Find a flat fee MLS service near me | The best flat fee MLS listing services | How much do flat fee MLS listings cost? | Flat fee MLS vs. full-service agents | Alternatives | FAQ
If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO), hiring a flat fee MLS listing service can help you increase your listing's visibility without breaking the bank.
What is a flat fee MLS listing service?
A flat fee MLS service charges a set rate to list your home on the local multiple listing service (MLS), a database of homes for sale in your region. An MLS listing will greatly increase your listing’s exposure, making it much easier for potential buyers to find.
❓ What is the MLS?
MLS stands for multiple listing service. It's a directory of properties listed for sale, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, land, acreage, commercial properties, and investment properties.
The MLS is the main tool that real estate agents use to find properties for their home-buying clients. MLS listings also get posted to major real estate sites like Zillow, Movoto, and Realtor.com. So getting your house on the local MLS is one of the most powerful marketing moves you can make.
You technically need a real estate license to post on the MLS, so most sellers hire a realtor. A cheaper alternative is using a flat fee MLS listing service, which uses a licensed broker to get your home on the MLS.
But selling a property involves a lot more than just listing it on the local MLS. You'll also be responsible for showings, open houses, photography, listing descriptions, marketing, pricing, paperwork, and negotiations. Unlike full-service real estate agents, a flat fee MLS company doesn't usually handle all of these details. You’ll be largely on your own.
If you want to save money without getting overwhelmed by all the DIY, a better alternative is to use a traditional real estate agent who charges discounted rates.
Clever negotiates flat 1.5% listing fees with full-service agents from top brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. That's half the 3% agents typically charge — saving you thousands of dollars without the headache of trying to sell without a realtor.
» SAVE: Find top local agents and get a 1.5% listing fee!
Should I use a flat fee MLS listing service?
Flat fee MLS listing services are best for home sellers who have the experience, time, and confidence to sell for sale by owner (FSBO). If you have a DIY mentality, these services can save you 2.5–3% in realtor commission and give you more control over your sale.
But selling your home without an agent can be difficult and time-consuming. You'll handle almost everything yourself, including pricing, marketing, and negotiating. Plus, you'll probably still pay a 2–3% buyer's agent commission.
If you know what you're doing, FSBO can be a rewarding experience. And using a flat fee MLS service can help. But if you’re mainly considering a flat fee MLS to save money, you’ll find much better overall value with a discount realtor. Check out our list of the best discount real estate agents in 2023.
What are the benefits of a flat fee MLS listing?
You save money on realtor commission
You could save thousands of dollars by using a flat fee listing service instead of paying a listing agent commission. Most flat fee MLS listing companies charge just a few hundred dollars — and some no-frills options are less than $100.
By comparison, a traditional listing agent charges around 2.5–3% of the final sale price. On a $500,000 home sale, a 3% commission would cost you $15,000. But be aware that selling without a realtor comes with risks that could mean you lose money in the long run.
You can pay just for the services you need
Many flat fee MLS listing companies let you pick the services you need. In addition to an MLS listing, they often offer à-la-carte services like pricing assistance, lockboxes, yard signs, and marketing materials.
You don't have to pay for services you won't use. For example, if you're comfortable negotiating with buyers but want help with closing, you can opt for a plan that includes support with closing but not negotiations.
You have more control over your sale
If you want control over how your home is priced and marketed, selling without a realtor may be appealing. While it’s more work for you, you get the final say over every step of the home selling process.
This control means you get to negotiate directly with buyers or buyer's agents. Troy Janes, who sold without a realtor, explains, “We could speak directly with the seller and negotiate the terms of the deal directly rather than going through the formal, time-consuming process of filling out forms for every little thing.”
» JUMP: Find the best flat fee MLS service near you
What are the risks of a flat fee MLS listing?
Homes sold without a realtor make less
FSBO homes sell for about 5.5% less on average than homes sold with a realtor. That wipes out any savings you’d get by avoiding the 2.5–3% listing agent commission.
These homes sell for less for many reasons. DIY sellers can make serious pricing mistakes or fail to effectively negotiate with experienced buyer's agents. Also, many buyer's agents avoid showing their clients flat fee MLS listings because they assume FSBO sellers are harder to work with.
As realtor Kristyn Grewell notes, when buyer's agents work with an FSBO seller, they're “going to do more work for the same commission. The agent may not show [an FSBO home], especially if there are plenty of other options.” The result is that FSBO properties get less attention from buyers, and there's less competition to drive up the sale price.
