The List & Lock program gives Realtors a new way to market homes using below-market mortgage interest rates and lower payment examples. It is designed for listings that need more attention, more showings, or a fresh strategy that does not begin with another price reduction.
Here is the basic idea: the seller identifies an amount they may be willing to provide as seller concessions. Those concessions can be used to buy down a qualified buyer’s mortgage rate. List & Lock takes that potential financing benefit and turns it into a marketing opportunity for the property.
Seller concessions are not new. The difference is that Realtors can begin advertising the potential rate and payment before finding a buyer. This can help a listing stand out online, attract buyers who are focused on monthly affordability, and create more opportunities to get people through the front door.
The buyer is not required to use the advertised financing, and the seller is not obligated to accept a specific concession simply because the property is marketed through List & Lock. The purpose is to create visibility and start conversations.
The List and Lock program may also expedite the home selling process by attracting more buyers and giving realtors more opportunities to find the right homes for the right people.
Mark Pfeiffer
Regional Sales Manager
Loan Officer, NMLS # 729612
(972) 829-8639
MortgageMark@MortgageMark.com
List and Lock Program
Here is the basic idea: the seller identifies an amount they may be willing to provide as seller concessions. Those concessions can be used to buy down a qualified buyer’s mortgage rate. List & Lock takes that potential financing benefit and turns it into a marketing opportunity for the property.
Seller concessions are not new. The difference is that Realtors can begin advertising the potential rate and payment before finding a buyer. This can help a listing stand out online, attract buyers who are focused on monthly affordability, and create more opportunities to get people through the front door.
The buyer is not required to use the advertised financing, and the seller is not obligated to accept a specific concession simply because the property is marketed through List & Lock. The purpose is to create visibility and start conversations.
Another advantage to the List and Lock program is that it increases the pool of buyers. Unlike temporary 2/1 buydowns, which are also great tools for sellers, the List and Lock program is a permanent rate buydown. This means the future homebuyers need to get pre-approved with the Mortgage Mark Team using the lower monthly payment.
Related Links
- Use 2/1 buydowns to sell like a builder
- Rate Buydown Calculator
- Loan Amortization and Debt-to-Income Calculator
When Realtors Should Consider List & Lock
List & Lock can be used for a new listing, but it may be especially helpful when a property is not converting attention into action. Maybe the listing is receiving plenty of online views but not enough showings. Maybe buyers are touring the home but nobody is writing an offer. The property may also be competing with builders or other sellers offering aggressive financing incentives.
In those situations, the Realtor needs another reason for buyers to stop, look, and ask questions. Advertising a below-market rate or lower payment example can provide that reason.
Realtors should consider List & Lock when:
- Showings are not producing offers
- A list needs more visibillity
- Online views are not producing showings
- Buyers are concerned about monthly affordability
- The seller is considering a price reduction
- The listing needs fresh social media content
- The property is competing with builder incentives
The program does not guarantee an offer or a sale. It gives Realtors another practical marketing tool that can help generate interest and expand the potential buyer pool.
How the List & Lock Program Works
Realtors begin by entering the property address into the List & Lock platform. The system pulls the available property details and photos from the MLS so they can be used in the marketing materials.
Next, enter the sales price and the amount of seller concessions you would like to explore. Start by entering 6% to see what the strongest potential rate and payment examples look like. This is an exploratory step. It does not mean the seller must offer 6%, and it does not mean every buyer will be allowed to receive that amount.
The platform displays real-time interest rate information based on the details entered. Realtors can then review the examples, adjust the concession amount, and determine whether the opportunity is appealing enough to discuss with the seller.
This can all be done before approaching the seller. You can see the numbers first, understand the potential marketing benefit, and then have a more productive conversation about the available options.
The Mortgage Mark Team is also happy to speak directly with sellers. We can explain how the program works, answer financing questions, and help everyone understand what the numbers may look like before any decisions are made.
Start With the $50 Marketing Option
There are 2 paths available through List & Lock. Realtors can purchase the marketing materials for $50, or the seller or Realtor can pay $1,000 to formally lock the displayed interest rate.
In most situations, we recommend beginning with the $50 marketing option.
The $50 option gives the Realtor property-specific marketing materials without requiring anyone to immediately lock an interest rate. This keeps the strategy flexible while still giving the listing a new way to attract attention.
Mortgage rates change daily. In a rapidly rising rate environment, formally securing the rate may create a meaningful advantage. In a market where rates are moving both higher and lower, purchasing the marketing materials may make more sense than paying to lock the rate immediately.
The important thing is that Realtors do not need to spend $1,000 just to explore the program or use its marketing features. Start with the $50 option, review the materials, and see how buyers respond.
When a Formal Rate Lock May Make Sense
The $1,000 option allows the displayed interest rate to be locked for the property. This may be worth considering when rates are consistently rising and protecting the available rate would strengthen the listing’s marketing position.
However, locking is not automatically the right choice for every seller. Current market direction, the expected time needed to sell the home, buyer activity, and the seller’s overall strategy should all be considered.
