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8 min read Feb 03, 2024

How to Sell Your House With Flat Fee MLS Company in 2024?

2023 was a daunting year for real estate. The mortgage rates reached 7.79%, and the median home prices surged to $412,000, reflecting a 2% increase from 2022.

Housing experts predict 2024 to be slightly similar. The home prices are expected to continue rising in some markets. This will create an opportunity for you as a home seller to draw higher net proceeds in 2024.

However, selling with a traditional realtor may cost you 5% to 6% real estate commission. Instead, you can list your home with Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo. It is a tech-centric For Sale By Owner website. With Houzeo, you can list your property at an upfront cost and save thousands in commissions.

What Is a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service?

Flat fee MLS listing service helps you to list your home on the MLS at a flat rate. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is an online regional database of homes for sale. Your listings get syndicated to real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and hundreds of other real estate websites.

Only licensed real estate agents and brokers can access and list on the MLS. Flat Fee MLS companies offer listing services for a fixed charge. This helps you save 2.5% to 3% on the usual commission that a listing agent charges.

Advantages of a Flat Fee MLS Service

Here are several compelling benefits of a flat fee service when selling your property:

  1. Cost Savings: Instead of paying 2.5% to 3% commission to the listing agent, you pay a fixed fee to list your property on the MLS. This can save you a substantial amount, especially for properties with higher value.
  2. Control and Flexibility: With a flat fee listing service, you have more control over the selling process. You can manage showings and seek professional assistance for negotiations, and paperwork.
  3. Transaction Transparency: Flat fee listing services typically offer transparent pricing. You know what you are paying for. This eliminates any surprises or hidden costs.
  4. Customization of Services: Flat fee companies usually offer different packages to cater to varying needs and budgets. You can choose the package that aligns with your requirements. This way, you only pay for the services you use.

How Do Flat Fee MLS Listings Work?

Flat fee MLS listings allow you to list your properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a flat fee instead of paying traditional agent commissions. Once you list your home, you must select one of the packages they provide.

Next, fill in the required details of your property and make the payment to finalize the listing. On completion, the fixed fee listing agent will make your listing live on the MLS and hundreds of other real estate websites.

Subsequently, the buyer agents can view your property on the MLS and recommend it to prospective buyers.

» How to List on MLS: Here’s all you need to know about listing your house on the MLS.

Yes, it is legal to list your home on the MLS for a flat fee.

In fact, the DOJ of America recently updated its bulletin highlighting the benefits of Flat Fee MLS for For Sale By Owner.

However, while selling FSBO, you need to take care of all the mandatory disclosures and paperwork to avoid legal problems in the future.

» FSBO Contract: Check out our detailed guide on drawing up a For Sale By Owner Contract.

How Much Does It Cost to List Your Home on MLS for a Flat Fee?

The following costs are associated with a Flat Fee listing:

  • Upfront Flat Fee: This is the amount you’ll pay to get listed. Typically it is between $300 and $500.
  • Fees at Closing: Most Flat Fee services will not charge any additional fee unless you are in a minimum service state.
  • Hidden Charges: Many unscrupulous brokers may reel you in with a $99 listing. Beware – that’s just the start. You’ll be paying $500+ in hidden fees. A $50-yard sign may cost $135. Moreover, some brokers may demand extra charges at closing when it would be too late to do anything.

» Closing Costs for Sellers: Calculate the approximate seller’s closing costs with Houzeo’s advanced calculator.

What Are the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in America?

1. Houzeo

#1 Flat Fee MLS Service

Houzeo.com

Houzeo Logo
  • Listing Fee: $399
  • Available nationwide
  • Houzeo has 4.9 out of 5 stars 4.9/5 (5,000+ reviews)

Houzeo is real estate company headquartered in New York.

Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.

  • Bronze Package – $399: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
  • Silver Package – $399+: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
  • Gold Package – $429+: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
  • Platinum – $499+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.

👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Confirm all prices on the state’s pricing page before you list.

