7 Best Flat Fee MLS Virginia Listing Services (2023)

7 best flat fee MLS companies in Virginia | What to consider before using a flat fee MLS service | Other ways to save on realtor commissions

When selling a house for sale by owner (FSBO) in Florida, posting on the multiple listing service (MLS) greatly increases the number of buyers who will see your listing. Agents use the MLS to find properties for their clients, and listings are automatically syndicated to real estate sites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com.

While a traditional listing agent charges 2.5–3% to sell a home, a flat fee MLS service will list your house on the local MLS for just a few hundred dollars.

However, you'll need to consider the trade-offs before paying for this type of service.

Who should use a flat fee MLS listing service?

A flat fee MLS listing can work particularly well if you have the time and experience to sell a house on your own. 

If you decide to sell FSBO, you have plenty of flat fee MLS listing services to choose from in Florida.

If you haven't sold FSBO before, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You'll essentially be your own agent. You'll handle the pricing, showings, paperwork, buyer financing reviews, and negotiations on your own. While some flat fee MLS companies offer broker assistance, it'll cost you a premium, and the level of service usually falls short of what a typical listing agent provides.

• You'll probably still need to pay a buyer's agent fee, since most buyers use an agent.

• The biggest potential downside of a flat fee MLS listing is that your home may sell for less than it would with an agent, despite all the time and effort you put in. Homes sold without a realtor sell for about 6% less on average, canceling any commission savings. That may explain why the majority of sellers who try the FSBO route end up listing with an agent.

If you want a less risky way to save money, you may want to consider hiring a reputable discount broker. You'll still save thousands, but you'll have a dedicated local realtor by your side.

» SAVE: Get a top local agent, pay half the commission

7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Virginia

Do you need an MLS listing?

If you decide to sell without a realtor, the only way you can get on the multiple listing service is with a flat fee MLS company. The MLS is where most real estate agents find properties for their clients, and posting on the MLS is how your listing gets on home-buying websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. If you're not on the MLS, buyers will have a much harder time finding your property.

What to consider before hiring a flat fee MLS service

You’ll save on listing fees

If you're able to sell your house for close to what an agent could get for it, a flat fee MLS listing service will save you thousands of dollars. For example, on a $400,000 sale, a listing agent charging a 3% commission would set you back $12,000. But with a flat fee MLS listing service, you're more likely to pay just $300–500 in fees.

You'll still have to pay a buyer's agent to negotiate against you

A flat fee MLS listing helps you avoid paying a traditional listing agent's fee, but you'll still need to cover the buyer's agent commission. Almost all buyers work with an agent, and since buyers already have to pay cash for a down payment, agent commissions typically come from the seller's proceeds.

Unfortunately, buyer's agents often have the upper hand in FSBO sales, simply because they have more experience with these negotiations. The typical FSBO seller pays more in concessions and sells for about $120,000 less than the median sale price of homes sold through an agent.

You’ll have more control over the sale

In a typical real estate transaction, a listing agent acts as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer's agent. You're often in the dark about what's going on behind the scenes. Listing your home yourself means you know what's going on at every stage of the sale.

You may miss out on leads

Flat fee MLS listings don't always get as many leads as they should. Buyer's agents may caution their clients against pursuing these types of listings because they worry FSBO sellers will be hard to work with or need extra help from the buyer's agent, which could cause a conflict of interest. 

Additionally, MLS rules require a licensed agent to post a listing. So your contact information will only appear in the Agent Remarks section on the MLS — not directly on sites like Zillow and Redfin.

Most of the time, you'll depend on your flat fee broker to forward you inquiries and showing requests. If your flat fee MLS listing agent manages a lot of listings, they may not forward leads promptly, as this Houzeo customer found out.

You can choose the services you need

Most flat fee MLS companies have different packages so you can choose the level of support you need to sell your home.

If you're not in a hurry to sell, you may not need much more than an MLS listing and a way for buyers to get in touch. If you're on a tighter timeline or don't have much experience with selling real estate, you can choose a plan that features broker assistance with pricing, paperwork, and negotiations. While these plans cost more, they're typically still cheaper than a traditional real estate agent commission.

