The coming of electronic media was certainly revolutionary. People now had choices of how they were going to get – and give – their news. I remember growing up in a large house, with an entire room devoted to telephone. There was a small desk, chair, lamp, and telephone. Nothing more.

In 21st Century, this seems like a way to converse straight out of Middle Ages, as we walk around with phone in hand. And by using voice over Internet Protocol, computer is converted into an inexpensive phone. Voice sounds are compressed into data packets and sent without need for traditional phone lines.

Most home sales actually take place through a huge database of homes called Multiple Listing Service, or MLS. Your listing agent, by virtue of his or her membership, places your home into MLS for maximum exposure and probably 9 out of 10, your homes gets sold by an agent other than one you listed with. Some people then question: why have a listing agent anyway and pay extra commission?

The simple answer is: a listing agent can be of great value, especially when dealing with difficult transactions. They also pay for a lot of advertising and promotion that helps sell a home. Yet, MLS is most effective marketing tool of all.

Some people are now electing to use flat fee MLS services to list their homes prior to going "full listing" with anyone. Reason: 50% savings in real estate commissions! That means that if you have a home priced at $200,000 x 6% (customary commission), you'd pay $12,000 plus closing costs when it's all said and done at title company. With flat fee services, where you gain access to highly effective MLS system and even Realtor.com, you get to pay only 2.5-3.0% commission to agent who "actually" produces a buyer. This means you need to open your own door yourself and show home without a listing agent. If you can handle that, you could be on your way to huge savings. That $200,000 home, when sold, would now only require 3% commission so your savings are substantial: $6,000!

Flat fees are usually between $299-$599 and every bit worth it. You get your home exposed to thousands of agents, some 900,000 total if you count Realtor.com, plus your local MLS. A state-licensed broker does listing so everything is legal. Some brokers will even help you with difficult transactions for a scaleable fee, say, and an extra 1%. Others will even give you cash back when you purchase your new home! Real estate commissions have become more flexible and Internet has allowed small guy to get word out that you don't have to pay 6% to sell your home. You can sell it by owner while perusing MLS at same time. Sell by owner, pay no commission, sell via MLS, and pay 3% plus upfront flat fees mentioned above.