If you’re selling a house by owner in Illinois, a flat fee MLS service can help you get more exposure for your listing without breaking the bank. We ranked 58 flat fee MLS plans available in Illinois across three different pricing tiers:
Budget plans typically range from $50-$200 and include basic services like an MLS listing and downloadable documents. Consider a Budget plan if you’re looking for the cheapest possible way to get more exposure for your listing.
Standard plans cost between $200-$500 and should get you some additional tools and features like showing scheduling software, virtual contracts, and even remote broker support. Good Standard plans usually offer the best value for FSBO sellers in terms of price vs. useful services.
Premium plans generally aren't worth it. Upfront fees start around $500 but can exceed $3,000. And many include hefty, additional fees at closing (0.5-1% or more). We think most Premium plans don't offer enough support to justify the high price tag.
⚡️ Quick tip: Discount real estate brokers typically offer better value than Premium flat fee MLS plans. You get full, in-person representation for roughly the same cost. |
What is a flat fee MLS listing service? (more)
- Illinois flat fee MLS listing companies offer bundled and a la carte marketing and support services for people selling their homes without a realtor, also known as listing for sale by owner (FSBO).
- The most basic plans start as low as $50 and usually just get your property listed on your local MLS and popular sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, which helps increase your exposure among buyers in your area.
- Premium flat fee MLS plans range from $599 to $8,000+ and often include more deluxe services like professional photography, a comparative market analysis (CMA), and remote broker support.
- Most flat fee MLS brokers charge a flat upfront fee that’s nonrefundable. Some also charge additional fees at closing. Others may charge additional fees for canceling your listing agreement early or even just updating your listing details.
- Flat fee MLS may be a good option if you’re (a) committed to selling without a realtor and (b) have a good understanding of the logistics, risks, and time requirements that come with a FSBO sale.
- Most home sellers looking to save money should also consider a low commission real estate company. These brokers get you full, in-person representation from a licensed agent for up to 50% less than the average listing commission rate in Illinois, which is comparable to many Premium flat fee MLS plans.
Should I use a flat fee MLS broker? (more)
- Consider a flat fee MLS company if you're an experienced home seller, committed to selling your home by owner, and looking for a relatively cheap way to give your listing a visibility boost. If this is you, some Basic and Standard plans offer decent value for the money.
- If you’re looking for anything above a Basic flat fee MLS plan, a discount real estate broker may offer better value. Discount broker pricing can be comparable to Premium flat fee MLS packages, but gets you full in-person representation from a licensed agent.
- There are lots of free for sale by owner websites, including Zillow, Craigslist, and ForSaleByOwner.com. Most of these options don’t get your listing on the MLS, so they can be a good option for testing the waters or supplementing your flat fee MLS plan.
- If you need to sell your house fast or have are selling a home that needs major repairs, consider a Illinois cash home buyer. These companies buy homes in almost any condition for cash, often in a matter of days. You avoid realtor commissions and many will even cover your closing costs. The tradeoff is that investors typically pay less for homes to offset risk and ensure they can turn a profit.
Top flat fee MLS plans available in Illinois
📍Filter by city: Chicago | Romeoville | More citiesAll Budget flat fee MLS plans available in Illinois
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes most services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Downloadable documents
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Downloadable documents and Showing software
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Listing management tools
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 40 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Yard sign and Lockbox
Our Rating
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 20 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
All Standard flat fee MLS plans available in Illinois
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Great terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Great terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Fair terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 20 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography and Buyer messaging tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- 24 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Very good terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Listing management tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 150 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Fair terms and flexibility
- 36 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- 50 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Very good terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Listing management tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 40 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 20 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Very good terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Listing management tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Listing management tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Buyer messaging tools
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 20 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Professional photography
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Buyer messaging tools
All Premium flat fee MLS plans available in Illinois
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- 50 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 32 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 40 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 20 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 30 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 6 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
ValueScore
Plan type
Price
Company Rating
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
Find Illinois flat fee MLS plans near you
Why trust us
Data sources
Our research team evaluated 58 flat fee MLS listing plans available in Illinois from 22 companies. We compiled and analyzed publicly available data points tied to pricing, plan services, customer reviews, and more to evaluate each Illinois flat fee MLS plan and create our rankings.
Methodology
Our team used public business directories to identify flat fee MLS companies serving Illinois. We identified each flat fee MLS company's individual flat fee MLS plans. We filtered that list and ranked the top flat fee MLS options based on the following criteria:
- Pricing: We looked at each flat fee MLS plan's ability to provide a home seller's baseline needs for a low, upfront flat fee. We also looked at whether the plan requires a fee at closing, or has hidden fees or other financial restrictions.
- Flexibility: We looked at how much control a seller will have over their sale with each flat fee MLS plan, factoring in the length of the listing term and a seller's ability to make listing changes on their own, to connect directly with potential buyers, and to cancel the plan.
- Services: We evaluated each flat fee MLS plan's core services, including MLS listing and syndication, the amount of photos with the listing, lockbox, yard sign, customer service options, document support, showing tools, marketing collateral, and more.
- Company reputation: We looked at customer ratings and feedback for the flat fee MLS plan provider, as well as its recent track record and activity in the market.
✍️ Editor’s note: We don't disqualify a flat fee MLS company or flat fee MLS plan for limited or missing data, but we may lower the plan's rating. We base our ratings on objective measurements and can only measure what we see. We regularly search for new data to update our flat fee MLS rankings accordingly.