Flat Fee MLS Listings: 7 Best Options

Are you considering selling your home without a realtor but worried about visibility? A flat fee MLS listing service could be your solution, offering increased exposure without the hefty price tag.

A flat fee MLS service is an economical way to list your home on the local multiple listing service (MLS). This powerful tool is essential for visibility among potential buyers and is the primary resource real estate agents use to find homes for their clients. Plus, MLS listings are automatically shared on major real estate websites like Zillow, Movoto, and Realtor.com, ensuring widespread exposure.

Accessing the MLS typically requires a real estate license, but with a flat fee service, a licensed broker will list your home for you, eliminating the need for a traditional realtor.

We've reviewed the top 7 flat fee MLS services for you. Find out the best cost, reliability, and features to boost your home sale without a realtor.

The best flat fee MLS listing services

Flat fee MLS listing reviews

Flat fee MLS listing services by state

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of flat fee MLS companies in the United States. While big players offer services nationwide, many uber-local flat fee MLS companies are also available.

The potential benefits of opting for a homegrown service include more local market knowledge, more control over your listing, and better communication.

It’s also worth mentioning that many national services refer you to a local realtor or brokerage. So, you might as well skip the middleman and work directly with a flat fee listing service in your area.

Find your state below to compare flat fee MLS listing services near you.

Should I use a flat fee MLS listing service?

Deciding whether to use a flat fee MLS listing service hinges on key factors.

This service best suits home sellers confident and experienced in managing their own sales. If you're familiar with the for sale by owner (FSBO) approach and comfortable taking on the responsibilities, a flat fee MLS listing can be an excellent choice. 

It's particularly advantageous for those who prefer a hands-on, DIY method of selling. By choosing this route, you could save approximately 2.74% in realtor commissions – the current national real estate commission rate reported by Clever Real Estate. This choice offers financial advantages and grants you complete control over the sales process from start to finish.

However, selling your home without an agent's help can be challenging and time-intensive. You'll be responsible for setting the price, marketing your home, and negotiating deals. Keep in mind, even with FSBO, you may need to pay a buyer's agent commission, which averages 2.58% nationwide, but varies by state, and is negotiable between the buyer and seller. 

For those with the know-how, selling FSBO can be a fulfilling journey and a flat fee MLS service can be a valuable tool in this process. But if your primary goal is to save money, consider the advantages discount real estate brokers, which provide a more comprehensive service at a better value than going it alone. 

» SAVE: Find top local agents and get a 1.5% listing fee!

What are the benefits of a flat fee MLS listing?

You can save money on realtor commission

You could save thousands of dollars using a flat fee listing service instead of paying a listing agent commission. Most flat fee MLS listing companies charge just a few hundred dollars — and some no-frills options are less than $100.

By comparison, a traditional listing agent charges around 2.5–3% of the final sale price. On a $500,000 home sale, a 3% commission would cost you $15,000. But be aware that selling without a realtor comes with risks that could mean you lose money in the long run.

You can pay just for the services you need

Many flat fee MLS listing companies let you pick the services you need. In addition to an MLS listing, they often offer à-la-carte services like pricing assistance, lockboxes, yard signs, and marketing materials.

You don't have to pay for services you won't use. For example, if you're comfortable negotiating with buyers but want help with closing, you can opt for a plan that includes support with closing but not negotiations.

You have more control over your sale

If you want control over how your home is priced and marketed, selling without a realtor may be appealing. While it’s more work for you, you get the final say over every step of the home selling process.

This control means you negotiate directly with buyers or buyer's agents. Troy Janes, who sold without a realtor, explains, “We could speak directly with the seller and negotiate the terms of the deal rather than going through the formal, time-consuming process of filling out forms for every little thing.”

» JUMP: Find the best flat fee MLS service near you

What are the risks of a flat fee MLS listing?

