A Flat Fee MLS service in Chicago, IL will list your house on the MLS for a fraction of the cost you’d pay traditionally. No shit! From Chicago to Peoria, you can save thousands by not paying the 3% listing agent commission.
Chicago, IL Flat Fee MLS companies are a great way to save money and sell your home. High-tech listing services like Houzeo automatically assign the right MLS paperwork and get your house listed within 24-48 hours for a FLAT FEE.
Houzeo discloses all fees on its Flat Fee MLS Illinois pricing page. But, most Flat Fee companies don’t bother to do that. Shady operators will sneak in hundreds of dollars in hidden fees at closing. Buyer beware!
This is the biggest disadvantage of using Chicago Flat Fee MLS services. Itโs also why you need to carefully review the Flat Fee MLS service before you list. Weโve spent thousands of hours researching and reviewing the best Flat Fee MLS services in the Prairie State. Here are our top picks.
Rankings: Best Flat Fee MLS Chicago, IL Companies
Flat Fee MLS Service | Price | Additional Fees | 100% Online | Offer Management | Showing Management | 5-star Reviews | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo.com | $349 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
2. Circle One Realty | $495 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
3. Prello Realty | $795 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
4. List With Freedom | $295 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
5. Beycome | $399 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
6. Flat Fee Group | $295 | None | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
7. Mentor Listing | $399 | โ ๏ธ $45-$590 | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
8. Flat Fee Realty | $199 | โ ๏ธ 0.25% | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ |
Reviews: 8 Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Chicago Companies
1. Houzeo.com
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Houzeo.com
Houzeo is real estate company headquartered in New York.
Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.
- Bronze Package โ $399: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
- Silver Package โ $399+: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
- Gold Package โ $429+: It is Houzeoโs signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum โ $449+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
๐ย Our Take:ย We recommend the GOLD plan. Youโll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Confirm all prices on the state’s pricing page before you list.
ยปย Houzeo Reviews:ย Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities in less than 60 mins.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 4 reasons:
- Max Exposure:ย Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-star Customer Service:ย Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week. This is rare in today’s world.
- 100% Online:ย Houzeo is high-tech. For you, this means easyย listing, fast changes, onlineย showings, and onlineย offers. Houzeo mobile appย is also very powerful.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. And remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the listing agent commission.
There areย no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
ยป Is Houzeo Good? ย Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
ยปย Houzeo Reviews:ย Houzeo isย ratedย “Excellent“ by 8,000+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Illinoisโs #1 ranked Flat Fee MLS service. Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
In Illinois, the Bronze package costs $399. The Silver package costs $409 +0.5% at close and the Gold package costs $429 +0.5% at close. The Platinum package costs $449 +1% at close
ยป Flat Fee MLS Illinois: Check our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS companies in Illinois.
๐ Need Help? Schedule a FREE Consultation
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2. Circle One Realty
LOCAL REALTOR SUPPORT
Circle One Realty
Circle One Realty offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.
- MLS Entry Package – $145: This package lists only vacant land on the local MLS and is syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more. You can upload 1 photo for a listing term of 3 months.
- MLS Basic Package – $295: With this package, you can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos. You also get full-service realtor support and a yard sign.
- MLS Classic Package – $495: This includes all the services from the MLS Basic Package with a listing term of 12 months. You get the additional benefits of a lockbox combo and professional photography.
- MLS Elite Package – $495 (Originally $645): This top-tie package includes all the features of the MLS Classic Package. Additionally, you get an option to list your home until it sells or until you decide to cancel the listing.
Listing Upgrades:
- Combination Lockbox: $45
- Electronic Lockbox: $200
- Appointment Scheduling and Feedback: $85
- Additional signs: $25
- Professionally Installed Yard Sign: $150
- Professional Photography (25 Photos): $175
๐ Our Take:ย Circle One Realty has a team of experienced agents. However, to change the broker’s commission, you have to cancel the current listing agreement and submit a new one for an additional $145.
Here are some advantages of listing with Circle One Realty.
- Full-Service Realtor Support:ย All the packages come with comprehensive realtor services to help you throughout the sale process.
- Photography Services: The Classic and Elite packages offer professional photography services to enhance your listing’s overall presentation and appeal.
In our research, we came across some deal breakers with Circle One Realty.
- Entry Package is ONLY for Listing Vacant Land: No package is available for listing your home on the MLS.
- Not 100% Online:ย The tech stack of Circle One Realty is modest. Many procedures are manual. No paperwork assistance might delay your listing process.
- Limited Coverage:ย They cover only 44 counties in Illinois.
Circle One Realty is ratedย 5 out of 5 stars from 190+ reviews on Google.
ยปย Circle One Realty: Read our reviews to know more about them.
