If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Grand Rapids, 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 River City is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Grand Rapids homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $6,030.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Grand Rapids are in between $249 and $1,499. Nationwide, 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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids.
Top Grand Rapids Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Modern Way Realty
Modern Way RealtyPrice Range
$295-$595
Number of Photos
25
Listing Term
12 months
- Modern Way Realty is a licensed, Michigan real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is live within 24 hours of purchase
- 100% paperless; all required paperwork is generated online
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited listing price and status changes
- No cancellation fee
- $295 - Basic package
- 12-month listing on the MLS
- 25 photos
- Listing syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Online appointment service
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited listing price and status changes; changes to photos or description once posted to MLS are an additional fee
- Real estate forms and disclosures
- Personal property page
- No cancellation fee
- $595 - Full-Service package
- Same as Basic package, plus:
- Yard sign with brokerage name
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Open house postings on MLS
- Virtual tour
- Printable color flyer
- Full agent support with offers, negotiations, paperwork, and escrow
A-la-carte services include lockboxes, CMAs, and yard signs
Pros
- 25 photos in base package
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
Cons
- No yard sign in Basic package
- No built-in home valuation
As of January 15, 2020:
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (60 reviews)
The Flat Fee Pros
The Flat Free ProsPrice Range
$349-$1,499
Number of Photos
15-50
Listing Term
6 months to unlimited
- The Flat Fee Pros is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Built-in comparative market analysis (not with the basic package)
- You set the buyer’s agent commission (The Flat Fee Pros recommends 2-2.5%)
- Listing goes live in 2-3 business days (same-day Express Listing Service available for additional $49)
- Free listing changes
- Buyer’s agents can contact you directly or leads will be forwarded to you
- $349 - Basic
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, local real estate sites, and more
- 15 photos
- Printable color flyer
- Yard sign
- Up to 3 open houses
- Buyer lead forwarding
- Combo lockbox
- $399+0.5% at closing - Bronze
- Same as Basic package, plus:
- 12-month listing on MLS
- Up to 25 photos
- Unlimited open houses
- ShowTime app for showing scheduling
- Contracts, addendums, and disclosures
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Phone and email support
- $749 - Silver
- Same as Bronze package, plus:
- Listing on MLS until home sells
- Up to 50 photos
- Offer processing and negotiations
- $999 - Gold
- Same as Silver package, plus:
- QR code on your yard sign
- Digital signatures
- $1,499 - Ultimate
- Same as Gold package, plus:
- Drone photography
- Rush services
Pros
- Free listing changes
- No buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer inquiries are forwarded to you
- Additional assistance from a licensed agent (in premium packages)
- Your number listed on yard sign
Cons
- No phone or email support with Basic plan
- No CMA or pricing guidance with Basic plan
- No forms or contracts with Basic plan
- N/A — as of January 13, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Flat Fee Pros. We will update when this information becomes available.
Kermath Realty
Kermath RealtyPrice Range
$299-$999
Number of Photos
25-50
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Kermath Realty is a licensed, Michigan real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Listing is live within 24-48 hours of completion of necessary paperwork
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Listing documents and forms available for download
- Cancel listing anytime
- $299 - Basic MLS package
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- 25 photos
- Listing syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Printable color flyer
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- For sale sign
- $399 - Limited Plus package
- Same as Basic MLS package, plus:
- 12-month listing on the MLS
- 35 photos
- Contracts, addendums, and disclosures
- Up to 3 open house postings
- Lockbox
- $799 - Full Service package
- Same as Limited Plus package, plus:
- Listed until sold
- 50 photos
- Phone/Email support
- Pull sold comparables
- Offer negotiation and processing
- $999 - Full Service Ultra package
- Same as Full Service package, plus:
- QR code on your yard sign
- Digital signatures
A-la-carte services available include “For Lease” options, professional photography, lockbox, market analysis, open houses, yard signs, 12-month listing extension, and same-day rush
Pros
- 25 photos in Basic package
- Cancel anytime
Cons
- No built-in listing changes
- No built-in home valuation
As of January 14, 2020:
- 3.2-out-of-5-star rating on Google (24 reviews)
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (33 reviews)
- 3-out-of-5-star rating on Facebook (4 reviews)
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Grand Rapids
FSBO.com
FSBO.comPrice Range
$399.95
Number of Photos
Up to 40
Listing Term
6 months
- FSBO.com is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with licensed brokerage MLSmart Realty, LLC. MLSmart Realty then refers you to a regional Michigan broker who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (FSBO.com recommends 2-3%)
- Edit or cancel anytime (may include an additional fee)
- $399.95 - Michigan Flat Fee MLS
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Up to 40 MLS photos
- FSBO.com Listing
- Unlimited photos on FSBO.com
- Video Upload on FSBO.com
Pros
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
Cons
- Only one package to choose from
- No home valuation included
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 Michigan broker before signing a listing agreement.
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$249
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 Michigan 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
- $249 - 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)
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 6.9% over the past year and is expected to increase by 5.2% in the next year. 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