$33,504 – that’s how much New Yorkians paid in agent commissions on an average $558,400 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in NY will continue to rise, and so will commissions. But there’s an alternative! Going FSBO.
FSBO is powerful. Millennials are leading the way, with over 55% considering selling their homes by owner. From Albany to Buffalo, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Empire State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in New York will double your savings. You save 3% on the listing agent commission. With the NAR settlement, you save on the 3% buyer agent commission too. That’s potentially a cool $33,504. IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Sites in New York
FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service** |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. ISoldMyHouse | $399 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. ListWithFreedom | $195 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. Net Realty Now | $299 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. ForSaleByOwner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
6. Zillow | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
7. Craigslist | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
*For 100% Online, only FSBO sites with online showings, inspection scheduling, offer management, and mobile apps have been considered.
**For 5-Star Reviews, customer ratings above 4.8 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBO Websites 🚀
There are two types of FSBO websites in New York you can choose from:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites list your property on the MLS for a flat fee. The MLS syndicates your listings to Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and other websites.
- Free FSBO Websites: When you list for free, your listings are visible on the website and not on the MLS. No MLS exposure means less buyers and a lower sale price.
Reviews: 4 Best Paid FSBO Websites in New York
1. Houzeo.com
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
HouzeoHouzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing packages:
- Bronze – $399 + $350 at closing: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver – $409 + 0.5% at closing: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold – $429 + 0.5% at closing: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum – $499 + 1% at closing: 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!
These are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites to list with:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 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.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to interested buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You also bypass the listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listings may take more than 12 hours to get updated.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best FSBO sites in New York. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service helps you save thousands on Realtor commissions. You get dedicated customer support, which makes the home-selling process smooth and effortless. In addition, Houzeo covers 47 states and DC.
2. ISoldMyHouse
Low Tech, But Great Broker
ISoldMyHouse.comISoldMyHouse.com offers 2 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Get Listed – $299+: This plan allows you to list on the MLS for 6 months with 6–10 photos. It is ideal for rentals and smaller homes.
- Get Sold – $399+: This package allows you to list on MLS for 12 months with 25 photos.
👉 Our Take: ISoldMyHouse.com is a reliable choice for selling homes in the eight states it serves. In the remaining states and DC, it functions as a referral service.
» ISoldMyHouse.com Pros and Cons: Read our in-depth review of ISoldMyHouse.com
These were some pros of ISoldMyHouse.com that we found in our research:
- Fast Listing: Your home is listed on the MLS within 24 hours from the time you submit your details.
- Market Exposure: Your MLS listing gets syndicated to websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
- Buyer Leads Forwarded: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you with no agent involvement.
In our research, we found some deal breakers associated with ISoldMyHouse.com:
- Limited Coverage: ISoldMyHouse.com is licensed to provide direct services in 8 states. In the rest of the region, it works as a referral service.
- Limited Technology: ISoldMyHouse.com listings have manual paperwork, which takes up a lot of your time to get listed on the MLS.
- Expensive Add-ons: It’s à la carte services, essential for home sellers, come with a hefty price tag.
ISoldMyHouse.com has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 10+ reviews on Better Business Bureau.
» ISoldMyHouse.com Reviews: Do consider reading these reviews before choosing ISoldMyHouse.com
ISoldMyHouse is a great choice in the 8 states it covers. Kris Lippi, the Broker Owner of ISoldMyHouse is an experienced Flat Fee broker with thousands of transactions under his belt.
In the remaining 42 states and Washington D.C., ISoldMyHouse.com is only a referral service. They act as a middleman and will sell your information to a local broker who will help you list on MLS.
3. ListWithFreedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
ListWithFreedomListWithFreedom provides 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $89: This package allows a listing term for 6 months and 25 photo uploads with unlimited changes.
- Platinum Package – $195: This is the most popular package with 6 months listing term. It allows maximum photo uploads.
- Platinum+ Package – $395: 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.
👉 Our Take: ListWithFreedom can be a decent choice for experienced sellers. However, they offer additional services at a higher cost.
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 $89.
- 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:
- Additional Fee at Closing: ListWithFreedom charges between 0.25% to 0.5% at closing (over your one-time flat fee payment).
- Average Customer Reviews: ListWithFreedom does not enjoy robust customer reviews. Past sellers said that their experience was just average.
ListWithFreedom has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 590+ reviews on Google.
» ListWithFreedom Reviews: Is ListWithFreedom Legit? Read our blog to find out.
List With Freedom is a licensed Flat Fee MLS company founded by Jim Tyminski in 2005. They provide MLS listing services in all US states except Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Also, they are known for their easy-to-use platform.
