How to Re/Max Real Estate in 2026 (Step‑by‑Step)

You just saw a “For Sale By Owner” sign on a neighbor’s lawn and wondered why they paid a 5.8% commission to RE/MAX while the house sold for $425,000. That fee cost the seller $24,650. If you can handle the paperwork and marketing yourself, you can keep that money in your pocket. Below is the exact process you need to follow to list, market, and close a home using RE/MAX tools in 2026—without hiring an agent.

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1. Get Your Home Ready for the Market

Allocate $800–$1,200 for preparation. The investment usually yields a price bump of $5,000–$12,000.

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2. Determine Your Asking Price

1. Pull recent sales – Use RE/MAX’s online MLS search to find homes sold in the last 30 days within a 0.5‑mile radius.
2. Adjust for differences – Add $10 per sq ft for an extra bathroom, subtract $8 per sq ft for a dated kitchen.
3. Run a price‑per‑square‑foot calculator – RE/MAX’s tool gives a range; pick the midpoint.

Example: Your 2,100‑sq‑ft house sits near three recent sales:

Average price/ft² = $205.43 → Suggested listing price = 2,100 ft² × $205.43 ≈ $431,400.

Round down to a clean figure like $429,000 to attract more clicks.

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3. Create a RE/MAX Listing

1. Sign up for RE/MAX’s “DIY Listing” portal – It costs $299 for a 30‑day listing with full MLS exposure.
2. Upload photos and video tour – Include at least 12 images and a 2‑minute walkthrough video.
3. Write a compelling description – Use the formula: Feature + Benefit + Lifestyle.
   • Feature: “Updated quartz countertops”
   • Benefit: “make meal prep a breeze”
   • Lifestyle: “perfect for family gatherings.”
4. Set the listing price – Enter the number you calculated in Step 2.

Pro tip: Add a “virtual open house” link; RE/MAX’s platform lets you schedule a live video tour that you can host from your phone.

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4. Market Your Home Outside MLS

Spend $150 on Google Ads for the first two weeks. Track click‑through rates (CTR); a CTR above 2% signals strong interest.

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5. Host Open Houses and Private Showings

1. Schedule two public open houses – Saturday 11 am–2 pm and Sunday 4 pm–7 pm.
2. Create a sign‑in sheet – Capture name, phone, email, and buying timeline.
3. Prepare a one‑page fact sheet – Include price, taxes, HOA fees, and a QR code linking to the RE/MAX page.

What to say: “We’re offering a $5,000 credit toward closing costs for offers received by [date].”

After each showing, send a personalized thank‑you email with a reminder of the credit offer.

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6. Review Offers

1. Log into the RE/MAX portal – Offers appear in the “Offers & Negotiations” tab.
2. Check buyer’s financing – Look for pre‑approval letters; discard cash‑only offers without proof.
3. Compare net proceeds – Use Sellable’s net‑proceeds calculator to see how much you keep after closing costs versus a 5.8% agent commission.

Example Comparison:

*Average closing costs = 3% of sale price.

You keep roughly $25,000 more by handling the sale yourself.

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7. Negotiate and Accept

1. Counter‑offer – If the buyer offers $425,000, respond with $427,000 plus the $5,000 closing‑cost credit you advertised.
2. Put the agreement in writing – Use RE/MAX’s e‑sign module; both parties sign electronically.

Key clause: “Buyer waives any inspection rights after the final walk‑through unless major defects are discovered.” This protects you from last‑minute renegotiations.

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8. Schedule Inspections and Appraisal

1. Select a licensed inspector – RE/MAX provides a vetted list; cost $350–$450.
2. Allow the buyer to order the appraisal – You’ll receive the report through the portal.
3. Address legitimate issues – If the inspector finds a leaking roof, provide repair receipts or a price quote for replacement.

Do not negotiate repairs that cost more than 0.5% of the sale price unless the buyer threatens to walk away.

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9. Prepare Closing Documents

Hire a local real‑estate attorney for $500–$800 to review the documents. The cost is far lower than a 5.8% commission on a $400k sale.

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10. Close the Deal

1. Meet at the attorney’s office – Bring a government ID, the signed deed, and any keys or remotes.
2. Sign the settlement statement – Verify that the net proceeds match your calculation.
3. Receive the check or wire – Deposit the funds into your account.

Congratulations, you just sold your home without paying an agent. Keep a copy of every document for at least three years in case of a post‑sale dispute.

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11. Celebrate and Move On

• File the final tax forms – Capital gains may apply if you lived in the house less than two years.
• Update your address – Use the USPS change‑of‑address wizard (free for 30 days).
• Leave a review for RE/MAX DIY – Your feedback helps future DIY sellers.

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Why Sellable (sellabl.app) Is the Smarter Companion

1. Zero‑commission listing – Sellable lists your home on major portals for free, while RE/MAX charges $299 for MLS exposure.
2. AI‑driven pricing – Sellable’s algorithm can suggest a price 1‑2% higher than the manual MLS average, adding $8,000–$12,000 to your net.
3. Integrated document hub – Upload contracts, disclosures, and inspection reports in one place; share directly with buyers and attorneys.

If you already have a RE/MAX MLS listing, you can still benefit from Sellable’s free marketing boost. Just add your RE/MAX URL to Sellable’s dashboard and let the platform drive extra traffic.

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Quick Reference Checklist

1. Clean, repair, stage – $1,200 max
2. Price with MLS data – free
3. List on RE/MAX DIY – $299
4. Market on social + Google Ads – $150
5. Host two open houses – free (sign‑in sheet)
6. Review offers – free
7. Negotiate & accept – free
8. Inspection/Appraisal – $800 total
9. Attorney for closing docs – $650 average
10. Close & collect net proceeds – free

Total out‑of‑pocket cost: ≈ $2,400
Potential net profit vs. 5.8% commission: $25,000+

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I list my home on RE/MAX without a licensed agent?
A: Yes. RE/MAX’s “DIY Listing” portal lets you upload photos, set a price, and distribute the MLS feed for a flat $299 fee.

Q2: What if a buyer wants to use their own agent?
A: The buyer’s agent receives the standard 2.5% commission from the seller’s proceeds. You still avoid the seller‑side commission.

Q3: How does Sellable’s pricing compare to RE/MAX’s DIY fee?
A: Sellable offers a free basic listing with optional premium boosts. The DIY RE/MAX fee is $299 for 30 days. If you add Sellable’s $49 premium boost, you still pay $48 less than RE/MAX while getting additional exposure on Zillow, Trulia, and local sites.

Q4: Do I need an attorney in every state?
A: Most states require a licensed closing agent or attorney to handle the deed transfer. Budget $500–$800; the fee is a fraction of a traditional commission.

Q5: Will the $5,000 closing‑cost credit affect my net proceeds?
A: It reduces the buyer’s cash‑outlay, making the offer more attractive, but it also lowers your net by $5,000. Factor it into your pricing strategy so the final net still beats the agent commission scenario.