7 Best Flat Fee MLS Massachusetts Listing Services

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By Trevor Wallis Updated October 27, 2023

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

When selling a house for sale by owner (FSBO) in Massachusetts, posting on the multiple listing service (MLS) greatly increases the number of buyers who will see your listing. Agents use the MLS to find properties for their clients, and listings are automatically syndicated to real estate sites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com.

While a traditional listing agent charges 2.5–3% to sell a home, a flat fee MLS service will list your house on the local MLS for just a few hundred dollars.

However, you'll need to consider the trade-offs before paying for this type of service.

Who should use a flat fee MLS listing service?

A flat fee MLS listing can work particularly well if you have the time and experience to sell a house on your own. 

If you decide to sell FSBO, you have plenty of flat fee MLS listing services to choose from in Massachusetts.

However, if you haven't sold FSBO before, keep the following in mind:

  • You'll essentially be your own agent. You'll handle pricing, showings, negotiations, paperwork, and qualifying buyers on your own. While some flat fee MLS companies offer limited broker assistance, it'll cost you a premium, and the level of service usually falls short of what a listing agent typically provides. 
  • You'll probably still need to pay a buyer's agent fee, since most buyers use an agent and other sellers won't make them pay for their agent out of pocket.
  • The biggest potential downside of a flat fee MLS listing is that your home may sell for less than it would with an agent, despite all the time and effort you put in. Homes sold without a realtor sell for about 6% less on average, canceling any commission savings. That may explain why the majority of sellers who try the FSBO route end up listing with an agent.

If you want a less risky way to save money, you may want to consider hiring a reputable discount broker. You'll still save on real estate commissions, but you'll have a dedicated agent by your side.

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7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Massachusetts

Company Price range Avg. customer rating (1–5) Availability
Entry Only $399–999 4.9 (700+ reviews) Nationwide
ISoldMyHouse.com $299–399 4.7 (60 reviews) CT, GA, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, and VT
Entry Only New England $397–697 5 (90 reviews) Massachusetts
Landfall Properties, LLC $0 to 1% 5 (46 reviews) CT, ME, MA, NH, and VT
Houzeo $329 to $379 + 0.5% at closing 4.9 (3,000+ reviews) Nationwide
Snap Flat Fee $99 4.9 (1,000+ reviews) CT, FL, MA, and WA
Flat Fee Group — Jason Saphire $299–999 4.9 (87 reviews) CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VA
Show more

Why you should trust us

We spent dozens of hours researching flat fee MLS companies throughout the country. Our process included:

  • Researching more than 140 national, regional, and local flat fee MLS services to compare services, contract terms, and fees
  • Mystery shopping more than 20 flat fee MLS companies to understand the consumer experience
  • Interviewing sellers and realtors who have experience with flat fee MLS real estate transactions
  • Analyzing Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and Facebook reviews for each business
  • Visiting user forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets for additional perspectives

Do you need an MLS listing?

If you decide to sell without a realtor, the only way you can get on the multiple listing service is with a flat fee MLS company. The MLS is where most real estate agents find properties for their clients, and posting on the MLS is how your listing gets on home-buying websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. If you're not on the MLS, buyers will have a much harder time finding your property.

What to consider before hiring a flat fee MLS service

Pros

  • You'll save on listing fees.
  • You'll have more control over the sale.
  • You can choose the services you need.

Cons

  • You'll pay a buyer's agent to negotiate against you.
  • You may miss out on leads.
  • You'll likely encounter extra fees.

You’ll save on listing fees

Savings are a driver for many people who use a flat fee MLS company. You can pay a few hundred dollars to get your house listed instead of paying an agent a commission. On a $350,000 home, the typical 3% seller's agent commission would be $10,500.

You'll still have to pay a buyer's agent to negotiate against you

A flat fee MLS listing helps you avoid paying a traditional listing agent's fee, but you'll still need to cover the buyer's agent commission. Almost all buyers work with an agent, and since buyers already have to pay cash for a down payment, agent commissions typically come from the seller's proceeds.

Unfortunately, buyer's agents often have the upper hand in FSBO sales, simply because they have more experience with these negotiations. The typical FSBO seller pays more in concessions and sells for about $120,000 less than the median sale price of homes sold through an agent.

