The best MLS services | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies | Other ways to save on your sale
Whether you’re selling a townhouse in Fargo or a cabin in tthe Red River Valley, 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 Dakota, you’re on the hook for 2.14% to 3.27% 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 Dakota! You'll save thousands on listing fees, while still getting the support you need to sell your home fast AND for top dollar.
» SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just 1.5%
If you’re still interested in finding flat fee MLS listing options in North Dakota, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Peace Garden State.
The 5 best North Dakota flat fee MLS companies
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$425-849
Number of Photos
25-50
Listing Term
1 year
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in North Dakota
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
$425 - Ltd. Service
| $549 + 0.5% at closing or $849 - Full Service
|
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
Cons
- No home valuation included
As of August 10, 2020, Jory Baumbach, the North Dakota Flat Fee Group broker, has a 5-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (1 review).
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199 (+0.5% at closing)
Number of Photos
Listing Term
Listed until sold
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with North Dakota 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 + 0.5% at closing - MLS Listing package
- 1% commission if there’s no buyer’s agent
- Listed on MLS until sold
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Broker assistance
- Transaction guidance
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.
MLS My Home
MLS My HomePrice Range
$49-99
Number of Photos
5-25
Listing Term
6 months
- MLS My Home is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Listings posted on the MLS within 24-48 hours
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (within a required range in some locations, e.g. 2-3%)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Cancel anytime
$49
| $69
|
Available packages, services, and pricing depend on location. Check the website for details about your local options.
Pros
- Cancel anytime
- No commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
Cons
- Limited options and many states
- No built-in home valuation
- May not offer complete coverage in your state
As of August 17, 2020, MLS My Home has an average rating of 2.5/5 based on 280 reviews across Trustpilot, Yelp, and Facebook.
- Trustpilot: 2.6/5 (236 reviews)
- Yelp: 1/5 (18 reviews)
- Facebook: 2.7/5 (26 reviews)
- BBB: F
Note: MLS My Home will refer you to an independent, local broker who’s level of service and customer reviews may vary from MLS My Home’s, so be sure to research the broker before signing a listing agreement.
Fizber
FizberPrice Range
$295-395
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6 months
- Fizber is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Requires that you offer buyer’s agent commission between 1-3%
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
- Fizber also offers an array of free resources and online tools (including home valuations), as well as à-la-carte downloadable forms and guidelines, such as disclosures, contracts, counteroffers, and more
$295 - MLS Boost
| $395 - Premium MLS Boost
|
Fizber also offers two non-MLS listing options:
$0 - Free Listing:
| $95 - Digital Boost
|
Pros
- Basic package includes social media postings — premium package includes target social ads
- Listing appears on MLS within 24 hours of submission
- Refundable up to 30 days
Cons
- Listing expires after 6 months — can renew listing for a discounted rate
- Only 6 photos with basic MLS listing package
- Making changes to your listing may incur additional fees
As of August 5, 2020, Fizber has an average rating of 3.6/5 based on 88 reviews on Trustpilot and has a B- rating on the Better Business Bureau.
ISoldMyHouse.com
iSoldMyHouse.comPrice Range
$299-399
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6-12 months
- ISoldMyHouse.com is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, operated by Get Listed Realty, that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission (recommend 2%-3%)
- Listing is live within 24 hours
- No cancellation fee
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- $299 - Get LISTED
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 or 10 Photos
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and other forms
- Seller-managed ISoldMyHouse.com listing
- $399 - Get SOLD
- Same as Get LISTED package, plus:
- 25 photos
- 12-month listing on MLS (in some states)
A-la-carte services include signs, lockboxes, and more
Additional fees may apply or services may differ if you live in a state with laws about minimum brokerage service requirements.
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- No cancellation fee
- Free online guides and articles for selling a home without a realtor
- Easy social media sharing on all the major platforms
Cons
- The network of affiliate brokers doesn’t cover every county in the country
- Only 6-10 photos in base package
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
As of August 11, 2020, iSoldMyHouse.com has an average rating of 4.1/5 based on 8 reviews on BirdEye and has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in North Dakota?
Typically, you should expect to pay about $200-400 for a flat fee MLS listing in North Dakota. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $49 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $849.
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 2.40% to 3.53% 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 buyer's agent commissions in North Dakota range from 2.14% to 3.27%.
» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in North Dakota
How do I sell by owner in North Dakota?
California 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
You'll share all of this information in the California Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement. Your listing broker will provide this document for you to fill out.
» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in North Dakota
What are the alternatives to using a flat fee MLS service in North Dakota?
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 Dakota.
In North Dakota, 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 it all 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.