If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Austin, 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 Live Music Capital of the World is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Austin homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $9,300.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Austin are in between $45 and $1,195. Nationwide, 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 Austin 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 Austin.
Top Austin Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Crawford Realty Inc
Crawford Realty LLCPrice Range
$550 + $1,000 at closing
Number of Photos
N/A - information not available
Listing Term
6 months
- Crawford Realty LLC is a licensed, Texas real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- You set buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is live within 48 hours
- No cancellation fee
- Contract negotiations
- Comparable market analysis (CMA)
- $550 + $1,000 at closing - Flat Fee package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- No cancellation fee
- Contract negotiations
- Comparable market analysis (CMA)
- Lockbox
- Yard sign
Crawford Realty also offers a 1% listing package for the same items included in the Flat Fee package
Pros
- Comparable market analysis (CMA)
- No cancellation fee
- Contract negotiations
Cons
- Transaction fee of $1,000 at closing
- No information available regarding the number of photos on the MLS
As of January 21, 2020:
- 5-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp (6 reviews)
- 4.7-out-of-5-star rating on Google (13 reviews)
Creekview Realty
Creekview RealtyPrice Range
$495-$1,195
Number of Photos
Unlimited
Listing Term
6 months
- 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)
FlatFeeByYou
FlatFeeByYOUPrice Range
$45 - $295
Number of Photos
Max. allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6-12 months
- 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)
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Austin
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$275-$395
Number of Photos
6-24
Listing Term
3 to 6 months
- 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)
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
- 6-month listing on MLS
- 6 photos
- Featured listing on Fizber.com plus unlimited photos
- Open House Manager Tool
- Listing on Redfin, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia
- Social media sharing
- $395 - Premium MLS Boost
- Same as MLS Boost, plus:
- 25 photos
- Social media sharing, plus Facebook and Instagram Ads
Fizber also offers two non-MLS listing options:
- $0 - Free Listing:
- Unlimited photos on Fizber.com
- $95 - Digital Boost
- Same as Free Listing, plus:
- Featured Listing
- Open House Manager Tool
- Listing on Redfin
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 January 1, 2020:
- B- rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 2.25-out-of-5-star rating from customers (12 reviews)
- 3.5-out-of-5-star rating on Trustpilot (82 reviews)
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Austin
The Austin real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 5% over the past year and is expected to increase by 4.5% in the next year. 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