Frequently Asked Questions

MLS and Realtor® Questions

Is this the same Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to which all area Realtors® belong?
Is the MLS the best way to rent my property? 
What is included with my MLS listing?
Will Realtors® show and rent my property even though I went flat rate?
Will Realtors® show and rent my home, apartment or condo if I am not listed with their company? 
Will Realtors® call you or me? 
How long should I expect to be on the market? 
How long is the listing period?
Am I locked in for the full 3 month listing period?
What if I am working with an agent?

Compensation/Commission Questions

What is the difference between a "renting agent" and a "listing agent"?
Do I still have to pay a "renting agent?" 
If I find my own tenant, will I still have to pay a renting commission? 
If you don't charge commission, how do you make your money?

Materials and Vendors Questions

Should I have a lockbox?
I have my own sign, why should I use yours?
What services do vendors supply?
May I use my own exterior photo on the MLS?
How does the additional photo option in the MLS work?
How do I return your materials?
How do I get the free forms and contracts you offer?

Listing Questions

Do I have control over all listing information?
Can I add any specifics later? 
How do I make changes to my listing?

Realtor.com website Questions

What is the difference between public internet sites, such as Realtor.com, and the MLS?
Can I go to a website and see my MLS listing? 
How long will it take for my MLS listing to appear on the public internet sites?
Can you edit public web sites?
Will my contact information appear on the public websites?

Lease/Processing Questions

Are you involved with the lease contract?
Are you involved in negotiations?
What is included in your processing?
Is there an additional charge for this processing?

General Questions

What is expected of me once I list with you?
Once you receive my paperwork, how long will it take you to list my home in the MLS?
Can I later list my property with another Real Estate agency?
How do I pay for my MLS listing?
Do you provide tenant credit reports?
What is the general sequence of events after listed?

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Is this the same Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to which all area Realtors® belong?  Yes. All participating MLS Realtors® belong to their local association of Realtors®. We will place you in the proper MLS for your area with which we are affiliated.  Back to the top.

Is the MLS the best way to rent my property? It's extremely successful.  Realtors® work only with qualified tenants with current credit reports.  Back to the top.

What is included with my listing? The listing text and an exterior home color photo provided by you, and public internet site listings such as Realtor.com.  Click here for your area.  Back to top.

Will Realtors® show and rent my home, apartment or condo even though I went flat rate instead of paying a high commission?  Yes. There is no way to tell how much you paid to get on the MLS. Regardless of whom you listed with or what you paid, your listing will look no different from any other listing in form and style. Back to the top.

Will Realtors® show and rent my home, apartment or condo if I am not listed with their company? Of course.  The very purpose of MLS is for Realtors® to rent each other's listings. Back to the top.

Will Realtors® call you or me? You. Realtor® custom is to call before showing your home. Applications will be promptly transmitted.  Back to the top.

How long should I expect to be on the market? Your home should rent quickly if it is priced right, is in a good location and shows well. Our listings will create the drama and excitement necessary to draw maximum attention to your home. Back to the top.

How long is the listing period? Listing periods are in 3 month increments. You may shorten or lengthen the listing period as you wish. Additional 3 month periods are available at option of the parties for $75.00. Most properties are rented within the initial 3 month period. Rarely is a second period needed. Back to the top.

Am I locked in for the full 3 month listing period?  No, of course not.  This is just a marketing period giving us authority to advertise your property.  Many properties are rented within the first few hours or days of being listed.  You always retain control of your listing and can extend or shorten the duration as you wish (see the Listing Agreement for further details).  Back to the top.

What if I am working with an agent? If you are in a contractual arrangement with any other broker or your property is currently listed for rent with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of your business or that listing.  We honor and respect relationships with other brokers. Otherwise, we will be happy to list your property and find a qualified tenant. Back to the top.

What is the difference between a "renting agent" and a "listing agent"? A renting agent is the real estate agency who actually rents the property.  They are sometimes called tenant-agents.  The Listing Agent is the real estate agency who lists your property for rent in the MLS.  Back to the top.

