The best MLS services | FAQ about flat-fee MLS companies | Other ways to save on your sale
Whether you're selling an apartment in Salt Lake City or a ranch home in St. George, 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.
- 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 Utah, you’re on the hook for 2.30%-3.06% 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 Utah! 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 Utah, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in The Beehive State.
The 4 best Utah flat-fee MLS companies*
Ari Realty | Intermountain Properties | Utah Broker | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | 0.5% | $99-179 | $500 | $259 |
Money-back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 |
Downloadable forms | ✅ | 💰 | ✅ | 💰 |
For sale sign | ✅ | 💰 | 💰 | 💰 |
Lockbox | ✅ | ❌ | 💰 | ❌ |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | ||||
Ari Realty
Ari RealtyBest For
Sellers seeking a discount agent rather than an independent MLS listing.
Price Range
0.5%
Pros:
- With no upfront fees and no cancellation fees, you can cancel your listing at any time with no financial loss.
- You'll have a specific designated transaction coordinator, essentially a real estate agent lite, who assists you through the entire sale process.
Cons:
- There's no cheaper option to list on the MLS for a flat fee.
- Photography and video services don't seem to be provided, even with the full-service package.
Intermountain Properties
Intermountain PropertiesBest For
Budget-conscious sellers who need a simple, affordable listing.
Price Range
$99-179
Pros:
- Your personal name and contact information is added to the listing, so buyers will always contact you directly.
- Listing details can be changed at any time for free.
Cons:
- There's no support with marketing or photography in any packages.
Utah Broker
Utah BrokerBest For
Sellers who would prefer agent support throughout the listing process.
Price Range
$500
Pros:
- You can modify, pause and restart your listing for free at any time, with no limitations.
- An MLS photo tour with 35 photos is provided in all package options.
- You have access to an online supply store with banners, stands, signs, boxes, etc. for additional fees.
Cons:
- There's a $995 early termination fee if you cancel your listing or sell your home elsewhere.
- Packages don't service all areas of Washington equally, so coverage may vary.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest For
Sellers looking for a lot of a-la-carte options
Price Range
$259
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.
Hidden costs of flat-fee MLS companies
Some companies claim to offer flat-rate 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 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 "admin fees" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an up-front flat fee.
Further, some flat-fee MLS companies offer a 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Utah?
Typically, you should expect to pay about $100-300 for a flat-fee MLS listing in Utah. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $100 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $500.
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 2.30%-3.06% 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 Utah range from 2.30%-3.06%.
» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in Utah
How do I sell by owner in Utah?
Utah 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'll make these disclosures by filling out the Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure. Potential buyers will review this document to make sure the property is free of deal-breaking flaws. You can either get this form from your listing broker or directly from the Utah state legislature.
» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in Utah
What are the alternatives to using a flat-fee MLS service in Utah?
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 four national and regional discount brokers that operate in Utah.
In Utah, 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.
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, 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 one iBuyers operating in certain Utah markets. Click below to learn more.
iBuyer | Utah Market(s) | Fees | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
Opendoor | Salt Lake City | 5% |