From Belsera to Panama, Bakersfield home sellers saved up to $12,000 on an average $400,000 home with Flat Fee MLS California listing services. Instead of a 3% agent commission, you list your house on the local MLS for a flat fee, typically under $300.
But beware! Many of these services are infamous for hidden fees, which are disclosed to you only at closing. To save you from such unpleasant surprises, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching the best Flat Fee MLS Bakersfield services.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Flat Fee MLS saves you a whopping $12,000 on a median-priced $400,000 2-bed Bakersfield home for sale.
- The 5 best Flat Fee MLS Bakersfield services include Houzeo, Congress Realty, Homecoin, Dombroski Real Estate, and MLS Town.
- Houzeo is Bakersfield’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of its MLS exposure, quick listing process, smart tech, and 5-star customer support.
- Other companies include Congress Realty, rated 4.9/5 stars, Homecoin, rated 4.5/5 stars, and Dombroski Real Estate, rated 5/5 stars.
- Some Bakersfield Flat Fee listing services sneak in hidden fees that drastically increase your expenses. So, check the company’s policies thoroughly to avoid surprises on closing day.
- To sell your Bakersfield home quickly, a few mistakes to avoid are overpricing, including inaccurate listing details, and failing to market your property effectively.
Rankings: 5 Best Flat Fee MLS Bakersfield Companies in 2025
| Flat Fee MLS Service | Price | 100% Online | Offer Management | Showing Management | 5-star Reviews | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo | $299 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Congress Realty | $299 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. Homecoin | $95 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 4. Brian Dombroski | $299 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. MLS Town | $295 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Reviews: 5 Best Flat Fee Listing Services in Bakersfield
1. Houzeo: Bakersfield‘s #1 Flat Fee MLS Service
100% ONLINE
Listing Fee: $249Houzeo dominates the Flat Fee MLS market with over 80k active California real estate listings. You get to choose from three packages:
- Silver Package – $249 + 0.5% at Close: This package offers MLS visibility for 6 months with 24 high-quality photos. You can take charge of showings and make unlimited changes to your listing. You also get a yard sign for free, if you submit a selfie with it.
- Gold Package – $299 + 1% at Close: You get all the Silver package benefits, plus unlimited photo uploads. Relevant documents, like California seller disclosures, automatically get assigned to you. You can review and sign them digitally.
- Platinum Package – $349 + 1.25% at Close: You get all the features in the Gold plan, along with a year-long listing duration. It also includes dedicated concierge support designed specifically for new home sellers.
Here’s why homeowners trust Houzeo as the #1 California Flat Fee MLS service:
- Max Exposure: Your California home listing will be visible on your local MLS and major real estate platforms like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
- 100% Online: You can list your home, manage offers, and close deals, all at your fingertips with the powerful Houzeo Mobile App. To simplify the process, Houzeo will automatically assign the correct MLS paperwork based on your address.
- Instant Social Sharing: You can share your home listing with just a tap across social platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and X.
- 5-Star Customer Service: You can get prompt, expert answers from Houzeo’s 5-star support team via chat 6 days a week. This helps you keep your home sale on track.
- No Hidden Fees: What you see is what you pay. All fees are disclosed upfront.
There are no dealbreakers.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Find out why savvy homeowners choose Houzeo to sell smarter, faster, and on their terms.
Houzeo boasts a 4.9 out of 5-star rating. Home sellers love its quick listing process and mobile app.
» Houzeo Reviews: Check out testimonials by over 11,000 satisfied customers who opted for Houzeo.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold Plan for most home sellers. It gives you maximum exposure, big savings, and access to Houzeo's high-tech tools. You also get licensed broker assistance with home pricing, offer negotiations, inspections, and closing.
2. Congress Realty
TRANSPARENT PRICING
Listing Fee: $299Congress Realty offers the following Flat Fee MLS packages with various features tailored to sellers’ needs:
- Basic Package – $299: With the basic package, you can list your home on the MLS for 6 months with up to 4 photos.
- Plus Package – $399: This plan includes everything from the Basic package. Additionally, you can upload the maximum MLS-allowed photos, manage showing requests, and connect directly with buyers and agents.
- Premium Package – $499: Along with the Plus package features, you get unlimited listing changes and open house postings. Additionally, your listing appears on social media and CongressRealty.com.
