The best flat-fee MLS services | Other ways to save | Additional resources
If you’re selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Rochester, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing’s visibility to potential buyers.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in Minnesota is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Rochester homes — which as of May 31, 2021 was $168,333 — that translates to about $5,050.
In contrast, you'll pay between $199 and $2,499 to list your home with flat-fee MLS companies in Rochester. The most basic flat-fee real estate packages will offer little more than a listing on the MLS, but more comprehensive packages could include additional services like help with negotiations and paperwork.
That being said, using a Rochester flat-fee MLS company to sell FSBO comes with additional costs in terms of time, energy, and your final sales price. You'll have to manage your own sale — from scheduling showings to drafting contracts. And, FSBO homes usually sell for 6% less on average than agented properties.
If using a flat-fee MLS company is still the right choice for your sale, we've picked some of the best flat-fee MLS services in Rochester.
But, if you're not ready to sell FSBO, one of your best options is to work with a discount real estate company like Clever. With Clever, you'll only pay 1% or $3,000 to list your home instead of the typical 3%. And, you'll get full-service support from a great Rochester realtor so you can sell for top dollar!
💰 SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just $3,000 or 1%
The best Rochester flat-fee MLS companies
Every Rochester flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating the following options, be sure to read the fine print. Look at things like the length of the listing term, fees to change your listing, how many photos you can add, and more.
» MORE: Find out how to evaluate flat-fee MLS services
Northern Star Realty
Northern Star RealtyPrice Range
$295-395
Number of Photos
20-50
Listing Term
8-12 months
- Northern Star Realty is a licensed, New York real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services in Rochester
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours of receiving your paperwork
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (Northern Star Realty recommends 2.5-3%)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Unlimited, free listing changes
- Unlimited photo changes with Gold MLS package ($20 per change with Silver MLS)
- Cancel anytime
- 100% money-back guarantee if you decide to sell your home with a full-service realtor Northern Star Realty refers you to.
$295 - Silver MLS (not available for homes over $400,000)
| $395 - Gold MLS (not available for homes over $500,000; contact broker for quote)
|
10% discount for active military
Available a-la-carte services include: yard sign, lockbox, virtual tour, CMAs, and more.
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free changes, cancel anytime with no fee
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Silver and Gold packages restricted to homes under $400,000 and $500,000, respectively
Net Realty Now
Net Realty NowPrice Range
$299-1,299
Number of Photos
50-150
Listing Term
6 months
- Net Realty Now is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (Net Realty Now recommends 2%-2.5%)
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
$299 - Flat Fee MLS Package
| $1299 - Full Support Flat Fee Package
|
Online appointment service through Showingtime can be purchased for $50. Full service representation can be added for 3-4% at closing.
Fees may be incurred for excessive photo editing of submitted pictures.
- Pros:
- 50 photos in base package
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
- Cons
- No built-in home valuation
Realmart Realty
Realmart RealtyPrice Range
$395-695
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Realmart Realty is a licensed, New Jersey and New York real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee and low-commission MLS listing services
- Set your own buyer’s agent commision (Realmart recommends 2%-3%)
- Unlimited listing changes, excluding photos
- Listing is live within 24-48 hours of completion of necessary paperwork
- Additional, a-la-carte services include legal advice, more photos, unlimited open house postings, lockboxes, staging consultation, professional photography, additional MLS listing, comparative market analysis (CMA), listing extensions, signs, and flyers
- Money-back guarantee through referral agreement
$395 - Flat Fee MLS Listing Plan
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- 6 photos
- Listing syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com, and more
- For sale sign
- Unlimited listing changes, excluding photos
- All buyer inquiries forwarded to you
$695 + 1% or $3,000 at closing - 1% Professional Agency Plan
- Same as Flat Fee MLS Listing Plan, plus:
- 12-month listing on the MLS, with free 12-month extensions
- Unlimited open houses
- 3D photo and floor model
- 12x7 live customer service with online appointment scheduling
- 1 for sale sign and 8 open house signs
- Digital lockbox
- Professional agent consultation on pricing, clean-up, repair, and staging ideas
- Full paperwork support and legal representation from contract review to closing
- Dedicated professional guidance/coaching on negotiation, inspection, appraisal issues, etc.
Pros
- Buyer inquiries forwarded to you
- Offers money-back guarantee — if you decide to go with a full-service agent and Realmart Realty makes the referral
- Free listing changes (some will require an additional fee)
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or CMA with basic package
- Only 6 photos with basic plan — can upgrade to 25+ for an additional fee
As of August 12, 2020, Realmart has an average rating of 4.4/5 based on 173 reviews across Google and Trustpilot.
- Google: 3.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (159 reviews)
- BBB: A+
National flat-fee MLS services in Rochester
Didn't find a great option in local flat-fee MLS companies? These national brands operate in the Rochester area, too.
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$199-999
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
3 months up to until sold
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in New York
- Set the buyer’s agent commission (broker recommends 2-3% in New York)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Unlimited general changes
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included
$199- Bronze
| $399 - Silver
|
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
Cons
- Free comparative market analysis (CMA) not included with Bronze or Silver plan
As of August 10, 2020, Qizhan "Jack" Yao, the New York Flat Fee Group broker, has a 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (120 reviews).
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199
Number of Photos
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with New York 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 $50
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
$199 - 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 $50
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 August 11, 2020, no third-party reviews exist for Flat Fee Realty. We will update when this information becomes available.
Alternatives to Flat-fee MLS services in Rochester
To sell your home for top price, it’s important to weigh all of your options before making a final decision. A Rochester flat-fee MLS company may make the most sense for your sale, or one of these options may work better.
- The Best Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- What to Know Before Selling to an iBuyer
- How to Sell Your Home to a Cash Buyer
For most sellers, though, working with a company like Clever is the best way to maximize your savings while selling your home for top dollar.