If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in San Jose, 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 Capital of of Silicon Valley is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for San Jose homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $28,500.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in San Jose are in between $95-$299. 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 Jose 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 Jose.
Top San Jose Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Homecoin
HomecoinPrice Range
$95
Number of Photos
Max allowed on MLS
Listing Term
12 months
- Homecoin is an online MLS listing platform that provide low-cost listing and selling services to California residents
- Listing is live in under 24 hours
- Free call forwarding
- Free cancellations
- Free CMA
- 10 Free Listing changes
- No mandatory minimum buyer agent commission (2-3% recommended)
$95 - List on the MLS
|
Additional a-la-carte services include: lockbox rental, sign rental, pro photography, and selling form assistance.
Pros
- Paperwork and listing can be completed fully online
- Homecoin platform allows for sellers to customize their listing directly from their smartphone or computer
- Unlimited photos to showcase all aspects of a home
Cons
- Prices may vary depending on specific home location
- No direct real estate agent support
As of August 1, 2020, Homecoin has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 114 reviews across Google, Zillow, and Yelp.
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.
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in San Jose
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.
ISoldMyHouse.com
iSoldMyHouse.comPrice Range
$299-399
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6-12 months
- ISoldMyHouse.com is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, operated by Get Listed Realty, that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission (recommend 2%-3%)
- Listing is live within 24 hours
- No cancellation fee
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- $299 - Get LISTED
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 or 10 Photos
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and other forms
- Seller-managed ISoldMyHouse.com listing
- $399 - Get SOLD
- Same as Get LISTED package, plus:
- 25 photos
- 12-month listing on MLS (in some states)
A-la-carte services include signs, lockboxes, and more
Additional fees may apply or services may differ if you live in a state with laws about minimum brokerage service requirements.
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- No cancellation fee
- Free online guides and articles for selling a home without a realtor
- Easy social media sharing on all the major platforms
Cons
- The network of affiliate brokers doesn’t cover every county in the country
- Only 6-10 photos in base package
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
As of August 11, 2020, iSoldMyHouse.com has an average rating of 4.1/5 based on 8 reviews on BirdEye and has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
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.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in San Jose
The San Jose real estate market is cooling down. According to Redfin, the median sale price rose 2.6% over the past year and is expected to decline by 0.7% 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