Circle One Realty is a Yorkville-based company. Reviewers praise the dedication and professional service of Ryan Cherney, the managing broker and owner of Circle One Realty.
The technology used by Circle One Realty is mainly for payment processing and downloading forms. The paperwork is manual, increasing your time from payment to the listing.
3. Prello Realty
LESS CUSTOMIZABLE PACKAGES
Prello Realty
Prello Realty offers 3 Flat Fee MLS packages.
- MLS Basic Package – $295: It includes listing on the local MLS and syndication on websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin. The listing term is 6 months.
- MLS Plus Package – $495: It includes everything from the Basic Package plus professional photography of your property. The listing term is 9 months.
- MLS Pro Package – $795: For this package, you get everything from the previous packages. Additionally, you have a combination lockbox benefit and showing appointment scheduling available.
Listing Upgrades:
- Professional Photography: $195
- Electronic Lockbox: $200
- Professionally Installed Yard Sign: $150
- Scheduling Service: $95
- Combination Lockbox (Included in Pro package only): $45
- Additional Yard Signs: $25
- Brochure Box: $19
๐ Our Take:ย ย Prello Realty has a 4-star rating on Google. However, a few negative reviews mention issues such as agents lacking communication, making mistakes in listings, and rushing to close the deal.
ยปย What is Prello Realty?ย Read this blog to know more about them.
The positive standout points of Prello Realty are:
- 25 Photos for Every Package: For all the packages Prello Realty allows up to a maximum number of photos.
- Free Listing Changes: At no additional cost you can make changes to your listing on the local MLS.
The drawbacks of listing with Prello Realty are:
- Limited Add-Ons: There are limited options to customize your packages.
- Limited Coverage: Prello Realty covers the following counties in Illinois: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
Prello Realty has 4.6 out of 5 stars from 30+ reviews on popular review sites like Google.
ยป Prello Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Prello Realty.
Prello Realty has been a local real estate option since 2001. With their basic package, you can add 25 photos and get a simple yard sign.
Prelo Realty has limited coverage in Illinois. It covers the following counties- Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
4. List With Freedom
NO PRICING ASSISTANCE
ListWithFreedom
ListWithFreedom provides 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $149: This package allows a listing term for 6 months and 6 photo uploads with unlimited changes.
- Platinum Package – $195: This is the most popular package with 6 months listing term. It allows you to upload a maximum of 25 photos.
- Platinum+ Package – $295: With this plan, the listing term is 12 months, with an online showing scheduler and maximum photo uploads. However, you must pay an additional 0.25% fee at closing.
๐ Our Take: ListWithFreedom can be a decent choice for experienced sellers. However, they offer limited services like limited photo allowance and overpriced add-ons.
ListWithFreedom is one of the oldest Flat Fee MLS services based out of Florida. Here are some of its best features:
- Affordable Pricing Plans: ListWithFreedom listings start at $149.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make unlimited modifications to any of their packages.
- Buyer Leads Forwarding: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you with no agent involvement.
ListWithFreedom has two major drawbacks you should know about:
- Hidden Costs: ListWithFreedom charges between 0.1% to 0.25%ย at closing (over your one-time flat fee payment). This closing cost is not mentioned on their pricing page.
- Average Customer Reviews: ListWithFreedom does not enjoy robust customer reviews. Past sellers said that their experience was just average, thanks to the lack of pricing and negotiation assistance.
ListWithFreedom has a 4.2 out of 5ย stars rating from 1,800+ reviews on Trustpilot.
ยป ListWithFreedom Reviews: Is ListWithFreedom Legit? Read our blog to find out.
Ralph Harvey headed List With Freedom has affordable listing packages that are ideal for an experienced seller. The listing process is quick and simple.
However, List with Freedom does not provide any pricing or negotiation assistance. If you are new to the real estate market you will need guidance throughout the selling process!
5. Beycome
Average Tech, Average Service
beycome.com
Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC offers three Flat Fee MLSย listing packages for homeowners:
- Basic Package – $99: This package will get you listed on the MLS with unlimited changes to your listing. This package is available in all the 9 states they cover.ย
- Enhanced Package – $399: You get aย yard sign, a featured listing on Beycome’s website, flyers, brochures, and one key lockbox. You can also add a virtual tour video to your listing. This package is available only in 9 states.
- Concierge Service – $599 + 1% Commission: This is essentially a virtual full-service package that includes assistance till closing. They charge 1% of the sale price at closing with this package. This package is available only in 9 states.
๐ย Our Take:ย Beycomeโs prices are reasonable, and their technology is useful. However, they own a title company which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
Beycome offers good service in the states they are in:
- Unrestricted Revisions and Edits:ย You can make unlimited changes in description, photos, or price adaptions in your listing. You can also easily switch to a full-service package anytime.
- Expert Assistance:ย You can get expert assistance on all 7 days of the week in English and Spanish.
