5 Best Texas Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2021

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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 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.
• 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 2.64%-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 agents who work for a low flat fee or 1%. Find a low fee agent near you.

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 The Lone Star State.

The 5 best Texas flat-fee MLS companies*

Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Texas by City

In Texas, 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 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 companies in Houston

We found the flat-fee MLS companies in Houston to be as diverse and the city itself. You can find a basic listing for $45 or more comprehensive services for as much as $1,200.

» EXPLORE: The Best Houston Flat-Fee MLS Companies

Flat-fee MLS companies in Austin

Flat-fee MLS companies 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 companies in Fort Worth

Fort Worth flat-fee MLS companies offer a lot of upgraded packages. We found basic packages for as low as $299 and premium 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 companies in El Paso

No two El Paso flat-fee MLS companies are the same. We saw companies charging as low as $99 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 companies in Dallas

Dallas offers a lot of options for choosing a flat-fee MLS company, depending on how much help you need from a listing broker. You can go for a basic listing for less than $50 or pick a full-service option for nearly $1,200.

» EXPLORE: The Best Dallas Flat-Fee MLS Companies

Flat-fee MLS companies in San Antonio

We found the flat-fee MLS companies in San Antonio to be more limited in their offerings, as a whole. Many of the services that we reviewed just didn't have a lot of add-ons. Still, you can find some low rates, from as little as $45 to nearly $1,200 for a complete listing package.

» EXPLORE: The Best San Antonio Flat-Fee MLS Companies

Flat-fee MLS companies to avoid

Some companies claim to offer flat-rate MLS services but charge "hidden" fees 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 "closing costs" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an up-front flat fee.

We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a "free" MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price.

Paying a percentage of the sale price kills any benefits of using a flat-fee MLS company. At that cost, you'll be better off using a flat-fee broker like Clever for more service and transparent pricing.

Frequently asked questions

How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Texas?

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.

Some flat-fee MLS companies offer services such as photography, paperwork help, and signage a la carte. However, watch out. These add-on services can add up! At that point, you might be better off using a full-service agent who charges a flat or discounted fee to handle everything for you.

» FIND: Full-service agents who don't charge an arm and a leg

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 2.60%-3.00% 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 selling agent commissions in Texas range from 2.64%-3.04%.

» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in Texas

How do I sell by owner in Texas?

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.

» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in Texas

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% — keeping in mind that you usually still have to pay a 2.6–3% buyer’s agent fee.

We’ve reviewed seven national and regional discount brokers that operate in Texas.

Clever offers the lowest rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX. However, if you’re selling a particularly pricey home, the flat fees charged by Door could offer significant savings.

Your Clever Agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but save hours of effort by not having to do it all yourself.

Sign up here.

Clever is a referral service that can match you with a pre-vetted full-service agent for a flat fee of only $3,000 (or 1% if your home is priced above $350,000), plus the typical buyer's agent commission.

Your full-service agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but 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.

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 six iBuyers operating in certain Texas markets. Click below to learn more.