7 Best Flat Fee MLS Kentucky Listing Services (2023)

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

What is a flat fee MLS listing service?

A flat fee MLS listing service will get your home on the local multiple listing service (MLS) for a set rate. In Kentucky, flat fee MLS companies typically charge $400–600 (plus administrative fees). That’s usually thousands less than what traditional realtors often charge.

The MLS is the main directory of listed homes that buyer's agents use. All MLS listings are automatically syndicated to the most popular real estate websites, like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. The MLS is essential if you want the most buyers to find your listing.

When done right, a flat fee MLS can save you thousands of dollars. But these savings come with a few risks to consider beforehand. For sale by owner (FSBO) homes sell for a lot less than agent homes on average. You’ll also need to quickly familiarize yourself with Kentucky real estate laws, the closing process, and how to negotiate a home sale.

For sellers who aren't comfortable handling the sale on their own, there are alternatives, like working with a discount realtor, to consider ahead of a flat fee MLS listing. With a reputable discount realtor, you can get the same level of service as a traditional realtor but at half the price. You’ll still save thousands, but you won’t be exposing yourself to the risk that a flat fee MLS entails.

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

What to consider before hiring a flat fee MLS service

Flat fee MLS listing services can significantly extend the reach of your home’s listing while saving you money on realtor commission. But selling a home is a lot of work, which is why most realtors work with a brokerage team to get it done.

Be realistic about how much of that work you’re willing and able to take on. Here are some good questions to ask yourself before using a flat fee MLS service:

• How familiar am I with state and federal laws for selling a home?
• Am I comfortable negotiating with buyers and buyer's agents?
• Do I have the expertise to recognize how serious an offer is?
• Can I dedicate the time and effort required to pricing, marketing, repairs, closing, and showings?

If you still think that FSBO is right for you, a flat fee MLS service is going to be essential to market your home. The benefits of using a flat fee MLS are significant, but so are the drawbacks.

Potential benefits

You'll get needed online exposure

The MLS is where buyer's agents go when they need to find homes to show their clients. MLS listings are also automatically syndicated to popular home-buying websites, like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. Being on the MLS greatly increases the chances of a potential buyer finding your listing.

You'll have more control

You'll have total control over marketing, showings, and negotiations, which you may prefer if you have a DIY mentality. Some people even enjoy negotiating directly with potential buyers because it feels more personal. One FSBO seller told us they prefer selling without a realtor because "the impersonal nature of only communicating through forms delivered by realtors makes the [traditional] process impersonal."

You'll save on listing fees

Traditional listing agent fees cost around 3% of the final sale price, which on a $500,000 home means you're paying $15,000 in commission to your agent. In Kentucky, most flat fee MLS listing services cost $400–600. Even when you include the administrative fees that many flat fee MLS services charge, you'll still often pay less than $1,000.

You can choose the services you need

Flat fee MLS companies tend to be flexible about their services. If you're an experienced seller and just need a no-frills MLS listing, it's easy to find one and save yourself even more money. But if you're new to FSBO, you still have the freedom to choose a service plan that includes some extras, like broker assistance, so that you don't feel completely on your own.

Potential drawbacks

You risk a lower sale price

The biggest risk of selling FSBO is that your home will sell for much less than it would with an agent. In 2022, for example, the average FSBO home sold for $120,000 less than what homes that had an agent sold for. As one FSBO seller told us, "When we first listed our house, we had some agents come in with insultingly lowball offers, perhaps assuming someone without a realtor could be taken advantage of."

You may miss out on leads

Some agents prefer not to work with FSBO sellers and will deliberately steer their clients away from flat fee MLS listings. Whether fairly or not, many agents assume that FSBO sellers are inexperienced and will cause a slow or difficult transaction. Unfortunately, that means fewer buyers get to see your house.

Also, MLS rules require that your broker — which is the flat fee MLS company — be the main contact on your listing rather than you. So long as you have a service plan that includes automatic lead forward, this rule shouldn't be a problem. But if you don't, you’ll have to rely on the broker to manually forward buyer leads, which could cause delays and missed opportunities.

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

Many FSBO sellers overlook the fact that in a home sale, both the seller's and buyer's agents need to get paid. While a flat fee MLS service eliminates the need for a seller's agent commission, you'll still need to offer a buyer's agent commission, usually 2–3%. Failing to offer a buyer's agent commission means that buyer's agents will have little incentive to show your home to their clients.

You'll be on your own

Being your own real estate agent is a full-time job. You'll have to dedicate a lot of time to pricing, marketing, photography, showings, open houses, reviewing offers and buyer financing, negotiations, title and escrow requirements, and closing paperwork. If you don't have the time or expertise for FSBO, you should look into an alternative option that provides more support.

You may face hidden fees

While many flat fee MLS companies are reputable, others have a reputation for charging hidden fees. These can include extra costs at closing or fees to provide you access to tools and features that are all but essential for selling your home, such as lead forwarding.

Charging extra for à la carte services, like lockboxes, yard signs, and additional photos, is also common. While these fees aren't necessarily hidden, they have the potential to add up quickly.