In our research, we came across some deal breakers with Beycome:
- Upselling Title Service: Beycome also owns a title company, which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
- Average Customer Reviews: Sellers complained about the lack of customer support and the delay in resolving issues. They had to manage logistics, price negotiation, showings, and closing by themselves.
- Average Technology:ย Leads, inspections, appraisals, etc. are managed offline so the process can be cumbersome.
- Only for Experienced Sellers: You need to have a good hand on buying and selling real estate, including closing costsย andย seller disclosures.
- Limited Coverage: Beycome is only available in 10 states.
Beycome hasย 4.5 out of 5 stars from 600+ reviews on Google Reviews.
ยปย Beycome Reviews: Know why it might not be a good idea to sell with Beycome.
Beycomeโs MLS listing packages are reasonably priced and offer legal forms, seller disclosures, an Open House scheduler, and customer support. We recommend the $399 Enhanced Package for FSBO home sellers.
Beycomeโs technology is limited and wonโt help you with scheduling and review of home inspections, appraisals, and closings. Separately, youโll have to be very diligent and manage leads manually outside the platform too.
6. Flat Fee Group
CUSTOMIZABLE PACKAGES
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee Group offers 3 – 4 packages depending on the state.
- Common services include an MLS listing within 48 hrs and a listing term of 6 to 12 months. You get access to broker assistance with their full-service packages, which are expensive.
๐ Our Take: Flat Fee Group works on an agent referral model. It works with a variety of flat-fee brokerages, and no two homeowners will have the same experience.
ยป Pros and Cons of Flat Fee Group: Read our in-depth analysis of Flat Fee Group.
Flat Fee Group offers its services in all the states of the U.S. Some prosย of Flat Fee Group are as follows:
- Customizable Packages: You can customize your package with Flat Fee Group for a small additional fee.
- State Disclosures: Flat Fee Group provides all necessary contracts, forms, disclosures, and addendums that you will need.
- Market Exposure: Get listed on many popular websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, HotPads.com, Yahoo Homes, and many more.
In our research, we have found certain consย of Flat Fee Group:
- Limited Automation: Youโll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own. The listing process is manual and time-consuming.
- Additional Fees: The closing costs can differ significantlyย depending on your state and choice of listing. You must budget for these if you do not want to be caught off-guard.
- No Credible Reviews: Flat Fee Group has no credible reviews on any of the review websites.
ยป Houzeo vs. Flat Fee Group: Understand how Houzeo exceeds all expectations with this in-depth comparison.
Flat Fee Group has no customer reviews on popular sites like Google or Trustpilot.
ยปย Flat Fee Group Reviews:ย Read our in-depth reviews on Flat Fee Group and choose accordingly.
Flat Fee Group.comโs pricing and multiple packages may seem attractive in listing a property for a flat fee. However, it works with various flat-fee brokerages, and not every homeowner will have the same experience.
In Chicago, Flat Fee Groupโs MLS Basic package is priced at $295, the MLS Plus package at $495, and the MLS Pro package at $795.
7. Mentor Listing
MID-RANGE PACKAGES
Mentor Listing Realty
Mentor Listing Realty Inc offers three Flat Fee MLS Packages.
- Basic Package – $299: It includes 1 photo and a listing term of 6 months. You get unlimited open house listings, state disclosure forms, and contracts. You also have Broker support and assistance.
- Standard Package – $349: It includes everything from the Basic Package plus 6 photos.
- Premium Package – $399: The number of photos is 25 and includes the same services as the other two packages.
Listing Upgrades:
- Full Representation Service: $499
- Premium Sign: $75
- Mechanical Lock Box: $45
- Electronic Lock Box:ย $100 one-time rental fee, plus a $150 refundable deposit
- Market Survey Report: $175
- Color Flyers: 100 for $65
- Basic Sign: $45
๐ Our Take: Mentor Listing Realty serves as a seller’s agent only. Their agents are experts in the local market. However, you will end up paying an additional cost for listing upgrades.
Mentor Listing Realty’s highlight services are:
- Unlimited Open House Listings: You can have as many open houses as you want to help get your home sold.
- Professional Broker Support: A professional broker will help you through the home selling process. This support is in all the packages but only via phone and email.
- All Important Paperwork Provided: Mentor Listing Realty will provide you with all the state disclosure forms and contracts. They will also help you complete the necessary forms to sell your home.
In our research, we encountered some deal breakers with Mentor Listing Realty are:
- Only 1 Photo for Basic Package: Although the services offered are similar to the other packages the basic flat fee MLS package includes only one photo. This does not help the buyer understand what your house looks like.
- Limited Automation: Mentor Listing Realty has a limited tech stack. Many processes like form filling are done manually. Therefore, your listing process might get delayed.