With your plan I understand that I am saving commission on the "listing" side of things going with a flat rate, but do I still have to pay a "renting agent?" Yes. Any Realtor® bringing a ready, willing, & able tenant with a satisfactory lease will be due a small "renting" commission of your choice. The recommended amount is 25% of 1 month's rent.  However, once you begin to list your property, you will be able to choose any other amount you like.  Back to the top.

If I find my own tenant, will I still have to pay a renting commission?  No. If  you obtain the tenant with no agent being the procuring source, there is no commission.  Back to the top.

If you don't charge commission, how do you make your money?  We operate on extremely high volume. Chances are, your neighbor rented their property through us. We can supply scores of references. We do not make house calls or hold open houses, so our time is devoted to producing only the highest quality listings and passing the savings on to you.  Back to the top.

Must I have a lockbox? No, but Realtors® are on a fast track and depend heavily on them for quick access. Realtors® show many homes within a very short period of time and your properties cannot be rented without access. We strongly recommend a Realtor® lockbox in all MLS areas. Signs are also recommended as a major marketing tool. Back to the top.

I have my own sign, why should I use yours?  We recommend that you replace your sign with our agency sign upon going in the MLS.  A For Rent By Owner sign specifically excludes Realtors® and that is not your intent.   When driving down streets, agents look for the agency signs rather than house numbers.   When seeing your own For Rent sign, agents may think that the listing agent has “lost” the listing & consequently they will not be paid a commission.  Our agency sign reassures Realtors that your home is actively listed for rent on the MLS. Back to the top.

What services do vendors supply? MLS and Internet services (other than property photos, which are provided by you) are provided by the MLS and other 3rd party vendors. Therefore schedules and services are approximate and subject to availability and change without notice. FedEx shipping charges apply to marketing materials. Back to the top.

May I use my own exterior photo in the MLS? YES! You will be able to submit your own photo(s) after being listed. Once your listing is in the system, you may upload them to us from a site we will provide. All photos will be copyrighted by the MLS system and will not be returned to you. Photos are usually uploaded and will appear in the MLS system within 1 business day. 

Please Note: DO NOT email us your photo(s). Once listed, you will receive a confirmation email from us with instructions on how to upload them to us from your personal web page.  Back to the top.

How does the additional photo option on the MLS work?  If you choose this option, you may send us up to 6 photos of your home, apartment or condo to appear in the MLS system (you will be emailed instructions once listed).  One photo must an exterior, front view of the home, however, the others may be of anything you wish: master bedroom, kitchen, deck, pool etc.  With this option, you will be able to show potential buyers from all over the world just what your rental has to offer.  Back to the top.

How do I return your materials? All materials are the property of Clark Select Properties, Inc, and are to be returned at your expense within 10 days following lease or termination of your listing. The return address label will be in your FedEx. shipment. Sign posts are taken down once rented or at the end of the listing. Back to the top.

How do I get the free forms and contracts you offer?  A link to all of the forms and contracts we offer can be found on the personal web page you will receive once your home is listed. Back to the top.

Do I have control over all listing information? No. The MLS arranges required information according to multiple choice templates. We cannot customize.  Back to the top.

Can I add any specifics later? Possibly. We input only required fields. If you wish to add information in non-required fields (room dimensions, sq ft, etc.) you may do so by written amendment after listing. We will provide the form, there is a $20 editing fee. Back to the top.

How do I make changes to my listing? You may make multiple changes to your listing at any one time for a small fee of $20.00. After listed, you will receive instructions via email. Back to the top.

What is the difference between public websites, such as Realtor.com, and the  MLS?  Public websites like Realtor.com only display thumbnail sketches of listings which they receive directly from the MLS itself.  Realtors use only the MLS system, which is a closed system linked to their offices. They do NOT use the public internet sites.  Back to the top.

