7 Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Georgia (2023)

What to consider before using a flat fee MLS service | 7 best flat fee MLS companies in Georgia | Other ways to save on realtor commissions

What is a flat fee MLS listing service?

Flat fee MLS companies charge a set rate (usually $199–399) to list a property on the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the main directory of property listings in an area and the primary data source for sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.

If you're selling on your own (called "for sale by owner" or FSBO), you need a flat fee MLS listing service to get your property on the MLS. Only licensed real estate agents and companies can access the MLS.

A big plus of using a flat fee MLS service is that you can save money on realtor fees. But there's a major trade-off: you'll have to take on most of the home-selling process yourself.

Since flat fee MLS companies don’t provide the full support of an agent, they're a better option for investors and other experienced sellers who know the ins and outs of real estate sales.

If you're less comfortable with the selling process, you can save money in other ways. For example, a reputable discount broker can help you save on realtor fees while still giving you full support.

» SAVE: Get a quality, full-service agent for half the typical commission

What to consider before hiring a flat fee MLS service

With a flat fee listing service, you'll pay only a few hundred dollars upfront instead of the 2.5–3% commission charged by traditional seller's agents. On a $500,000 home, 3% is $15,000.

While you can save on realtor fees by using a flat fee MLS service, these companies aren't for everyone.

Before using a flat fee MLS Georgia service, consider these questions:

• How savvy are you at negotiating?
• How familiar are you with the home-selling laws in your state?
• Are you willing to handle most of the sale process yourself, including pricing your home, screening offers, and completing paperwork?

Potential benefits

You’ll get needed online exposure

Using a flat fee MLS listing service will get your home on the local Georgia MLS and popular home-buying websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. Since 96% of buyers use these online resources in their home search, you'll likely attract more buyers when you're on the MLS.

You can control the process

When selling FSBO, you're in charge of the marketing, showings, and negotiations. This can make the experience more personal for you and the buyer.

You’ll save on listing fees

For instance, using a flat fee listing service may only cost you $199 to $399 for an entry-level plan. But a seller using a Georgia listing agent will pay a commission fee, which can be thousands of dollars.

You can choose the services you need

Many flat fee MLS companies offer packages with different levels of support. If you're a less-experienced seller, you can find a package that provides some agent support. If you're more experienced, you can select a basic package at a lower price.

Potential drawbacks

You risk a lower sale price

Homes sold without a real estate agent tend to sell for significantly less than those sold with an agent. For example, in 2022 the typical FSBO home sold for just $225,000 — a full $120,000 below the median sale price for homes sold through an agent.

You may miss leads

You won't be the main contact on your property listing. Instead, your info will appear in the "agent remarks," which only other agents can see. Any leads from third-party sites like Zillow will go directly to your listing broker. If your broker manages a lot of listings, they may be slow to forward the leads.

You'll still need to pay a buyer's agent commission

Most buyers work with an agent, and sellers usually pay for that agent. Buyers will be less likely to look at your home if they know they have to pay an extra 2–3% for their agent, so you're better off offering a fair buyer's agent commission. Some flat fee MLS companies actually require it.

You may face hidden fees

Many flat fee MLS companies have hidden fees. They may charge a percentage of the sale price at closing or keep part of the buyer's agent commission for themselves. Some services charge for add-ons that other companies provide for free.

You'll be on your own

When you list with a flat fee MLS service, you're essentially selling FSBO. You're in charge of pricing, marketing, photography, showings, open houses, offer reviews, negotiations, paperwork, and more.

Between the added risks and hidden fees, you may be better off working with a real estate agent who offers a clear discounted rate.

7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Georgia

Georgia Listing Express: Best for sellers wanting a customized plan

Pros

• The company offers various add-ons to customize your plan.
• It usually lists properties the same day it receives them.
• There's a forms library with contracts and state and federal documents.

Cons

• There’s a $20 fee for any listing changes requested after the first 24 hours.
• You have limited options for agent support.
• The plan includes only six photos, but you can upgrade to 80 for an extra $45.

Georgia Listing Express fees and services

Georgia Listing Express offers a basic MLS listing plan that you can customize with add-ons.

