential buyers, if you're satisfied with the way your revised ad looks simply click the button entitled "I'm satisfied."

If you have completed these steps properly you will then be shown a page that informs you that your ad has been altered successfully.

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Can we help you upload photos to your ad?

***PHOTO UPLOAD INFORMATION***

If you'd like to add a photo to your ad (and we strongly recommend that you do) please follow the following five steps (please note, to upload a photo to your listing, you MUST be using Netscape 3.0 or above, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or above):

1. Go to http://www.123MainSt.com/myListing Enter your listing # and password, which will take you to your ad.

2. At the bottom of your ad, click the button that says "upload photos."

3. On the upload page, select the "Browse" button for the photo you wish to upload, you will then see a dialog box appear where you can then find the file on your local hard drive that contains the image you'd like to upload.

4. Repeat this step for each of the six possible images. (Photos must be 1 megabyte or less in size and they must be in one of the following formats or you will receive an error message: .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .tif, .bmp, or .gif.)

You may also delete as many photos as you like by checking the delete photo checkbox to the left of the photo.

5. Once this is complete click the "Process Request" button at the bottom of the form.

6. To confirm that your photos have been uploaded properly type your listing number in at the home page and view your photographs (if you do not see the photo you just uploaded hit refresh on your browser and it should appear).

Please note that any photo you upload will overwrite any photo currently on the site for this listing at the position you specify.

***MAILING PHOTOGRAPHS TO 123MainSt.COM***

Don't worry if you don't have a scanner or do not feel comfortable uploading photos by yourself--123MainSt.com is flexible.

If you'd like, you can mail regular photographs to us (along with a self addresses stamped envelope) and we will scan them for you, post them to your ad and mail the photos back to you! (Please write your listing # in pencil on the back of every photograph and indicate the order in which you'd like the photos to appear on your ad.)

The mailing address for photos follows:

123MainSt.com, Corp.
ATTN: PHOTOS
230 West 200 South, Suite 3201
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

***EMAILING IMAGES TO 123MainSt.COM***

Please do not upload photo attachments greater than 10MB

If you already have scanned photographs but cannot upload them successfully please email them to the following address and we will format them and upload them for you:

photos@123MainSt.com

We hope this document has answered all of your questions regarding posting photos to your 123MainSt.com listing. If you still have questions please email them to photos@123MainSt.com.

Sincerely,

The Support Team at 123MainSt.com

Back to Questions

I replaced a photo on my ad with a new photo but the photo upload tool shows the old one, why?

The photo upload tool allows you to manipulate the images that appear on your property advertisement. The tool allows you to replace photos and rearrange the order in which they appear to potential buyers.

Most Internet browsers store previously viewed images on your hard drive in order to allow faster downloading times when you review the same image. For this reason your photos may not seem to have changed in the Photo Upload Tool or on your property advertisement (your browser is pulling the old image from your "cached" file).

If you have just uploaded new photos to your ad and they don't appear when you view the ad or view the pictures in the Photo Upload Tool please remember to hit the "Refresh" button in the toolbar of your browser.

If this does not show you the new photo you have uploaded please email the image to photos@123MainSt.com along with your listing number and someone from our technical staff will look into the problem as quickly as possible.

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Error Messages and Problems

I got disconnected before I could activate my ad! What now?

Don't worry? Just Click Here and you'll be taken back to the ad-activation process.

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I lost my account information, what should I do?

Don't worry, here is what you do. Go to the EDIT/CANCEL page. At the bottom of the page there is a form where you place your email address. Click the REMIND ME button and check your email in a few minutes. Your account information will be sent to you via email.

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I can't remember my password!

No problem! Just enter your email address in the box below and your user password will be reset and emailed. You must use the same email address that appears in your ad.

Email Address:

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I received an error message when I attempted to activate my ad, what should I do?

Don't worry, if you created your ad and received a listing number your ad will be saved in our database and will remain there for six months (in other words you won't have to recreate it). Also, your credit card will not be billed unless your ad was activated.

If you received notice that your credit card was declined you must call your credit card company directly. (The most common reason that a credit card is declined is that the address entered into the address fields of the credit card payment page does not match the billing address for the card.)

In order to activate your ad please click here, choose your package and enter your listing number:

Or, if you would like, you can call toll free at 1-888-FOR-SALE (367-7253), and a customer service representative will take your credit card information over the phone and activate your ad.

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I created an ad on 123MainSt.com already but didn't activate it. Can I still activate my ad?

Even if an ad is never activated it remains in our database for six months! In order to activate your ad please click on the following link, choose your package and enter your listing number: Activate your ad!

Or, if you would like, you can call toll free at 1-888-FOR-SALE (367-7253), and a customer service representative will take your credit card information over the phone and activate your ad.

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Why isn't the Map It button working?

Check whether you have software installed to block pop-up ads. Customers using the Pop-Up Stopper Companion from PanicWare have reported that the Map It button works only if they have turned off pop-up blocking.

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What is your contact information? I want more assistance.

Can't find your answer? Call us at 1-888-FOR-SALE (367-7253) or chat live:

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I just created a listing, and I can't find it on Yahoo.com

Some reasons your home may not appear on Yahoo.com:

1. Did you choose Yahoo Classifieds? The easiest way to find your home on Yahoo is:
   1. Open http://realestate.yahoo.com (This link takes you to the home search page.)
   2. Enter your Zip Code.
   3. Select Yahoo Classifieds! (***Do not select Existing Homes, New Homes, or Foreclosures.***)
   4. Click Submit. A list of matching properties appears. Your home should be located in this list. It may contain multiple pages of listings, so be sure to click through all the pages.
2. Did you just create your ad within the past 24-hours? Please expect it to take 1-day after you create a listing for your property to appear on our partner sites such as Yahoo Real Estate.
3. Does your listing address match USPS's mailing address? Please check your listing address according to http://www.usps.com. If your street address, city/state, or zipcode do not match on that site, they won't match on Yahoo.com either.
4. Does your listing have a slide show? Yahoo will not accept 123MainSt.com listings that have slideshows.

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Advertising

I want to advertise on the 123MainSt.com site.

You may Click Here for banner placement opportunities for your real estate related service.

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Sincerely,

Customer Service