You’ll have more control over the sale

In a typical real estate transaction, a listing agent acts as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer's agent. You're often in the dark about what's going on behind the scenes. Listing your home yourself means you know what's going on at every stage of the sale.

You may miss out on leads

Flat fee MLS listings don't always get as many leads as they should. Buyer's agents may caution their clients against pursuing these types of listings because they worry FSBO sellers will be hard to work with or need extra help from the buyer's agent, which could cause a conflict of interest. 

Additionally, MLS rules require a licensed agent to post a listing. So your contact information will only appear in the Agent Remarks section on the MLS — not directly on sites like Zillow and Redfin.

Most of the time, you'll depend on your flat fee broker to forward you inquiries and showing requests. If your flat fee MLS listing agent manages a lot of listings, they may not forward leads promptly, as this Houzeo customer found out.

You can choose the services you need

Most flat fee MLS companies have different packages so you can choose the level of support you need to sell your home.

If you're not in a hurry to sell, you may not need much more than an MLS listing and a way for buyers to get in touch.

If you're on a tighter timeline or don't have much experience with selling real estate, you can choose a plan that features broker assistance with pricing, paperwork, and negotiations. While these plans cost more, they're typically still cheaper than a traditional real estate agent commission.

You'll likely encounter extra fees

Some companies may draw you in with a flat fee offer, only to charge additional fees or a percentage of your sale price at closing. Some may even retain a portion of the buyer's agent commission, which will impact your bottom line.

Some fees aren't necessarily hidden but can quickly add up, like charges for listing edits, price changes, lockboxes, and additional photos. For example, this Houzeo customer found out that they'd have to pay an extra $140 for the ShowingTime app in order to receive showing requests from agents and buyers — which is pretty essential to selling a house.

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7 best flat fee MLS listing services in Massachusetts: Full Breakdown

Entry Only: Best for most FSBO sellers

Pros

  • The company offers competitively priced MLS plans for all types of sellers, including a full-service plan.
  • Entry Only provides live receptionist service 24/7.
  • Optional add-ons and upgrades can help you tailor the package to better fit your needs.

Cons

  • Even customers using the Full Service plan may have to pay extra for a comparative market analysis and combination lock box.

Entry Only fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Basic $399
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 20 photos
  • Listing posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
  • Copy of MLS property flyer
  • Leads forwarding
  • Yard sign ($20 shipping fee)
  • Discount if need to extend listing term
  • Free open house ads
  • Electronic signatures
  • Transaction coordination through closing
Enhanced $699 Basic plan, plus:

  • Contract review
Premium $999 Enhanced plan, plus:

  • Full support, including negotiations, before and after inspections, and advice through closing
Show more

Entry Only provides plans that can fit the needs of all types of sellers, from those with experience to first-time sellers wanting full service at a flat rate fee. All packages include key features that FSBO sellers need, such as a good number of photos, a 6-month listing term (with the ability to extend if necessary at a reduced rate), and more.

The individual add-on services help sellers further customize their plan, if needed. But we recommend customers selecting the Full Service plan to ask if features like the comparative market analysis are included or must be added on.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers reporting an easy process and excellent customer service.

You can terminate anytime without an additional fee.

ISoldMyHouse.com: Best for budget-conscious sellers

Pros

  • The selling process is completed 100% online.
  • ISoldMyHouse.com has an online resource guide to help Massachusetts homeowners with the FSBO process.
  • Both plans allow you to schedule open houses.

Cons

  • The cost of upgrades can quickly add up.
  • The entry-level package only allows for up to 10 photos, which can limit what potential buyers see.

ISoldMyHouse.com fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Get Listed! $299
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 10 photos
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Schedule open houses
  • Online customer support
  • Buyer leads forwarded
  • Selling disclosures and forms
Get Sold! $399 Get Listed! plan, plus:

  • 12-month listing
  • 30 photos
Show more

ISoldMyHouse.com offers two affordable, basic MLS listing-only plans that may work well for budget-conscious sellers. While they have an online resource guide to help FSBO sellers, first-time sellers may need more expert support than these services provide.

Add-on services are available, like a lockbox, custom printed yard sign, or featured listing, but these upgrades can quickly add up.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers experiencing prompt and professional customer service, an easy listing process, and feeling like they got traffic to their listing.