Deals can fall through during negotiations
Some buyer's agents can be aggressive when negotiating with FSBO sellers. They assume the seller is inexperienced and doesn’t know what a fair deal looks like. As Grewell says, “There are some agents that are kind of bulldogs out there especially when it comes to negotiations after we're under contract, like for repairs.”
Buyer's agents may demand that you make repairs or they'll walk away. However, if they were dealing with a listing agent, they’d likely show more flexibility. The listing agent could make a counteroffer, such as a home warranty in lieu of repairs, which sellers are less likely to think of themselves.
Similarly, some FSBO sellers can be too inflexible. Grewell continues, “If you get yourself stuck saying I'm not doing any repairs, and you don't have [an agent] saying, just spend the $1,000 dollars and get this to closing, sometimes [the seller] will get tunnel vision and let a deal go because they're being stubborn.”
Being your own realtor is hard work
When you sell without a realtor, you take on most of the tasks a realtor would do. This includes writing a listing description, pricing your home, taking photos, marketing, hosting showings, negotiating with buyer's agents, and closing.
Even if you choose a pricier flat fee MLS plan with extra support, it'll usually fall short of what you’d get with a full-service realtor. If any issues arise, you'll be responsible for dealing with them. As Grewell says, all of this work can leave FSBO sellers feeling like they’re “just putting out fires and it can be very stressful.”
Selling your home is difficult, even with a flat-fee MLS company to handle your listing. Add in hidden fees, a la carte services, and premium service tiers, and you'll save a lot less than you planned, but still be stuck with most of the work.
There's a better option. Clever pre-negotiates cheaper listing fees with the top agents in your area. You still save on commission, while getting the support of a full-service agent.
- Clever partner agents offer full-service support for a fraction of the full-service price: a 1.5% listing fee — half the typical rate.
- Clever sellers save an average of $7,000 on commission AND they get offers 2.8x faster than the national average
Ready to find real estate agents who can help you save thousands on your sale? Enter your zip code below to get started!
How much does a flat fee MLS listing cost?
Typically, a flat fee MLS listing service charges $100–400 for a basic package. These plans include at least a 6-month MLS listing and 4 or more photos.
Most companies also offer premium flat fee packages for a few hundred dollars more. These plans can include longer listing terms, more pictures of your home, and help negotiating with buyers. Plans with broker support sometimes cost a flat fee and a percentage of the sale price at closing, usually 0.5–1%.
You can also find add-ons, like "for sale" signs and lockboxes, for around $25–100 each.
The value of premium plans depends a lot on the company. For example, Congress Realty and Houzeo both offer $399 plans, but only Congress Realty’s includes call forwarding. This service is almost essential if you don’t want to miss out on interested buyers. To get call forwarding with Houzeo, you have to upgrade to a plan that costs at least $999.
How much can I save with a flat fee MLS listing?
You could save thousands of dollars on real estate commission by using a flat fee MLS listing service.
But your actual savings depend on how much your house sells for. Homes sold without an agent sell for around 5.5% less than homes sold with an agent, potentially wiping out the savings you’d get by not paying a 2.5–3% listing fee.
Here's how much you could save, assuming a typical 3% fee for a listing agent and a $299 flat rate for an MLS listing.
| Home sale price | Typical full-service listing commission | Typical flat fee MLS listing cost | Potential savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $299 | $2,701 |
| $200,000 | $6,000 | $299 | $5,701 |
| $350,000 | $10,500 | $299 | $10,201 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $299 | $14,701 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $299 | $29,701 |
When you use a flat fee service, you'll probably still have to pay a 2–3% commission to the buyer's agent. Buyer’s agent commission comes from the sale proceeds, so it’s up to the seller to decide how much to offer.
You can technically offer less than the standard 2–3%, but that’ll make your house much harder to sell. Fewer buyers will see your property, which means less competition and potentially a lower sale price.
As realtor Kristyn Grewell says, “Agents are not going to work for free. In the US, buyers in most markets have no expectation of having to pay a commission to an agent. Offering none is not going to get your house shown.”
Flat fee MLS listing vs. full-service realtor
Besides cost, the difference between a full-service agent and a flat fee MLS listing company is the quality and amount of services they offer.
When you sell FSBO using an MLS listing service, you miss out on the expertise and comprehensive service of a traditional realtor.
