If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Maine, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing's visibility without breaking the bank.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in the The Pine Tree State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Maine homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $6,750.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Maine are in the $0 to $999+ range. The most basic plans can be as low as $50 to $99, while more comprehensive services range upwards of $1,000 to $3,000.
It's important to remember that every Maine flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating offerings, be sure to read the fine print: look at things like the length of the listing term (and how much it costs to extend); whether there's a fee to make changes to your listing; how many photos are allowed; the policy on buyer's agent commission; and more.
>> LEARN more about flat-fee MLS services and how to evaluate them.
To help you make the right choice, Clever has picked some of the top flat-fee MLS services across the state of Maine.
Top Maine Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Discount Realty
Discount RealtyPrice Range
$299-$999
Number of Photos
30
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Discount Realty is a flat-fee MLS service operated by Maine’s Listing Solution, a licensed brokerage in Maine
- Listings go live within 72 hours
- Your contact information included in the MLS listing
- You choose the buyer’s agent commission (must be at least 1%)
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Free cancelation anytime
- $299
- 6-month listing on MLS (Unlimited listing contract for $499)
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Up to 30 photos
- Documents and forms (downloadable)
- Printable flyers
- $299+$700 at closing
- Same as basic package, plus:
- Inspection, negotiation, and closing assistance
Discount Realty also offers a discounted, full-service package for 3.5% (2% buyer’s agent commission and 1% listing commission). See website for details
Pros
- Free cancelation anytime
- Work directly with a local broker, not a referral service
Cons
- No home valuation or CMA
As of January 15, 2020:
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Facebook (1 review)
Entry Only
Entry OnlyPrice Range
$399-$999
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- Entry Only is a real estate brokerage licensed in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT that specializes in flat-fee MLS services
- You set the buyers commission (1% minimum) and pay no commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Free cancelation anytime
- Free, unlimited photo edits
- A variety of a-la-carte services like additional photos, longer listing contracts, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
- $399 - Basic
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 20 Photos
- 1,000 character description
- Purchase forms and disclosures (downloadable)
- Listing shared on social media
- Property flyer
- 24/7 receptionist to forward buyer and agent inquiries
- Yard sign
- Open house ads
- $699 - Enhanced
- Same as Basic package, plus:
- Contract review
- $999 - Premium
- Same as Enhanced package, plus:
- Negotiation assistance
- Closing services
Available a-la-carte services include: more photos, longer listing contract, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
Pros
- Work directly with a local broker, not a referral service
- Free cancelation anytime
- 24/7 receptionist
- Double money back guarantee if you decide to sell with a realtor Entry Only refers you to (up to $999)
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or CMA
As of January 15, 2020:
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Trustpilot (344 reviews)
- 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on Google (26 reviews)
- An A rating with Better Business Bureau
Landfall Properties, LLC
Landfall PropertiesPrice Range
Free to $499+
Number of Photos
40
Listing Term
2 months up to until sold
- Landfall Properties in a licensed broker in CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, and VT that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Free, unlimited changes
- Listings go live in 24 hours
- Set buyer’s agent commission of 2% (pay nothing if you find the buyer)
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Cancel anytime
- Free - Level One
- 2-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 40 photos
- Unlimited consultations if also buying with Landfall Properties
- $499 - Level Two
- Same as Level One package, plus:
- Unlimited listing/delisting/relisting of property over 2 years
- For Sale sign
- Forms, contracts, addendums (downloadable)
- Dedicated property website
- Virtual tour
- Showing feedback
- 100 business cards with your contact information
- Closing services and statement review
- $25 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
- 1% at closing- Level Three
- Same as Level Two package, plus:
- Professional photography
- Pricing assistance
- Bluetooth lockbox
- In-person showing assistance
Pros
- Free MLS listing package (+2% buyer’s agent commission)
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free, unlimited changes, including listing/delisting/relisting (Level Two and Three packages)
- Home buyer rebate if you also buy with Landfall Properties
Cons
- No built-in comparative market analysis (CMA) (except with Level Three package)
- Set buyer’s agent commission of 2% (unless you find a buyer)
As of Jan. 8, 2020:
- Landfall Properties’ principal broker, Paul Marino has a 5-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (27 reviews)
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Maine
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199
Number of Photos
6
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with Maine brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission
- MLS photo upgrade available for $79
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
- $199 - MLS Listing package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
MLS photo upgrade available for $79
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Free state disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
- Limited coverage in rural areas
As of January 22, 2020:
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Facebook (4 reviews)
FSBO.com
FSBO.comPrice Range
$399.95
Number of Photos
Varies by state
Listing Term
6 months
- FSBO.com is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with licensed brokerage MLSmart Realty, LLC. MLSmart Realty then handles the listing or refers you to a local brokers who will put your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (FSBO.com recommends 2-3%)
- Making changes to your MLS listing may have additional fees
- Cancel anytime (possible additional fee)
- $399.95 - MLS package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Approx. 20 photos
- Yard sign (where available)
FSBO.com also has a package for listing on their website — not the MLS — for $99.95
Services, price, and details of FSBO.com flat-fee MLS packages vary by state. States with minimum service requirements may also have additional fees due at closing. Check the website for specifics in your area.
Pros
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
Cons
- Only one package to choose from
- Experience, additional fees, and service quality may vary depending on your state’s broker
- Doesn’t have full coverage in every state and not available at all in North Dakota
As of January 23, 2020:
- FSBO.com has an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
- Broker MLSmart Realty has a 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (26 reviews)
Note: As a referral service, the reviews and service quality of your local FSBO.com broker may vary. Be sure to research your broker before signing a listing agreement.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Maine
The Maine real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 5.6% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 5.1% in 2020. To realize your home's full value (or ideally more), it's important to weigh all of your options for selling before making a final decision.
- Flat-Fee Real Estate Agents
- Discount Real Estate Agents
- Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- 1% Commission Real Estate Agents
- Sell to an iBuyer