The rate lock is tied to the property and cannot be transferred to another address. A potential buyer must also qualify for the mortgage. List & Lock can provide a valuable financing opportunity, but it is not a guarantee to lend.
The Mortgage Mark Team can review current conditions and help the Realtor and seller decide whether the $50 marketing option or the $1,000 rate lock is the better fit.
List & Lock vs. Reducing the Sales Price
How List & Lock Expands the Buyer Pool
A lower mortgage rate can do more than make a listing look attractive. It may help buyers who were slightly outside the qualifying range become eligible for the home.
A buyer may like a property but believe the monthly payment is just above what they can afford. When seller concessions reduce the interest rate, the lower payment may bring that buyer back into the conversation.
The final seller concession amount will depend on the buyer’s loan program, down payment, and other transaction details. For example, a conventional buyer making a smaller down payment may not be eligible to use the full 6% concession shown in the original marketing example.
That does not make the marketing useless. It creates a reason for the buyer to call and learn what may be available.
The Mortgage Mark Team can then review the buyer’s actual financing options. The buyer may be able to increase the down payment, use a smaller concession, negotiate a different sales price, or choose another structure that works for everyone involved.
List & Lock Marketing Materials for Realtors
List & Lock only works as a marketing program when potential buyers know about it. The $50 option provides listing-specific materials designed to advertise the property and its potential financing opportunities.
The system uses the property’s MLS information and photos to create the marketing assets. Materials may take a few minutes to generate after the property details are entered.
Available List & Lock marketing materials may include:
- Property and open house flyers
- Social media graphics
- A custom property video
- A property-specific website
- Sign riders
- Rate and payment examples
- Content that can be used in listing promotions
These materials can be shared through social media, email campaigns, open houses, direct buyer outreach, and other listing marketing. One social media video created through List & Lock received approximately 30,000 views. That type of reach is not typical or guaranteed, but it shows what is possible when a listing is promoted with the right message.
For Realtors, the value goes beyond receiving another flyer. List & Lock gives you a complete affordability-focused marketing angle that can be used across multiple channels.
Support From the Mortgage Mark Team
Realtors should not be expected to answer every mortgage question that comes from List & Lock. That is where we come in.
The Mortgage Mark Team can speak with the seller before the property is entered into the program, review the numbers with the Realtor, and explain the financing options to interested buyers.
Once a buyer is identified, we will determine which concessions are permitted based on the buyer’s loan program, down payment, occupancy, and other financing details. We can then work with the buyer and Realtor to review the available options.
Our goal is to help you market the listing while making the mortgage side as simple as possible. You focus on getting buyers through the door and negotiating the contract. We will handle the financing conversations.
List & Lock FAQs
Is List & Lock only for Realtors?
No. Home sellers can also benefit from the program, but List & Lock is especially useful as a marketing tool for Realtors. It provides property-specific materials that help promote potential rate and payment savings.
Does the seller have to offer the advertised concession?
No. The seller is not obligated to provide a specific concession simply because the marketing materials were created. The final seller contribution must be negotiated in the purchase contract.
Does the buyer have to use List & Lock?
No. The buyer can review the advertised option along with any other mortgage financing available to them.
Why should Realtors begin with 6%?
Entering 6% allows the Realtor to see a strong example of the potential rate and payment benefit. It is a starting point for reviewing the program, not a promise that the seller will contribute 6% or that every buyer can use the full amount.
What happens if the buyer cannot use a 6% concession?
The Mortgage Mark Team will review the buyer’s financing and explain the available alternatives. The parties may use a smaller concession, adjust the down payment, modify the sales price, or consider another structure.
What does the $50 option include?
The $50 option provides access to property-specific marketing materials that may include flyers, social media content, a custom property video, a property website, sign riders, and rate or payment examples.
Is the $1,000 rate lock required?
No. Realtors and sellers can choose the $50 marketing option without formally locking the interest rate.
Does List & Lock guarantee that a buyer will qualify?
No. Buyers must still qualify for the mortgage based on the applicable lending requirements. List & Lock is not a guarantee to lend.
Can the locked rate move to another property?
No. A List & Lock rate is connected to the property address and cannot be transferred to another home.
Can the Mortgage Mark Team speak directly with the seller?
Absolutely. We are happy to explain the program, review the potential benefits, and answer the seller’s questions.
Get Started With List & Lock
If you have a Dallas or Texas listing that needs more attention, begin by entering the property address, sales price, and potential seller concession into the List & Lock platform. Review the real-time rate and payment examples, then decide whether the $50 marketing option or a formal rate lock makes sense for the property.
For most listings, the $50 marketing materials are the best place to start. They provide a fresh way to promote affordability, create more conversations, and give potential buyers another reason to see the home.
Contact the Mortgage Mark Team if you or your seller would like help reviewing the program. We are here to answer questions, run the numbers, and help you put List & Lock to work on your next listing.
When you think mortgage, think Mortgage Mark.