As a seller, your home is listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) by a participating member of the MLS (like FlatFeeMLSListing.com and our affiliates). Your listing includes a color photo, detailed information about your home (bedrooms, square feet, and much more), and the cooperative commission being offered to the agent helping the buyer. MLS is the Most Powerful Tool for Selling Homes Agents that are working with buyers check the MLS many times a day looking for homes in a particular area, price range, and amenities. The MLS sorts the homes and shows only the homes that meet the buyers criteria. The agent will then show your home at the scheduled time and contact you if the buyer has questions or wishes to make an offer. Should you choose to accept an offer from that buyer, you will pay the commission amount you have listed in the MLS. The commission amount is listed in the MLS, so it is not generally negotiated in the transaction. Often, the commission is not even discussed by the agent. If you accept an offer from a buyer without an agent, you do not pay any percentage commission. You are not required to accept any offers. You are free to advertise your home in newspapers, other places, and hold open houses if you wish. (Consult local MLS rules for specific information).