If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Alaska, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing's visibility without breaking the bank.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in the The Last Frontier is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Alaska homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $9,075.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Alaska are in the $99 to $479+ range. The most basic plans can be as low as $50 to $99, while more comprehensive services range upwards of $1,000 to $3,000.
It's important to remember that every Alaska flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating offerings, be sure to read the fine print: look at things like the length of the listing term (and how much it costs to extend); whether there's a fee to make changes to your listing; how many photos are allowed; the policy on buyer's agent commission; and more.
>> LEARN more about flat-fee MLS services and how to evaluate them.
To help you make the right choice, Clever has picked some of the top flat-fee MLS services across the state of Alaska.
Top Alaska Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Congress Realty
Congress RealtyPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
4
Listing Term
6 months
- Congress Realty is a licensed brokerage in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Free comparative market analysis (upon request)
- You set buyer’s commission (Congress Realty recommends 3%)
- Listings typically go live in 1 business day
- Free, unlimited changes
- Your phone number displayed on the MLS listing
$299
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 4 photos
- Downloadable contracts, addendums, and disclosure forms
- ShowingTime showing scheduling and feedback service
A-la-carte services include: more photos, open house advertisements, listing renewals, professional photography, yard signs, lockbox, and more.
Pros
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find the buyer
- Free, unlimited changes
- Wide variety of a-la-carte services
- Home buyer rebates if you buy with Congress Realty (in states where available)
Cons
- May not cover every part of your state
- Fewer photos than other comparable flat-fee MLS services
As of August 4, 2020, Congress Realty has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 30 reviews across Yelp and Zillow.
Mr. Alaska Real Estate
Mr. Alaska Real EstatePrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
25+
Listing Term
N/A - information not available
- Mr. Alaska Real Estate (aka Sun Properties LLC) has been serving Alaskan home buyers and sellers since 1996
- Specializes in discount listings, free buyer representation, FSBO services, and flat fee MLS listings
- Also offers contract writeups ($450) and contract review/counter offer writeups ($250), which can be purchased separately
- Buyer’s agent commission required — percentage or fixed dollar amount
- $299 - Flat Fee MLS Service
- Listing on Alaska statewide MLS
- Also published on Alaska public MLS portal (https://www.alaskarealestate.com/)
- Syndication to Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow & Homes.com
- Open houses can be posted on the MLS
- Unlimited changes to your listing at no extra charge
- Unlimited photos — 25 is recommended
- Syndication to Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow & Homes.com, etc.
Non-MLS, a-la-carte services:
- Contract Write-Up - $450
- Turns verbal agreements into professional, written purchase agreement
- Helps with counter offers, addendums, extensions, and more
- Provides required disclosure forms for purchase agreement
- Advises on appraisal and home inspection process
- Provides “Fast Track” briefing to help expedite the loan process
- Contract Review and Counter Offer Write-Up - $250
- Will review offer letter and prepare counteroffer
- Unlimited revision cycles, until you and the buyer come to an agreement
Pros
- No restriction on the number of photos you can include in your listing
- Make unlimited changes to your listing with no additional fee
- Can include open houses in your listing
Cons
- Only one pricing tier on offer
- As of January 8, 2020:
- A+ rating with the Alaska Better Business Bureau
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Alaska
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$199-479+
Number of Photos
32
Listing Term
Monthly up to until sold
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in Alaska
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included
$199 - Basic
| $399 - Showcase
$549+0.5% at closing ($1,000 max) - Premium
$479+0.5% at closing - Full Service
|
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 information on whether changes are included or cost additional fees. Contact broker for details
As of August 6, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Rick Davis. We will update when this information becomes available.
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199 (+ 0.5% at closing)
Number of Photos
6
Listing Term
Until Sold
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with Alaska 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 $50
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
$199 + 0.5% at closing - MLS Listing package
- Listed on MLS until sold
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Broker assistance
- Transaction guidance
MLS photo upgrade available for $50
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.
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$245-399
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3-6 Months
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Alaska 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
$245 - 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 price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 7, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Alaska
The Alaska real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 1.3% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 3.9% in 2020. To realize your home's full value (or ideally more), it's important to weigh all of your options for selling before making a final decision.
- Flat-Fee Real Estate Agents
- Discount Real Estate Agents
- Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- 1% Commission Real Estate Agents
- Sell to an iBuyer