We ranked 26 flat fee MLS plans available in Iowa from 12 brokerages. Plans range from Budget ($) to Standard ($$) to Premium ($$$), each offering different levels of service and support.
About flat fee MLS companies (more)
- Iowa 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 Iowa, which is comparable to many Premium flat fee MLS plans.
How pricing tiers work (more)
- Budget flat fee MLS plans are the cheapest and most limited packages. They typically range from $50 to $200 and include only a few basic services like an MLS listing and downloadable documents. A Budget plan may be a good option if you’re only looking to boost your listing’s visibility for the lowest price possible and don’t need other services or support.
- Standard flat fee MLS plans are slightly pricier than Budget plans but should offer more services and support. They typically range from about $200 to $500 and may include services like showing scheduling tools and even remote broker support. If you’re set on selling by owner, Standard plans will often get you the most bang for your buck.
- Premium flat fee MLS plans are the most expensive and tend to get you the most services and support. They start around $500 but can reach well over $2,000-$3,000. Look for plans that include premium services like professional photography, remote broker support, and a lockbox. Bottom line: many Premium plans simply aren’t a great value. You can hire a discount real estate broker and get full, in-person representation for a similar (or lower) price.
Flat fee MLS alternatives (more)
- 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 Iowa 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.
| 💰 It pays to compare options: Use our tool to compare top local realtors who offer full service for up to 50% off. |
Top flat fee MLS plans available in Iowa
Company
Plan type
ValueScore
Plan name
Upfront fee
Fee at closing
Availability
# of photos
Listing term
Cancellation fee
Company rating
All Budget flat fee MLS plans available in Iowa
Plan name: Basic
ValueScore
82
Plan type
Budget
Price
$99
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great 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 Customer service support and Yard sign
Plan name: $99 MLS By Owner
ValueScore
80
Plan type
Budget
Price
$99
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Great terms and flexibility
- Only 1 photos on the MLS (experts recommend at least 22)
- Includes most services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Customer service support and Yard sign
Plan name: $149 MLS By Owner
ValueScore
69
Plan type
Budget
Price
$149
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Good terms and flexibility
- 35 photos on the MLS (meets minimum expert recommendation)
- Includes most services we expect in a Budget plan
- Bonus services include Yard sign and Lockbox
Plan name: Deluxe
ValueScore
65
Plan type
Budget
Price
$149
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- 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 Customer service support and Yard sign
Plan name: Platinum
ValueScore
56
Plan type
Budget
Price
$195
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 50 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
Plan name: Gold
ValueScore
55
Plan type
Budget
Price
$149
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair 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 Yard sign and Licensed broker/agent support
Plan name: $188 MLS By Owner
ValueScore
46
Plan type
Budget
Price
$188
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor 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 Yard sign and Lockbox
Plan name: Premium
ValueScore
46
Plan type
Budget
Price
$188
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Poor value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- Only 5 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 Lockbox
Plan name: MLS Listing Option
ValueScore
67
Plan type
Budget
Price
$125
Company Rating
4.3 ⭐️ (19 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Budget flat fee MLS plan
- Poor terms and flexibility
- 25 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
All Standard flat fee MLS plans available in Iowa
Plan name: Platinum +
ValueScore
87
Plan type
Standard
Price
$295
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
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 Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
Plan name: MLS Listing
ValueScore
54
Plan type
Standard
Price
$499
Company Rating
4.6 ⭐️ (27 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair 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
Plan name: MLS +
ValueScore
53
Plan type
Standard
Price
$499
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Fair 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
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
Plan name: Basic
ValueScore
42
Plan type
Standard
Price
$399
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
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
Plan name: Economy Package ECR
ValueScore
85
Plan type
Standard
Price
$299
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (244 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Great 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 Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs/virtual tours
Plan name: Standard Package ECR
ValueScore
62
Plan type
Standard
Price
$399
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (244 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Standard flat fee MLS plan
- Fair terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes most services we expect in a Standard plan
- Bonus services include Licensed broker/agent support and Professional photography
All Premium flat fee MLS plans available in Iowa
Plan name: Platinum
ValueScore
77
Plan type
Premium
Price
$349 + 1% at closing
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (3,492 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Fair 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
Plan name: Get Sold!
ValueScore
76
Plan type
Premium
Price
$399 + 0.5% at closing
Company Rating
4.7 ⭐️ (62 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Great terms and flexibility
- Maximum photos on the MLS
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
Plan name: Bronze
ValueScore
75
Plan type
Premium
Price
$329 + 0.5% at closing
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (3,492 reviews)
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
Plan name: Silver
ValueScore
74
Plan type
Premium
Price
$399 + 1% at closing
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (3,492 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Fair terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
Plan name: Gold
ValueScore
74
Plan type
Premium
Price
$429 + 1% at closing
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (3,492 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Fair terms and flexibility
- Unclear if plan has MLS listing photo limits
- Includes some services we expect in a Premium plan
- No bonus services included
Plan name: Get Listed!
ValueScore
70
Plan type
Premium
Price
$299 + 0.5% at closing
Company Rating
4.7 ⭐️ (62 reviews)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Very good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Great 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
Plan name: MLS Premium
ValueScore
47
Plan type
Premium
Price
$899
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
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
Plan name: Total Package ECR
ValueScore
86
Plan type
Premium
Price
$599
Company Rating
4.9 ⭐️ (244 reviews)
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
Plan name: List Until Sold
ValueScore
78
Plan type
Premium
Price
$590
Company Rating
4.3 ⭐️ (19 reviews)
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
Plan name: MLS Package
ValueScore
66
Plan type
Premium
Price
$199 + 0.25% at closing
Company Rating
N/A (Unverified)
At a glance
Plan details
Company reviews
Company info
- Good value for a Premium flat fee MLS plan
- Fair 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
Plan name: List Until Sold
ValueScore
60
Plan type
Premium
Price
$800
Company Rating
4.3 ⭐️ (19 reviews)
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
Find Iowa flat fee MLS plans near you
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Why trust us
Data sources
Our research team evaluated 26 flat fee MLS listing plans available in Iowa from 12 companies. We compiled and analyzed publicly available data points tied to pricing, plan services, customer reviews, and more to evaluate each Iowa flat fee MLS plan and create our rankings.
Methodology
Our team used public business directories to identify flat fee MLS companies serving Iowa. 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.
