Best MLS services | Other ways to save on your sale | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies
If you’re selling a home in New Jersey, you might be wondering how to lower the cost of realtor fees. These fees can cost as high as 6% of the final sale price.
That’s why some sellers use flat fee MLS companies instead. With a flat fee MLS New Jersey company, you can get your home on the local multiple listing service (MLS) for a flat rate.
While flat fee MLS companies are cheaper than traditional real estate agents, they come with some major downsides.
- You’ll be on your own. Most flat fee listing services offer limited support. If you don't want to do photography, marketing, pricing, negotiations, or staging by yourself, you’ll have to pay extra.
- Your home may sell for less. Without a realtor on your side to negotiate with buyers, you risk selling for a lot less. In fact, homes that don’t have an agent sell for 6% less on average than agent-represented properties.
- You’ll still pay a buyer’s commission. Using a flat fee MLS company only gets you out of paying the listing agent’s fee, not the buyer’s agent commission. In New Jersey, you can expect to pay the buyer's agent 2.12% to 2.88% 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 $3,000 or 1.5%.
Clever is the best alternative to the full DIY approach if you're in New Jersey! You'll save thousands on listing fees, while still getting the support you need to sell your home fast AND for top dollar.
» SAVE: Find top local agents and get a 1.5% listing fee!
If you’re still interested in finding flat fee MLS New Jersey listing options, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst) services in 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 complete all of your paperwork online via the Houzeo app.
Houzeo auto-fills your listing using public data about your property.
You can add additional services, like contract review and agent showings, for an extra fee.
Cons:
Pricing assistance is only available for an extra fee. Many competitors offer this for free.
With Houzeo’s two most popular packages, you get only 10 free changes to the price, status, and description of your listing. Other companies offer free unlimited 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.
Hidden costs of flat fee MLS companies
Working with a flat fee MLS New Jersey company can seem like a great deal, but watch out for hidden fees. We’ve seen companies claim to offer "free" MLS listings, but they end up charging a percentage of the final sale price at closing, costing you thousands of dollars.
Some services charge “closing fees” or “admin fees” on top of the advertised flat fee.
Many companies also offer additional services that you can purchase à la carte. While these fees aren't hidden, the costs are usually steep and add a lot to your final bill.
At a certain point, you may get a better deal by hiring a full-service real estate agent who charges a clear discounted rate.
What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in New Jersey?
Discount and flat fee real estate agents
A discount real estate broker 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 New Jersey.
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.
Clever is an agent-matching service that can match you with a pre-vetted, full-service agent for only 1.5% (with a $3,000 minimum), plus the typical buyer's agent commission.
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 everything yourself!
Selling without an MLS listing
You can try selling your house without listing on the local MLS, but this method is rarely effective. It's usually a realistic option only if you already have a buyer lined up.
If you don't list on the MLS, far fewer buyers will see your home. That's because the MLS is the main directory buyer's agents use to find homes for sale. Plus, MLS listings get syndicated to every major real estate website.
You could settle for free services, like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, but these platforms tend to attract fewer serious buyers.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of a flat fee MLS listing in New Jersey is typically around $400. However, prices can range from as low as $200 for basic plans to as much as $1,000 for premium packages.
Technically you don’t need to offer a buyer’s agent commission, but you should. The buyer’s agent commission gives realtors an incentive to show clients your home. If you don't offer it, you may struggle to attract potential buyers.
The amount you offer for a buyer’s agent commission is your choice. In New Jersey, this commission is usually around 2.12% to 2.88%. But using a flat fee New Jersey MLS broker means you won’t have to pay the listing agent commission, which is typically 2.24% to 3.01%.
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.
The best flat fee MLS New Jersey service is the NJ Real Estate Boutique. It offers extra guidance for inexperienced sellers with its à la carte options. Realmart Realty is another flat fee MLS listing option for sellers who want a customizable MLS package. For sellers looking to sell their homes quickly, Flat Fee Group is a good flat fee listing choice.
The most common way to get your home on the multiple listing service is by working with a New Jersey realtor. Their license gives them access to the MLS. Alternatively, you can work with flat fee MLS New Jersey companies for a fraction of the cost. Flat fee MLS listings appear on the local MLS in the same manner as a listing added by a real estate agent, so your home will show up to most potential buyers in New Jersey.
Flat fee MLS listing companies post your home on the local MLS in New Jersey to increase the visibility of your home to potential buyers. When using flat fee MLS companies, the seller takes on much of the sales process, from marketing to negotiations. Some flat fee MLS New Jersey companies offer additional services to support you in selling your home. For experiences sellers, a flat fee MLS listing without add-ons may be sufficient.