If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Los Angeles, 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 L.A. is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Los Angeles homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $19,050.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Los Angeles are in between $149 and $999. Nationwide, 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles.
Top Los Angeles Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
OC Flat Fee
OC Flat FeePrice Range
$149-498
Number of Photos
25
Listing Term
3 months up to until sold
- OC Flat Fee is a flat-fee MLS service operated by Dalton Real Estate, a licensed real estate brokerage in California
- You set buyer’s agent commission (OC Flat Fee recommends 2.5%-3%)
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Comparable market analysis (CMA)
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
$149 - 3 Month package
| $198 - 6 Month package
|
Pros
- 25 photos in base package
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Comparable market analysis (CMA)
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
Cons
- No built-in home valuation
- No marketing materials or support provided
N/A — as of August 17th, 2020, no third-party review information was available for OC Flat Fee or its parent company Dalton Real Estate. We will update when this information becomes available.
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.
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 Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles
The Los Angeles real estate market is stable. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 2.7% over the past year and is expected to increase by 4.3% in the next year. 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