Homes sold without a realtor make less

Data from Clever Real Estate reveals a notable difference in sale prices between homes sold with and without a realtor. On average, sellers using an agent earn nearly $50,000 more than those who use it alone.[1] Another study by the National Association of Realtors reports that agents frequently secure sales at the full asking price, or even higher.[2]

This significant difference in sale prices negates any savings from bypassing the typical 2.5–3% listing agent commission. A realtor's expertise and negotiation skills can be crucial in maximizing your home's sale price.

These homes sell for less for many reasons. DIY sellers can make serious pricing mistakes or fail to negotiate effectively with experienced buyer's agents. Clever's data supports this: Of those who sold without an agent in our survey, 50% say they wish they priced differently, compared to 28% of those who used a realtor.

Another factor is buyer agents' reluctance to show flat fee MLS listings. Many assume that working with FSBO sellers is more challenging, as it often requires them to handle tasks typically done by the seller's agent. 

As realtor Kristyn Grewell points out, buyer agents working with FSBO sellers might do more work for the same commission. This can lead them to prioritize other listings, resulting in less exposure and competition for FSBO properties, negatively impacting the final sale price.

Deals can fall through during negotiations

Some buyer's agents can be aggressive when negotiating with FSBO sellers. They assume the seller is inexperienced and doesn’t know what a fair deal looks like. As Grewell says, “There are some agents that are kind of bulldogs out there, especially when it comes to negotiations after we're under contract, like for repairs.”

Buyer's agents may demand that you make repairs, or they'll walk away. However, if they were dealing with a listing agent, they’d likely show more flexibility. The listing agent could make a counteroffer, such as a home warranty instead of repairs, which sellers are less likely to think of themselves.

Similarly, some FSBO sellers can be too inflexible. Grewell continues, “If you get yourself stuck saying I'm not doing any repairs, and you don't have [an agent] saying, just spend the $1,000 dollars and get this to closing, sometimes [the seller] will get tunnel vision and let a deal go because they're being stubborn.”

Being your own realtor is hard work

When you sell without a realtor, you take on most of the tasks a realtor would do. This includes writing a listing description, pricing your home, taking photos, marketing, hosting showings, negotiating with buyer's agents, and closing.

Even if you choose a pricier flat fee MLS plan with extra support, it'll usually fall short of what you’d get with a full-service realtor. If any issues arise, you'll be responsible for dealing with them. As Grewell says, all of this work can leave FSBO sellers feeling like they’re “just putting out fires and it can be very stressful.”

How much does a flat fee MLS listing cost?

A flat fee MLS listing service charges $100–400 for a basic package. These plans include at least a 6-month MLS listing and 4 or more photos.

Most companies also offer premium flat fee packages for a few hundred more. These plans can include longer listing terms, more pictures of your home, and help negotiating with buyers. Plans with broker support sometimes cost a flat fee and a percentage of the sale price at closing, usually 0.5–1%.

You can also find add-ons, like "for sale" signs and lockboxes, for around $25–100 each.

The value of premium plans depends a lot on the company. For example, Congress Realty and Houzeo offer $399 plans, but only Congress Realty’s includes call forwarding. This service is essential if you don’t want to miss out on interested buyers. To get call forwarding with Houzeo, upgrade to a plan that costs at least $999.

How much can I save with a flat fee MLS listing?

Using a flat fee MLS listing service, you could save thousands of dollars on real estate commissions.

But your actual savings depend on how much your house sells for. Homes sold without an agent sell for around 5.5% less than homes sold with an agent, potentially wiping out the savings you’d get by not paying a 2.5–3% listing fee.

Here's how much you could save, assuming a typical 3% fee for a listing agent and a $299 flat rate for an MLS listing.

When you use a flat fee service, you may still need to pay a 2–3% commission to the buyer's agent. The buyer’s agent commission comes from the sale proceeds, and is negotiable.

As realtor Kristyn Grewell says, “Agents aren't going to work for free. In the US, buyers in most markets don't expect to pay a commission to an agent. Offering none isn't going to get your house shown.”

