The three best flat fee MLS Oregon companies | Hidden costs | Other ways to save on your sale | FAQs
Whether you're selling a traditional ranch in Portland or a craftsman in Eugene, paying 6% in realtor fees is a lot.
That’s why some sellers use a flat fee MLS Oregon company to list their home on the multiple listing service (MLS) — the main place where realtors find homes to show their clients — in exchange for a small one-time fee.
What’s the catch?
- Less support: You manage your own sale — without a full-service agent to handle pricing, photography, paperwork, and negotiations.
- Lower sales price: For sale by owner (FSBO) homes usually sell for significantly less than homes sold by agents — 6% less on average compared to properties represented by traditional agents.
- You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In Oregon, you’re on the hook for 2.04% to 2.87% of the final sale price.
If you want to save money on fees but aren’t ready for a do-it-yourself experience, Clever can match you with full-service realtors who work for a low flat fee of 1.5%.
Clever is the best alternative to the full DIY approach if you're in Oregon! You'll save thousands on listing fees, while still getting the support you need to sell your home fast AND for top dollar.
» SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just 1.5%
If you’re still interested in finding flat fee MLS listing options in Oregon, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst) services in The Beaver State.
The 3 best Oregon flat fee MLS companies*
By Owner Oregon
By Owner OregonBest For
Price Range
Pros:
- All packages include agent support throughout the listing process.
- Your listing comes with 32 photos and a virtual tour slide-show.
Cons:
- All the services are essentially the same, only the upfront price and the closing percentage fee change.
- There's no cheaper option for a listing without agent support.
Lowes Flat Fee Realty
Lowes Flat Fee RealtyBest For
Price Range
Pros:
- Opportunity to upgrade to partial agent service and recieve much greater support.
- The premium package includes a virtual tour for online home viewers.
Cons:
- Costs more and offers less than many similar MLS packages.
- A la carte offerings seem designed to pressure the partial agent service package.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Price Range
Pros:
- You can fill out, sign, and submit all your seller's paperwork on the Houzeo app.
- When you enter your address, Houzeo auto-fills publicly available data about your property.
- Houzeo lets you buy additional services like contract reviews, agent showings, and professional showings a la carte.
Cons:
- You have to pay extra for pricing assistance — several local competitors offer this for free.
- You're limited to 10 free changes for price, status, and description in their two most popular packages. Most competitors offer unlimited free changes.
Flat fee MLS companies in Oregon by city
In Oregon, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS companies that specialize in particular cities. These local real estate websites are more likely to offer flexible service packages and bring more area expertise than the big guys.
Every Oregon flat fee MLS service is different. Always make sure to read the fine print when evaluating offerings to make sure you're getting a fair deal.
Flat fee MLS companies in Portland
The city of Portland offers a number of unique MLS listing options for home sellers. Pricing begins at around $200, with premium packages costing up to $1,000.
» EXPLORE: The Best Portland Flat Fee MLS Companies
Hidden costs of flat fee MLS companies
Some companies claim to offer flat fee MLS services but charge hidden fees at closing. We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a free MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price at closing.
These predatory practices could cost you thousands of dollars when you expect to pay only a few hundred.
Always make sure to read the fine print for any service. Look out for "closing fees" or "admin fees" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an upfront flat fee.
Further, some flat fee MLS companies offer à la carte services like photography, paperwork help, and signage. These services can reduce some of your DIY work, but watch out. These additional fees can add up!
At a certain point, you may be better off finding a full-service agent who charges a clear and upfront discounted rate.
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 lower listing fees with 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 traditional cost: a 1.5% listing fee instead of the typical 2.5-3%
- Choose from the best local agents representing top regional and national brokerages, like Keller Williams and Century 21
Ready to find real estate agents who can help you save thousands on your sale? Enter your zip code below to get started!
What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in Oregon?
Discount and flat fee real estate agents
Discount real estate brokers offer a listing agent’s commission for as little as 1% — but keep in mind that you usually still have to pay a 2.6–3% buyer’s agent fee.
