The best MLS services | FAQ | Alternatives
Whether you're selling a Secaucus condo or a Burlington County bungalow, 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 local agent to handle pricing, photography, paperwork, and negotiations.
- You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In New Jersey, you’re on the hook for 2.28%-2.68% 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 agents who work for a low flat fee or 1%. Find a low fee agent near you.
If you’re still interested in finding flat-fee MLS listing options in New Jersey, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in the The Garden State.
The 5 best New Jersey flat-fee MLS companies*
NJ Real Estate Boutique | Realmart Realty | Flat Fee Group | Houzeo | Flat Fee Realty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | $395-995 | $395 | $199-999 | $225-399 | $199 |
Money-back guarantee | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 | ✅ |
Downloadable forms | 💰 | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 | ✅ |
For sale sign | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ |
Lockbox | 💰 | 💰 | 💰 | 💰 | ❌ |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | |||||
New Jersey Real Estate Boutique
New Jersey Real Estate BoutiqueBest For
Inexperienced sellers who want a little extra guidance from the listing broker
Price Range
$395-995
Pros:
- The basic listing includes a for sale sign with a 1-888-number that forwards calls directly to your phone number. Many flat fee MLS companies charge extra for signs and automatic call forwarding.
- You can post as many open houses as you want on the MLS without paying extra.
- You can add a la carte options like professional photography and home staging if you don't want to upgrade to the agent-assisted flat fee MLS plan ($995).
Cons:
- The money-back guarantee becomes void once your listing goes live on the MLS (usually within 48 hours after you turn in your listing forms).
Realmart Realty
Realmart RealtyBest For
Sellers looking for a lot of a-la-carte options
Price Range
$395
Pros:
- You can choose from a lot of different a la carte options, like lockboxes, professional photography, and yard sign upgrades.
- If you decide to go with a full-service broker, you can get a full refund when you sign with someone Realmart referred you to.
Cons:
- You'll have to pay extra if you want to change any photos after your listing is live on the MLS.
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupBest For
Sellers who are confident their property will sell quickly
Price Range
$199-999
Pros:
- You can choose a timeframe that fits how quickly you think your property will sell. Packages include three month, six month, 12 month, and unlimited time listings.
- If you don't need a very in-depth listing, the bronze package is cheaper ($199) than most other New Jersey flat fee MLS companies. It comes with only six photos and a three month duration.
Cons:
- You have to sign up for the Platinum plan ($999) if you want any extra guidance like contract reviews and negotiation advice from the listing broker.
- You have to pay extra to see nearby sales comps that could help you choose a listing price.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Tech savvy sellers who want to manage their listing entirely online
Price Range
$225-399
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 Realty
Flat Fee RealtyBest For
Budget-conscious sellers who need a simple, affordable listing
Price Range
$199
Pros:
- Your listing comes with all the state seller's disclosures that you'll need.
- You can pay a little more to post up to 25 photos on the MLS instead of the standard six.
Cons:
- Flat Fee Realty doesn't offer any pricing or contract assistance.
- The company won't be your listing broker. Instead, they'll refer you to a New Jersey-based broker who will list your property. If you have problems or questions, you'll end up talking to two companies instead of just one.
Flat-fee MLS companies to avoid
Some companies claim to offer flat-rate MLS services but charge "hidden" fees 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 "closing costs" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an up-front flat fee.
We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a "free" MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price.
Paying a percentage of the sale price kills any benefits of using a flat-fee MLS company. At that cost, you'll be better off using a flat-fee broker like Clever for more service and transparent pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in New Jersey?
Typically, you should expect to pay about $400 for a flat-fee MLS listing in New Jersey. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $200 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $1,000.
Some flat-fee MLS companies offer services such as photography, paperwork help, and signage a la carte. However, watch out. These add-on services can add up! At that point, you might be better off using a full-service agent who charges a flat or discounted fee to handle everything for you.
» FIND: Full-service agents who don't charge an arm and a leg
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 2.49%-2.89% 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 selling agent commissions in New Jersey range from 2.28%-2.68%.
» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in New Jersey
How do I sell by owner in New Jersey?
New Jersey real estate laws require sellers to disclose all 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
The New Jersey Association of REALTORS® uses the Seller's Property Condition Disclosure Statement to document all this information. You can either get the form from your listing agent or download it for free.
» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in New Jersey
What are the alternatives to using a flat-fee MLS service in New Jersey?
Discount and flat-fee real estate agents
Discount real estate brokers will list your property for as little as 1% — keeping 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 New Jersey.
Clever offers the lowest rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX. However, if you’re selling a particularly pricey home, the flat fees charged by Houwzer could offer significant savings.
Your Clever Agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but save hours of effort by not having to do it all yourself.
Clever is a referral service that can match you with a pre-vetted full-service agent for a flat fee of only $3,000 (or 1% if your home is priced above $350,000), plus the typical buyer's agent commission.
Your full-service agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but save hours of effort by not having to do it all yourself.
Ready to start saving?
Learn more and match with top agents. It's free with no obligation!
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.