The best MLS services | Other ways to save on your sale | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies
Whether you're selling a Big Island bungalow or a Maui mansion, paying 6% in realtor fees is a lot.
That’s why some sellers use a flat fee MLS company to list their home on the MLS — the main place where realtors find homes to show their clients — in exchange for a small one-time fee.
What’s the catch?
- Less support: You manage your own sale — without a full-service agent to handle pricing, photography, paperwork, and negotiations.
- Lower sales price: For sale by owner (FSBO) homes usually sell for significantly less than homes sold by agents — 6% less on average compared to agent-represented properties.
- You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In Hawaii, you’re on the hook for 2.04% to 2.87% of the final sale price.
If you want to save on fees but aren’t ready for a do-it-yourself experience, Clever can match you with full-service realtors who work for a low flat fee of 1.5%.
Clever is the best alternative to the full DIY approach if you're in Hawaii! You'll save thousands on listing fees, while still getting the support you need to sell your home fast AND for top dollar.
» SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just 1.5%
If you’re still interested in finding flat fee MLS listing options in Hawaii, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Aloha State.
The 5 best Hawaii flat fee MLS companies*
Flatlist.com | Hawaii Flat Fee | Fizber | FSBO.com | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | $299 | $250 | $295-395 | $399.95 | $199-399 |
Money-back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 💰 |
Downloadable forms | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 | 💰 | 💰 |
For sale sign | 💰 | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 | 💰 |
Lockbox | 💰 | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 | 💰 |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | |||||
Flatlist.com
Flatlist.comBest For
Sellers who want to stand out in crowded markets
Price Range
$299
Pros:
- You can list up to 25 photos without paying extra. Other companies limit you to 10 or fewer on their base packages.
- Your listing comes with all the state and federal disclosure forms, plus counter offer forms, HOA addendums, and seller's property disclosures.
Cons:
- The service is only available in Oahu, Maui County, Big Island, and Kauai.
- Flatlist.com doesn't give you the choice of a smaller, cheaper listing package.
Hawaii Flat Fee
Hawaii Flat FeeBest For
Sellers who need a simple MLS listing without a lot of extras
Price Range
$250
Pros:
- The standard listing term is 12 months. Many other companies limit you to six months or fewer.
- If you decide that you want more help selling your home, you can upgrade to a full-service package for 1% of the final sale price.
Cons:
- You can only make 10 free changes to your MLS listing.
- Hawaii Flat Fee is only available on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
Fizber
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Sellers who want to attract people looking for a FSBO property
Price Range
$295-395
Fizber is a nationwide flat fee MLS company with fairly affordable plans. It also stands out for having good customer service.
However, its website is outdated and doesn’t always list services that are state-specific. So, you won’t always know what you’re getting until you speak with a customer service representative.
Pros:
- Fizber will promote your listing for you on social media.
- If you change your mind before your listing goes live, you can get a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
Cons:
- The basic MLS package only includes six photos. Other companies include up to 25.
1 (888) 381-2201
FSBO.com
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Sellers who also want to list on a large FSBO marketplace
Price Range
$400
FSBO.com is a well-known FSBO website and one of the few that will also get you listed on Redfin.
But watch out: only its most expensive plan will actually get you an MLS listing. Chances are you can find a cheaper option with MLS access elsewhere.
Pros:
- Your home will appear in your local MLS and on FSBO.com. A lot of people shop directly for FSBO properties on their site.
Cons:
- FSBO.com refers you to a broker in your area instead of listing your property itself. Your experience could vary greatly dependin on the broker you're matched with.
- You have to pay for seller disclosures, for sale signs, and lock boxes separately.
1 (800) 690-5802
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Sellers looking for a lot of a-la-carte options
Price Range
$199-399
Pros:
- You can fill out, sign, and submit all your seller's paperwork on the Houzeo app.
- When you enter your address, Houzeo auto-fills publicly available data about your property.
- Houzeo lets you buy additional services like contract reviews, agent showings, and professional showings a la carte.
Cons:
- You have to pay extra for pricing assistance — several local competitors offer this for free.
- You're limited to 10 free changes for price, status, and description in their two most popular packages. Most competitors offer unlimited free changes.
Hidden costs of flat fee MLS companies
Some companies claim to offer flat-rate MLS services but charge hidden fees at closing. We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a free MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price at closing.
These predatory practices could cost you thousands of dollars when you expect to pay only a few hundred.
Always make sure to read the fine print for any service. Look out for "closing fees" or "admin fees" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an up-front flat fee.
Further, some flat fee MLS companies offer à la carte services like photography, paperwork help, and signage. These services can reduce some of your DIY work, but watch out. These add-ons can add up!
At a certain point, you may be better off finding a full-service agent who charges a clear and upfront discounted rate.
What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in Hawaii?
Discount and flat fee real estate agents
Discount real estate brokers will list your property for as little as 1% — but keep in mind that you usually still have to pay a 2.6–3% buyer’s agent fee.
We’ve reviewed four national and regional discount brokers that operate in Hawaii.
In Hawaii, Clever offers low rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
Clever matches home sellers like you with pre-vetted, full-service agents for only a 1.5% listing fee. That's half the rate agents typically charge, letting you keep thousands more in your pocket when your home sells.
Your Clever agent will handle everything for you, helping you accurately price your home, get high-quality photography, negotiate with prospective buyers, and complete paperwork.
You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat fee MLS service, but you'll save hours of effort by not having to do everything yourself!
Selling without an MLS listing
It's always possible to try selling your house by owner without listing on the MLS. But this makes sense only if you already have a potential buyer lined up.
That's because not listing on your local MLS means not getting the most effective exposure for your property. MLS listings are posted to every major real estate website. Plus, real estate agents access MLS listings to find properties for their clients.
If you don't secure an MLS listing, you'll be limited to sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and relying on a yard sign.
Frequently asked questions
Typically, you should expect to pay about $300 for a flat fee MLS listing in Hawaii. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $200 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $400.
Although you'll save some money by not having to pay commission to a listing agent (typically 2.13% to 2.95% of the sale price), we strongly recommend offering a commission to the buyer's agent. This will incentivize agents to bring their clients to your home.
How much to offer a buyer's agent is up to you, but most buyer's agent commissions in Hawaii range from 2.04% to 2.87%.
Hawaii real estate laws require sellers to disclose all important information about their property, including:
- Building and safety information
- Utilities
- Environmental information (like erosion, noise pollution, and whether it's in a flood plain)
- Sewer and wastewater treatment
The Hawaii Association of REALTORS® uses the Residential Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) to document all this information. You should receive this form from your listing agent.