While some FSBO sellers find the experience rewarding, it's not easy to sell your house on your own. Roughly 10% of sellers who try a FSBO sale eventually give up and hire a full-service listing agent.
» COMPARE: The full savings and value of a flat fee realtor vs. a flat fee MLS service
What do you get with a flat fee MLS listing?
At a minimum, a flat fee MLS listing company lists your house on your local MLS, typically for 6–12 months. Basic packages tend to limit the number of photos you can upload (sometimes as low as four) and may charge for listing changes and cancellation. Many plans include disclosure forms and a comparative marketing analysis to help you price your home.
You can get more services by upgrading to a more expensive package. A premium plan may include:
- A lockbox
- Online appointment scheduling
- DocuSign
- Professional photography
- Pricing assistance
- Agent support during negotiations
- Paperwork assistance
However, premium packages can be poor value overall. The price may include a flat rate and a percentage at closing — which makes it expensive. If you need extra support, you’re usually better off finding a discount real estate agent who offers full service.
What do you get with a full service real estate agent?
When you work with a full-service agent, you get access to a suite of services that can be incredibly valuable to someone trying to sell their home. Typical services include:
- Conducting a comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Creating an MLS listing
- Marketing your home
- Negotiating with buyer's agents
- Getting professional photography
- Home staging
- Scheduling and hosting showings
- Helping with paperwork
Full-service agents are trained professionals who can advocate for you. They know from experience what's fair in a real estate transaction and what red flags to avoid. For example, they can effectively vet potential buyers’ financing, which can help you avoid deals falling through at the last minute.
» LEARN: How a full-service real estate agent makes selling your home easier
What is the best flat fee MLS listing service?
The best flat fee MLS listing service depends on how much experience you have selling homes and how much support you need.
If you're a highly experienced seller, a no-frills plan may be best. For example, Homecoin has a $95 flat fee plan that's designed for sellers who want to take a more DIY approach.
If you need more support in certain areas, like contracts or pricing, you should see what add-ons or premium plans are available in your area. For example, HomeZu has a contract review package where an agent reviews your sale agreement before you make it final.
The best flat fee MLS listing services for 2023
| Company | Clever Rating | Customer Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best value for most sellers
|
4.9/5 (537 reviews)
|
$399 upfront + 0.1% at closing
|
Nationwide (except ND and WY)
|
Learn More | |
|
4.8/5 (112 reviews)
|
$95–3,000
|
AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
|
Learn More | |
|
4.9/5 (105 reviews)
|
$299–499 or $399 upfront + 0.5% at closing
|
AZ, AK, CA, ID, LA, MT, NV, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA
|
Learn More | |
|
4.5/5 (111 reviews)
|
$0 to $599 upfront + 0.5% at closing
|
Nationwide (except SD)
|
Learn More | |
|
Varies by location
|
Varies by location
|
Varies by location
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
|
4.6/5 (587 reviews)
|
$99 to $599 upfront + 1% at closing
|
AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MN, NC, SC, TX
|
Learn More | |
|
4.7/5 (60 reviews)
|
$299–399
|
Nationwide (except ND)
|
Learn More | |
|
4.9/5 (3,048 reviews)
|
$329–999+
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
HomeZu is a flat fee MLS company with very positive customer reviews.
It offers one MLS package in most states, but in others, it also has a premium package. The only difference between the two is that the pricier premium plan includes a contract review by a licensed agent.
The basic MLS Listing package is good value for money, with a 25+ photo limit, free cancellation, and free listing changes. But if you need the 12-month listing upgrade, it costs an extra $99.
The Contract Review package is also competitively priced, but only one contract review is included. Every additional review costs $100. If you need multiple contract reviews, you'll quickly end up paying a lot more than you would with another company.
Also, HomeZu retains 0.1% of the buyer's agent commission.
Pros
- The basic plan comes with 25+ photos.
- You get free listing changes and cancellations.
- All plans include lead forwarding and disclosure forms.
Cons
- This company isn't the cheapest option if all you want is a no-frills plan.
- The Contract Review package isn’t available everywhere.
- The company retains 0.1% of the buyer's agent commission.
