From California to New York, home sellers saved up to $12,822 on an average $427,388 home with Flat Fee MLS services. Instead of a 3% agent fee, you list your house on the local MLS for a flat fee, typically under $300.
But beware! Several Flat Fee MLS services come with hidden charges. This can add to your expenses. That’s why you must choose a flat fee service that discloses all the pricing details upfront.
What Is Flat Fee MLS?
A Flat Fee MLS is a service that lists your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a fixed fee. The MLS is a regional online database of homes for sale. Once listed, your home is syndicated to major real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and others, maximizing its visibility.
However, you cannot list your home on the MLS directly. Only licensed agents can do it for you. But they charge a 3% commission to list and market your home. Nonetheless, you can save on this commission by listing your home with flat rate MLS services.
How Do Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Work?
Flat fee services charge a one-time fee instead of the typical 3% Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS. By partnering with real estate agents, these services handle the listing and marketing of your property. Simply select a plan that fits your needs, and voilà – you’ve saved thousands.
Once your home is live on the MLS, buyer agents can view it and recommend it to prospective buyers.
Why Should You Work With Flat Fee Multiple Listing Services?
You’ll get full control of your home sale at your fingertips! With the best flat fee listing service, you can manage showings, compare offers for maximum profit, and close deals faster. Additionally, you can seek professional assistance for negotiations and paperwork.
Flat Fee real estate MLS listing companies usually offer different packages for services such as listing, seller disclosures, and house showings. Choose the package that aligns with your budget or need and pay only for the services you use.
Flat Fee Multiple Listing vs. Traditional Agent Listing
# | Criteria | Flat Fee Listing | Traditional Listing |
1 | Listing Cost | $300 – $1,000 (one-time fee) | 2.5% – 3% of the sale price |
2 | Control Over Listing | Full control | Agent supervised |
3 | Listing on MLS | Yes | Yes |
4 | Listing Delays | 24 – 48 hours (varies by provider) | 2 – 7 days (depends on agent availability) |
5 | Flexibility in Pricing | Complete flexibility | Controlled by agent |
6 | Transparency | High (fixed upfront fee) | Varies (from agent to agent) |
Pros and Cons of Listing With Flat Fee MLS Services
Here are some pros and cons of listing your home with Flat Fee MLS services:
✅Pros
- Cost Savings: With a Flat Fee MLS service, you pay a one-time fixed fee saving 3% listing agent commission.
- Max Exposure: Your home listing is shared with major real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and more. This makes your home visible to local and national buyer agents.
- Total Control: You can set your price, negotiate directly with buyers, and control the showing schedule.
❌Cons
- Limited Support: You’ll have to handle pricing, negotiations, and closing paperwork all by yourself.
- MLS Restrictions: Certain MLS platforms have listing restrictions. For example, Stellar MLS does not allow you to display “zero commission” listings. If you don’t comply, your listing may be rejected or subject to penalties.
- Time Commitment: You may need to dedicate significant time to manage showings and market
How Much Will You Save With Flat Rate Listing Services?
By using fixed fee services, you can save tens of thousands of dollars. Listing a $427,388 home in the U.S. through a 3% listing agent would cost you $12,822.
However, with Flat Fee MLS listing services such as Houzeo, you can save up to $12,573 for selling a $427,388 home in the United States. You can use these savings to upgrade your property, invest in your dream home, or enjoy America’s luxurious lifestyle.
Service Provider | Total Cost | Savings |
Traditional Agent | 3% Commission- $12,822 | $0 |
Houzeo | Fixed Fee- $249 | $12,573 |
Which Are the Best Flat Fee MLS Services in America?
1. Houzeo
Houzeo is a high-tech platform that streamlines listings, updates, and online showings/offers. Choose from 3 Flat Fee MLS packages to simplify your home sale.
- Silver Package – $199: You can upload 24 photos, and your listing term will be 6 months. You can also make unlimited changes to your listing.
- Gold Package – $249: You can post the maximum number of photos, avail licensed broker assistance, get access to seller disclosures, and a premium yard sign.
- Platinum Package – $299: You get virtual full assistance from a licensed broker and a 12-month listing term.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of these reasons:
- Max Exposure: Your home listing is syndicated to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc., increasing its visibility.
- 100% Online: You can list your home, manage offers, and close deals, all at your fingertips with a powerful mobile app.
- 5-star Customer Service: You have access to listing support and chat services 6 days a week.
- No Hidden Fees: What you see is what you pay. Houzeo mentions all of its fees upfront on its website.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses home seller’s concerns with efficiency.
Houzeo is rated an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google and Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Rated “Excellent” by 10,000+ happy home sellers.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most sellers because of the licensed broker assistance. If you’re someone who wants assistance in pricing your home, negotiations, and compliance checks, this plan is a solid choice.
2. List With Freedom
List With Freedom is a popular Multiple Listing Service that offers 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $89: You can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos and unlimited changes. Online showing service, open houses, a professional yard sign, and other services are available at additional charges.
- Platinum Package – $195: You get everything in the Gold plan, plus you can list your property for 6 months with the maximum number of photos.
- Platinum Plus Package – $395: You get a 12-month listing term along with online showing service, virtual tour, and some other features. You get add-on services at an extra cost.
🚩 $59 Paywall for Buyer Leads: List With Freedom charges an additional $59 to reveal buyer agent details. This fee is not clearly disclosed upfront.