You'll likely encounter extra fees

Some companies may draw you in with a flat fee offer, only to charge additional fees or a percentage of your sale price at closing. Some may even retain a portion of the buyer's agent commission, which will impact your bottom line.

Some fees aren't necessarily hidden but can quickly add up, like charges for listing edits, price changes, lockboxes, and additional photos. For example, this Houzeo customer found out that they'd have to pay an extra $140 for the ShowingTime app in order to receive showing requests from agents and buyers — which is pretty essential to selling a house.

7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Virginia: Full breakdown

Cottage Street Realty: Best for inexperienced sellers

Pros

• The company forwards all buyer leads to you.
• The Basic package includes the maximum number of photos the MLS allows and a six-month listing term.
• The Supreme plan provides realtor support at a fixed fee.

Cons

• The cost of add-on services adds up quickly.
• Only the Supreme plan includes DocuSign contracts.
• The Supreme plan may not include assistance with closing.

Cottage Street Realty fees and services

Cottage Street Realty offers two listing-only packages and two plans with realtor support. The FSBO plans are somewhat pricey for what you receive compared to some competitors, especially if you need to add on any additional services. However, the Basic plan provides a six-month listing term and max photos on the MLS, which is more than some other entry-level plans allow.

The difference between the Premium and Supreme plans is limited, especially given the price points. Additionally, while the Supreme plan states it provides full-service agent support, it isn't clear if you'll get assistance with the closing process.

Sellers can customize plans by selecting add-on services. However, these features can add up quickly.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers reporting professional and knowledgeable support and service. Additionally, the realtor promptly returned calls, emails, and texts and had good attention to detail.

Sellers can cancel anytime with no additional fee.

Home Discovery Realtors: Best for sellers who want a longer listing term

Pros

• The company lets you choose the length of your listing term.
• It handles your listing — no intermediary is involved.
• You can consult with the broker regarding offers and marketing strategies.

Cons

• The website is low-tech and not secure, and sellers provide listing data through a Google form.
• The company has few reviews, making it a riskier option.

Home Discovery Realtors fees and services

Home Discovery Realtors offers one MLS listing package with realtor support, such as discussing marketing strategies and a contract review. Additionally, the service promises quick entry in the local MLS, often less than 24 hours, and a simple process.

Online reviews are limited to one 5-star review, so we encourage you to talk with the broker before signing to make sure the service fits your needs.

There are no hidden fees, and you can cancel anytime.

Net Realty Now: Best for sellers wanting a virtual tour listing

Pros

• Plans include a virtual tour upload.
• Buyer leads are forwarded to the seller.
• The Full Support plan provides realtor guidance throughout the entire selling process.

Cons

• ShowingTime is only available as an add-on.
• The cost for the commission-based service is unclear.

Net Realty Now fees and services

Net Realty Now offers two flat fee services and a full-service seller representation for commission — a basic flat fee MLS listing service and a flat fee full support service. Both flat fee plans provide a good amount of photos, a sixth-month listing term, and the ability to upload a virtual tour, which not all flat fee services allow. However, sellers who want to use ShowingTime must pay an additional fee, even with the full-service package.

The amount of commission due for the commission-based plan is unclear. If you're interested in a more traditional realtor approach, we recommend interviewing the broker to make sure you understand the terms, policies, commission rate, and what's included.

Online reviews are positive, focusing on the efficiency of the services, expert knowledge, and quality customer support.

There's no penalty for canceling a listing but no refund either. The company requires a written cancellation notice via email 24 hours in advance.

United Brokers LTD: Best for budget-conscious sellers

Pros

• The company offers a basic, entry-level plan for less than most competitors offer.
• You can cancel anytime for free.

Cons

• The entry-level plan allows only six photos and a three-month listing term and doesn't include free listing changes.
• Only the Full Service plan includes electronic forms and signatures.

United Brokers LTD fees and services

United Brokers LTD offers several plans at an affordable price, which can be helpful for budget-conscious sellers. However, these plans contain only the basics unless you pay extra for optional features, which can get pricey. That said, the flat fee Full Service plan offers broker assistance with some aspects of the selling process, which can help those on a budget who need support.