MLS Listing: $399 + 0.1% from the buyer’s agent commission
- 6-month MLS listing (upgrade to 12 months for $99)
- 25+ photos
- Listing changes
- Lead forwarding
- Disclosure forms
- 2 open house ads
- Yard sign ($19)
Contract Review (only available in select states): $749 + 0.1% from the buyer’s agent commission
MLS Listing package, plus:
- 1 contract review by a Simple Choice Realty agent
- Additional contract reviews ($100 each)
HomeZu is available nationwide, except North Dakota and Wyoming.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Homecoin is a flat fee MLS listing service that's easy to use. It charges $95 for an MLS listing, and you can purchase additional services à la carte. However, its add-ons are pricey compared to similar companies.
If you want a DIY sale and a no-frills MLS listing, Homecoin offers the best MLS package. But if you need extra services, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Pros
- Homecoin has one of the cheapest flat rate MLS options.
- It offers free cancellation and unlimited photos.
- You can get a free home valuation report.
Cons
- Add-ons are expensive compared to the competition.
- The one package available is unsuitable for novice sellers.
- There's no option for full broker support.
Flat Fee MLS Listing: $95
- 12-month MLS listing
- Unlimited photos
- Call forwarding
- Free cancellation
- 10 free listing changes
- Disclosure forms
- Home value report
- Lockbox ($125)
- Yard sign post ($99+)
Homecoin is available in AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Congress Realty has four MLS listing packages, ranging from basic to full agent support. Unlike many of its competitors, the company is licensed in each state where it operates, so you won’t have to deal with intermediaries.
The Basic and Plus plans are poor value. They have very low limits on photos and listing changes, making them impractical for most DIY sellers.
Only the Full Service plan has agent support and sales comps to help you more accurately price your home. But the Full Service plan is expensive since it combines a flat rate with a percentage commission.
Pros
- You can upgrade from a 6-month listing to 2 years for only $50.
- The Full Service plan is competitively priced.
- All plans include a ShowingTime appointment tool and DocuSign.
Cons
- You get only four photos with the Basic plan, which is too low for most sellers.
- The Basic plan doesn't have automated phone lead forwarding.
- Marketing add-ons aren’t included in the Full Service plan.
Basic: $299
- 6-month MLS listing
- 4 photos
- 5 listing changes
- DocuSign
- ShowingTime
- State forms and disclosures
- Seller’s contact information on MLS listing
Plus:$399
Basic plan, plus:
- Max photos allowed by MLS
- 10 listing changes
- Automated phone lead forwarding
Premium: $499
Plus plan, plus:
- Unlimited listing changes
- Unlimited open house postings
- Listing posted on CongressRealty.com and social media
Full Service: $399 + 0.5% at closing
Premium plan, plus:
- Dedicated agent support
- Sales comps
Congress Realty is available in AZ, AK, CA, ID, LA, MT, NV, NM, OR, TX, UT, and WA.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Unreal Estate has a variety of plans at competitive rates. Its Starter plan gets you on the MLS, and you don't have to pay until your house sells. However, this package allows only five photos, which likely isn't enough to properly display your home.
The Basic plan has a reasonable price, but the photo limit is still low at 15, and you have to settle for chat- or email-only support.
The Deluxe and Premium plans offer the best overall value, since they both have high photo limits.
However, Clever has partnered with Unreal Estate, so if you use code Clever, Unreal Estate drops the 0.5% charge on its Basic, Deluxe, and Premium plans. Instead, you pay a flat rate of $99, $250, or $450.
Pros
- You only pay for your MLS listing if you sell.
- With Clever, you can get exclusive, competitive rates for the most popular plans.
- Online reviews praise the company's customer service.
Cons
- Photo limits are low on the two cheapest plans.
- Only the most expensive plan includes unlimited listing edits.
- Customer support is available only via chat or email for the two lower-tier plans.
Starter: 0.5% at closing
- 6-month MLS listing
- 5 photos
- Live chat support
Basic: $99 upfront + 0.5% at closing (or just $99 through Clever)
Starter package, plus:
- 15 photos
- Free cancellation
- 2 listing or price edits
- Lead caller ID
- Email support
Deluxe: $139 upfront + 0.5% at closing (or just $250 through Clever)
Basic package, plus:
- 25 photos
- 4 listing or price edits
- Yard sign
- Call forwarding
- Phone support
Premium: $249 upfront + 0.5% at closing (or just $450 through Clever)
Deluxe package, plus:
- Max photos allowed by MLS
- Unlimited listing or price edits
- Buyer qualification information
- Sales agreement review
- 30-minute broker form review
Unreal Estate is available nationwide, except South Dakota.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Flat Fee Group is a nationwide organization of brokers, with one broker covering each state. Each broker operates independently, so prices and services vary a lot between states.
