If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Texas, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing's visibility without breaking the bank.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in the The Lone Star State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Texas homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $7,410.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Texas are in the $45 to $1,195 range. The most basic plans can be as low as $50 to $99, while more comprehensive services range upwards of $1,000 to $3,000.
It's important to remember that every Texas flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating offerings, be sure to read the fine print: look at things like the length of the listing term (and how much it costs to extend); whether there's a fee to make changes to your listing; how many photos are allowed; the policy on buyer's agent commission; and more.
>> LEARN more about flat-fee MLS services and how to evaluate them.
To help you make the right choice, Clever has picked some of the top flat-fee MLS services across the state of Texas.
Top Texas Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
EDITOR'S NOTE: Clever doesn't offer a basic flat-fee MLS-only service, so we've compiled objective overviews of local companies that do based on publicly available data. We do offer a free service that lets you work with top-rated realtors for a reduced, flat fee — you can check it out (and read reviews) here.
Congress Realty
Congress RealtyPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
4
Listing Term
6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- Congress Realty is a licensed brokerage in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Free comparative market analysis (upon request)
- You set buyer’s commission (Congress Realty recommends 3%)
- Listings typically go live in 1 business day
- Free, unlimited changes
- Your phone number displayed on the MLS listing
- $299
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 4 photos
- Downloadable contracts, addendums, and disclosure forms
- ShowingTime showing scheduling and feedback service
A-la-carte services include: more photos, open house advertisements, listing renewals, professional photography, yard signs, lockbox, and more.
Pros
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find the buyer
- Free, unlimited changes
- Wide variety of a-la-carte services
- Home buyer rebates if you buy with Congress Realty (in states where available)
Cons
- May not cover every part of your state
- Fewer photos than other comparable flat-fee MLS services
As of January 14, 2020:
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (9 reviews)
- 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (17 reviews)
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
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Creekview Realty
Creekview RealtyPrice Range
$495-$1,195
Number of Photos
Unlimited
Listing Term
6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- Creekview realty is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in MLS listings and other for sale by owner (FSBO) services across Texas
- Also offers full-service, flat-fee representation
- Listings can be posted on the same day if they are properly submitted before 11am (weekdays only)
- Cancel any time without penalty (no refunds)
- $495 - Plan A
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Maximum number of photos allowed by MLS
- Creekview Realty yard sign and lockbox
- CSS scheduling service
- Legal forms (downloads)
- $1,195 - Plan B
- Same as Plan A, plus:
- Full representation (dedicated agent to advise and represent you in negotiations and necessary paperwork)
- A-la-carte services:
- Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) - $100
- Electronic Lockbox - $100 deposit
- Professional Photographer - $175
- Flyer Box - $25
Pros
- Legal forms included with package
- No fee to change listing description or pictures
- Free yard sign with basic package
Cons
- Entry-level package pricier than similar flat-fee MLS listing services
- No built-in home valuation
- The only option for listing term is 6 months
As of January 10, 2020:
- 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on Google (68 reviews)
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (47 reviews)
- 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on Facebook (18 reviews)
- 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on BirdEye (90 reviews)
- A rating on Better Business Bureau with 5-out-of-5-star rating (6 reviews)
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FlatFeeByYou
FlatFeeByYOUPrice Range
$45 - $295
Number of Photos
Max. allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6-12 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- FlatFeeByYOU is a licensed texas real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing service
- Includes a comparative market analysis (CMA) in basic package
- Status/description updates and price changes allowed in higher-tiered packages
- Cancel anytime — refund available if you haven’t yet signed your listing agreement
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
- Avoid paying buyer’s agent commission if you bring in your own buyer
- 24-hour turnaround to get you listed on the MLS
- $45 - Basic
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Unlimited photos (up to the maximum allowed on the MLS)
- Free comparative market analysis
- Phone, SMS and email support
- $95 - Best
- Same as Basic package, plus:
- An additional 6 months on your listing (12 months total)
- Free broker consultation
- Unlimited status updates
- Unlimited description updates
- Unlimited price changes
- Yard sign
- Form support
- For lease listings
- $295 - Premium
- Same as Best package, plus:
- A professional photoshoot
Pros
- Cancel anytime with no fee — refunds available if no listing agreement signed
- CMA included with basic package
- Changes and updates included in higher-tiered packages
Cons
- Doesn’t offer full coverage in Texas — see website for details on specific MLS access
- Lockbox not included
- Photo assistance only available in Premium package
As of February 19, 2020:
- 4.3-out-of-5-star rating on Google reviews (19 reviews)
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (1 review)
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Facebook (2 reviews)
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TexasMLSBroker.com
TexasMLSBroker.comPrice Range
$175-$399
Number of Photos
10-50
Listing Term
6-18 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- TexasMLSBroker.com is a real estate brokerage that offers flat-fee MLS listing services to for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers across the state of Texas
- Listings go live within 2 business days
- Same-day listing option for additional $100
- $175 - Standard MLS
- 6-month listing term on MLS and Realtor.com
- Syndicated to hundreds of other sites, including Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com
- Local realtor sites included
- 10 photos
- Cancel anytime (unless under contract)
- Includes your phone / email in MLS listing
- Agents can contact you directly
- Online broker support
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (2-3%)
- $280 - Premium MLS
- Same as Standard MLS, plus:
- 12-month listing term on MLS and Realtor.com
- 50 photos (or max allowed by your local MLS)
- Contract and state disclosures provided
- Includes home valuation (comparative market analysis)
- Contract review (via email)
- $399 - Showcase
- Same as Standard MLS, plus:
- 18-month listing term on MLS and Realtor.com
- Pay at Closing Option $899 — rather than pay upfront you can elect to pay only if and when you close (higher fee)
Pros
- Will answer questions and offer guidance via email, per minimum service requirements
- No fee for changes to listing — listings are updated within 24 hours of request
- Exclusive agency agreement lets you retain the right to sell “by owner” and avoid a buyer’s agent fee
- Cancel listing at any time (if not under contract) with no fee — no refunds
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
Cons
- No initial refund period
- No built-in home valuation
As of January 8, 2020 has the following online reviews::
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on U.S. Directory of Real Estate (17 reviews)
- 3-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (2 reviews)
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National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Texas
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$275-$395
Number of Photos
6-24
Listing Term
3 to 6 months
Description
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Reviews
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Texas 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
- $275 - Bronze
- 3-month listing on MLS
- 6 Photos
- $25 for each listing change
- Syndicated to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and more
- $325 - Silver
- 6-month listing on MLS
- 24 Photos
- Syndicated to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and more
- 10 free listing changes
- Open Houses included in 10 free changes
- Select and communicate with Escrow Agent
- $395 - Gold
- Same as Silver plan, plus:
- Federal and state disclosures forms
- eFile Federal & State Disclosures
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 listings price, status, and property description
- $10 for additional changes
- $30-50 for changes to photos and additional open houses
As of January 1, 2020:
- 4.7-out-of-5-star rating on Google (15 reviews)
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Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Texas
The Texas real estate market is steady. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 3.3% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 3.8% in 2020. To realize your home's full value (or ideally more), it's important to weigh all of your options for selling before making a final decision.
- Flat-Fee Real Estate Agents
- Discount Real Estate Agents
- Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- 1% Commission Real Estate Agents
- Sell to an iBuyer