The terms and policies of this service are listed on the website. You can get a refund (minus a $10 credit card processing fee) if the request is placed before the listing is entered on the MLS. Some other exclusions may apply.

Entry Only New England: Best for sellers wanting a longer listing term

Pros

  • The company offers competitively priced MLS-only plans.
  • Standard and Advanced plans include a good number of photos.
  • All listings are on the MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN).

Cons

  • The Basic plan only includes 10 photos.
  • The company does not partner with small niche Cape and Islands MLS or Berkshire MLS.

Entry Only New England fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Basic $397
  • 12-month MLS listing
  • 10 photos
  • Unlimited listing updates
  • Buyers contact you directly
  • MA real estate forms
Standard $547 Basic plan, plus:

  • 30 photos
  • How to Price FSBO guide
  • Buyer's agent commission report
  • Professional marketing flyers
  • MLS listing optimization guide
Advanced $697 Standard plan, plus:

  • 42 photos
  • Realtor.com seller report
  • Online FSBO education course
Show more

Entry Only New England offers three MLS-only listing plans with no direct agent support. While some plans include online guides to help educate FSBO sellers, these plans may be best for sellers with experience selling properties.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers experiencing an easy process and professional, responsive customer service. While the plans do not specify direct agent support, several reviews indicated getting help with questions during the process.

The website doesn't indicate whether there are any cancellation fees if you terminate your listing early.

Landfall Properties, LLC: Best for sellers whose home will likely sell quickly

Pros

  • You can get a basic two-month MLS listing for free.
  • Update photo and data changes quickly (within four hours).
  • If you switch from the Level 2 plan to the Level 3, you receive a $499 credit.

Cons

  • The company doesn't offer pricing help in the flat-fee tiers.
  • You receive no limit consultation on MLS plans only if buying through the company.

Landfall Properties, LLC fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Level 1 Free
  • 2-month MLS listing
  • 40 photos
  • All buyers routed directly to you
  • MLS listing up in 24 hours
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Updates made within 4 hours
  • No limit consultation if buying through them
Level 2 $499
  • 2 year listing term with unlimited delist/list
  • Yard sign
  • All forms/addendums
  • Dedicated website featuring only your home
  • Virtual tour
  • Escrow deposit holding services
  • Use of their office space for closing
  • Realtor.com statistics sent to you
  • Buyer showing feedback emailed
  • Electronic signature service
  • No limit consultation if buying through them
  • 100 business cards with your information
  • Closing statement reviewed for accuracy
  • Switch to Level 3 and get $499 credit
Level 3 1% at closing
  • Full-service support from an agent
  • You provide photos, but they do all other steps
  • Unlimited consultation through closing
  • Home access provided
Show more

Landfall Properties, LLC offers two MLS-only plans and one plan with full agent support from an experienced realtor. The Level 1 plan is free and includes a two-month MLS listing, which can work well for sellers who expect their home to sell quickly.

The company reports no hidden fees and lets you cancel at any time, regardless of the plan you select. That said, be sure to understand the potential for broker's commissions, especially on the Level 1 (free) and Level 2 ($499) plans.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers reporting an easy process, quality customer service, and prompt, professional help.

Houzeo: Best for sellers wanting a national brand

Pros

  • The process is 100% online, which is convenient for many sellers.
  • You can complete and submit paperwork using the Houzeo Mobile app (except for the Bronze package).
  • Unlimited listing changes and open houses are available on most plans (except for the Bronze package).

Cons

  • Call forwarding service isn't available on lower-priced plans.
  • Gold and Platinum plans include a commission fee at closing.
  • Sellers can only receive virtual support from agents.

