The best flat-fee MLS services | Other ways to save | Additional resources
If you’re selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Birmingham, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing’s visibility to potential buyers.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in Alabama is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Birmingham homes — which as of August 31, 2022 was $268,000 — that translates to about $8,040.
In contrast, you'll pay between $89 and $999 to list your home with flat-fee MLS companies in Birmingham. The most basic flat-fee real estate packages will offer little more than a listing on the MLS, but more comprehensive packages could include additional services like help with negotiations and paperwork.
That being said, using a Birmingham flat-fee MLS company to sell FSBO comes with additional costs in terms of time, energy, and your final sales price. You'll have to manage your own sale — from scheduling showings to drafting contracts. And, FSBO homes usually sell for 6% less on average than agented properties.
If using a flat-fee MLS company is still the right choice for your sale, we've picked some of the best flat-fee MLS services in Birmingham.
But, if you're not ready to sell FSBO, one of your best options is to work with a discount real estate company like Clever. With Clever, you'll only pay 1.5% to list your home instead of the typical 3%. And, you'll get full-service support from a great Birmingham realtor so you can sell for top dollar!
💰 SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just 1.5%
The best Birmingham flat-fee MLS companies
Every Birmingham flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating the following options, be sure to read the fine print. Look at things like the length of the listing term, fees to change your listing, how many photos you can add, and more.
» MORE: Find out how to evaluate flat-fee MLS services
Alabama Flat Fee MLS
Alabama Flat Fee MLSPrice Range
$99-149
Number of Photos
6-max allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6 months
- Alabama Flat Fee MLS is a local affiliate of Brokerless, a licensed real estate brokerage, that offers MLS listing services.
- Listing live within 24 to 48 hours of submission of all necessary paperwork
- Cancelations and status changes to your listing are free — no refunds given for early cancelation
- Select your own buyers agent commission or pay no commission if you find your own buyer
$99 MLS by Owner
| $149 MLS by Owner
|
Pros
- Low cost compared to other flat-fee MLS services
- Change your post for free
- Includes the state-required forms and disclosures necessary for selling your house
Cons
- Limited support services, such as help assessing the value of your home
- Only 6 photos with basic package
As of July 30, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Alabama Flat Fee MLS. We will update when this information becomes available.
List With Freedom
List With FreedomPrice Range
$89-295
Number of Photos
1 to max allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6-12 months
- List With Freedom is a flat-fee MLS listing brokerage licensed in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
- Set your own buyer’s commission (List With Freedom recommends 2.5% to 3%)
- Listing is typically live on MLS within 24 hours of approval
- All buyer inquiries are forwarded to you
- Free unlimited listing changes
- Offers a range of additional, a-la-carte services, including professional comparative market analysis (CMA), contract preparation, transaction management services, yard signs, lockboxes, and more
- 14-day refund period BEFORE listing goes live with a $50 fee
- Cancel live listings at any time with no fee
$89 - Silver
| $195 - Platinum
|
Pros
- Make unlimited changes to your listing at no additional cost
- No cancellation fee
- All buyer inquiries are directly forwarded to you
Cons
- Only 1 photo included in base package
- No built-in pricing support or home valuation
As of August 17, 2020, List With Freedom has an average rating of 4.7/5 based on 762 reviews on Trustpilot.
National flat-fee MLS services in Birmingham
Didn't find a great option in local flat-fee MLS companies? These national brands operate in the Birmingham area, too.
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$399-999
Number of Photos
20-50
Listing Term
6 months to until sold
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in Alabama
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included
$399 - Showcase
| $799 - Premium
|
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
Cons
- No home valuation included
As of August 5, 2020, Tracy Hood, the Alabama Flat Fee Group broker, has an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$229-399
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3-6 months
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Alabama brokers and agents who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Draft your listing, upload photos, set your price, and sign MLS contracts via Houzeo’s online dashboard
- Autofills listing details using publicly available info about your home to expedite the listing process
- Home valuation not included in service
- Does not require that you offer buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
$229 - Bronze
| $399 - Gold
|
Pros
- Free cancellation anytime (no refunds)
- Freedom to specify any buyer’s agent commission
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours
Cons
- Limited coverage in rural areas
- “Free changes” only apply to listing’s price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 10, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199
Number of Photos
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with Alabama brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission
- MLS photo upgrade available for $79
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
- $199 - MLS Listing package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
MLS photo upgrade available for $79
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Free state disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
- Limited coverage in rural areas
As of August 11, 2020, no third-party reviews exist for Flat Fee Realty. We will update when this information becomes available.
Alternatives to Flat-fee MLS services in Birmingham
To sell your home for top price, it’s important to weigh all of your options before making a final decision. A Birmingham flat-fee MLS company may make the most sense for your sale, or one of these options may work better.
- The Best Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- What to Know Before Selling to an iBuyer
- How to Sell Your Home to a Cash Buyer
For most sellers, though, working with a company like Clever is the best way to maximize your savings while selling your home for top dollar.