7 Best Flat Fee MLS Kentucky Listing Services (2023)

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By Michael Warford Updated October 28, 2023

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7 best flat fee MLS companies in Kentucky | 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 Kentucky, 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 Kentucky.

However, if you haven't sold FSBO before, keep the following in mind:

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

  • You'll probably still need to pay a buyer's agent fee, since most buyers use an agent and other sellers won't make them pay for their agent out of pocket.

  • 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 on real estate commissions, but you'll have a dedicated agent by your side.

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

7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Kentucky

Company Price range Avg. customer rating (1–5) Availability
Mink Realty $299–999 4.8 (37 reviews) FL, IN, KY
Flat Fee MLS Realty $495 5 (5 reviews) Northern Kentucky
2% Realty $195–395 4.6 (37 reviews) FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, OH, TN, VA
Entry Only $399 4.9 (734 reviews) Nationwide
ISoldMyHouse.com $299–399 4.7 (60 reviews) Nationwide
Unreal Estate $99–249 4.5 (115 reviews) Nationwide (except SD)
Houzeo $329–399 4.9 (3,048 reviews) Nationwide
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Why you should trust us

We spent dozens of hours researching flat fee MLS companies throughout the country. Our process included:

  • Researching more than 140 national, regional, and local flat fee MLS services to find the most up-to-date information on services, contract terms, and fees
  • Mystery shopping more than 20 flat fee MLS companies to understand the consumer experience
  • Interviewing sellers and realtors who have experience with flat fee MLS real estate transactions
  • Analyzing Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and Facebook reviews for each business
  • Visiting user forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets for additional perspectives

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

Pros

  • You'll save on listing fees.
  • You'll have more control over the sale.
  • You can choose the services you need.

Cons

  • You'll pay a buyer's agent to negotiate against you.
  • You may miss out on leads.
  • You'll likely encounter extra fees.

You’ll save on listing fees

Savings are a driver for many people who use a flat fee MLS company. You can pay a few hundred dollars to get your house listed instead of paying an agent thousands in commission. On a $350,000 home, the typical 3% seller's agent commission would be $10,500.

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. Some agents prefer not to work with FSBO sellers and will deliberately steer their clients away from flat fee MLS listings. Whether fairly or not, many agents assume that FSBO sellers are inexperienced and will cause a slow or difficult transaction. Unfortunately, that means fewer buyers get to see your house.

Also, MLS rules require that your broker — which is the flat fee MLS company — be the main contact on your listing rather than you. So long as you have a service plan that includes automatic lead forward, this rule shouldn't be a problem. But if you don't, you’ll have to rely on the broker to manually forward buyer leads, which could cause delays and missed opportunities — 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

Flat fee MLS companies are somewhat notorious for hidden fees, such as an extra percentage of the sale price charged at closing. Companies may also advertise a budget MLS listing, but then charge a premium for basics like listing changes, lock boxes, additional photos, and the ability to receive buyer inquiries and showing requests directly.

💰 Incredible savings, none of the DIY

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!

7 Best flat fee MLS listing services in Kentucky: Full breakdown

Mink Realty: Best for sellers wanting some help

Pros

  • Mink Realty consistently gets top marks in online customer reviews.
  • The Gold package includes free marketing materials.
  • The Premium package offers broker assistance for a reasonable price.

Cons

  • Plans are priced higher than what you can get elsewhere.
  • You have limited flexibility for tailoring your plan.
  • Mink Realty doesn't offer a no-frills plan for experienced sellers.

Mink Realty fees and services

Package Price What's included
Silver $299 upfront + $250 at closing
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 6 photos
  • Free cancellation
  • Email support
  • Lead forwarding Note: This package is mainly for land and lots.
Gold $499 upfront + $250 at closing Silver package, plus:

  • 50 photos
  • Yard sign
  • 1 open house ad
  • Additional ads ($25 each)
  • Facebook post
  • ShowingTime
  • Agent feedback service
Platinum $999 upfront + $250 at closing Gold package, plus:

  • 12-month MLS listing
  • Phone support
  • Contract and offer review
  • Negotiation assistance
  • Inspection and repair requests assistance
  • Closing paperwork review
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Mink Realty operates throughout Kentucky and consistently gets very positive reviews online from past customers. Note that Mink Realty is the local realtor in Kentucky for Flat Fee Group, meaning that the two are essentially the same company in the state.