Houzeo fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Bronze $329
  • 3-month MLS listing
  • 6 photos
  • IntelliList Listing Management
  • Listing changes ($25)
  • Open houses ($25)
  • Custom yard sign ($49)
Silver $399 Bronze plan, plus:

  • 6-month MLS listing
  • Max. photos allowed by MLS
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Unlimited open houses
  • Houzeo mobile app
  • Houzeo Showings
Gold $379 + 0.5% at closing Silver plan, plus:

  • Call forwarding service
  • Custom yard sign
  • Houzeo Offers platform (review and compare offers, counter offer)
  • Federal and state disclosures
  • Rush service
  • Personal concierge
  • Virtual basic service with a licensed real estate broker (contract review, real estate forms)
Platinum $349 + 1% at closing Gold plan, plus:

  • 12-month MLS listing
  • Coming soon marketing
  • Listings on additional MLS
  • Virtual full service with a licensed broker (contract, review, pricing assistance, real estate forms, contract to close consulting)
Show more

Houzeo is a national, proven brand, which may appeal to some sellers. Houzeo’s online platform is streamlined, easy to use, and most plans include a mobile app, which is convenient for sellers. However, be aware that broker support is all completed virtually, and higher-tier plans include a percentage (0.5% or 1%) due at closing in addition to the flat fee.

Online reviews are largely positive, indicating a quality and professional customer service experience. Additionally, the website lists the name and license number of the two agents overseeing listings in Massachusetts, allowing you to research the real estate brokers before signing.

You can cancel your MLS listing anytime as long as it’s not under contract. A $25 termination fee may apply.

Snap Flat Fee: Best for a no-frills flat fee MLS listing

Pros

  • The company offers a competitively priced, no-frills MLS plan.
  • Your listing is active until it's sold.
  • All leads are sent directly to you.

Cons

  • The company takes a 0.2% administrative fee at closing from the offered commission.
  • There's no option to add on agent support.

Snap Flat Fee fees and services

Package Price What’s included
MLS Listing $99
  • Listed until sold
  • Max. photos allowed by MLS
  • Unlimited listing changes
  • Unlimited open house postings
  • Reverse prospecting
  • Lead forwarding
  • You can include a virtual tour or video link
  • Forms, contract, and disclosures
  • Customer service
Show more

Snap Flat Fee offers one MLS listing plan at a low price, which includes basic features like long listing term, maximum photos, and listing on various major real estate websites. This plan may be good for experienced sellers who are looking for a no-frills plan.

That said, Snap Flat Fee does charge a 0.2% administrative fee at closing from the offered commission. This fee is essentially deducted from the commission offered to the other realtors involved, which may be off-putting to some buyer’s agents. If there is no commission, there is no fee.

Online reviews are positive, with most reviewers reporting prompt, responsive customer service and an easy-to-use process. However, a few people did not like that they could only contact the company by email.

You can cancel at any time without being charged a fee, but no refunds are provided.

Flat Fee Group — Jason Saphire: Best for sellers wanting agent support

Pros

  • The company offers competitively priced, no-frills MLS plans.
  • Broker Jason Saphire has years of experience and positive reviews.
  • All packages start with a 6-month listing term, which can be extended for a discounted price if needed.

Cons

  • A Transaction Coordination Fee of 0.1% of the net sales price required at closing to the listing agency.

Flat Fee Group — Jason Saphire fees and services

Package Price What’s included
Basic $299 + 0.1% at closing
  • 6-month MLS listing
  • 20 photos
  • Listing on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
  • Phone and email support
  • Lead forwarding
  • Yard sign panel and stake
  • Discounted renewal fee if need to extend listing
  • Listed within 1 business day
  • Electronic contract signatures
  • Contracts and disclosures
  • 24/7 live receptionist
Enhanced $699 + 0.1% at closing Basic plan, plus:

  • Comparative market analysis
  • Contract review
Premium $999 + 0.1% at closing Enhanced plan, plus:

  • Prepare contracts
  • Assist with negotiations
  • Coach through closing
Show more

Flat Fee Group — Jason Saphire offers three plans with varying levels of agent support, so sellers can select the right type of help that fits their needs. All plans include basic features FSBO sellers need, like a 6-month listing term, up to 20 photos, and leads sent directly to you. The Premium plan is the equivalent of a full-service agent support plan for a flat rate.

That said, all plans include a 0.1% transaction coordination fee that's due to the listing agency at closing, so be sure to factor in that cost.

Online reviews are positive, with reviewers finding the agent support helpful, professional, and prompt. This agent also works with the company Entry Only.

This company has a money-back guarantee that includes a referral to a traditional broker if your property doesn't sell.

Massachusetts flat fee MLS listing services by city

In Massachusetts, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS companies that operate in specific cities. These local companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and area expertise than national brands.

