If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in San Diego, 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 America's Finest City is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for San Diego homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $18,180.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in San Diego are in between $49-$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 San Diego 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 San Diego.
Top San Diego Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Karchin
KarchinPrice Range
$300
Number of Photos
1
Listing Term
Until sold
- Jef Karchin is a California licensed broker who specializes in FSBO and MLS listings for San Diego and other parts of Southern California
- You choose the buyer agent commission (2-3% recommended)
- Listing can be changed once for free
- Agent will visit your home to offer assistance (only in San Diego)
$300 - MLS Listing
|
A-la-carte options include: lockbox rental, virtual tour, sign rental and full closing support.
Pros
- Buying assistance and fee rebate offered if Karchin is used to buy a house after selling
- In-person agent support for San Diego sellers
- Opportunity to add virtual tour within the same platform
Cons
- Only one photo for primary MLS listing
- No CMA/pricing support
As of June 9th, 2020:
- Rated 5-out-of-5 stars on Zillow.com (1 review)
Associated Brokers SDC
Associated Brokers SDCPrice Range
$49+
Number of Photos
N/A - information not available
Listing Term
Until sold
- Associated Brokers SDC is a California licensed brokerage that offers MLS listing services in San Diego
- Listed the same day you submit the paperwork
- Free listing changes
- Closing and marketing assistance available for additional fees
- Full-Service option available for 3.9% (including buyer’s agent commission)
$49 - MLS Listing
| 3.9% - Full Service
|
Available closing paperwork packages include:
- $150 - Review of written offers and counter-offer assistance
- $1,500 - Complete representation during closing and escrow assistance
- $3,000 - Completion of all closing paperwork for both buyer and seller (assuming no other agent and FSBO)
Pros
- Free changes
- CMA and pricing assistance offered (upon request)
- Closing paperwork services available for additional costs
Cons
- No physical materials available (flyers, signs, etc.)
As of July 30, 2020 Associated Brokers SDC has an average rating of 5/5 based on 1 review on Google.
Realty Connection Group
Realty Connection GroupPrice Range
$95
Number of Photos
Max. allowed on MLS
Listing Term
12 months
- Realty Connection Group is a Southern California real estate brokerage that offers a variety of home buying and selling services
- Free home valuation provided with all packages
- No minimum buyer’s agent commission (2.5-3% recommended)
- Full Service package available for 1% seller’s agent commission if Realty Connection Group brings the buyer
$95 - Flat Fee MLS Listing
| 1% - Full Service
|
Pros
- Free CMA/valuation included with basic package
- Inquiries go directly to the seller
- Unlimited photos
Cons
- No renewal options
- No refunds
As of June 9th, 2020:
Yager Realty
Yager RealtyPrice Range
$399-$999
Number of 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
- $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)
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in San Diego
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 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
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$99-$395
Number of Photos
6-24
Listing Term
3-6 months
- 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)
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in San Diego
The San Diego real estate market is leveling off. According to Redfin, the median sale price rose 6.0% over the past year and is expecting to decline by 0.8% 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