- Full Service Package – $399: In this package, you additionally get contract review, and full negotiation and paperwork support from a dedicated 24/7 experienced agent. However, you have to pay an additional 0.5% at closing.
Listing with Congress Realty offers the following advantages:
- Maximum Exposure: Congress Realty gets your home listed on top real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia, ensuring broad visibility.
- Essential Documents: All the necessary state forms and seller disclosures are provided for a compliant transaction.
- Enhanced Marketing: The Premium and Full Service packages feature your home on social media channels to attract more buyers.
Congress Realty has a few drawbacks:
- Lack of Proper Communication: Customers have reported that calls and messages are sometimes not promptly addressed.
- Expensive Marketing Tools: Congress Realty charges an additional $150 for a yard sign, $350 for a virtual tour, and $50 for a key lockbox, which can increase your overall expenses.
- Extra $500 for Doc Assistance: Along with marketing tools, the company charges an additional fee for assistance with paperwork and transaction documentation.
- No Mobile App: They do not have a dedicated mobile app. You handle all property management through a browser-based platform. You miss instant notifications when buyers express interest, making on-the-go management less convenient.
- Limited MLS Exposure Period: Your listing expires after just 6 months regardless of any package you choose. You must purchase an MLS extension for $50 if your property hasn’t sold by then, which means you’re paying extra to keep your home visible to buyers.
Congress Realty has received a stellar 4.8-star rating based on more than 120 customer reviews on Google.
» Congress Realty Reviews: Should you choose it? Read our in-depth analysis before you make a decision.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Congress Realty to sellers seeking affordable MLS access with basic support. However, their lower-tier plans lack key features like contract review and full negotiation assistance.
3. Homecoin
AFFORDABLE SERVICE
Listing Fee: $149Homecoin offers a single Flat Fee MLS package:
- Listing Package – $149: You get a 12-month listing term with a free Homecoin sign.
Additional Services:
- Post Rental: $99+ (price varies by area)
- Lockbox Rentals: $125 (price varies by MLS)
- Pro Real Estate Photography: $182 (price varies by area)
- Seller Agent (varies): You can avail two packages for seller agent. Standard package costs $149/hr and the premium package costs $2,999.
Homecoin offers the following advantages to home sellers:
- Free Disclosures: You get all the necessary state and federal seller disclosures.
- Covers 22 States: You can avail Homecoin services in 22 states across America. Some of the major states they cover are Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona.
In our research, we found some limitations of Homecoin, which could make your experience less satisfactory:
- Essentials as Add-Ons: Homecoin will charge you extra for essential features like showing management and a lockbox.
- Variable Pricing by Location: Prices vary by location depending on your state. This makes it difficult to budget accurately without first checking your specific area’s pricing.
- No Offer Management: You lack a centralized system to track, compare, and manage multiple offers. This makes it difficult to organize competing bids and can lead to confusion when handling negotiations with several interested buyers.
- No Mobile App for iOS or Android: You manage all property tasks through their website. You miss out on instant mobile notifications when buyers express interest, and it becomes less convenient to respond to inquiries or upload photos on the go.
- Delayed Buyer Communication: You don’t receive buyer inquiries directly. All messages from interested buyers go to Homecoin first and then get forwarded to you. This creates an unnecessary delay in communication.
Homecoin has 4.4 out of 5 stars from 140+ reviews on Google.
» Homecoin Reviews: Is the company worth it? Read our blog to find out.
👉 Our Take: Homecoin offers only a single package for listing on the MLS. While the $149 flat fee is definitely attractive, the additional features, such as professional photography and lockbox rentals, come with a hefty price tag.
4. Dombroski Real Estate
AFFORDABLE LISTING
Listing Fee: $299Dombroski Real Estate offers 3 attractive Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Basic Package – $299: You get a 6-month listing term and can upload up to 5 properties photos. The package also comes with email support.
- Basic+ Package – $399: This package allows you to upload up to 20 photos with phone and email support. You also get 3 free open houses and an e-lockbox for some additional charges, along with the features of the Basic package.
- Premium Package — $699: Along with all the benefits of the Basic+ package, you can upload the maximum number of photos allowed by the MLS and list your home until it’s sold. Your home is visible on social media and you get a CMA report on request.
