The best MLS services | Other ways to save on your sale | FAQs about flat fee MLS companies
Whether you're selling a modern condo in downtown San Antonio or a spacious ranch house outside Abilene, 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 local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) — the main place where realtors find homes to show their clients — in exchange for a small one-time flat 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 Texas, you’re on the hook for 2.40% to 3.35% 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 Texas! 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 Texas, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst) services in The Lone Star State.
The 5 best Texas flat fee MLS companies*
Congress Realty | Creekview Realty | FlatFeeByYou | TexasMLSBroker.com | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | $299 | $495–1,195 | $45–295 | $175–399 | $275–399 |
Money-back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ❌ | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 |
Downloadable forms | ❌ | ✅ | 💰 | ✅ | ✅ |
For sale sign | 💰 | ✅ | 💰 | 💰 | 💰 |
Lockbox | 💰 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | 💰 |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | |||||
Congress Realty
Congress RealtyBest For
Sellers who want a lot of a-la-carte options
Price Range
$299
Pros:
- Congress Realty has a phone system that forwards any phone calls about your listing directly to you.
- You can request a free Comparative Marketing Analysis if you want a better idea of what homes in your area have sold for recently.
Cons:
- Congress Realty costs a lot more than competitors with similar MLS packages.
- You have to pay an extra $50 if you want more than four photos in your listing.
Creekview Realty
Creekview RealtyBest For
Sellers who might still sign with a full-service broker.
Price Range
$495
Pros:
- Your listing comes with a yard sign and key lock box — features most companies charge extra for.
- You can upgrade to a flat fee full service plan with the same company.
Cons:
- The entry level package is more expensive than similar MLS listings from other companies.
- The company doesn't provide much information about how many photos you can add to your listing or how often you can make changes to it.
FlatFeeByYou
FlatFeeByYouBest For
Budget-conscious sellers who want the best bang for their buck
Price Range
$45-295
Pros:
- The Basic Package ($45) doesn't include a lot of extras, but it's one of the most affordable options we've seen.
- If you upgrade to the Best Package ($95), you'll get free consultations with the broker who may be able to help you improve your listing.
Cons:
- The Basic Package doesn't include free status and description updates.
- You have to pay extra if you need help making sure you get all your forms and disclosures right.
TexasMLSBroker.com
TexasMLSBroker.comBest For
Sellers who expect their property to sell quickly
Price Range
$175-899
Pros:
- You can get support from the listing broker entirely online.
- If you go with the Showcase Listing, you have the option to pay at closing if you don't want to pay an up front fee — it will cost quite a bit more ($899), though!
Cons:
- The standard listing doesn't include contract and disclosure forms.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Sellers looking for a lot of a-la-carte options
Price Range
$275-399
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.
Texas flat fee MLS listing services by city
In Texas, you'll also find some smaller flat fee MLS listing services that specialize in particular cities. These uber-local companies are more likely to offer flexible flat fee service packages and bring more area expertise than the big guys.
Every Texas 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 services in Houston
We found the flat fee MLS listing services in Houston to be as diverse as the city itself. You can find a basic MLS listing for a $45 flat fee or more comprehensive services for as much as $1,200 to list on the Houston MLS.
» EXPLORE: The Best Houston Flat Fee MLS Companies
Flat fee MLS services in Austin
Flat fee MLS listing services are more limited in Austin than in other cities — we didn't find many services that offered valuable add-ons. You can expect to pay between $45 and $2,000 to list your home.
» EXPLORE: The Best Austin Flat Fee MLS Companies
Flat fee MLS services in Fort Worth
Fort Worth flat fee MLS listing services offer a lot of upgraded packages. We found basic packages for as low as $299 and premium flat fee listing plans for $1,195, with the option to add on even more.
» EXPLORE: The Best Fort Worth Flat Fee MLS Companies
Flat fee MLS services in El Paso
No two El Paso flat fee MLS companies are the same. We saw companies charging as low as $99 for a basic package all the way up to $399 plus 0.75% of your sale price.
