From Seattle to Spoken, more Washingtonians are selling their homes FSBO than ever before. Millennials lead the way, with over 55% comfortable selling their homes themselves. FSBO home sellers want to maximize their savings while retaining full control of their sale.
With the right FSBO site, you can save over $34,500 on a median $629,000 home. But beware of cheap services with hidden fees and low buyer exposure. That’s why we’ve spent thousands of hours researching and ranking the best For Sale By Owner websites for you!
Key Takeaways:
- Save thousands in agent commissions by using one of Washington’s best For Sale By Owner websites to sell your home.
- The top FSBO websites in Washington are Houzeo, FlatList.com, MLS4owners.com, ForSaleByOwner.com, and Zillow.
- Houzeo is the best paid FSBO website in Washington because of its MLS exposure, smart tech, and 5-star customer support.
- FlatList.com follows with unlimited listing changes and the ability to add up to 40 photos.
- ForSaleByOwner.com and Zillow are the best free FSBO websites. But we don’t recommend them because they lack MLS exposure.
- Remember, MLS is the most powerful tool to reach serious buyers and agents across Washington.
Rankings: 5 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Washington
FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo.com | $199 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. Flat List | $285 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
3. MLS4owners.com | $75 - $695 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. Zillow | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
* Companies rated 4.75 stars and above are considered 5-star
What Are the Types of FSBO Websites?
There are two types of FSBO websites to sell your home by owner in Washington:
- Paid FSBO Websites: The paid websites let you list your home FSBO on Washington MLS for a fixed fee. The MLS syndicates your listing to 100+ real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia.
- Free FSBO Websites: They provide a free listing on their own website but not on the MLS. The lack of MLS exposure limits the number of buyers and can reduce the selling price.
Reviews: Best Paid FSBO Websites
1. Houzeo
Of all the FSBO websites, Houzeo has the most number of homes for sale. Houzeo offers 3 FSBO listing packages with MLS access:
- Silver Package – $199: Your property gets an MLS listing with 24 photos, and for 6 months. It is also visible on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc. With this package, you can 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.
Based on the plan you choose, there’s an additional 0.5% to 1.25% due at closing.
Here are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites:
- Max Exposure: Along with the MLS, your property gets visibility on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-Star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk with 5-star rating for prompt assistance.
- No Hidden Fees: You bypass the listing agent commissions and pay a small flat fee to list your home on the MLS. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees.
- Free Home Value Estimator: With Houzeo, you can also get a free home value estimation within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no red flags with Houzeo.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With 11,000+ reviews and a 4.7 star-rated mobile app, Houzeo is the most trusted website to sell FSBO.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. It offers the best combination of 5-star customer service, Houzeo’s unique technology, max exposure, and broker assistance. And with the Gold plan, you’ll save between 2% and 5% of your sale price in commission.
2. FlatList.com
FlatList.com offers 1 FSBO package with MLS access, the price of which varies in each state:
- Common Package – Starting $285: You can list your house for 6 months and add up to 40 photos. Your listing gets syndicated to real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and Trulia. Furthermore, you can make unlimited changes to your listing, including photo changes, without any additional charges.
Some benefits of opting for FlatList.com include:
- Free Listing Changes: You can make unlimited updates to your listing without any additional charges.
- Free Cancellation: You can cancel your listings anytime without paying additional charges or hidden fees.
- Addendum Upon Request: You get a purchase agreement and additional addenda to support your home sale.
In our research, we found some dealbreakers with FlatList.com:
- Lack of Choice: FlatList.com only offers a single package in every state.
- Extra Cost for Additional Features: Essential services like a lockbox, FSBO yard sign, and assistance with offers are available only at an extra fee.
- Lack of Services: You don’t get any tool or a mobile app to help you manage your listing, showings, and offers.
FlatList.com has 5 out of 5 stars from 50+ reviews on Google.
