5 Best North Carolina Flat Fee MLS Companies

The best MLS services | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies | Other ways to save on your sale

Whether you're selling a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains or a colonial in the Triangle, 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 agent to handle pricing, photography, paperwork, and negotiations.
• Lower sales price: For sale by owner (FSBO) homes usually sell for significantly less than homes sold by agents — 6% less on average compared to agent-represented properties.
• You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In North Carolina, you’re on the hook for 2.45% to 3.04% 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 1.5%.

Clever is the best alternative to the full DIY approach if you're in North Carolina! 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 listing options in North Carolina, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Tar Heel State.

The 5 best North Carolina flat fee MLS companies*

Carolina Realty Solutions

Carolina Realty Solutions

Best For

Sellers willing to pay for the convenience of an all-in package

Price Range

$375-475

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Includes access to Showingtime, an app Realtors use to schedule showings. Many flat-fee MLS companies either don't offer or charge extra for this service.
• You can extend your listing for up to two years without paying an extra listing fee.
• You'll get both a yard sign and a key lockbox — even with the cheapest package.

Cons:

• Carolina Realty Solutions doesn't currently offer flat fee MLS services to Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Cleveland counties.

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Clickit Realty

Clickit Realty

Best For

Sellers who are still on the fence about FSBO

Price Range

$299-995

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• You'll get all the documents and disclosures you need when selling your property.
• If you decide to hire a full-service real estate agent, Clickit will refer you to a broker and refund your package price at closing.
• Clickit Realty will match a competitor if you find a better price for the same tools and systems.

Cons:

• The basic package includes only three photos while most competitors offer at least six.
• You have to sign up for the Platinum package ($599) before you can post open houses on your MLS listing.

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List With Freedom

List With Freedom

Best For

Experienced sellers who know what services they do and don't need

Price Range

$89-295

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• If you know exactly what you need, you can go with a cheaper package and buy the extras on their own.
• There's no cancellation fee for live listings.
• You can pay a little more for showing and open house assistance.

Cons:

• There's only one photo included in the base package.
• List With Freedom offers no built-in pricing support or home valuation.

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United Brokers LTD

United Brokers LTD

Best For

Budget-conscious sellers who need an affordable basic listing

Price Range

$99-875

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• You can get the basic bundle for cheaper than many other companies if you don't need much additional support from the broker.
• For an extra fee, you can add a virtual tour to your MLS listing.

Cons:

• If you buy the basic package, any changes to your listing cost $10 each, but free changes to your price, status, and description are included in the Standard, Enhanced, and Full-Service bundles.
• You can e-sign forms only if you sign up for the Full-Service bundle ($875).

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Houzeo

Houzeo

Best For

Sellers looking for a lot of a-la-carte options

Price Range

$229-445

Pros & Cons

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.

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Flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina by city

In North Carolina, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS companies that specialize in particular cities. These uber-local companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and to bring more area expertise than the big guys.

Every North Carolina flat fee MLS service is different. Always make sure to read the fine print when evaluating offerings to make sure you're getting a fair deal.

Flat fee MLS companies in Asheville

We found that flat fee MLS companies in Asheville tend to be more limited than other companies around the state. You can expect to pay between $49 and $395 for a complete listing package.

» EXPLORE: The Best Asheville Flat Fee MLS Companies

Flat fee MLS companies in Raleigh

If you're in the Raleigh-Durham area, you'll have several local options for flat fee MLS companies. You can pick the listing package that works best for your property and budget — from simple listings for less than $100 up to premium packages for nearly $1,000.

» EXPLORE: The Best Raleigh Flat Fee MLS Companies

Flat fee MLS companies in Charlotte

Charlotte is North Carolina's largest metro area, bringing a large and diverse selection of flat fee MLS companies as well. You can find packages as low as $49 or more comprehensive packages for as much as $995.

» EXPLORE: The Best Charlotte Flat Fee MLS Companies

Hidden costs of flat fee MLS companies

Some companies claim to offer flat-rate MLS services but charge hidden fees at closing. We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a free MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price 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 "admin fees" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an upfront flat fee.

Further, some flat fee MLS companies offer à la carte services like photography, paperwork help, and signage. These services can reduce some of your DIY work, but watch out. These add-ons can add up!

At a certain point, you may be better off finding a full-service agent who charges a clear and upfront discounted rate.

What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in North Carolina?

Discount and flat fee real estate agents

Discount real estate brokers 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 North Carolina.

In North Carolina, Clever offers low rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.

Clever matches home sellers like you with pre-vetted, full-service agents for only a 1.5% listing fee. That's half the rate agents typically charge, letting you keep thousands more in your pocket when your home sells.

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

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.

iBuyers

iBuyers are companies that buy homes for cash outright at what they claim are market prices. When you sell to an iBuyer, you could have a preliminary offer in as little as 24 hours.

The major downside of selling to an iBuyer is that these companies make money by charging steep service fees — typically 5–14% of the purchase price. So they're a good alternative only for sellers more concerned with convenience and speed than costs.

There are currently four iBuyers operating in certain North Carolina markets. Click below to learn more.

Frequently asked questions