Deferred Media Package: Zero Up-Front Marketing Costs for Sellers
Selling a home often starts with a practical concern: how much do you need to pay before your property even goes on the market? For many sellers, that first phase can feel uncertain. You want strong presentation, broad visibility and a well-planned launch, but you may prefer to avoid paying all marketing costs immediately. That is exactly why the Deferred Media Package matters.
At Spijker Makelaardij, sellers do not have to pay the agency’s professional media package upfront. The agency advances the cost of the €595 incl. VAT media package and invoices the seller later. This allows you to prepare your property professionally for the market without an advance payment to the agency for those media services. In this article, you will learn how this arrangement works, what the package includes, which costs are handled differently, and why this can help you enter the market with confidence.
What Is the Deferred Media Package?
The Deferred Media Package is a payment arrangement for the professional media used to present a property for sale.
In practical terms, it means:
- Spijker Makelaardij pays the media costs upfront
- The seller is invoiced later
- No advance payment is required for the media package itself
The fixed cost of this package is €595 including VAT.
This structure can be especially helpful at the start of the sales process, when several decisions have to be made at once. A strong listing usually depends on professional presentation from day one, and deferred billing removes one immediate hurdle.
What Does the €595 Media Package Include?
The media package covers the essential presentation materials needed to market a home professionally.
Included in the package
The €595 incl. VAT media package includes:
- Professional photography
- Floor plans
- A measurement report
- 360° images
- Video
- A dedicated property website
These are not extras added as an afterthought. They form the visual and informational basis of how a property is introduced to the market.
Why these elements matter
In residential sales, presentation has a direct effect on first impressions. High-quality images help buyers decide whether a home deserves further attention. Floor plans make the layout easier to understand. Video and 360° images give a better sense of space, flow and atmosphere. A measurement report adds clarity to the practical details that buyers often want to review early.
Together, these tools support a more complete and attractive listing. They can also help potential buyers make faster, better-informed decisions about whether to arrange a viewing.
How the Deferred Payment Arrangement Works
The arrangement is straightforward.
Step-by-step overview
- A sales strategy is discussed after an appointment at the seller’s home
- The media package is selected as part of the sales preparation
- Spijker Makelaardij arranges and pre-finances the media package
- The property presentation materials are produced
- The seller receives the invoice for the media package later
This means the media work can be organised without requiring the seller to pay the agency in advance for these services.
Do Sellers Pay Anything Upfront?
Yes, but only in a specific area.
The direct answer
Sellers do not have to pay marketing or administrative fees to Spijker Makelaardij upfront. The professional media package is advanced by the agency and billed afterwards.
However, Funda advertising fees must be paid upfront by the seller directly to Funda before the property is published.
This is an important distinction.
Cost handling at a glance
| Cost item | Upfront payment required? | How it is handled |
|---|---|---|
| Professional media package | No | Advanced by Spijker Makelaardij and invoiced later |
| Funda advertising package | Yes | Paid directly by the seller to Funda before publication |
| Sales commission | No | Payable only upon successful completion of the sale |
This clear separation helps sellers understand exactly which costs are deferred, which are direct, and when each payment applies.
What About Commission?
Another common question is whether the deferred media arrangement changes the way agency commission works. It does not.
Commission structure
For residential sales, Spijker Makelaardij does not use a one-size-fits-all commission. After visiting the property and discussing the client’s goals, the agency provides a tailor-made quotation. Depending on the situation, that can be a percentage or, where appropriate, a fixed fee.
The key point is that the commission is strictly no-sale-no-pay and becomes due only when the sale is successfully completed.
That gives sellers a simple structure:
- Media package: deferred billing
- Funda advertising: direct payment to Funda upfront
- Commission: due only after a successful sale
Why a Deferred Media Package Helps Sellers
A deferred media package is useful because it supports a strong market launch without requiring immediate payment to the agency for the listing presentation.
1. It lowers the initial financial threshold
Selling a home often comes with overlapping costs and decisions. By removing the need to pay the agency’s media package in advance, the process becomes easier to start.
2. It supports professional presentation from the beginning
Some sellers might otherwise consider delaying or limiting presentation materials. That is rarely ideal. Buyers usually respond first to the quality of the listing itself, so it makes sense to launch with complete, professional visuals.
3. It creates clarity
The arrangement is easy to understand. The media package has a fixed price of €595 incl. VAT, and the handling of Funda costs and commission is clearly separated.