» Houzeo Reviews: 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:

  1. Max Exposure: Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
  2. 5-star Customer Service: 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.
  3. 100% Online: Houzeo is high-tech. For you, this means easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Houzeo mobile app is also very powerful.
  4. 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 are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Is Houzeo Good?  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.

» Houzeo ReviewsHouzeo is rated Excellent by 5,000+ home sellers.

Houzeo.com is America’s #1 ranked Flat Fee MLS service. The company provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.

Houzeo offers flat fee listing packages at affordable rates to home sellers. Your home will be listed within 48 hours. Even if you’re a first-time home seller on the MLS, Houzeo’s offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.

2. Beycome

Average Tech, Average Service

beycome.com

Beycome logo
  • Listing Fee: $99 - $599  
  • List within 24 hours
  • 5 Stars 4.6/5 (500+ reviews)

Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC offers three Flat Fee MLS 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 10 states they cover. 
  • Enhanced Package – $399: You get a 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 8 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 6 states.

👉 Our Take: Beycome’s 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: 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: 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: 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 costs and seller disclosures.
  • Limited Coverage: Beycome is only available in 10 states.

Beycome has 4.6 out of 5 stars from 500+ reviews on Google Reviews.

» Beycome Reviews: Know why it might not be a good idea to sell with Beycome.

Beycome’s MLS listing packages are reasonably priced. The company offers legal forms, seller disclosures, an Open House scheduler, and customer support. We recommend the $399 Enhanced Package for FSBO home sellers.

Beycome operates like a traditional realtor which includes manual processes. This can delay the listing process significantly. You’ll have to be very diligent and manage leads manually outside the platform.

3. Homecoin

AFFORDABLE PACKAGE

Homecoin

Homecoin logo
  • Listing Fee: $95 Upfront + Overpriced Add-ons
  • List within 24 hours
  • 4.75 Stars 4.6/5 (50+ reviews)

Homecoin’s offers only one single package:

  • Flat Fee MLS Listing – $95: This package includes a listing term of 12 months with 25+ photos. You also get up to 1o free listing change.

👉 Our Take: Homecoin offers only a single package for listing on the MLS. If you opt for any additional service, you end up paying extra.

You should consider these points while choosing them:

  • MLS Exposure: A Flat Fee MLS listing via Homecoin will get you on the MLS and in front of thousands of buyers.
  • Digital Automation: The listing documents can be filled out online on their website.
  • Covers 11 States: Homecoin covers California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In our research, we found several issues with Homecoin:

  • Essentials Are Add-Ons: Homecoin will charge you extra for features like showings management with a lockbox. You can counter an offer or request the highest and best offer.
  • Upgrades are Overpriced: Homecoin’s yard sign is expensive at $69 + $97 (for the post); if you want to manage showings, you have to rent a lockbox for $125 + $120 deposit.
  • Key Features Are Not Available: Essential features, like inspections and appraisals, are missing in Homecoin’s offerings. Without these, you risk turning off buyers and buyer agents.
  • Limited Customer Service via Phone: Homecoin provides decent customer service over text and email. However, this service is difficult to reach via phone.
  • Dashboard Is Clunky: Homecoin does not auto-populate listing data from public sources. Manually filling out all the listing data can take a lot of time.

Note: Homecoin’s services vary by region. Our research was in the 28025 zip code.

Homecoin.com has 4.6 out of 5 stars from 50+ reviews on Google.

» Homecoin Reviews: Is Homecoin worth it? Read our blog to find out.

Homecoin is a For Sale By Owner website that offers a single Flat Fee MLS package, priced at $95. You can avail of their rental lockbox, professional real estate photographs, or signposts at additional costs.

We do not recommend Homecoin for most home sellers. While the $95 flat fee package is compelling, Homecoin’s limited coverage is a matter of concern. Not all Floridians can benefit from their MLS access package.

What Does Houzeo Offer to a Home Seller?