Here are some reasons why you should choose Dombroski Real Estate:
- Experienced Brokers: Brian and his team are experienced real estate agents. They come with expert knowledge in market trends, pricings, and negotiations.
- Good Customer Service: The company offers prompt and reliable support, guiding you through every step of the sales process.
- Full Service: The team of Dombroski Real Estate provide full support — from preparing your homes for sale to handling negotiations.
Here are some drawbacks of Dromboski Real Estate:
- Not for First-Time Sellers: You need to handle property marketing, click professional photos, and negotiate sale price, all on your own.
- Limited Coverage: Brian Dromboski and team offer their MLS listing services only in the state of California.
- Expensive Package: While the Basic and the Basic+ packages are affordable, they lack comprehensive services. The Premium plan that consists of full assistance is quite expensive as compared to its competitors.
Brian Dromboski has a 5 out of 5 star rating from 35+ total reviews on Houzeo.
👉 Our Take: The Basic plan is great for experienced home sellers who can handle the selling process after listing. On the other hand, the Premium plan has comprehensive features for beginners but is quite expensive.
5. MLS Town
BUDGET FRIENDLY
Listing Fee: $295MLS Town covers 100+ markets in Northern California and offers 4 Flat Fee MLS listing packages to sell your house:
- Basic Package – $95: MLS Town’s basic package offers a listing term of 3 months with 8 photo uploads.
- Annual Package – $295: The package includes a 12-month listing with 16 pictures. Additionally, it offers unlimited listing changes and open house schedulings.
- Premium Plus Package – à la carte customized: This package allows you to list your home for a maximum of 2 years. Along with uploading the maximum number of photos, you get unlimited MLS market analysis and offer negotiation support.
- Full Service Listing Broker Package: The full service package includes everything from the Premium Plus Package. It also offers unlimited support from a local agent for a seamless listing process.
For California home sellers, MLS Town provides significant advantages:
- Good Local Exposure: MLS Town covers 100+ markets in Northern California, ensuring maximum visibility for your home among nearby buyers.
- À La Carte Services: It offers a fully customizable à la carte plan that is tailored to your specific selling needs.
- Essential Disclosure Forms: MLS Town gives you access to standard California seller disclosure forms and documents.
- Transaction Coordination Services: It provides transaction coordination services for smoother paperwork handling.
MLS Town has some drawbacks that you must consider:
- Expensive Customer Support: MLS Town charges $75 for every 30 minutes of assistance. So, the more questions you have, the higher your overall costs will be.
- Complicated and Inconvenient Payment Process: MLS Town requires manual check payments, PayPal with added fees, or limited digital payment options.
- Limited Automation: Most of the paperwork for selling a house is done manually, which can make the process time-consuming.
MLS Town has a 5-star rating from 60+ reviews on Google.
👉 Our Take: MLS Town’s packages include charges of $75/30 minutes for listing support services. Therefore, these packages may become expensive for new sellers who may benefit from additional guidance throughout the selling process.
🚩Beware: Various Bakersfield Flat Fee MLS Companies Have High Hidden Fees
The biggest issue with Bakersfield Flat Fee MLS services is the high hidden fees. For example, some companies offer a $99 MLS listing but charge an undisclosed extra fee of $300+ for add-ons like a yard sign or lockbox. These hidden fees make your home sale more expensive, which ruins your experience with all the nickel and diming!
👉 Ready to List Your Home? Houzeo discloses all its fees upfront on the Flat Fee MLS Bakersfield pricing page!
How Does a Flat Fee Multiple Listing Service in Bakersfield Work?
A Flat Fee MLS listing service allows you to list your home on the MLS for a fixed fee. However, only licensed agents have direct access to the MLS. They partner with agents, all you have to do is choose a plan that suits your needs. And voila! You save thousands.
With thousands of Texans and Nevadans moving to California, your property will gain exposure to a larger pool of potential buyers. Once your property is listed on the MLS, agents can share it with interested buyers looking for houses for sale in Bakersfield.
How Much Can You Save With a Flat Fee MLS Service in Bakersfield?
Almost $12,000!
That’s the power of flat fee listings in Bakersfield. Traditional listing agents can’t survive without their 3% MLS listing fees. But that would cost you tens of thousands of dollars in cities like Amberton, Campus Park, and City in the Hills, For example, for a home priced at $400,000, you would have to pay $12,000 in agent fees.