We’ve reviewed four national and regional discount brokers that operate in Oregon.
| Discount broker | Review |
|---|---|
|
Clever |
|
|
Assist-2-Sell |
|
|
Help-U-Sell |
|
|
Redfin |
In Oregon, Clever offers low rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
Clever matches home sellers like you with pre-vetted, full-service agents for only a 1.5% listing fee. That's half the rate agents typically charge, letting you keep thousands more in your pocket when your home sells.
Your Clever agent will handle everything for you, helping you accurately price your home, get high-quality photography, negotiate with prospective buyers, and complete paperwork.
You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat fee MLS service, but you'll save hours of effort by not having to do everything yourself!
Want to find a top local agent without overpaying on realtor fees? Clever negotiates 1.5% listing fees with top-rated realtors from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Get guaranteed full service for a fraction of the 3% rate agents typically charge. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a top local agent today!
Selling without an MLS listing
It's always possible to try selling your house by owner without listing on the MLS. But this makes sense only if you already have a potential buyer lined up.
That's because not listing on your local MLS means not getting the most effective exposure for your property. MLS listings are posted to every major real estate website. Plus, real estate agents access MLS listings to find properties for their clients.
If you don't secure an MLS listing, you'll be limited to sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and relying on a yard sign.
iBuyers
iBuyers are companies that buy homes for cash outright at what they claim are market prices. When you sell to an iBuyer, you could have a preliminary offer in as little as 24 hours.
The major downside of selling to an iBuyer is that these companies make money by charging steep service fees — typically 5–14% of the purchase price. So they're a good alternative only for sellers more concerned with convenience and speed than costs.
There are currently two iBuyers operating in certain Oregon markets. Click below to learn more.
| iBuyer | Oregon market | Fees | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opendoor | Portland | 5% | Read more |
| Zillow Offers | Portland | 7–7.5% | Read more |
Frequently asked questions about flat fee MLS Oregon companies
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Oregon?
Typically, you can expect to pay about $200-300 for a flat fee MLS listing in Oregon. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $280 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $1,000.
Do I still need to pay the buyer's agent commission?
We strongly recommend offering a commission to the buyer's agent. This will incentivize agents to bring their clients to your home. With a flat fee Oregon MLS broker, you'll still save money by not paying commission to a listing agent (typically 2.13%–2.95% of the sale price).
How much to offer a buyer's agent is up to you, but their commission in Oregon typically ranges from 2.04% to 2.87%.
How do I sell by owner in Oregon?
Oregon real estate laws require sellers to disclose all important information about their property, including:
- Building and safety information
- Utilities
- Environmental information (like erosion, noise pollution, and whether it's in a flood plain)
- Sewer and wastewater treatment
You'll make these disclosures by filling out the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. Potential buyers will review this document to make sure the property is free of deal-breaking flaws. You can either get this form from your listing broker or directly from the Oregon state legislature.
What is the best flat fee MLS listing service in Oregon?
We rank By Owner Oregon as the best flat fee MLS listing service in Oregon. Unlike many flat fee MLS companies, By Owner Oregon offers support from a real estate agent throughout the listing process. But if you're looking to sell your property mostly on your own, then no-frills options, like Lowest Flat Fee Realty or Houzeo, may be better suited to you. Check out our full flat fee MLS Oregon rankings!
How do I get access to the MLS in Oregon?
You can get your property listed on the Oregon MLS by working with either a real estate agent or an Oregon flat fee MLS company. A flat fee company usually charges less than a full service agent, but you'll be responsible for most of the sales process yourself. While some flat fee MLS companies offer broker assistance, you'll rarely get as much support as you would through a full-service listing broker. Extra services, like yard signs or more photo allowance, often come at an additional cost. Learn more about flat fee MLS companies in Oregon!
What is a flat fee MLS company?
A flat fee MLS company is a type of real estate company that lists your home on the multiple listing service for a flat rate. The MLS is the main listing directory realtors use to find houses for sale, so having your home listed on it can greatly increase your buyer leads. Flat fee MLS companies are cheaper than full-service agents, but with a basic package, you'll get very little service. You'll likely have to do much of the work of a listing agent yourself, such as setting a sales price, conducting open houses, and managing the closing process. Find out more about flat fee MLS services (and if they're right for you).