Mink Realty offers three packages, although the Silver package is mainly for land and lots and only comes with six photos. If you're selling a house, you'll want the Gold or Platinum package.

The Gold package is good value and comes with a six-month listing, up to 50 photos, and some items that other companies typically charge extra for, like a yard sign, agent feedback, an open house ad, and social media marketing. The Platinum package is worth considering if you're an inexperienced seller since you get a lot more broker assistance.

While both plans offer good support, they're also a bit pricey. You can get a better deal elsewhere if you're an experienced seller wanting a no-frills listing with a decent listing term and maximum photos.

Flat Fee MLS Realty: Best for novice sellers

Pros

  • The company has a simple, easy-to-understand pricing plan.
  • Broker assistance comes with your listing.
  • This package is a good choice for novice sellers needing extra guidance.

Cons

  • The company doesn't offer a no-frills MLS plan for experienced sellers.

Flat Fee MLS Realty fees and services

Package Price What's included
Flat Fee Listing $495 upfront + $1,000 at closing
  • 40 photos
  • Yard sign
  • Lockbox
  • Showings handled by call center
  • Agent feedback
  • Broker assistance with negotiations, inspections, appraisal, and closing
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Flat Fee MLS Realty is a local realtor operating in Northern Kentucky. It offers a single plan, which costs $495 plus an additional $1,000 at closing. While that price is high, Flat Fee MLS Realty includes many services that make it a good deal.

In addition to getting a high photo limit, yard sign, and lockbox, you'll also get a lot more hands-on support. Showings, for example, are handled by the company's call center, and the broker assists with negotiations, inspections, appraisal, and closing.

In essence, you're getting a level of service closer to what a full-service realtor would provide, but you'll pay a flat fee for it. However, while that makes Flat Fee MLS Realty a good option for inexperienced sellers, it's probably not for you if you want a bare-bones plan where you handle most of the work yourself.

2% Realty: Best for customer support

Pros

  • You get a comparative market analysis to help you price your home.
  • You get dedicated customer service throughout the sale.
  • The company offers unlimited open houses and an open-ended listing term.

Cons

  • The closing fees are pricey, especially for high-value homes.
  • There's only one plan for sellers with a single-family home.
  • You have a limited ability to customize your plan.

2% Realty fees and services

Package Price What's included
Land & Lots $195 upfront + 1% at closing
  • List until sold
  • 6 photos
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Free cancellation
  • Dedicated transaction coordinator
  • Contract-to-close assistance
Single Family Homes $495 upfront + 1% at closing Land & Lots package, plus:

  • Max photos allowed by MLS
  • Comparative market analysis
  • Unlimited open houses
  • Schedule showings online
  • Disclosure forms and contracts
Multi-Unit Housing $895 upfront + 1% at closing Same services as Single Family Homes plan
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Covering a handful of states in the South and Midwest, 2% Realty is a regional brokerage with good online reviews. It offers three different pricing plans. The cheapest plan is primarily for lands and lots, while the most expensive is for multi-unit housing.

That leaves most sellers with the Single Family Homes plan. Your home will be listed until it sells, and you'll get the maximum photo allowance, free cancellation, unlimited listing changes, unlimited open houses, and the ability to schedule showings online. Plus, you'll get a comparative market analysis to help you price your home and contract-to-close assistance from the brokerage.

These services make 2% Realty a good deal, although the price is still a bit high. In addition to the flat fee, you'll pay 1% at closing, which will likely add at least a couple thousand extra dollars to your final bill. That's still a reasonable rate for what you're getting, but if you're more of a DIY seller, 2% Realty is probably not a good fit.

Entry Only: Best for DIY sellers

Pros

  • Entry Only provides one of the cheapest MLS listing plans in Kentucky.
  • You get 25 photos and lead forwarding.
  • There are plenty of add-ons to customize your plan.

Cons

  • Choosing a lot of add-ons can make your plan less of a deal.
  • There's no broker assistance option for inexperienced sellers.

Entry Only fees and services

Package Price What's included
Local MLS Listing $399 upfront + $250 at closing
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 25 photos
  • Free cancellation
  • Lead forwarding
  • Purchase and disclosure forms
  • Max photos allowed by MLS ($100)
  • 12-month MLS listing ($100)
  • Secondary MLS listing ($150)
  • Combination lockbox ($50)
  • Custom domain name ($50)
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Entry Only is a nationwide flat fee MLS service with excellent online reviews. With just one competitively priced listing plan, its service is good for sellers comfortable handling much of the real estate transaction.