However, with top California Flat Fee MLS listing services like Houzeo, you can save up to $12,000 when selling a $400,000 home in Bakersfield. You can use these savings to put your kids through college, upgrade your kitchen, or enjoy a luxury cruise!
How to List My Home on MLS in Bakersfield via Houzeo?
Here’s how to sell a house by owner in California with Houzeo:
- Create Your Account: Download the Houzeo Mobile App or go to Houzeo.com and click “Start Listing Now.” You’ll then have to provide basic information, like your name, contact details, etc., to set up your account.
- Add Property Details and Photos: Go to the Houzeo dashboard and click “Sell a Property.” Submit details about your home, such as the number of rooms and baths, square footage, etc. Also, upload high quality pictures and highlight what makes your Bakersfield home special!
- Choose Your MLS Plan: Houzeo offers 3 flat fee packages. Once you select a plan, the necessary documents will be automatically assigned to you.
- Set Your Asking Price: Use online tools such as a home worth calculator to check the value of your home and set the asking price accordingly.
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement and complete the paperwork. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will make your listing live within 48 hours.
Pros and Cons of Listing With Bakersfield Flat Fee MLS Services
Here are some pros and cons of listing your Bakersfield home with Flat Fee MLS services:
✅ Pros
- Great Savings: For a Flat Fee MLS service in Bakersfield, you typically pay a fixed MLS listing cost, up to $300. With an affordable Flat Rate MLS service, you can list your home for sale by owner and save up to $21,751 on an average $400,000 home.
- Max Exposure: Your home listing is shared with major California real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia. This makes your home visible to local and national buyer agents.
- Full Control: Just like with the best For Sale By Owner sites in California, you can set your price, negotiate directly with buyers, and control the showing schedule with a Flat Fee Bakersfield real estate broker.
❌ Cons
- Limited Support: When you choose pocket-friendly plans ranging from $75 to $99, you likely end up handling a lot of paperwork, pricing, and negotiation all by yourself.
- Add On Charges: Even some of the best Flat Fee MLS Bakersfield listing services do not offer critical marketing tools like yard signs, open house schedules, and pricing assistance in their basic packages. You will likely pay $500 to $1,000 more in add-ons.
- Hidden Fees: One of the biggest cons of working with Flat Fee Bakersfield listing services is the hidden fee disclosed at the closing table. It’s so late you can’t even back out of the contract now!
- Time Commitment: Flat Fee MLS services mostly offer virtual broker assistance. You will have to dedicate significant time to market, list, and eventually sell your San Jose home.
Mistakes to Avoid With a Bakersfield Flat Fee MLS Service 🚫
To sell a home successfully in Bakersfield, ensure that you do not:
- Overprice Your Property: An unrealistic listing price can drive away serious buyers and increase your home’s days on market. Compare the house prices in California before setting your listing price.
- Forget to Prepare Your Home: Most buyers aren’t interested in shabby homes needing repairs and maintenance. If you’re serious about selling, improve your curb appeal, declutter your home, and make minor fixes to attract offers.
- Neglect Marketing Efforts: MLS exposure is great, but it’s not enough in Bakersfield’s competitive market. Use traditional marketing tactics like yard signs to attract drive-by traffic. Learning how to sell a house on Facebook Marketplace is another great way to increase your offers.
- Ignore Legal and Paperwork Requirements: FSBO paperwork is complex. But that’s not a good enough reason to overlook crucial documents like a California seller disclosure. Remember to consult with a real estate attorney to verify your contracts.
- Provide Incomplete or Inaccurate Listing Details: Falsifying your listing information is the fastest way to get sued in Bakersfield. Not only do you risk the deal falling through, but the MLS will also penalize you with a hefty fine. Double-check your listing to avoid more expenses.
- Dismiss Buyer Inquiries and Offers: Serious buyers have many housing options to choose from in the current California real estate market. Respond promptly to all inquiries and offers to avoid losing out on a serious buyer.
- Choose the Wrong Flat Fee MLS Service: The wrong flat fee company will drown you in hidden fees, outdated tech, expensive add-ons, and poor customer support. Why throw away more than $500 for nothing when you can get superior service at just $299?
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what over 11,000 customers have to say about Houzeo—Bakersfield’s #1 home selling website.
