If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in California, 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 Golden State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for California homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $17,040.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in California are in the $195 to $1,295 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 California 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 California.
Top California 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.
Discount Realty Team
Discount Realty TeamPrice Range
$195-795
Number of Photos
Max allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6 months
- Discount Realty Team is a licensed real estate brokerage that offers flat-fee MLS listing services, as well as limited- and full-service options
- Listings typically go live on MLS within 24-48 hours
- Listing fee is paid after closing — if escrow doesn’t close, you owe nothing
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (Discount Realty Team recommends 2-3%)
- Includes free home valuation
- Covers most (but not all) California counties — call to check availability in your area
$195 - MLS Entry
| $795 - Broker Assist “For Sale by Owner” Listing
|
Additional representation options for a 3-month listing on the MLS:
- Limited Service Listing - 0.75% Listing Commission
- Limited Service Plus - 1% Listing Commission
- Full Service Broker Representation - 1.5% Listing Commission
- Visit website for specifics on above service packages
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- No upfront fees — you pay only if and when your home actually sells
- Home valuation included
- Packages can be customized to fit your specific needs
- MLS inquiries forwarded to you
Cons
- Not clear if Realtor.com inquiries are forwarded to you directly
- Not available throughout the entire state
- Pricing can vary by location
As of August 4, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Discount Realty Team. We will update when this information becomes available.
HomeListers.house
HomeListers.housePrice Range
$1,295
Number of Photos
Unlimited
Listing Term
6 months
- HomeListers.house is operated by a licensed California real estate broker and specializes in flat-fee MLS listings
- Available in 10 Southern California markets with access to 20 local MLSes
- Reviews all offers, prepares counteroffers and disclosures
- Provides “full broker support” throughout the listing process
- Email inquiries are forwarded directly to you
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (HomeListers.house recommends 2.5%-3%)
$1,295
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- Unlimited photos (max allowed by MLS)
- Listing syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Reviews all offers
- Prepares counteroffers and required disclosures
- Provides full broker support through to closing
Pros
- No upfront costs — fee due at closing
- Hands-on support and guidance
- Email inquiries are forwarded to you 7 days/week
Cons
- No budget options — only one pricing tier and it’s relatively high (though it includes a lot of built-in support)
- Cancellation policy is unclear
As of August 7, 2020, HomeListers.house has an average rating of 5/5 based on 10 reviews on Zillow.
Robinhood Flat Fee Realty
RobinHood Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$99-499
Number of Photos
10 to unlimited
Listing Term
3-12 months
- RobinHood Flat Fee Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee listing services for FSBO home sellers
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (RobinHood recommends 2.5%)
- Listings typically go live on MLS within 1-2 business days after agreements are signed
- Cancel your listing any time with no additional fee
- Free, unlimited listing changes 24/7 access via Robinhood’s online dashboard (takes up to 1 business days for changes to appear on MLS)
- Buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you
- Offers a money-back guarantee if a traditional real estate broker is deemed necessary to sell your property
$99 - Basic
| $599 - Plus
|
Additional, a-la-carte services:
- Open House Maximum Exposure - $29 for 2 open houses
- Brokers Tour - $29
- Transaction Coordination - $150 at sign-up, $445 at close of Escrow
- Contract Negotiation Package - $495
Pros
- Make unlimited changes to your listing or cancel any time with no additional charge
- Inquiries are forwarded directly to you — no buyer’s agent commission if you find your own buyer
- If your property doesn’t sell, RobinHood will refer a traditional realtor and refund you double your listing fee (up to $999) when your property closes
Cons
- Basic package does not offer home valuation or comparative market analysis (CMA)
N/A — as of August 11th, 2020, no third-party review information was available for RobinHood Flat Fee. We will update when this information becomes available.
Yager Realty
Yager RealtyPrice Range
$299-$999
Number of MLS Listing Photos
15-45
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Yager Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage that offers flat-fee MLS listings and other for sale by owner (FSBO) services to sellers throughout California
- Downloadable contracts and disclosures included with basic plan (no advice)
- For sale sign and property flyer included with basic plan
- Requires minimum buyers agent commission of 2-3%
- Additional $150 to remove listing from MLS at closing
- Offers an array of a-la-carte services, including lockbox rental, extra photos, home valuations / market reports, open house advertisements, and more
$299 - Bronze Plan
| $999 - Gold Plan
$699 + .75% at closing - Platinum Pan
|
Pros
- Access to 84+ MLSs in CA
- 15 photos included with basic plan
- For sale sign and flyer included
Cons
- Requires minimum buyer’s agent commission of 2-3%
- No coaching or support included with base plan
- $150 fee to remove listing from MLS due at closing
As of August 6, 2020, Yager Realty has an average rating of 4.6/5 based on 50 reviews across Google and Yelp.
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in California
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$399-479+ (varies by state)
Number of Photos
25
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Flat Fee Group is a network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee services in their respective state(s)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you (in most states)
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included (in most states)
$399 - Showcase
| $549 - Premium
|
Packages, services, and pricing vary by state. Check the website for details about options in your area.
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
- As of August 10, 2020, does not have an independent broker in Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming
- Experience and service quality may vary depending on your state’s broker
As of August 10, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Flat Fee Group. However, as a network of independent brokers, you can check the website, find your state’s broker and research their individual reviews.
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$79-999
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3 months to Until Sold
- Houzeo is a national flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Draft your listing, upload photos, set your price, and sign MLS contracts via Houzeo’s 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
$79 - Bronze
| $279 - Gold
|
Houzeo also offers a-la-carte services like professional photography, pricing assistance, contract review, etc.
Packages and prices may differ from market to market. Some states require additional closing fees or have limited services.
Pros
- Free cancellation anytime (no refunds)
- Freedom to specify any buyer’s agent commission
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours
Cons
- Currently limited coverage in IA, KS, MO, MS, NE, ND, SD, WV, and WY
- “Free changes” only apply to listing 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.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in California
The California real estate market is steadily rising. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 2.5% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 4.2% 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