Nevertheless, List With Freedom’s a la carte services come with a hefty price tag. Additionally, they don’t provide any pricing or negotiation assistance.
4. Net Realty Now
EXPERIENCED BROKER
Net Realty NowNet Realty Now offers 2 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Flat Fee MLS Package – $299: This package provides a 6-month listing period and 50 photos, virtual tours of the house, and unlimited changes to your listing.
- Full-Service Flat Fee MLS Package – $1,299: This package allows listings across 85+ affiliated websites both national and local. The charges are upfront and no hidden fees are charged at closing.
👉 Our Take: They have affordable Flat Fee MLS packages, which include all the services a homeowner looks for.
» Thomas Hennerty Net Realty Now: Thomas and Net Realty Now has good customer reviews and a reputation in the market.
Net Realty Now is a good Flat Fee MLS option for the given reasons:
- Experienced & Highly Rated Broker: Thomas and Company are known for their first-class services. He has a great sense of the market and how things work.
- Good Customer Reviews: Thomas and his team at Net Realty Now respond to their clients promptly and always go the extra mile to maintain integrity.
- High Credibility: Net Realty Now lists between 500 to 600 properties every year out of these over 60% of properties sell within the initial listing term.
- Unlimited Changes: You are allowed to make unlimited changes to your listing for free.
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: Buyer leads are sent to the homeowners directly to limit broker participation in the sale.
- Online Paperwork: The full-service package offers a complete electronic paperwork from listing to closing.
- Comparable Sales Report: It also provides a CMA report which helps you price your property competitively.
The only turn-downs we found about Net Realty Now is their limited coverage. It serves only in four states prominently.
Net Realty Now has 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 20+ reviews on Zillow.
» Net Realty Now.com Reviews: Check out what Houzeo home sellers have to say about working with Net Realty Now.
With Net Realty Now, you work with agents who have over 30 years of experience in the business. They provide unlimited customer services for market advice, professional guidance, and contract negotiations in the full-service package with a 1%–2% listing fee.
If you are looking for customizable packages curated to your specific needs, you may want to look at some other websites on this list.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in New York
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
ForSaleByOwner.comForSaleByOwner.com includes 2 FSBO packages:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package – $495: You get the assistance of a licenced real estate broker. However, for this, you need to have a potential buyer.
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com does not list on MLS. This can be a strong drawback in your selling processes.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com caters to customers throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You can set your schedule, host showings, and manage the sale process at your convenience.
- Direct Buyer Interaction: You can directly communicate with potential buyers through their messaging system.
We have found certain cons about ForSaleByOwner.com in our research:
- No MLS Listing: This site does not list your property on MLS. You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- Lack of Technology: It can be time-consuming and demanding to manage the listings, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
- Privacy Violation: Even though listing on ForSaleByOwner.com is free, payment details are still necessary.
- Lead for Rocket Homes: Your listing information is shared with Rocket Homes agents. They may frequently contact you to solicit MLS listings.
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on BestCompany.com.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
ForSaleByOwner.com has been operating since 1999. You can list your single-family home, condo, or townhouse at no cost. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and access to legal forms.
Although ForSaleByOwner.com offers various paid services, their agent support package is similar to what you’d pay to a traditional Realtor. And none of the packages include a For Sale By Owner MLS listing in New York.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
ZillowZillow offers the following listing plans for home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.
- Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: This is the traditional way to sell your home. You get access to a real estate agent who guides you through the entire sale process.
👉 Our Take: Zillow is a comprehensive real estate website that offers a variety of tools and resources for home sellers.
» Does Zillow Charge For Sale By Owner? Click to know if it’s free or not.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Fees: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Maximum Market Exposure: It is one of the most popular real estate websites, with millions of monthly visitors. This means that a large number of potential buyers will see your listing.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow FSBO services are accessible in all 50 states across America.
- User-Friendly Interface: Its website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on location, price, features, and other criteria.
- Offers Rental Services: Zillow is one of the best rental websites in America. It offers a built-in tenant screening tool, rent collection feature, owner portal, pricing suggestions, etc.
We identified several disadvantages of listing with Zillow:
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours to update from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is often inaccurate. This misleads both buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
- Lead for Real Estate Agent: Your listing information is shared with Zillow’s agents. You’ll get calls from agents rather than potential buyers.
- Hide FSBO Listings: Zillow hides FSBO listings behind agent listings. They are often two clicks away and get almost no traffic.
Zillow has a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 350+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular New York real estate website. To list your home, you can simply sign up and create your free account.
