5 Best South Dakota Flat Fee MLS Companies

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By Trevor Wallis Updated January 4, 2023

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The best MLS services | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies | Other ways to save on your sale

Whether you’re selling a home in Pierre or a cabin near Black Hills National Forest, paying 6% in realtor fees is a lot.

That’s why some sellers use a flat fee MLS company to list their home on the 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 agent-represented properties.
  • You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In South Dakota, you’re on the hook for 2.14% to 3.27% of the final sale price.

If you want to save 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 South Dakota! 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 South Dakota, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Mount Rushmore State.

The 5 best South Dakota flat fee MLS companies

Flat Fee Group

Flat Fee Group

Price Range

$595-995

Number of Photos

5-50

Listing Term

4 months up to until sold
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
  • Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in South Dakota
  • Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
  • Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
  • Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included
$595 - Basic

  • 4-month listing on MLS
  • Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
  • Up to 5 photos
  • Contracts, addendums, and disclosures
  • Phone/Email support
  • Combo lockbox
  • Supra Electronic Key Box (additional $225 with $100 refundable)

$995 - Full Service

  • Same as Showcase package, plus:
  • Unlimited listing on MLS (until sold)
  • Up to 50 photos
  • Contract review and offer advice
  • Negotiation assistance
  • Comparable market analysis (CMA)
$795 - Showcase

  • Same as Basic package, plus:
  • 12-month listing on MLS
  • Up to 25 photos
  • Printable color flyer
  • Two open houses scheduled
  • Professional photography and video
  • Yard sign (without frame)

Pros

  • Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
  • Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
  • Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer

Cons

  • Certain features of packages not available in all areas
  • No built-in CMA in low-tier options

As of August 10, 2020, Chere Rosa de Sharon, the South Dakota Flat Fee Group broker, has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.

Flat Fee Realty

Flat Fee Realty

Price Range

$199 (+0.5% at closing)

Number of Photos

6

Listing Term

Listed until sold
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
  • Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with South Dakota brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
  • You set buyer’s agent commission
  • MLS photo upgrade available for $50
  • State disclosures and forms available
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Buyer leads forwarded to you
  • Refund available within 30 days of purchase

$199 + 0.5% at closing - MLS Listing package

  • 1% commission if there’s no buyer’s agent
  • Listed on MLS until sold
  • Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
  • 6 Photos
  • Free state disclosures
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • No cancellation fee
  • Buyer leads forwarded to you
  • Broker assistance
  • Transaction guidance

MLS photo upgrade available for $50

Pros

  • Unlimited listing changes
  • No cancellation fee
  • Free state disclosures
  • Buyer leads forwarded to you
  • Refund available within 30 days of purchase

Cons

  • No built-in home valuation or market analysis
  • Limited coverage in rural areas

As of August 11, 2020, no third-party reviews exist for Flat Fee Realty. We will update when this information becomes available.

FSBO.com

FSBO.com

Price Range

$399.95 (+0.5% at closing)

Number of Photos

20

Listing Term

6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
  • FSBO.com is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with licensed brokerage MLSmart Realty, LLC. MLSmart Realty then refers you to a regional South Dakota broker who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
  • Set your own buyer’s agent commission (FSBO.com recommends 2-3%)
  • Photo changes cost $25
  • 0.5% due at closing for contract-to-close service

$399.95 + 0.5% at closing - South Dakota Flat Fee MLS

  • 6-month listing on MLS
  • Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
  • 20 MLS photos
  • FSBO.com listing for 1 Year
  • Unlimited photos on FSBO.com
  • Video Upload on FSBO.com
  • Contract-to-close service that includes paperwork and negotiations (0.5% at closing)

A-la-carte options (purchased directly from local broker) include: electronic lockbox, open house ad, and photo changes

Pros

  • Set your own buyer’s agent commission
  • A-la-carte services available

Cons

  • Only one package to choose from
  • No home valuation included
  • 0.5% due at closing
  • Photo changes cost $25

As of August 12, 2020, FSBO.com has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 26 reviews on Zillow and an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau.

Note: As a referral service, the reviews and service quality of your local FSBO.com broker may vary. Be sure to research your broker before signing a listing agreement.