» FlatList.com Reviews: Read our reviews to know if this FSBO service is worth it.
👉 Our Take: FlatList.com is an ideal choice for first-time home sellers who need assistance, from MLS listing to paperwork. However, their inconsistent packages and add-on costs can quickly increase your expenses.
3. MLS4owners.com
MLS4Owners.com offers 3 FSBO packages that help you list on the MLS:
- FSBO MLS Entry – $75: This package allows you to list your home on the MLS for 2 months with 2 photos. You get standard purchase agreements and state disclosures.
- FSBO Gold – $395: This package has all the services of Entry package, along with MLS listing of 6 months and 20 photos.
- FSBO Classic – $695: You can list your house on MLS for 12 months with 30-50 photos. You also get unlimited changes, open houses, virtual tours, and more.
Additional Tools and Services:
The company provides the following add-ons.
- Additional Photos: $20 per photo
- Custom Yard and Sign: $150 (May have $50 surcharge in some areas)
- MLS Authorised Key Box: $125 + shipping charges
- Custom Open House Signs: $30 (2 signs)
- Changes to Entry Listing: $30
Here are some highlights of MLS4Owners.com:
- Market Exposure: Your listing will also be syndicated to top real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Keller Williams, Redfin, and more.
- Complimentary Services: All the packages offer free market reports, standard purchase agreements, and state disclosures.
Check the red flags of listing with MLS4Owners.com:
- Additional Cost for Listing Changes: If you list with the Entry package, you have to pay $30 for every listing change.
- Limited Automation: The tech is sub-par. Many features, like offer management, listing management, and mobile app are unavailable.
- Limited Assistance: You don’t get any assistance to help you manage and negotiate your showings and multiple offers.
MLS4Owners.com has 4.3 out of 5 stars from 5+ reviews on Google.
👉 Our Take: MLS4Owners offers budget-friendly packages starting at $75. However, it lacks essential marketing tools and have to opt for more expensive package to avail them. Furthermore, they only communicate via email, increasing the risk of missing important messages due to spam.
Reviews: Best Free FSBO Websites
You can check the reviews of the top free FSBO sites in Washington here.
1. ForSaleByOwner.com
ForSaleByOwner.com offers only 1 FSBO package:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. You don’t get an MLS listing. Your property is not visible on Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. This limits your exposure and offers.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com provides coverage throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You get a customizable listing and a personalized dashboard to manage your home sale.
- 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 Exposure: You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. It does not get syndicated to other real estate websites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com.
- Lack of Technology: It can be difficult to manage showings, negotiations, and the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor manually.
- 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 4.2 out of 5 stars on Best Company.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read our in-depth review to learn if you should opt for ForSaleByOwner.com
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com offers a free listing, but without MLS exposure, your property won’t reach local buyers or agents in your area. We recommend them if you're a marketing pro, but if not, you likely won’t get any offers.
2. Zillow
Zillow offers only 1 FSBO listing plan to home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform and on Trulia. However, your home won’t be on the MLS. This limits your home’s exposure.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Listing Fee: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website for free with a video and unlimited photos.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden fees.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow’s For Sale By Owner services are accessible in all 50 states.
- User-Friendly Interface: Their website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on filters like location, price, features, and other criteria.
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 not always accurate. This misleads buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO websites offer.
Zillow has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars from 400+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow’s For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow and see what other sellers have to say.
👉 Our Take: We don't recommend selling FSBO on Zillow. It's like throwing a party and forgetting to send the invites. Your listing is buried in the ‘Other Listings’ tab, like being stuck in the VIP line with no bottle service. You avoid commissions, but you miss the exposure.
🚩 Beware of FSBO Companies With Hidden Fees
Some FSBO companies come with hidden fees that they don’t mention in their pricing section. They provide free or affordable listings, but charge extra for yard signs, lockbox, etc. This increases your overall cost of selling a house in Washington and reduces your savings.