Here are some advantages of choosing List With Freedom:
- Affordable Pricing: List With Freedom is known for its affordable listing packages starting at just $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: List With Freedom allows you to make unlimited changes to your listing no matter which plan you choose.
- Nationwide Coverage: List With Freedom covers 45+ states across the U.S.
- Important Paperwork: List With Freedom provides you the necessary paperwork and seller disclosures to ensure a smooth and compliant listing process.
- Direct Buyer Leads: List With Freedom forwards all buyer inquiries directly to you, with no agent involvement. So you get more control over the process and can interact with the buyers to negotiate with them directly.
Some drawbacks of using List With Freedom include:
- Additional Fee at Close: List With Freedom charges a compliance fee of 0.25%–0.50% when your property sells. This may increase your overall cost.
- Extra Charges: Even with the Platinum Plus plan, you need to pay extra for features like open houses, contract prep, and offer review.
- Expensive Add-Ons: List With Freedom charges a non-refundable fee of $49 for a yard sign. Also, installation is at your own expense, as List With Freedom does not provide this service.
- Limited Online Showing Service: List With Freedom does not provide online showing service in all the areas. Additionally, even if the service is included in your listing package, the company doesn’t provide a refund or credit if unavailable in your area.
List With Freedom has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 600+ reviews on Google.
» List With Freedom Reviews: Should you opt to sell with them? Check out our review!
👉 Our Take: List With Freedom is a good option for experienced sellers. You can make unlimited listing changes in all the 3 packages. However, for contract prep, offer, and counteroffer review, you have to pay an extra $595 no matter which plan you choose.
3. ISoldMyHouse
ISoldMyHouse.com offers two Flat Fee MLS packages to suit your needs:
- Get LISTED – $299: This package gives you a listing term of 6 months and allows you to upload 6 to 10 photos of your home.
- Get SOLD – $399: With this package, you get a listing term of 12 months and you can upload maximum number of photos allowed by the MLS.
Here are the benefits of choosing ISoldMyHouse.com:
- Maximum Exposure: ISoldMyHouse gets your home listing syndicated to major real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. giving it nationwide exposure.
- Local MLS Listing: ISoldMyHouse provides a flat fee listing on the local MLS, ensuring your property is seen by local real estate agents and potential buyers.
- FSBO Listing: ISoldMyHouse gets your home listed as For Sale By Owner on their website. This makes your property accessible to buyers looking for FSBO properties.
- Buyer Leads Forwarded: ISoldMyHouse forwards the buyer leads to you so you can negotiate directly, without involving any agent.
- Free Cancellation: ISoldMyHouse allows you to cancel your listing any time before signing the listing agreement.
Here are some red flags to consider before choosing ISoldMyHouse.com:
- Poor Customer Reviews: Some customers have reported poor customer service with ISoldMyHouse.com. One was given confusing instructions, while another was redirected to a different service after already making a payment.
- Limited Marketing Support: ISoldMyHouse does not offer services such as professional photography, yard signs, limiting your marketing options.
- Lack of Agent Support: ISoldMyHouse does not provide you agent assistance for selling your home. You need to handle everything from pricing and negotiations to paperwork and closing on your own.
ISoldMyHouse.com has a 4.6 out of 5 rating based on 63 reviews on Google.
» ISoldMyHouse.com Reviews: Read our in-depth analysis before making your choice.
👉 Our Take: ISoldMyHouse is a solid option for sellers who prefer to manage their sales independently. However, sellers in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Kentucky, Colorado, Missouri, and Georgia (Metro Atlanta and Chattanooga) are required to pay a minimum service fee of $299 at closing, regardless of the plan they choose.
🚩 Beware: Various Flat Fee MLS Companies Have High Hidden Fees
The biggest issue with 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!
📢 FACT: Houzeo discloses all its fees upfront on the Flat Fee MLS pricing page.
Flat Fee Multiple Listing Services Near Me
How to List My Home on MLS via Houzeo?
Follow these 5 steps to get an active MLS listing with Houzeo in 48 hours:
- 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 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.
Mistakes to Avoid With a Flat Fee MLS Service 🚫
To ensure a successful home sale, 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. Use a home worth calculator to set an appropriate value for your house.
- 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 the current competitive market of the U.S. Use traditional marketing tactics like yard signs to attract drive-by traffic. Listing your home 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, such as the seller’s 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 the U.S. 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 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 $249?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flat Fee MLS listing?
A Flat Fee MLS listing is a service where homeowners pay a one-time fixed fee to have their property listed on the MLS without hiring a traditional real estate agent. This option is ideal for For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers looking to save on commissions while increasing visibility to local buyers.
What percentage do most Realtors charge in the U.S.?
Realtors in America typically charge a commission of 5% to 6% of the home's sale price. The fee is split between the buyer's and seller's agents. However, under the NAR settlement guidelines, sellers can negotiate the buyer agent commission.
Is a seller’s disclosure required in the U.S.?
Yes! The seller disclosure form reveals all material defects and the general state of your property to potential buyers.
Where to buy a Flat Fee MLS listing?
Buy an MLS listing from a flat fee Realtor that makes your home live within 48 hours. It should allow you to compare offers, counter offers, and manage showings in just a few clicks through a mobile app.
What is the best Flat Fee MLS listing service in the U.S.?
Houzeo is one of the best flat fee services in America because of its advanced tech and stellar customer reviews. Beycome and Homecoin are other great options.