The company is upfront about additional costs, but these can add up. For instance, you'll be charged a $175 sale administration fee if your property goes to settlement. And you can cancel your listing anytime, but you'll be charged a $45 fee. If you want additional services, you may want to shop around for better value.

The base plan only includes six photos, which may not be enough to capture the attention of buyer's agents and prospective buyers. You can add more photos for an extra cost.

Currently, there are no online reviews. We recommend speaking to customer service before signing a listing agreement to ensure the service provides the support you need.

The company offers a money-back guarantee if you decide to list with a full-service agent and use one of its recommended agents.

List With Freedom: Best for sellers wanting a basic MLS package

Pros

• The company offers competitively priced, no-frills MLS plans.
• Customer service is available seven days a week.
• You receive all buyer leads.

Cons

• The Basic plan only includes six photos.
• There’s a fee to add open houses, a showing service, and a virtual tour to the two base plans. If you want those services, it’s cheaper to go with the Platinum+ plan.

List With Freedom fees and services

List With Freedom offers three basic MLS listing plans with no agent support, so this service is best for experienced sellers.

You can add on services to the Gold and Platinum plans, but it may be cheaper to use the Platinum+ plan if you need those options.

Online reviews are mostly positive, with many reporting good customer service and a simple process. However, negative reviewers report issues with getting their listing seen and slow responses.

The company’s cancellation and refund policies are clearly explained on the website. You can cancel anytime, and you'll receive a refund if your property hasn’t been listed yet and 14 days or less have passed.

beycome: Best for experienced FSBO sellers

Pros

• You can upload photos, manage your listings, and receive and negotiate offers all within the online platform.
• Customer service is available in English and Spanish seven days a week.
• All plans let you list until you close and include the maximum photos allowed by the MLS.

Cons

• Only the Concierge Service includes a comparative market analysis (CMA).
• Only the Concierge Service provides assistance with paperwork.

beycome fees and services

beycome offers three packages, ranging from an affordable basic MLS listing to an almost full-service plan. All plans provide maximum photos and an active listing until you close. The Basic plan is competitively priced and includes lots of helpful features, making it a good choice for experienced FSBO sellers.

Online reviews are positive. Reviewers like the high-quality, professional service, quick responses, knowledgeable information, and transparent pricing.

beycome offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. But it's not valid if you close, are under contract, or receive at least two credible offers within 90 days.

There are no hidden fees, and you can cancel anytime. However, the Georgia MLS requires a mandatory $25 cancellation fee.

Houzeo: Best for sellers wanting a national brand

Pros

• The process is 100% online, which is convenient for many sellers.
• You can complete and submit paperwork using its mobile app (except with the Bronze package).
• You get unlimited listing changes and open houses (except with the Bronze package).

Cons

• The call-forwarding service isn’t available on lower-priced plans.
• The Gold and Platinum plans include a commission fee at closing.
• Sellers can receive only virtual support from agents.

Houzeo fees and services

Houzeo is a national brand, which may appeal to some sellers. Its online platform is streamlined and easy to use, and most plans include a convenient mobile app.

But broker support is all virtual. And higher-tier plans include a percentage due at closing. Sellers interested in listing on the FMLS will be charged an additional fee at closing.

Online reviews are largely positive, indicating quality, professional customer service. The website lists the names and license numbers of the three agents overseeing listings in Georgia, so you can research the real estate brokers before signing.

You can cancel your MLS listing anytime as long as it’s not under contract. A $25 termination fee may apply.

Homecoin: Best for sellers wanting à la carte options

Pros

• The listing process is entirely online.
• You get the maximum photos allowed by the MLS and a 12-month listing term.
• Buyer leads are forwarded automatically to you by email, phone, or text.

Cons

• Some of the add-on services aren’t available in all areas.
• You only get 10 free listing changes.
• The cost of add-ons can add up quickly, particularly for less-experienced sellers needing more support.

Homecoin fees and services

Homecoin’s flat rate MLS listing provides many of the basic features FSBO sellers are looking for, such as a long listing term, maximum photos, and free comparable sales. Sellers can customize the plan with add-ons.