» EXPLORE: The Best El Paso Flat Fee MLS Companies
Flat fee MLS services in Dallas
Dallas offers a lot of options for choosing a flat fee MLS listing service, depending on how much help you need from a listing broker. You can go for a basic listing for less than a $50 flat fee or pick a full-service option for nearly $1,200.
» EXPLORE: The Best Dallas Flat Fee MLS Companies
Flat fee MLS services in San Antonio
We found the flat fee MLS listing companies in San Antonio to be more limited in their offerings. Many of the services we reviewed didn't have a lot of add-ons. Still, you can find some low rates, from as little as $45 for a basic package to nearly $1,200 for a complete listing package.
» EXPLORE: The Best San Antonio Flat Fee MLS Companies
Hidden costs of flat fee MLS listing services
Some services claim to offer flat fee 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 hidden fees 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 Texas MLS broker you're considering. 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 Texas?
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 six national and regional discount real estate brokers that operate in Texas.
In Texas, 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 Texas 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 at what they claim is fair market price. 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 six iBuyers operating in certain Texas markets. Click below to learn more.
iBuyer | Texas markets | Fees | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
Offerpad | Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio | 6–10% | |
Opendoor | Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio | 5% | |
Zillow Offers | Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio | 7–7.5% | |
Knock | Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio | 1.25% + variable charges | |
RedfinNow | Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio | 6–12% | |
Orchard | Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio | 6% |
Frequently asked questions about Texas flat fee MLS companies
Typically, you should expect to pay about $200-400 for a flat fee MLS listing in Texas. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $45 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $1,200.
We strongly recommend offering a commission to the buyer's agent. This will incentivize agents to bring their clients to your home. With a flat fee Texas MLS broker, you'll still save money by not paying commission to a listing agent (typically 2.23% to 3.19% of the sale price).
How much to offer a buyer's agent is up to you, but their commission in Texas typically ranges from 2.40% to 3.35%.
Texas 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 can download the required seller's disclosure notice directly from the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Yes, the multiple listing service will have the most accurate information. The Texas MLS will only show residential and commercial properties that are currently active on the market. Zillow tends to keep properties listed as available after they have been sold.
The multiple listing service (MLS) is the primary directory of homes for sale and is used by Texas real estate agents and sites like Zillow. Various types of residential and commercial properties are searchable in the MLS. Only real estate agents or flat fee brokers operating in the state of Texas with a real estate license can add listings to the Texas MLS listing service.
While a Texas MLS flat fee service can save you money on a listing agent fee, you might not save in the long run, since sales without a realtor tend to be lower. Listing your home FSBO also means you're responsible for most of the selling tasks. Make
sure you're up for the job before listing with a flat fee Texas MLS broker.
Congress Realty is our top choice out of the flat fee MLS listing services in Texas. It gives you unlimited listing updates, forwards calls about your listing directly to you, and provides you with a free comparative market analysis. Other good Texas MLS flat fee brokers are Creekview Realty, which has an attractive full-service option, and FlatFeeByYou, which is good for budget-conscious sellers. Find the best flat fee MLS Texas companies near you!
You can get your home listed on the local Texas MLS by either listing your house with a listing agent or using a flat fee MLS listing service. A flat fee MLS brokerage lists your house on the local MLS for a flat fee. This option is suited to DIY sellers, although most MLS companies offer additional services, such as yard signs, lockboxes, and pricing consultation, for an additional fee. Learn more about how Texas flat fee MLS companies work.
A flat fee Texas MLS broker changes a flat fee to post your property to the multiple listing service — something you’d otherwise need a licensed real estate agent to do for you. Flat fee MLS companies are best for experienced sellers who are comfortable taking on most of the responsibilities of a realtor. However, most flat fee MLS companies offer additional support, such as help with legal forms and contract reviews, either for an extra fee or as part of a premium package. Find out more about flat fee MLS companies.