In most states, Flat Fee Group offers a wide range of plans. That makes it a good choice if you want a plan suited for your experience level.
Customer reviews vary between local brokerages. In general, Flat Fee Group’s local brokers have good online reviews and are highly experienced.
Pros
- Customer reviews online are usually positive.
- The company has a wide range of plans in most states.
Cons
- Prices vary depending on where you live.
- Add-ons and services vary between states.
Flat Fee Group’s prices and plans vary a lot between states. Visit the company website to see what it offers in your area.
Flat Fee Group is available nationwide.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Beycome is a flat fee MLS listing service that operates in California, most of the Southeast, and a few other states.
It has three plans, but only two offer good value for most sellers: the $99 Basic package and the $399 Enhanced package. These plans are affordable since they provide unlimited MLS access, the maximum number of photos the MLS allows, and unlimited listing changes.
Beycome’s Concierge plan isn’t a great offer. It provides a dedicated agent and costs $599 upfront plus 1% of the sale price. At that price, you’re better off with a low commission company that guarantees full service and support.
Pros
- Listing stays active until your house sells.
- The company provides English and Spanish customer support via phone, chat, and email.
- You get the max photos allowed by the MLS.
Cons
- Only the Concierge service includes a comparative market analysis and agent support.
Basic Package: $99
- List until sold
- Max photos allowed by MLS
- Unlimited listing changes
- Open house scheduler
- Home visit manager tool
- Access to legal forms and disclosures
- Customer service in English and Spanish
Enhanced Package:$399
Includes Basic plan, plus:
- 25 professional HDR photos
- Customizable flyers and brochures
- Personalized yard sign
- Printable promotional items
- Open house package
- Craigslist easy click and share ad
- Virtual tour
- YouTube video
- Listing featured on beycome.com
Concierge Service: $599 upfront + 1% at closing (min. $999)
Includes Enhanced plan, plus:
- Comparative market analysis
- Home valuation service and pricing assistance
- Full marketing support
- Immersive 3D tour
- Full negotiation and paperwork support
- Dedicated closing coordinator
Beycome is available in AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MN, NC, SC, and TX.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
ISoldMyHouse.com is a nationwide brokerage with generally favorable online reviews.
The entry-level package is Get LISTED! While fairly cheap, the plan's major drawback is that it includes only 6–10 photos. Photos are an important part of drawing in interested buyers, so that limit may not be enough.
The Get SOLD! package is a bit more expensive, but overall it provides better value for money than Get LISTED!
Also, while ISoldMyHouse.com generally has good reviews, some clients complained that its customer service operates almost entirely online. If you prefer talking to a representative over the phone, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros
- Both packages are good value for what you get.
- The company generally has positive customer reviews.
- The free online resources can help you learn how to sell on your own.
Cons
- The basic package includes only 6–10 photos.
- Some customers complain that customer service operates almost entirely online.
- Neither package comes with many free extras.
Get LISTED!: $299
- 6-month MLS listing
- 6–10 photos
- Lead forwarding
- Online customer support
- Custom printed sign ($75)
- Lockbox ($50)
- 1-month featured listing ($25)
Get SOLD!: $399
Get LISTED! plan, plus:
- 12-month MLS listing
- 25 photos (or max allowed by MLS)
ISoldMyHouse.com is available nationwide, except in North Dakota.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Locations
Houzeo is a nationwide company that offers four pricing plans. Most are poor value for money, with the cheapest plan providing just a three-month listing and six photos. Only the Silver plan is comparable to what other companies offer, although the six-month listing term is still on the low side.
While Houzeo mostly has good reviews online, there are some serious complaints. Some customers said they felt pressured to provide positive reviews, while others complained that their listings contained errors — such as being posted to the wrong MLS or displaying the wrong list price. Difficulty contacting customer service was also a common theme of negative Houzeo reviews.
The one positive we can say about Houzeo is that its online platform makes it easy to create your listing and manage showings. However, for most sellers, that benefit doesn't outweigh the risks.
Pros
- It's easy to manage your listing and home showings online.
- Most of Houzeo's online reviews are positive.
Cons
- Listing changes are expensive for the entry-level package.
- All packages are pricey for what they offer.
- Some customers complain that the mobile app is buggy and frequently crashes.
- Reviews note that customer service is often difficult to reach and slow to fix errors.
- Some customers complain about serious mistakes in their listings and hidden fees.
