The best MLS services | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies | Other ways to save on your sale
Whether you're selling a split-level in Springfield or a summer home on the Cape, 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 Massachusetts, you’re on the hook for 1.92% to 2.61% 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 Massachusetts! 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 Massachusetts, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Bay State.
The 4 best Massachusetts flat fee MLS companies*
Entry Only | Entry Only New England | Landfall Properties, LLC | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | $399–999 | $347–697 | $499 | $199–399 |
Money-back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 |
Downloadable forms | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 |
For sale sign | 💰 | ❌ | ✅ | 💰 |
Lockbox | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | ||||
Entry Only
Entry OnlyBest For
Sellers who might still sign with a full-service broker
Price Range
$399-999
Pros:
- They offer a double money-back guarantee if you decide to sell with a Realtor that Entry Only refers you to (up to $999).
- You can call for support any time, day or night.
- If you upgrade to the Enhanced listing package ($699), the broker will review and explain any contracts for you.
Cons:
- You have to pay extra for a comparative market analysis no matter which package you choose.
Entry Only New England
Entry Only New EnglandBest For
Sellers who may need longer than the typical six-month listing to sell their property
Price Range
$347-697
Pros:
- The base package comes with a 12-month listing term.
- You can cancel any time with no fee.
Cons:
- They don't offer any a la carte options to customize your listing package.
- You'll have very limited support from the listing broker.
Landfall Properties, LLC
Landfall Properties, LLCBest For
Sellers who expect their home to sell quickly
Price Range
$0-499
Pros:
- You can get a basic two-month MLS listing for free.
- They provide escrow services when you upgrade to the Level Two listing package ($499).
- If you also use Landfall Properties to buy your new home, you can get a buyer's rebate.
Cons:
- They don't offer any pricing help in their flat-fee tiers.
- You either have to use the two-month free listing or the Level Two listing ($499), which comes with a lot of extras. There's no option for extending the listing term without adding on a lot of stuff you may not need.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Experienced sellers who know what services they do and don’t need
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.
Flat fee MLS companies in Massachusetts by city
In Massachusetts, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS companies that specialize in particular cities. These uber-local companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and to bring more area expertise than the big guys.
Every Massachusetts flat fee MLS service is different. Always make sure to read the fine print when evaluating offerings to make sure you're getting a fair deal.
Flat fee MLS companies in Boston
Boston offers a few unique options to sell your home. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for a flat fee MLS listing in the city.
» EXPLORE: The Best Boston Flat Fee MLS Companies
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 upfront 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Massachusetts?
Typically, you should expect to pay about $200-300 for a flat fee MLS listing in Massachusetts. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $0 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $500.
Do I still need to pay the buyer's agent commission?
Although you'll save some money by not having to pay commission to a listing agent (typically 2.23% to 2.92% 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 Massachusetts range from 1.92% to 2.61%.
» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in Massachusetts
How do I sell by owner in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts sellers often disclose 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
You'll make these disclosures by filling out the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. Potential buyers will review this document to make sure the property is free of deal-breaking flaws. You can either get this form from your listing broker or directly from the Massachusetts state legislature.
However, since Massachusetts is a "buyer beware" state, sellers do not need to disclose anything except what's legally required by federal law.
» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in Massachusetts
What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, 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 it all 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.