Flat fee MLS listing vs. full-service realtor

Besides cost, the difference between a full-service agent and a flat fee MLS listing company is the quality and amount of services they offer.

When you sell FSBO using an MLS listing service, you miss out on a traditional realtor's expertise and comprehensive service.

While some FSBO sellers find the experience rewarding, selling your house alone isn't easy. Roughly 10% of sellers who try a FSBO sale eventually give up and hire a full-service listing agent.

» COMPARE: The full savings and value of a flat fee realtor vs. a flat fee MLS service

What do you get with a flat fee MLS listing?

At a minimum, a flat fee MLS listing company lists your house on your local MLS, typically for 6–12 months. Basic packages tend to limit the number of photos you can upload (sometimes as low as four) and may charge for listing changes and cancellations. Many plans include disclosure forms and a comparative marketing analysis to help you price your home.

You can get more services by upgrading to a more expensive package. A premium plan may include: 

• A lockbox
• Online appointment scheduling
• DocuSign
• Professional photography 
• Pricing assistance
• Agent support during negotiations
• Paperwork assistance

However, premium packages can be of poor value overall. The price may include a flat rate and a percentage at closing, making it expensive. If you need extra support, you’re usually better off finding a discount real estate agent who offers full service.

What do you get with a full service real estate agent?

When you work with a full-service agent, you get access to a suite of services that can be incredibly valuable to someone trying to sell their home. Typical services include:

• Conducting a CMA report
• Creating an MLS listing
• Marketing your home
• Negotiating with buyer's agents
• Getting professional photography
• Home staging
• Scheduling and hosting showings
• Helping with paperwork

Full-service agents are trained professionals who can advocate for you. They know from experience what's fair in a real estate transaction and what red flags to avoid. For example, they can effectively vet potential buyers’ financing, which can help you avoid deals falling through at the last minute.

What is the best flat fee MLS listing service?

The best flat fee MLS listing service depends on how much experience you have selling homes and how much support you need.

A no-frills plan may be best if you're a highly experienced seller. For example, Homecoin has a $95 flat fee plan for sellers who want a more DIY approach.

If you need more support in certain areas, like contracts or pricing, you should see what add-ons or premium plans are available in your area. For example, HomeZu has a contract review package where an agent reviews your sale agreement before you make it final.

Which flat fee MLS listing service should you use?

When comparing flat fee MLS services, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals, because they'll dictate which features matter most to you. We've broken down some of the most important factors when evaluating different companies:

Alternatives to a flat fee MLS listing

Suppose you’re looking to save on real estate agent commission but are wary of the heavy lifting that typically comes with an FSBO listing. In that case, there are several alternative options worth considering.

Sell with a discount real estate broker

Discount realtors provide real estate services for a reduced commission or flat fee. They're a good option to avoid the risks of using a flat fee MLS service but save money on realtor commissions.

Discount real estate brokers are more expensive than flat fee MLS services, but you're more likely to sell for a better price because you’re working with an expert. Many discount realtors offer the same full service as traditional real estate agents, so you don’t need to worry about sacrificing quality for savings.

Sell FSBO without an MLS listing

Technically, you don’t need an MLS listing to sell your house. You can simply advertise it for sale on a few websites. Some of these sites are exclusively for real estate listings, while others have various items for sale.

Free FSBO listing websites include:

• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• ForSaleByOwner.com
• Zillow

However, selling FSBO without an MLS listing is rarely successful.

Your listing won’t be reposted to other sites like Realtor.com. The only people who see it will be those who visit the particular site you posted on. Also, buyer's agents heavily rely on the MLS to find homes for their clients. If your home isn’t on the MLS, not many buyers or buyer's agents will see it.

Many of the buyers who do visit FSBO websites are real estate investors. They usually want to buy homes for less than market value and flip them for a profit, so they probably won't offer a fair price.

Finally, even if you don't use the MLS, you must still follow local real estate laws and FSBO paperwork requirements.

FAQ about flat fee MLS listing services