However, Zillow’s FSBO listings do not appear on the MLS and are hidden in the ‘Other Listings’ tab. This limits the exposure on your property.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
CraigslistSince Craigslist is one of the biggest classified websites, it offers free listings:
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0: You get an FSBO listing on Craigslist. Here you can upload your property’s description, location, and some photos.
👉 Our Take: With Craigslist you can post your house for sale for free. However, you don’t have MLS exposure.
» Where Does Craigslist Operate: Click here to learn more about Craigslist.
These are some key pros to consider:
- User-Friendly Website: Craigslist’s website is easy to navigate. This helps you to easily create your listing and add property information.
- Free FSBO Listing: Most of the FSBO sellers who opt to advertise on Craigslist do it to save up on the agent’s commission.
- Good for Distressed Property: Craigslist is a great platform for distressed properties. This is mainly because many cash buyers, house flippers, and investors keep track of listings on Craigslist.
- Huge Traffic: According to Similarweb, Craigslist is the most visited classified website in the USA.
Here are a few cons to keep in mind:
- Lowball Offer: Customers have reported that buyers on Craigslist make lowball offers.
- Scammers and Pranksters: Craigslist is infamous for being a playground for scammers. Many people who list their homes on Craigslist get unsolicited calls from scammers posing as buyers.
- Short Lifespan of Ads: Craigslist ads are listed in reverse chronological order, the newest ones always have the most prominence.
Craigslist has a poor rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» How to Sell a House on Craigslist: Learn the step-by-step process of selling your home on Craigslist.
Craigslist is one of the biggest free For Sale By Owner sites in New York. The platform is free to use and New Yorkcan provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing.
But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers in New York. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in New York?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in New York. You just need to pay a flat fee which is fraction of the cost you would pay to the Realtor.
Imagine you own a $558,400 home in the Empire State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $16,752 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $16,003!
Besides this, 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks. The best FSBO websites can get your home on the MLS within 24-48 hours.
Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
Traditional Agent | 3% | $16,752 | $0 |
Houzeo | $399 | $749 | $16,003 |
Lara Shane Saved $24,000 With Houzeo, You Can Too!
Start Your Home Selling Journey
NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely be paying much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage Buyer Agents, and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 will be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
How to List on MLS in New York: 5 Steps
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents:
- Find the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service: Choose a flat-rate listing service to list your FSBO home on New York MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS New York listing services .
- Create Your Account: Almost all Flat Fee listing services will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo will allow you to manage your listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: Fixed fee listing services offer a DIY MLS listing by owner plan or a virtual full-service plan. Choose the plan that meets your home-selling needs.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Provide property information like the number of beds, baths, etc. Professionally clicked high-quality photos can help you sell your home 50% faster. So, consider hiring a NY real estate photographer before you upload photos!
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete the seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will list your home within 24 to 48 hours.
5 Tips for Listing Your House as For Sale By Owner in New York
To sell your home as FSBO with ease, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local NY real estate market. Learn about recent house sales prices, market trends, and the typical time it takes to sell a home.
- Prepare Your Home: Make necessary repairs and renovations. Clean, declutter, and opt for home staging. All this makes your house appealing to potential buyers.
- Price It Right: Set a competitive price for your house. To get a Fair Market Value, consider a professional appraisal or use online tools.
- Market Your Home: Create a detailed marketing plan. Use high-quality images and make a virtual tour or video walkthrough.
- Opt for Exposure: Choose an FSBO website that gets your home listed on the MLS. This will give maximum exposure to your property and attract potential buyers.
Alternatives to For Sale By Owner Sites in New York
If you think selling a house yourself in New York can be difficult, here are some other options you can consider:
- Choose a Low Commission Agent: A low-commission real estate agent offers you the same services as a traditional Realtor for a reduced commission rate.
- Opt for a Cash Home Buyer: New York cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in New York with them.
- Sell With an iBuyer: Opendoor and Offerpad are iBuyers that use technology to extend cash offers on homes. They typically offer 70%-80% of a home’s Fair Market Value (FMV).
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list a house For Sale By Owner in New York?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in New York. Create your account and opt for a listing plan. Then enter property details and sign the listing agreement.
What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in New York?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in New York. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner for free in New York?
You can list your home for free on ForSaleByOwner.com, Zillow and classifieds websites like Craigslist.
What to look for in an FSBO website?
When opting for a FSBO website, look for user-friendly interfaces, online visibility, and features such as listing customization and marketing tools. Also, you should list your home on the NY MLS for maximum exposure.