Flat fee MLS listing fees may be higher in Kentucky

Kentucky is a minimum service state. The law requires real estate brokers — including flat fee MLS companies — in these states to provide certain services to their clients.

While minimum service requirements vary by state, they often require a broker to assist with accepting, reviewing, and negotiating offers. As a result, you may have to pay more to list with a flat fee MLS provider.

Best 7 flat fee MLS listing services in Kentucky

Mink Realty: Best for sellers wanting some help

Pros

• Mink Realty consistently gets top marks in online customer reviews.
• The Gold package includes free marketing materials.
• The Premium package offers broker assistance for a reasonable price.

Cons

• Plans are priced higher than what you can get elsewhere.
• You have limited flexibility for tailoring your plan.
• Mink Realty doesn't offer a no-frills plan for experienced sellers.

Mink Realty fees and services

Mink Realty operates throughout Kentucky and consistently gets very positive reviews online from past customers. Note that Mink Realty is the local realtor in Kentucky for Flat Fee Group, meaning that the two are essentially the same company in the state.

Mink Realty offers three packages, although the Silver package is mainly for land and lots and only comes with six photos. If you're selling a house, you'll want the Gold or Platinum package.

The Gold package is good value and comes with a six-month listing, up to 50 photos, and some items that other companies typically charge extra for, like a yard sign, agent feedback, an open house ad, and social media marketing. The Platinum package is worth considering if you're an inexperienced seller since you get a lot more broker assistance.

While both plans offer good support, they're also a bit pricey. You can get a better deal elsewhere if you're an experienced seller wanting a no-frills listing with a decent listing term and maximum photos.

Flat Fee MLS Realty: Best for novice sellers

Pros

• The company has a simple, easy-to-understand pricing plan.
• Broker assistance comes with your listing.
• This package is a good choice for novice sellers needing extra guidance.

Cons

• The company doesn't offer a no-frills MLS plan for experienced sellers.

Flat Fee MLS Realty fees and services

Flat Fee MLS Realty is a local realtor operating in Northern Kentucky. It offers a single plan, which costs $495 plus an additional $1,000 at closing. While that price is high, Flat Fee MLS Realty includes many services that make it a good deal.

In addition to getting a high photo limit, yard sign, and lockbox, you'll also get a lot more hands-on support. Showings, for example, are handled by the company's call center, and the broker assists with negotiations, inspections, appraisal, and closing.

In essence, you're getting a level of service closer to what a full-service realtor would provide, but you'll pay a flat fee for it. However, while that makes Flat Fee MLS Realty a good option for inexperienced sellers, it's probably not for you if you want a bare-bones plan where you handle most of the work yourself.

2% Realty: Best for customer support

Pros

• You get a comparative market analysis to help you price your home.
• You get dedicated customer service throughout the sale.
• The company offers unlimited open houses and an open-ended listing term.

Cons

• The closing fees are pricey, especially for high-value homes.
• There's only one plan for sellers with a single-family home.
• You have a limited ability to customize your plan.

2% Realty fees and services

Covering a handful of states in the South and Midwest, 2% Realty is a regional brokerage with good online reviews. It offers three different pricing plans. The cheapest plan is primarily for lands and lots, while the most expensive is for multi-unit housing.

That leaves most sellers with the Single Family Homes plan. Your home will be listed until it sells, and you'll get the maximum photo allowance, free cancellation, unlimited listing changes, unlimited open houses, and the ability to schedule showings online. Plus, you'll get a comparative market analysis to help you price your home and contract-to-close assistance from the brokerage.

These services make 2% Realty a good deal, although the price is still a bit high. In addition to the flat fee, you'll pay 1% at closing, which will likely add at least a couple thousand extra dollars to your final bill. That's still a reasonable rate for what you're getting, but if you're more of a DIY seller, 2% Realty is probably not a good fit.

Entry Only: Best for DIY sellers

Pros

• Entry Only provides one of the cheapest MLS listing plans in Kentucky.
• You get 25 photos and lead forwarding.
• There are plenty of add-ons to customize your plan.

Cons

• Choosing a lot of add-ons can make your plan less of a deal.
• There's no broker assistance option for inexperienced sellers.

Entry Only fees and services

Entry Only is a nationwide flat fee MLS service with excellent online reviews. With just one competitively priced listing plan, its service is good for sellers comfortable handling much of the real estate transaction.

While their plan, at $399 plus $250 at closing, is one of the cheapest in Kentucky, you still get quite a lot for the price. For example, you'll have a 25-photo limit, free cancellation, and lead forwarding. The plan is also more flexible than other companies, since you can purchase useful add-ons like maximum photos, a 12-month listing term, and a secondary MLS listing.

However, those extra services can quickly add up. Also, Entry Only isn't for you if you want broker assistance.

ISoldMyHouse.com: Best for no-frills plans

Pros

• ISoldMyHouse.com is one of the few companies offering no-frills MLS plans in Kentucky.
• Online reviews from customers are largely positive.
• ISoldMyHouse.com has helpful online videos for new FSBO sellers.