However, the cost of the add-ons can quickly add up, so you may want to shop around if you need several of the optional services.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers finding the online platform easy to use and the customer service prompt, professional, and helpful.

You can easily cancel a listing for free, and you can do it anytime unless there's an offer you haven't rejected.

SimplyListAtlanta.com: Best for sellers listing lots, land, or commercial properties

Pros

• Residential FSBO plans let you list for free with nothing due until you close.
• You can list residential properties on both the GAMLS and FMLS at no additional charge.
• Buyer leads are forwarded to you.

Cons

• You can schedule or change your listing only during regular office hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) unless you pay a $99 fee.
• All plans include the flat fee plus a commission fee at closing.

SimplyListAtlanta.com fees and services

Simply List Atlanta provides three plans to suit different needs, including one for commercial properties and one with some agent support. All plans let you remain listed until you sell or lease the property and include a good number of photos. Additionally, when using the residential plan, you don’t owe anything until closing, including the flat fee.

The company conducts most of its work during the week. You can make listing changes on the weekend only if you pay a $99 fee.

Online reviews are positive, highlighting the service quality and ease of the process.

You can cancel your listing anytime, but you'll incur a $75 FMLS and GAMLS charge and a $25 Simply List fee.

Flat Fee Group: Best for sellers wanting marketing materials

Pros

• All buyers leads are forwarded to you.
• The company offers different levels of support so you can find what you need.
• All plans include a showing service and basic marketing materials.

Cons

• The Basic plan only allows six photos.
• Only the Full Service plan provides an electronic signature service.

Flat Fee Group fees and services

Flat Fee Group is a nationwide company that directly connects you with local independent real estate brokers. Flat Fee Group Georgia offers four plans: two MLS listing services with no agent support, one plan with some agent support, and one full-service plan.

The Basic plan only allows six photos, which might not grab the attention of buyer's agents and buyers.

Online reviews are mixed. Positive reviews report a smooth, easy process and responsive customer service. Negative reviewers felt rushed, disliked having so many points of contact, and got slow service.

There are no additional fees at closing, and you can cancel anytime as long as you aren’t under contract.

Georgia flat fee MLS listing services by city

In Georgia, you'll also find smaller flat fee MLS companies that operate in specific cities. These companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and local expertise than national brands.

How to get an MLS listing without a realtor in Georgia

Top alternatives to a flat fee MLS listing service in Georgia

Sell with a discount broker

The best discount realtors offer the same services as a traditional real estate agent, but at a much more competitive rate — as little as 1–1.5%.

For most sellers in Georgia, Clever Real Estate offers the best value. When you request an agent through Clever, it sends you multiple agent matches from well-known brokerages like Keller Williams, Berkshire Hathaway, and RE/MAX.

Every agent in Clever's network is hand-selected based on experience, sales performance, customer ratings, and local market knowledge — so you know you're getting a quality agent in your corner.

Once you select an agent, they'll take care of the details — including pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations, and closing paperwork. Better yet, they'll sell your home for a 1.5% listing fee (about half the typical rate).

Sell with a flat fee realtor

Flat fee brokers work for a set rate instead of a commission.

Rates can vary from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, so you’ll want to shop around for the best value.

With a fixed rate, your savings can be significant, especially if you have a more expensive home. A flat rate of $5,000 on a million dollar home will lead to greater savings than $5,000 on a $250,000 home.

» MORE: The Best Flat Fee Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Try selling 'for sale by owner' without an MLS listing

Technically, it's possible to sell your house without listing it on the MLS. But this method isn't likely to work unless you already have a buyer lined up.

Without an MLS listing, fewer buyers will know your house is for sale. The MLS is the main way real estate agents find properties for their clients. It also guarantees that your listing gets on popular home-buying websites like Zillow.

If you forgo an MLS listing, you’ll have to rely on less-effective sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Or you can hope that a buyer sees the "for sale" sign in your yard.

» LEARN: FSBO vs. Realtor Facts and Statistics

FAQ about flat fee MLS listings in Georgia