Find Massachusetts flat fee MLS listing services near you

How to list on the MLS by owner Massachusetts

1. Educate yourself on the for sale by owner (FSBO) process

When selling a house by owner in Massachusetts, you take on all the tasks of a licensed real estate agent, including understanding Massachusetts real estate laws and disclosure requirements.

Other responsibilities that fall to FSBO sellers include:

  • Marketing the property
  • Handling showings and open houses
  • Reviewing offers, including contingencies and buyer financing
  • Handling negotiations with buyers or their agents
  • Completing the required paperwork and disclosures
  • Accommodating inspections, appraisals, and information requests
  • Making sure all legal and contractual requirements are met
  • Working with a title and escrow company to coordinate the closing

At some point, you may need to hire additional assistance, like a transaction coordinator or real estate attorney, to help with the paperwork and closing.

2. Find a good flat fee MLS listing service

Flat fee MLS companies range from big, national brands that operate mostly online to smaller brokerages where you'll deal directly with a local listing agent. Before signing a listing agreement, compare service plans and pricing — and talk with customer support or the broker to make sure the company is a good fit.

Ask about the lead forwarding process (whether it's automatic or you have to wait for a broker to forward buyers' contact info to you). Also look at the cancellation policy and any hidden fees, such as an extra percentage taken out of the buyer's agent commission. If you're not happy with the service, you want to be able to cancel the listing quickly and get it pulled from the MLS, so you can move on with a better alternative.

Lastly, read online customer reviews on third-party sites like Google, Trustpilot, Zillow, and Facebook. Ideally, look for reviews posted within the last year to get a sense of the company in its current state.

3. Choose a service package

You have plenty of options when it comes to flat fee MLS service plans, from a no-frills listing to full agent support at a flat fee rate.

At a minimum, you'll want a plan that places your listing on national and local real estate websites, allows for numerous photos (24 or more ideally), includes a 6–12 month listing term, forwards buyer leads in a timely manner, and lets you make changes to your listing for free.

If you know you'll want some additional help, look for companies that provide optional add-on services like pricing assistance, digital forms and disclosures, offer and contract review, and access to a platform like ShowingTime for easy appointment booking and feedback from agents.

Top alternatives to a flat fee MLS listing service in Massachusetts

Sell with a discount broker

The best discount realtors offer the same services as a traditional real estate agent, but at a much more competitive rate — as little as 1–2%.

Some discount brokers even offer flat rates, typically starting at about $5,000.

More discount realtors are becoming available, but not all offer the same level of service, savings, and value. That's why we recommend talking to realtors from a few brokerages before making a decision.

If you want to compare your options in Massachusetts, Clever Real Estate may be a good place to start.

When you request an agent through Clever, you'll receive multiple agent matches from top local brokerages, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. You can compare agents and choose the best one for you.

Clever's agent network includes 19,000 top-performing realtors across the country — who all offer discounted rates through Clever's network. When you sell your home, you'll pay a listing fee of just 1.5% (about half the typical rate).

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 ✅ You'll only pay 1.5% to list your home

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Saving on realtor fees doesn't have to mean sacrificing service. Find a top local agent today!

Try selling 'for sale by owner' without an MLS listing

It’s technically possible to sell your house on your own in Massachusetts without listing it on the MLS. But this method isn't likely to work 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 Massachusetts

How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Massachusetts?

Typically, you should expect to pay about $299–400 for a flat fee MLS entry listing in Massachusetts. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $99 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $999. Additionally, some companies charge a listing agent fee due at closing.

What is the best flat fee MLS listing service in Massachusetts?

The best flat fee MLS Massachusetts company is Entry Only, because it offers competitively priced plans for all types of sellers. Other good options for sellers wanting agent support include Entry Only New England and Flat Fee Group — Jason Saphire. For sellers looking for a basic, low-cost flat fee listing, Snap Flat Fee and ISoldMyHouse.com offer inexpensive plans.

How do I get access to the MLS in Massachusetts?

Only licensed real estate agents have access to the local MLS in Massachusetts. Typically, sellers work with an agent to get their house on the MLS. But to save money in realtor fees, sellers can also list on the MLS for a flat fee by working with one of the best flat fee MLS Massachusetts companies.

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