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 without breaking the bank.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in the Flour City is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Rochester homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $4,470.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Rochester are in between $199 and $2,499. 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 Rochester 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 Rochester.
Top Rochester Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Northern Star Realty
Northern Star RealtyPrice Range
$295-$395
Number of Photos
20-36
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)
- 8-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 20 Photos
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Unlimited open house announcements
- Printable fact sheets with photos
- State contracts, disclosures, and forms (downloadable)
- $395 - Gold MLS (not available for homes over $500,000; contact broker for quote)
- Same as Silver MLS package, plus:
- 12-month listing on MLS (with free renewal)
- 36 photos
- Weekly personalized marketing report
- For Sale and open house yard signs
- ShowingTime scheduling and feedback system
- Broker assistance when you receive offers
- Prepared net sheet
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
As of January 21, 2020:
- 45-out-of-5-star rating on Google (51 reviews)
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau with a 5-out-of-5-star customer rating (16 reviews)
- Principal broker Robert J. Piazza has a 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (149 reviews)
Net Realty Now
Net Realty NowPrice Range
$299-$2,499
Number of Photos
20
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
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- 20 photos
- Listing syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Homes.com, and more
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
- Comparable sales info on similar properties if available
- No closing fees
- Legal documents to complete transaction
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- $2,499 - Full Service Flat Fee package
- Same as Flat Fee MLS package, plus:
- Unlimited consulting services including marketing advice, contract negotiations, and complete guidance through the entire selling process with a licensed real estate broker
Online appointment service can be purchased for $50
Fees may be incurred for excessive photo editing of submitted pictures
- Pros:
- 20 photos in base package
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
- Cons
- No built-in home valuation
As of January 15, 2020:
- 3-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (2 reviews)
- A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau
- 4.7-out-of-5-star rating for Thomas Hennerty (broker) on Zillow (19 reviews)
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 & Brokers Operating in Rochester
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
6
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 in Rochester
The Rochester real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Redfin, the median sales price rose 13.3% over the past 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