- Additional Cost: They charge additional costs for services like a lockbox, market survey reports, etc.
- Limited Coverage:ย They only cover 2 states: Illinois and Indiana.
Mentor Listing Realty has no credible ratings available.
Mentor Listing Realty offers unlimited open houses as part of all its packages. The company provides most of the services you may require to sell your home. However, they can be expensive.
Moreover, Mentor Listing Realty has a limited tech stack. As a result, many procedures like evaluating offers and monitoring inspections will be done offline. Thus, your listing process might get delayed.
8. Flat Fee Realty
0.25% LISTING AGENT COMMISSION
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee Realty offers a single Flat Fee MLS package, the price of which varies by state.
- MLS Listing Package: This package offers a 6-month listing with 6 photos, syndication to Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com, along with local MLS listing and state disclosures.
Listing Photos Upgrades: You can add up to 25 photos for $50.
๐ Our Take: If an affordable plan is your priority, then you can consider Flat Fee Realty. However, they do charge additional fees for optional upgrades like additional photos.
These are some pros of Flat Fee Realty in the areas it operates:
- Cost-Effective: Flat Fee Realty offers an affordable flat fee listing package.
- Free Changes: You can make changes to your listing without paying any additional fees.
- Easy Cancellation: You can cancel anytime and get a refund within 30 days of purchase. If you decide not to sell your home, some of your listing fees will be refunded.
- Market Exposure:ย Your listing gets syndicated to Realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow, significantly expanding your chances of attracting potential buyers.
Here are some major dealbreakers we came across in our review of Flat Fee Realty:
- Non-customizable Packages: You cannot customize the packages. This may restrict your ability to select specific options tailored to your preferences.
- 0.25% Commission at Closing: Flat Fee Realty charges a 0.25% commission at closing. Even though they claim the buyer agent pays this, the entire commission comes from the sellerโs proceeds.
- Limited Coverage: The companyโs service availability may vary and is subject to change without notice.
Flat Fee Realty has no credible reviews yet.
ยป Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Flat Fee Realty.
Flat Fee Realty offers a single flat fee MLS package that varies by state. In Illinois, the package costs $199. With this package, you get free listing changes and related disclosures.
โHowever, Flat Fee Realty requires you to pay a minimum 2% buyer agent commission, of which 0.25% goes as a kickback to your listing agent. This means you end up paying a small commission to the listing agent at closing.
๐ฉ Beware: Chicago, IL Flat Fee MLS Companies have High Hidden Fees
The biggest issue with Flat Fee MLS Illinois companies is that they have a lot of hidden fees that they donโt disclose on their pricing pages. These hidden fees can decrease your net proceeds.
ยป FACT: Houzeo discloses all its fees upfront on the Flat Fee MLS Illinois Pricing page.
ยป Seller Closing Costs Illinois: Find out how much is the closing cost for home sellers in Illinois.
- โ๏ธ What is Houzeo? Houzeo is a tech-centric For Sale By Owner website and real estate platform that gives you access to tools only real estate agents have. Hereโs how Houzeo works to maximize your savings and exposure.
How Do Chicago Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Work?
A Flat Fee MLS listing is an MLS entry-only service that lists your home on the local MLS at a flat rate.
To list your home on the MLS through a Flat Fee Listing Chicago Service, you first need to choose a package that suits your home-selling needs.
The fixed-fee listing agent will make your listing live on the MLS and other Chicago real estate websites. Once the MLS listing is live, buyer agents can view your property on the MLS and subsequently recommend it to prospective buyers.
Listing your home with a Flat Fee MLS in Chicago service saves you thousands of dollars in commissions. Because you are not listing with a traditional listing agent, you wonโt have to pay their 3% commission.
๐ List Your Chicago Home for Sale: Start your listing for FREE and pick an MLS plan only when youโre ready!
What to Consider Before Hiring a Chicago Flat Fee MLS Service?
When selecting a Chicago multiple listing service, consider the following factors:
- Savings: Compare the pricing structures of different services to find one that aligns with your budget. Ensure you understand exactly what services are included in the flat fee package and if there are any additional costs.
- MLS Coverage: Verify which MLS databases the flat fee service has access to. Check whether it covers the geographical area where your property is located. Also, ensure the service can list your home in the relevant IL MLS databases.
- Customer Support: Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the Flat Fee MLS service. Check if they offer assistance with inquiries, negotiations, or offer management.
What Do You Get With a Chicago Flat Fee Listing?
With a Chicago flat fee listing, you typically receive the service of listing your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a one-time fee. This allows your property to be visible to Realtors in Illinois and potential buyers across the state.
Some Chicago flat-fee MLS services offer additional marketing tools and resources for an extra fee. This may include staging help, virtual tours, professional photography, and more. These additional tools can help enhance the visibility of your listing.