Cons

• The photo limit is very low for the entry-level plan.
• There are few add-ons available to customize your plan.
• Customer support is primarily online.

ISoldMyHouse.com fees and services

ISoldMyHouse.com is a well-known national brand with two no-frills pricing plans. The company generally gets positive online reviews and is a decent option if you're an experienced seller who prefers doing most of the work of selling a house yourself.

Both plans are very similar and include a 6-month listing, open house scheduler, online support, and lead forwarding. The only difference is that you'll only get a 6-photo limit with the Get LISTED! plan, whereas you'll get 25 photos with Get SOLD! Since photos are an important part of marketing your home, upgrading to Get SOLD! makes sense.

ISoldMyHouse.com is a good budget option, but it doesn't offer many add-ons if you want to customize your package. And while it offers some customer support, it's entirely online, which won't suit all sellers.

Unreal Estate: Best for discounted rates

Pros

• With the Starter plan, you only pay if your house sells.
• With Clever, you can get exclusive and highly competitive rates.
• Online customer reviews for Unreal Estate are positive.

Cons

• Only the Deluxe and Premium plans provide good photo limits.
• Unlimited listing edits are included only with the most expensive plan.
• Customer support is exclusively online for the two cheapest plans.

Unreal Estate fees and services

Unreal Estate is a nationwide company that offers some very competitively priced plans in Kentucky. Its Starter package is one of the few plans to get you on the MLS with no up-front costs — you'll only pay if your house sells.

However, we don't recommend the Starter or Basic plans because of their low photo limits. The Deluxe and Premium plans are better options, with pricing closer to what other flat fee MLS services in Kentucky charge for standard packages.

These upper-tier plans include high photo limits, listing edits, phone support, and call forwarding. The Premium plan even includes a 30-minute broker review if you want some extra help.

Unreal Estate's pricing can seem complicated, with a flat fee upfront and a 0.5% fee and a set rate at closing. However, by using code "Clever" with Unreal Estate, you'll get a simplified and competitive flat rate of $99–450 (depending on your plan) plus the $350 closing fee.

Houzeo: Best for online listing management

Pros

• You can manage your listing and showings using Houzeo's online dashboard.
• Customer reviews for Houzeo are generally positive.

Cons

• Only one package offers all the essentials for a competitive price.
• There are hidden fees and extra charges, especially with the entry-level plan.
• Some reviews complain about slow customer service and listing errors.

Houzeo fees and services

Houzeo is a recognized nationwide brand with a wide range of MLS listing plans. Overall, we only recommend the mid-tier Silver plan. All the other ones either don't provide enough value or their minimum fees are too high.

With the Silver plan, you'll get the essentials, including a maximum photo limit, a 6-month listing, unlimited listing changes, and unlimited open houses. At $399 (plus $250 at closing), it's also competitively priced with other flat fee MLS services in Kentucky.

However, there are some red flags to watch out for with Houzeo. While most online reviews are positive, some complain about slow customer service and hidden fees, especially for the entry-level plan. A few reviewers also noted that their listings contained serious errors, which Houzeo was slow to fix.

Kentucky flat fee MLS listing services by city

You'll find many flat fee MLS listing companies in Kentucky that only operate in specific counties and cities. These companies may be better options than nationwide companies since they tend to have more local expertise and flexible service.

How to get an MLS listing without a realtor in Kentucky

Top alternatives to a flat fee MLS service in Kentucky

Sell with a discount broker

Discount brokers are a good alternative to flat fee MLS companies if you want to save money but don't want to take on the extra work. The best discount realtors offer the same services as traditional realtors, but for as little as 1–2%. Traditional realtors charge around 3%.

In Kentucky, Clever offers the best value for most sellers. You'll save thousands on commission, but you won't take on the risk of selling FSBO. When you sign up for Clever, you'll get sent multiple agent matches from well-known local brokerages, like Berkshire Hathaway and RE/MAX. Each agent is hand-selected and must meet strict performance criteria for experience, sales numbers, customer reviews, and local market knowledge.

Since Clever is free with zero obligation, you can choose any agent suggested to you, request more agents, or simply walk away. If you choose one of Clever's partner agents, you'll get a low listing price of just 1.5%, and the agent takes care of the hard work of selling your home.

Sell with a flat fee realtor

Real estate agents typically work on commission, which they charge as a percentage of the final sale price. Some realtors, however, charge a flat fee or even offer both payment models depending on the level of service you need.

The cost of flat fee realtors varies a lot, but they're typically in the thousands of dollars. The level of service you'll get will be more than you would get with a flat fee MLS company, but not quite as hands-on as with a full-service traditional realtor.

The big advantage of a flat fee realtor is that the commission you pay stays the same no matter how much your house sells for. That makes flat fee realtors an especially good deal for high-value homes, since a $4,000 fee on a $1.5-million home means better savings than a $4,000 fee on a $200,000 home.

But that means if you're selling a lower-value home, a flat rate may not be a great deal. If the fee is too high, it could eat up a higher percentage of the final sale price than what you would pay with a discount realtor.

» MORE: How to find a real estate agent that's right for you

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 all that well 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, including 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 Kentucky