For Sale By Owner Websites Washington: How Much Can You Save?
Thousands! That’s over $34,500 on a $629,000 home in the Evergreen State, after the NAR settlement. The best For Sale By Owner sites in Washington help you save equity.
With best FSBO sites like Houzeo, you can list your home on the MLS for just $199- that’s less than a fresh Dungeness crab feast! You can save a whopping $34,396 and use it for a scenic trip to the San Juan Islands or a season pass for skiing at Crystal Mountain!
Service Provider | Fee in Washington | Savings |
Traditional Agent | 3% Listing Fee + 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission – $37,740 | $0 |
Houzeo | Fixed Fee – $199 + $3,145 | $34,396 |
How to Choose the Best FSBO Website in Washington?
To choose one from the top For Sale By Owner websites in Washington, you need to consider these 4 factors.
- Do they list on MLS? You should opt for a platform that offers Flat Fee MLS in Washington State for better exposure. It will lead to more buyers and a higher selling price.
- How is their user experience? Look for easy to navigate FSBO websites. They should have features like mobile app, virtual tours and offer-management.
- What are their prices? Evaluate the packages with the services they offer. Some provide free listing-only services. Whereas, others charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price for comprehensive assistance.
- Is their customer support good? Look for platforms that offer cutting edge customer service and provide guidance to the sellers. Choose a service with 5-star customer support like Houzeo.
How to Sell Your Home With Washington’s #1 FSBO Website?
Here’s how to list your home on For Sale By Owner listing sites in Washington:
- Find the Best FSBO Website With MLS Access: Choose a FSBO platform that offers MLS listing when selling a house by owner in Washington. Your property will be visible on every real estate website from Seattle to Spokane.
- Create Your Account: Most FSBO sites with MLS access require an account, and Houzeo makes it easier. Manage your MLS listing, showings, and offers from your phone—whether you’re hiking in the Cascades, enjoying Pike Place Market, or stuck on I-5.
- Choose a Listing Plan: Select a package that fits your needs to make your home-selling smooth and effortless. But don’t break your bank—choose the plan that’ll get your home sold under the evergreen trees.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Time to show off your property. Add details like the number of beds, baths, etc. Hire a real estate photographer in Washington to flaunt that view of Mount Rainier from your Bellevue home. Good photos = Faster sale!
- Sign the Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete seller disclosure forms carefully. If it’s not a minor fix, disclose it—Washington’s got rules, and you want to stay on the right side of them.
6 Mistakes to Avoid With a Washington FSBO Website
Here are some rookie mistakes that FSBO home sellers must avoid:
- Ignore the MLS: If you don’t list on the MLS, it is like driving through the Cascades in winter without snow chains. Use Houzeo if you’re wondering how to list your home on Washington MLS and gain visibility on 100+ sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
- Price Your Home Inaccurately: You must know your property’s correct value given the current Washington housing market. Overprice, and buyers will disappear like mountain goats in a fog. Underprice, and you’re leaving money on the table. Use a home worth calculator to get the right price.
- Market Ineffectively: To add poor quality photos is like serving lukewarm coffee in Seattle. Add professional photos, write a compelling description, and install a yard sign – then watch offers flood in like tourists at the tulip festival.
- Overlook Seller Disclosures: Legal Forms and Washington seller disclosures are mandatory. Miss something, and you’ll be sued faster than a hiker slipping on a wet log. Hire a Washington real estate attorney to handle the legalities.
- Fail to Negotiate Smartly: If a buyer lowballs you like a flimsy tent in a windstorm, don’t roll over. Stay firm on your price, closing dates, and repairs. Buyers will test you—hold your ground like a Douglas fir.
- Choose the Wrong FSBO Service: Choosing a FSBO service that lacks technology and provides limited exposure will mean more days on the market for your home. Get MLS access, top-notch tech, and a 5-star support team with Houzeo. Why settle for less?
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo.com.