Can I go to a website such as Realtor.com and see my MLS listing? If you are in the Northern Virginia, Maryland or D.C. area (MRIS system) you may go to Realtor.com to view a paraphrased version of your listing. This is NOT your actual MLS listing. Unless you are a licensee and MLS member, you cannot access the MLS to see your actual listing.  The MLS is a closed proprietary system for Realtors only. You may request a copy of your actual MLS listing from us once listed. Back to the top.

How long will it take for my MLS listing to appear on the public internet sites?   Once your listing is entered into the MLS system, it appears instantly to Realtors.  However, depending on your area, and as long as you are in the Northern Va, Maryland or D.C. area,  it may take anywhere from 2-7 business days before your listing will appear on Realtor.com. Back to the top.

Can you edit public websites? No. The MLS has partnership arrangements with public sites and provides a photo and text according to their templates. Sensitive owner’s information such as name address and phone number is omitted. We have no control over public sites and cannot edit them. Back to the top.

Will my contact information appear on the public websites?   No. The public internet sites, such as Realtor.com are aligned with the MLS and are designed to drive leads to Realtors.  They do not allow your name, address, telephone numbers or other personal information to appear.  We cannot override their partnership arrangements.   We will, however, forward any leads received through the public internet sites directly to you via email.   Your name and number, of course, will appear as the contact information in the MLS system and agents will call you directly for showings and presenting leases.  Back to the top.

Are you involved with the lease contract?  Your listing is more than just an ad, it is an actual MLS listing in the Realtors® Multiple Listing Service.  To save on commission, you will handle details of the lease yourself.   Back to the top.

Are you involved with negotiations?  No, you will handle all showings, inquiries and lease agreements on your own.  Realtors will bring all lease applications and credit report information directly to you. We will provide you with an "Under Lease" form for us to process.. Back to the top.

What is included with your processing? As the listing broker, we must maintain records, communicate with the renting agency and make status changes to the MLS system. We will need information about the lease from you when you sign the lease. We do not handle lease negotiations or walkthrough.  Back to the top.

Am I charged for this processing?   No, there is no charge. We simply need a required form which we will provide you (see next paragraph).   Back to the top.

What is expected of me once I list with you?  We are a licensed real estate agency and have many laws and regulations we need to comply with.  In turn, there are laws and regulations you will also need to comply with.  

1.  To make any changes to your listing it is required that a Withdrawal form be used.  A link to the form will be provided to you on your personal web page once listed.

2.  Within 48 hours of a Lease being signed by you, we will need 1) A completed Under Lease form.  A link to the form will be provided to you on your personal web page once listed.  Back to the top.

Once you receive my paperwork, how long will it take to list my home in the MLS?  Depending on the time of day, listings are usually inputted into the MLS system the same business day everything is received. Back to the top.

Can I later list my home with another Real Estate agency?  Yes, of course.  But remember that all Realtors are on the same MLS system, so you will wind up in the same place.   You may withdraw your listing at any time from the MLS system by simply using our Withdrawal form (provided to you once listed).  A full release of the Listing Agreement will occur when the Listing Amendment form is received and any outstanding monies are paid.  Back to the top.

How do I pay for my MLS listing?  The initial listing plus any marketing materials is paid for at the time of listing, any subsequent changes or fees incurred are paid for when requested. Back to the top.

Do you provide tenant credit reports?  The rental agency will run a credit report on the prospective tenant to help you make a decision.  There is a nominal charge to the tenant, but never a charge to you.   Back to the top.  What is the general sequence of events after listed? The following is not guaranteed, but is a general time line of events:

• Listed in MLS: Upon receiving all information and depending on the time of day, your home is usually placed in the MLS the same day.

  Photography: Subject to some conditions, photos that you submit are generally uploaded within 1 business day.

  Photo in the MLS: Property photo appears in the MLS system immediately upon our uploading.

  Lockboxes/Signs: If ordered, you should receive them by FedEx. within 2 business days.

• Sign post up: Sign Posts are usually installed in 1-3 business days.