While their plan, at $399 plus $250 at closing, is one of the cheapest in Kentucky, you still get quite a lot for the price. For example, you'll have a 25-photo limit, free cancellation, and lead forwarding. The plan is also more flexible than other companies, since you can purchase useful add-ons like maximum photos, a 12-month listing term, and a secondary MLS listing.

However, those extra services can quickly add up. Also, Entry Only isn't for you if you want broker assistance.

ISoldMyHouse.com: Best for no-frills plans

Pros

  • ISoldMyHouse.com is one of the few companies offering no-frills MLS plans in Kentucky.
  • Online reviews from customers are largely positive.
  • ISoldMyHouse.com has helpful online videos for new FSBO sellers.

Cons

  • The photo limit is very low for the entry-level plan.
  • There are few add-ons available to customize your plan.
  • Customer support is primarily online.

ISoldMyHouse.com fees and services

Package Price What's included
Get LISTED! $299 upfront + $299 at closing
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 6 photos
  • Schedule open houses
  • Online customer support
  • Lead forwarding
Get SOLD! $399 upfront + $299 at closing Get LISTED!, plus:

  • 25 photos
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ISoldMyHouse.com is a well-known national brand with two no-frills pricing plans. The company generally gets positive online reviews and is a decent option if you're an experienced seller who prefers doing most of the work of selling a house yourself.

Both plans are very similar and include a 6-month listing, open house scheduler, online support, and lead forwarding. The only difference is that you'll only get a 6-photo limit with the Get LISTED! plan, whereas you'll get 25 photos with Get SOLD! Since photos are an important part of marketing your home, upgrading to Get SOLD! makes sense.

ISoldMyHouse.com is a good budget option, but it doesn't offer many add-ons if you want to customize your package. And while it offers some customer support, it's entirely online, which won't suit all sellers.

Unreal Estate: Best for discounted rates

Pros

  • With the Starter plan, you only pay if your house sells.
  • With Clever, you can get exclusive and highly competitive rates.
  • Online customer reviews for Unreal Estate are positive.

Cons

  • Only the Deluxe and Premium plans provide good photo limits.
  • Unlimited listing edits are included only with the most expensive plan.
  • Customer support is exclusively online for the two cheapest plans.

Unreal Estate fees and services

Package Price What's included
Starter 0.5% + $350 at closing
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 5 photos
  • Live chat support
Basic $99 upfront + 0.5% and $350 at closing (or just $449 through Clever) Starter package, plus:

  • 15 photos
  • Free cancellation
  • 2 listing changes
  • Lead caller ID
  • Email support
Deluxe $139 upfront + 0.5% and $350 at closing (or just $600 through Clever) Basic package, plus:

  • 25 photos
  • 4 listing changes
  • Yard sign
  • Call forwarding
  • Phone support
Premium $249 upfront + 0.5% and $350 at closing (or just $800 through Clever) Deluxe package, plus:

  • Max photos allowed by MLS
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Buyer qualification information
  • Sales agreement review
  • 30-minute broker form review
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Unreal Estate is a nationwide company that offers some very competitively priced plans in Kentucky. Its Starter package is one of the few plans to get you on the MLS with no up-front costs — you'll only pay if your house sells.

However, we don't recommend the Starter or Basic plans because of their low photo limits. The Deluxe and Premium plans are better options, with pricing closer to what other flat fee MLS services in Kentucky charge for standard packages.

These upper-tier plans include high photo limits, listing edits, phone support, and call forwarding. The Premium plan even includes a 30-minute broker review if you want some extra help.

Unreal Estate's pricing can seem complicated, with a flat fee upfront and a 0.5% fee and a set rate at closing. However, by using code "Clever" with Unreal Estate, you'll get a simplified and competitive flat rate of $99–450 (depending on your plan) plus the $350 closing fee.

Houzeo: Best for online listing management

Pros

  • You can manage your listing and showings using Houzeo's online dashboard.
  • Customer reviews for Houzeo are generally positive.

Cons

  • Only one package offers all the essentials for a competitive price.
  • There are hidden fees and extra charges, especially with the entry-level plan.
  • Some reviews complain about slow customer service and listing errors.

Houzeo fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Bronze $329 upfront + $250 at closing
  • 3-month MLS listing
  • 6 photos
  • Listing changes ($25 each)
  • Open houses ($25 each)
  • Custom yard sign ($49)
Silver $399 upfront + $250 at closing 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
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Houzeo is a recognized nationwide brand with a wide range of MLS listing plans. Overall, we only recommend the mid-tier Silver plan. All the other ones either don't provide enough value or their minimum fees are too high.

