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
EDITOR'S NOTE: Clever doesn't offer a basic flat-fee MLS-only service, so we've compiled objective overviews of local companies that do based on publicly available data. We do offer a free service that lets you work with top-rated realtors for a reduced, flat fee — you can check it out (and read reviews) here.
Congress Realty
Congress RealtyPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
4
Listing Term
6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- 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 January 14, 2020:
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (9 reviews)
- 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (17 reviews)
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
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Discount Realty Team
Discount Realty TeamPrice Range
$195-$795
Number of Photos
Unlimited
Listing Term
6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- 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
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- Unlimited photos (up to max allowed by MLS)
- Listing syndicated on Realtor.com, Zillow, Yahoo, Trulia, and more
- Buyer phone calls forwarded to you
- $295 - Broker Support
- Same as MLS Entry package, plus:
- Receive broker support through close of escrow to answer questions regarding the home-selling process
- $795 - Broker Assist “For Sale by Owner” Listing
- Same as Broker Support package, plus:
- Receive California Association of Realtor forms and disclosures as required by California law, as well as forms for leasing, counters, and addendums
- 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
- N/A — as of January 10, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Discount Realty Team. We will update when this information becomes available.
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HomeListers.house
HomeListers.housePrice Range
$1,295
Number of Photos
Unlimited
Listing Term
6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- HomeListers.house is operated by a licensed California real estate broker and specializes in flat-fee MLS listings
- Available in 10 California markets offering access to 20 local MLSs
- No upfront fee — you pay at closing
- Reviews all offers, prepares counteroffers and disclosures
- Provides “full broker support” throughout the listing process
- Email inquiries are forwarded directly to you 7 days / week
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (HomeListers.house recommends 2.5% to 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 January 10, 2020:
- 5-out-of-5-star review on Zillow (10 reviews)
- A+ rating on Better Business Bureau (1 review)
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Robinhood Flat Fee Realty
RobinHood Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$299-$949
Number of Photos
20 to unlimited
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- 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
- $299 - Silver
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, Redfin, and more
- 20 photos
- CA contracts and disclosures provided
- Secure document storage
- Property-specific URL homepage
- Flyer templates
- Calls and emails forwarded to you
- Open pre-escrow
- Order title report
- $599 - Gold
- Same as Silver package, plus:
- 9-month listing on MLS
- Unlimited photos (up to max allowed by MLS)
- Professional sign and post
- 800 number on sign forwards directly to you
- 3 open house signs
- Appointment scheduling service
- Lock box
- Link a virtual tour to MLS
- Virtual tour link on MLS
- Access to disclosure tutorials
- $949 - Platinum
- Same as Gold package, plus:
- Listing good until property sells
- Professional photography
- Virtual tour
- Advertise open houses on MLS and Zillow
- 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
- 20 photos in basic package
- 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
- Lowest pricing tier is $299
- Does not offer home valuation or comparative market analysis (CMA)
- N/A — as of January 9, 2020, no third-party review information was available for RobinHood Flat Fee. We will update when this information becomes available.
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Yager Realty
Yager RealtyPrice Range
$399-$999
Number of Photos
15-45
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- 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
- $399 - Silver Plan
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- 15 Photos
- Listing is syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, and more
- Free edits to listing and price changes
- Email support only
- Downloadable purchase agreement and disclosures forms (no advice)
- For sale sign and property flyer
- $999 - Gold Plan
- Same as Silver Plan, plus:
- 12-month listing on the MLS
- 35 Photos
- Priority email and phone support
- Help with purchase agreement and disclosures
- Contract review
- Docusign for counteroffers
- Help with pricing strategy and sales comps
- Calculated closing costs
- $699 + .75% at closing - Platinum Pan
- Same as Gold Plan, plus:
- 12-month listing on MLS
- 45 (or maximum allowed) Photos
- Electronic Realtor Key Box
- Home valuation and pricing support
- Visits your property for an on-site inspection and offers advice
- Handles purchase contract and disclosures on your behalf
- Helps with counteroffers and negotiations
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 January 9, 2020:
- 4-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (12 reviews)
- 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on Google (36 reviews)
- A+ rating on Better Business Bureau (0 reviews)
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National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in California
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$399-$999 (varies by state)
Number of Photos
Up to max allowed by MLS
Listing Term
3 months up to until sold
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- 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
- 6-month listing on MLS in most cases
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Up to 25 photos
- General marketing tools (e.g. flyers, yard sign)
- $549 - Premium
- Same as Showcase package, plus:
- Contract, offer, and document review
- $999 - Platinum
- Same as Premium package, plus:
- Negotiation assistance
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 January 21, 2020, does not have an independent broker in Alaska, Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming
- Experience and service quality may vary depending on your state’s broker
N/A — as of January 22, 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.
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Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$99-$395
Number of Photos
6-24
Listing Term
3-6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- Houzeo is a 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
- $99 - Bronze
- 3-month listing term
- 6 photos on MLS
- $25 for each listing change
- Syndicated to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and more
- Listing changes $25 each
- $295 - Silver
- 6-month listing term
- 24 photos on MLS
- Syndicated to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and more
- 10 free listing changes
- Open Houses included in 10 free changes
- Select and communicate with Escrow Agent (to go live March 30, 2020)
- $395 - Gold
- Same as Silver plan, plus:
- Federal and state disclosures forms
- eFile Federal & State Disclosures (to go live March 30, 2020)
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 not available in IN, KS, ME, NE, ND, SD, WV, or WY
- Limited coverage in rural areas
- “Free changes” only apply to listing price, status, and property description
- $10 for additional changes
- $30-50 for changes to photos and additional open houses
As of January 1, 2020:
- 4.7-out-of-5-star rating on Google (15 reviews)
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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