MLS My Home

MLS My Home

Price Range

$49-99

Number of Photos

5-25

Listing Term

6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
  • MLS My Home is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
  • Listings posted on the MLS within 24-48 hours
  • Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
  • Set your own buyer’s agent commission (within a required range in some locations, e.g. 2-3%)
  • Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
  • Cancel anytime
$49

  • 6-month listing on MLS
  • Syndicated to Realtor.com and other major sites
  • 5 photos
  • Personal web page
  • Cancel any time
  • Pricing varies by city
$69

  • Same as $49 package, plus:
  • 15 photos

$99

  • Same as $69 package, plus:
  • 25 photos

Available packages, services, and pricing depend on location. Check the website for details about your local options.

Pros

  • Cancel anytime
  • No commission if you find the buyer
  • Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you

Cons

  • Limited options and many states
  • No built-in home valuation
  • May not offer complete coverage in your state

As of August 17, 2020, MLS My Home has an average rating of 2.5/5 based on 280 reviews across Trustpilot, Yelp, and Facebook.

Note: MLS My Home will refer you to an independent, local broker who’s level of service and customer reviews may vary from MLS My Home’s, so be sure to research the broker before signing a listing agreement.

Fizber

Fizber

Price Range

$295-395

Number of Photos

6-25

Listing Term

6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
  • Fizber is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
  • Requires that you offer buyer’s agent commission between 1-3%
  • Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
  • Fizber also offers an array of free resources and online tools (including home valuations), as well as à-la-carte downloadable forms and guidelines, such as disclosures, contracts, counteroffers, and more
$295 - MLS Boost

  • 6-month listing on MLS
  • 6 photos
  • Featured listing on Fizber.com plus unlimited photos
  • Open House Manager Tool
  • Listing on Redfin, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia
  • Social media sharing
$395 - Premium MLS Boost

  • Same as MLS Boost, plus:
  • 25 photos
  • Social media sharing, plus Facebook and Instagram Ads

Fizber also offers two non-MLS listing options:

$0 - Free Listing:

  • Unlimited photos on Fizber.com

$95 - Digital Boost

  • Same as Free Listing, plus:
  • Featured Listing
  • Open House Manager Tool
  • Listing on Redfin

Pros

  • Basic package includes social media postings — premium package includes target social ads
  • Listing appears on MLS within 24 hours of submission
  • Refundable up to 30 days

Cons

  • Listing expires after 6 months — can renew listing for a discounted rate
  • Only 6 photos with basic MLS listing package
  • Making changes to your listing may incur additional fees

As of August 5, 2020, Fizber has an average rating of 3.6/5 based on 88 reviews on Trustpilot and has a B- rating on the Better Business Bureau.

Hidden costs of flat fee MLS companies

Some companies claim to offer flat-rate 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 add-ons 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.

💰 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 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!

Frequently asked questions

How much do flat fee MLS services cost in South Dakota?

Typically, you should expect to pay about $300-500 for a flat fee MLS listing in South Dakota. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $49 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $995.

Do I still need to pay the buyer's agent commission?

Although you'll save some money by not having to pay commission to a listing agent (typically 2.40% to 3.53% of the sale price), we strongly recommend offering a commission to the buyer's agent. This will incentivize agents to bring their clients to your home.

How much to offer a buyer's agent is up to you, but most buyer's agent commissions in South Dakota range from 2.14% to 3.27%.

» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in South Dakota

How do I sell by owner in South Dakota?

California 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 share all of this information in the California Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement. Your listing broker will provide this document for you to fill out.

» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in South Dakota

What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in South Dakota?

Discount and flat fee real estate agents

Discount real estate brokers will list your property 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 South Dakota.

Discount broker Review

Clever

Read more

Assist-2-Sell

Read more

Help-U-Sell

Read more

Redfin

Read more

Show more

In South Dakota, 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 it all yourself!

💰 Get a lower rate with a top local agent!

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.

Better real estate agents at a better rate

Enter your zip code to see if Clever has a partner agent in your area
If you don't love your Clever partner agent, you can request to meet with another, or shake hands and go a different direction. We offer this because we're confident you're going to love working with a Clever Partner Agent.