The best flat fee MLS services | Other ways to save | Additional resources
If you’re selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Philadelphia, 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 Pennsylvania is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Philadelphia homes — which as of July 31, 2023 was $337,500 — that translates to about $10,125.
In contrast, you'll pay between $399 and $1,399 to list your home with flat fee MLS companies in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.
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 1.5% to list your home instead of the typical 3%. And you'll get full-service support from a great Philadelphia realtor so you can sell for top dollar!
💰 SAVE: List with a full-service agent for just 1.5%
The best Philadelphia flat fee MLS companies
Every Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia FSBO
Philadelphia FSBOPrice Range
Number of Photos
Listing Term
- Philadelphia FSBO is a for sale by owner property advertising service that partners with local realtors to offer MLS/marketing services for a flat fee
- Retain right to sell FSBO
- Internet and physical advertising included with purchase
- Specialized ad distributed on your behalf
- Free cancellation at any time
$398.50 - Standard
- 6-month listing on the MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com and local realty websites
- 5.5 months of FSBO advertising services
- Free yard sign
- 1 Photo
- Free listing cancellation
Pros
- Free cancellations
- Specialty marketing and advertising services
- Free yard sign
Cons
- Only 1 Photo - difficult to showcase interior of property
- Company does not specialize in real-estate transactions, and does not offer a free alternative for consultations
- No CMA/market analysis provided
N/A — as of August 12th, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Philadelphia FSBO. We will update when this information becomes available.
Simple Choice Realty
Simple Choice RealtyPrice Range
Number of Photos
Listing Term
- Simple Choice Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS services, operating throughout most of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
- Listings typically go live on MLS within one business day
- Cancel anytime with no fee
- Required state disclosures included
- Free listing changes
- Requires buyer’s agent commission of at least 2% (but no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer)
- Additional agent assistance included in premium packages
$399 - MLS Listing Only
|
$699 - Contract Review
$1,999 - Negotiation Assistance
|
Additional, a-la-carte options include: 12-month listing on MLS, customized sign, combination lockboxes, adding of your contact info on Zillow, Realtor.com Weekly Report, expedited listing (entered on the MLS same business day), listing on multiple MLSs
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free MLS listing changes
- No buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Additional assistance from a licensed agent (in premium packages)
Cons
- Minimum 2% buyer’s agent commission required
- Does not cover all of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
As of August 11, 2020, Simple Choice Realty has an average rating of 5/5 based on 29 reviews on Zillow, as well as an A rating on Angie's List.
- Zillow: 5/5 (29 reviews)
- Angie's List: A
National flat fee MLS services in Philadelphia
Didn't find a great option in local flat fee MLS companies? These national brands operate in the Philadelphia area, too.
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
Number of Photos
Listing Term
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in Pennsylvania
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included
$399 - Premium
|
$699 - Contract Review
$1,999 - 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 (except Full Service package)
As of August 10, 2020, Christopher Carr, the Pennsylvania Flat Fee Group broker, has a 5-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (24 reviews).
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
Number of Photos
Listing Term
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Pennsylvania brokers and agents who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Draft your listing, upload photos, set your price, and sign MLS contracts via Houzeo’s online dashboard
- Autofills listing details using publicly available info about your home to expedite the listing process
- Home valuation not included in service
- Does not require that you offer buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
$250 - Bronze
$299 - Silver
|
$399 - Gold
|
Pros
- Free cancellation anytime (no refunds)
- Freedom to specify any buyer’s agent commission
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours
Cons
- Limited coverage in rural areas
- “Free changes” only apply to listing’s price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 10, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
Number of Photos
Listing Term
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia
To sell your home for top price, it’s important to weigh all of your options before making a final decision. A Philadelphia 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.
Want to find a top local agent without overpaying on realtor fees? Clever negotiates 1.5% listing fees with top-rated realtors from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Get guaranteed full service for a fraction of the 3% rate agents typically charge. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a top local agent today!
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