Houzeo is by far the best MLS listing service for the following reasons:

  • Maximum Exposure: Houzeo’s flat-fee service gets your property automatically syndicated to different national portals/brokerages such as Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and hundreds more.
  • Fast Listing: With Houzeo, you can expect your listing to be active in just 2 business days. In the states of North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, listings get activated within 24 hours.
  • Save on Commissions: Houzeo mentions its package prices upfront. There are no hidden costs at closing. Houzeo’s affordable listing plans are packed with tools and needed services to provide you with the best results.
  • Automated Listing Experience: The IntelliList Listing Management system is a user-friendly feature that helps you manage and update your listing. You can request changes online. The “counter-offer” feature allows you to directly make a counteroffer on your listed home.
  • 5 Star Reviews: Houzeo has 4.9 stars overall on Google and Trustpilot. More than 96% of home sellers have reviewed Houzeo as “Excellent”.
  • Houzeo Mobile App: Houzeo allows you to check your listing and assess offers. You can review and compare offers on your property on the go! Home buyers can search for homes for sale right from your smartphone.

Flat Fee Listing Services Near Me

RegionStates/CitiesStates
NortheastStates Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont
NortheastCities Boston, MA | Long Island, NY | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Pittsburgh, PA
MidwestStatesIllinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin
MidwestCities Chicago, IL | Peoria, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Grand Rapids, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Cleveland, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Appleton, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Madison, WI
SouthStates Alabama | Arkansas | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Washington D.C. | West Virginia
SouthCities Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Miami, FL | Naples, FL | Tampa, FL | Palm Beach, FL | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Charlotte, NC | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Wilmington, NC | Asheville, NC | Oklahoma City, OK | Tulsa, OK | Greenville, SC | Columbia, SC | Charleston, SC | Knoxville, TN | Austin, TX | Dallas, TX | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Richmond, VA | Hampton Roads, VA | Ashland, KY | Lexington, KY
WestStates Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming
WestCitiesSeattle, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Los Angeles, CA | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Albuquerque, NM

Alternatives to Flat Fee Listing Services

Flat-fee companies are the best option for you if looking to retain most of your hard-earned equity in your homes. But if you’re looking for more assistance, there are several other options.

  • Hire a Discount Real Estate Broker: Discount real estate brokers charge between 0.5% to 2% commission. They offer all the services of a traditional broker at discounted rates. Though service quality may differ!
  • List With a Full-Service Realtor: You get the full-service in-person professional support you need. But a full-service realtor charges from 5% to 6% commission.
  • Sell to an iBuyer: iBuyers, like Opendoor and Offerpad, purchase hundreds of homes in the real estate market. iBuyers can be a great option if you’re wondering how to sell your house fast.
  • Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies that buy houses for cash make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Cash buyers let you skip the hassle of listing on the MLS, inspection, appraisal, etc.
  • Sell For Sale By Owner: Many FSBO websites will list your house on the MLS and help you with FSBO paperwork. You can list and sell a house by owner and save thousands in listing agent commissions.

New!

Calculate Your Savings!

Enter Your Home Sale Price

$ Please enter your home price
  • Listing Fee
  • Traditional Agent 49537

    $15,000

  • idealagent

    $10,000

  • houzeo

    $299

houzeo

Your savings via Houzeo

$14,705

Houzeo saves you $9,705 more than FSBO.com!

Start Your Free Houzeo Listing Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Flat Fee MLS listing service in the US?

Houzeo is the best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service in the U.S. It offers the best combination of maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, and listing exposure.

Do I need to offer a 2.5% buyer agent commission?

Yes. Almost 90% of homes in the U.S. sell with a buyer agent involved. So we suggest offering a competitive buyer agent commission. Chances are, offering a competitive buyer agent commission will get you strong offers.

Are flat fee Realtors good?

Yes, flat-fee realtors are good. However, some home sellers are skeptical about flat-fee agents because they work for such a low price. Nevertheless, a Flat Fee MLS listing service like Houzeo stands out with its excellent services, maximum savings, and stellar customer support.

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