With the Silver plan, you'll get the essentials, including a maximum photo limit, a 6-month listing, unlimited listing changes, and unlimited open houses. At $399 (plus $250 at closing), it's also competitively priced with other flat fee MLS services in Kentucky.

However, there are some red flags to watch out for with Houzeo. While most online reviews are positive, some complain about slow customer service and hidden fees, especially for the entry-level plan. A few reviewers also noted that their listings contained serious errors, which Houzeo was slow to fix.

Kentucky flat fee MLS listing services by city

You'll find many flat fee MLS listing companies in Kentucky that only operate in specific counties and cities. These companies may be better options than nationwide companies since they tend to have more local expertise and flexible service.

How to get an MLS listing without a realtor in Kentucky

1. Educate yourself on the for sale by owner (FSBO) process

You'll need to teach yourself how to sell by owner in Kentucky. Learn about your state's real estate laws and procedures, like what you need to disclose to buyers.

2. Find the right flat fee MLS listing service for you

Compare multiple flat fee MLS services before making a decision. There are plenty to choose from, and prices and service quality can differ substantially from one to the next. When researching companies, focus on the essentials first, such as the photo limit, length of the listing, cancellation policy, MLS coverage, and listing change fees.

Other important items to consider include how buyer leads will get forwarded to you, how showings are scheduled, and whether the company offers assistance with negotiations, pricing, or paperwork.

Also check out online reviews from third-party sites like Google and Trustpilot. These can be especially useful for uncovering hidden fees or customer service problems.

3. Choose a service package

Most flat fee companies offer packages with different levels of support, ranging from a basic MLS listing to hands-on agent support throughout the process.

A flat fee MLS company should, at the very least, provide:

  • A 6–12 month listing term
  • A limit of 25 or more photos
  • Listing changes (either unlimited or a set amount of free ones)
  • A way to forward interested buyers' contact information to you

Many companies also provide add-ons for an extra fee, such as:

  • An electronic lockbox
  • Assistance with pricing
  • Professional photography
  • A yard sign, virtual tour, MLS flyer, or social media coverage
  • An online dashboard to schedule showings and manage offers
  • Agent support during negotiations and closing

Top alternatives to a flat fee MLS service in Kentucky

Sell with a discount broker

Discount brokers are a good alternative to flat fee MLS companies if you want to save money but don't want to take on the extra work. The best discount realtors offer the same services as traditional realtors, but for as little as 1–2%. Traditional realtors charge around 3%.

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 Kentucky, 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).

👋 Get a better agent AND bigger savings

Why pay more in commission fees for less service? Clever offers you bigger savings without sacrificing the service you expect from a traditional realtor.

With Clever:

 ✅ You'll only pay 1.5% to list your home

 ✅ You'll work with a full-service realtor from a top broker

 ✅ It's free, with zero obligation — you can walk away at any time

Saving on realtor fees doesn't have to mean sacrificing service. Find a top local agent today!

Try selling 'for sale by owner' without an MLS listing

Technically, it's possible to sell your house without listing it on the MLS. But this method isn't likely to work all that well 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'll have to 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 Kentucky

What is the best flat fee MLS listing service in Kentucky?

Mink Realty is one of the best flat fee MLS listing services in Kentucky because it offers all the essentials you need to sell on your own, along with some valuable extras, like broker assistance. Flat Fee MLS Realty, 2% Realty, Entry Only, and ISoldMyHouse.com are also good options for Kentucky home sellers. Find the best flat fee MLS Kentucky companies near you!

How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Kentucky?

Typically, you pay $400–600 for a flat fee MLS listing in Kentucky. However, most Kentucky flat fee MLS companies charge an administrative fee at closing, which usually adds $200–300 to your bill if your house sells. How much does an MLS listing service cost?

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. How much you offer is up to you, but most buyer's agent commissions in Kentucky are 2.36–3.09%. Some flat fee companies require a minimum buyer's agent commission.

How do I get access to the MLS in Kentucky?

Working with a realtor is the primary way to get your home listed on the Kentucky MLS, because you must be a licensed real estate broker to access the MLS. However, flat fee MLS listing companies will post your home to the MLS for a flat fee. Learn more about flat fee MLS Kentucky companies.

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