We recommend talking with the broker before signing up to make sure the plan you select fits your needs, as some information on the website is contradictory.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers experiencing professional, prompt service. Additionally, many reviewers noted that they've used this company more than once.

You can cancel your listing anytime at no charge.

Virginia Flat Fee MLS: Best for experienced sellers

Pros

• The company offers basic, no-frills MLS plans that may work for experienced sellers.

Cons

• None of the plans include agent support.
• The entry-level plan allows only six photos.
• The free changes are only for the status, not the listing information or pictures.

Virginia Flat Fee MLS fees and services

Virginia Flat Fee MLS offers three MLS listing plans at an affordable rate. These plans don't offer any agent support, so they may be best for experienced sellers. The plans vary only on the number of photos, listing term, and type of listing on Realtor.com.

There are no online reviews. We encourage you to talk to the broker first to make sure this service is a good fit. The company doesn't give a refund once a listing goes live.

Flat Fee Group — Debbie Kent: Best for sellers who want options on the level of agent support

Pros

• The entry-level plan provides the maximum number of photos the MLS allows and a six-month listing term.
• The company offers plans with different levels of support.
• All inquiries are forwarded to the seller, even on the weekend.

Cons

• Only the two higher-cost plans include unlimited changes.
• Electronic document signing is only offered on the highest-priced plan.

Flat Fee Group — Debbie Kent fees and services

Flat Fee Group — Debbie Kent offers several plans to fit different sellers' needs. That said, the entry-level plan costs more than some other competitors, especially for the services provided.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers reporting prompt, professional service and a seamless process.

You can cancel your listing anytime by completing a withdrawal form, as long as it's not under contract. You can add unlimited changes to one of the entry-level plans for an additional cost.

Homecoin: Best for sellers wanting à la carte options

Pros

• The process is all online.
• Sellers receive comparable sales, a home value report, and disclosures.
• All MLS listings have automatic email forwarding and email and text notifications.

Cons

• Homecoin doesn't provide a full-service option.
• The cost of add-ons can add up quickly, particularly for less-experienced sellers.

Homecoin fees and services

Homecoin offers an affordable flat fee MLS listing service. Sellers can select from optional add-ons, allowing for customization. However, the prices of some features, like help with forms, vary per location, so sellers should contact each location to determine the total cost.

While the basic price is inexpensive, first-time sellers may want to shop around to find the right level of support for them, since the cost of the à-la-carte system can add up.

Online reviews are highly positive. Reviewers enjoyed the automated online platform, easy process, and professional communication.

Canceling your listing with Homecoin is free, and you can do so anytime as long as there are no outstanding offers on your property.

Virginia flat fee MLS listing services by city

In Virginia, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS companies that specialize in particular cities. These local companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and expertise than national brands.

How to get an MLS listing without a realtor in Virginia

Top alternatives to a flat fee MLS listing service in Virginia

Sell with a discount broker

The best discount realtors offer the same services as a traditional real estate agent but at a much more competitive rate — as little as 1–2%.

Some discount brokers even offer flat rates, typically starting at about $5,000.

More discount realtors are becoming available, but not all offer the same level of service, savings, and value. That's why we recommend talking to realtors from a few brokerages before making a decision.

If you want to compare your options in North Carolina, Semya-Moya may be a good place to start.

When you request an agent through Clever, you'll receive multiple agent matches from top local brokerages, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. You can compare agents and choose the best one for you.

Clever's agent network includes 19,000 top-performing realtors across the country — who all offer discounted rates through Clever's network. When you sell your home, you'll pay a listing fee of just 1.5% (about half the typical rate).

Try selling for sale by owner without an MLS listing

It's technically possible to sell your house without listing it on the MLS. But this method isn't likely to work unless you already have a buyer lined up.

Without an MLS listing, fewer buyers will know your house is for sale. The MLS is the main way real estate agents find properties for their clients. It also guarantees that your listing gets on popular home-buying websites, including Zillow.

If you forgo an MLS listing, you must rely on less effective sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Or you can hope that a buyer sees the for sale sign in your yard.

» LEARN: FSBO vs. Realtor Facts and Statistics

FAQ about flat fee MLS listings in Virginia

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