4. It fits a tailored sales approach
Spijker Makelaardij works with a personal, hands-on approach and tailors its strategy to the client, the property and current market conditions. Professional media is part of that broader sales preparation.
What Role Does Funda Play?
Funda advertising is handled separately from the deferred media package.
Important distinction
Although the agency coordinates the marketing process, the selected Funda advertising package is billed directly to the seller at cost and must be paid before the property is published.
Spijker Makelaardij does, however, advise sellers on the available Funda presentation and media packages. The agency helps clients choose the option that best fits the property, target audience and sales strategy, with package features and costs reviewed in advance.
That guidance matters because visibility strategy should match the home being sold. Not every property needs the same presentation route, and informed choices can support a more effective listing launch.
Are Instalment Plans Available?
There is no standard instalment plan for these costs.
That said, exceptional arrangements can be considered individually. This reflects a practical, case-by-case approach rather than a fixed public instalment structure.
How Costs Are Set Out Before You Proceed
Before a seller decides to move forward, the financial structure is made clear in writing.
What is itemised
The written quotation and sales agreement itemise:
- The exact commission
- The selected media package
- Any Funda advertising fees
- Any withdrawal fee that would apply if the mandate is ended prematurely
This gives sellers transparency before the property is listed.
Practical Tips for Sellers Considering This Option
If you are preparing to sell, these steps can help you make the most of a deferred media arrangement.
1. Ask for a full cost overview early
Make sure you understand the separation between:
- Deferred media costs
- Direct Funda costs
- Commission on successful completion
That way, you can plan your timeline and budget clearly.
2. Treat presentation as part of strategy, not decoration
Professional photography, floor plans, video and 360° images are not just visual extras. They shape how buyers experience the property before the first viewing request.
3. Discuss the right Funda package for your home
Since Funda costs are paid directly and selected in advance, it helps to review which package fits your property and sales plan.
4. Use the home visit to clarify your sales goals
Because sales support is quoted after an appointment at the client’s home, this is the right moment to discuss pricing, positioning, target buyer profile and market approach.
5. Think beyond the property itself
A strong sales strategy also benefits from local market understanding. Spijker Makelaardij has been active in the Almere housing market for 30 years and combines local knowledge with analysis of current transactions, price trends, sales speed, supply and demand, and comparable homes in the immediate vicinity. That broader perspective can strengthen decisions around timing, positioning and presentation.
Why This Fits the Way Spijker Makelaardij Works
Spijker Makelaardij provides full-service support for residential sales, purchases and valuations. The agency is active in the Almere housing market, works in Dutch and English, and assists both local and international clients, including expats.
Its approach is personal and practical. The process starts with a consultation to understand the client’s situation, goals and expectations. From there, the strategy is tailored to the client, the property and current market conditions. Clients receive clear advice, proactive updates and direct access to the team.
Within that approach, the deferred media package makes sense. It removes one immediate payment obstacle while still supporting a professional market entry.
Quick Answers
Does Spijker Makelaardij offer zero up-front media costs for sellers?
Yes. The agency advances the €595 incl. VAT professional media package and invoices the seller later.
What is included in the deferred media package?
It includes professional photography, floor plans, a measurement report, 360° images, video, and a dedicated property website.
Do sellers have to pay Funda costs upfront?
Yes. Funda advertising fees are paid upfront by the seller directly to Funda before publication.
When is the sales commission due?
The commission is no-sale-no-pay and becomes due only when the sale is successfully completed.
Is there a standard instalment plan?
No. There is no standard instalment plan, though exceptional arrangements may be considered individually.
Conclusion
The Deferred Media Package offers sellers a simple but valuable advantage: professional property presentation without upfront payment to the agency for the media package. For €595 incl. VAT, Spijker Makelaardij arranges and advances the essential presentation tools needed to market a home effectively, including photography, floor plans, a measurement report, 360° images, video and a dedicated property website.
At the same time, the overall cost structure remains clear. Funda advertising is paid directly upfront, while sales commission is only due after a successful sale. That gives sellers a practical and transparent foundation for planning their next move.
If you are considering selling your home in Almere and want a clear strategy, professional presentation and straightforward guidance on costs, contact Spijker Makelaardij for a personal consultation at Marktmeesterstraat 45, 1315 GA Almere. It is the ideal starting point to discuss your property, your goals and the sales approach that fits your situation.