Bronze: $329
- 3-month MLS listing
- 6 photos
- Listing changes ($25 each)
- Open houses ($25 each)
- Custom yard sign ($49)
Silver: $399
Bronze package, plus:
- 6-month MLS listing
- Max photos allowed by MLS
- Unlimited listing changes
- Unlimited open houses
- Houzeo mobile app
- Manage showings online
Gold: $379 upfront + 0.5% at closing (min. $999)
Silver package, plus:
- Custom printed yard sign
- Review and compare offers online
- Disclosure forms
- Personal concierge
- Rush service (draft in 12 hours)
- Call forwarding
- Contract and form review with a broker
Platinum: $349 upfront + 1% at closing (min. $999)
Gold package, plus:
- 12-month MLS listing
- Coming soon listing (upon request, where available)
- Listings on additional MLS (upon request, where available)
- Pricing assistance
- Contract-to-close broker consultation
Houzeo is available nationwide.
Flat fee MLS listing services by state
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of flat fee MLS companies based throughout the United States. While there are big players such as Houzeo that offer services across the country, there are also many uber-local flat fee MLS companies too.
The potential benefits of opting for a homegrown service include more local market knowledge, more control over your listing, and better communication.
It’s also worth mentioning that many of the national services simply refer you to a local realtor or brokerage. So you might as well skip the middleman and work directly with a flat fee listing service based in your area.
Find your state below to compare flat fee MLS listing services near you.
Which flat fee MLS listing service should you use?
When comparing flat fee MLS services, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals, because they'll dictate which features matter most to you. We've broken down some of the most important factors when evaluating different companies:
Alternatives to a flat fee MLS listing
If you’re looking to save on real estate agent commission but are wary of the heavy lifting that typically comes with a FSBO listing, there are a number of alternative options worth considering.
Sell with a discount real estate broker
Discount realtors provide real estate services for a reduced commission or flat fee. They're a good option if you want to avoid the risks of using a flat fee MLS service but still save money on realtor commission.
Discount real estate brokers are more expensive than flat fee MLS services, but you're more likely to sell for a better price because you’re working with an expert. Many discount realtors offer the same full service as traditional real estate agents, so you don’t need to worry about sacrificing quality for savings.
| Company | Clever Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best overall
|
1.5% (min. $3,000)
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More | |
|
1.5% (min. fee varies)
|
Nationwide (select markets)
|
Learn More | |
|
2% (min. $3,000)
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
Sell FSBO without an MLS listing
Technically, you don’t need an MLS listing to sell your house. You can simply advertise it for sale on a few websites. Some of these sites are exclusively for real estate listings, while others have a variety of items for sale.
Free FSBO listing websites include:
- Craigslist
- Facebook Marketplace
- ForSaleByOwner.com
- Zillow
However, selling FSBO without an MLS listing is rarely successful.
For one, your listing won’t be reposted to other sites like Realtor.com. The only people who see it will be those who visit the particular site you posted on. Also, buyer's agents heavily rely on the MLS to find homes for their clients. If your home isn’t on the MLS, not many buyers or buyer's agents will see it.
Many of the buyers who do visit FSBO websites are real estate investors. They usually want to buy homes for less than market value and flip them for a profit, so they probably won't offer a fair price.
Finally, even if you don't use the MLS, you still need to follow local real estate laws and FSBO paperwork requirements.
FAQ about flat fee MLS listing services
Is a flat fee MLS legal?
Flat fee MLS listings are legal, but some states have minimum service laws that require companies to provide more than an MLS listing. Some states require only a little extra support, while others require much more hands-on service. If you live in a minimum service state, flat fee companies may be a bit more expensive.
States and territories with minimum service mandates include AL, DC, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MO, OR, TX, UT, WA, WV. Additionally, DE, FL, NV, NM, OH, PA, TN, and WI have minimum service legislation but give consumers the option to waive these requirements if they choose to work with a flat fee MLS service.
Do you need to use a flat fee MLS listing service to get your home on Zillow?
No. You can post your home for sale by owner (FSBO) on Zillow for free without working with a real estate agent or paying an MLS listing service to list your home for you.
Do flat fee MLS listings work?
Choosing a flat fee service ensures that your home is seen by the greatest number of interested buyers and is an effective way to save on commission costs. However, having your home seen by buyers is only part of the home selling process.
Unless you are willing to devote the substantial time and effort necessary to sell your home FSBO, you can expect mixed results using a flat fee MLS listing company.