If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Virginia Beach homes, as of January 2020, that translates to about $6,900.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Virginia Beach are in between $99 and $2,995. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.
Top Virginia Beach Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Southerland Real Estate
Southerland Real EstatePrice Range
$495-4,995 (+$99 transaction fee at closing)
Number of Photos
N/A - information not available
Listing Term
N/A - information not available
- Southerland Real Estate is a licensed, Virginia real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services in Hampton Roads
- Listing is typically live on MLS within 48 hours
- Set your own buyer’s commission
- Money-back guarantee available for Basic and Agent Assist packages
- Built-in property valuation report, staging advice, for sale sign, and lockbox
- Additional $99 transaction fee due when house sells
$495 (+$99) - Basic Package
| $4,995 (+$99) - Luxury Listing Package
|
Pros
- Offers money-back guarantee if you decide to list with a full-service agent referred by Southerland Real Estate
- Property valuation report, staging advice, and professional photography included in base package
Cons
- Additional $99 transaction fee is due at closing
- Website is not clear regarding listing terms and number of photos on your listing
As of August 10, 2020, Steve Southerland (principal broker) has an average rating of 5/5 based on 78 reviews across Zillow and Realtor.com
- Zillow: 5/5 (61 reviews)
- Realtor.com: 5/5 (17 reviews)
Cottage Street
Cottage Street RealtyPrice Range
$299-999
Number of Photos
8-30
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Cottage Street Realty is a flat-fee MLS service operated by Flat Fee Group, a licensed real estate brokerage in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
- Contracts, addendums, and disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Printable color flyer
- A-la-carte services include signs, market analyses, open house announcements, and more
- Unlimited listing changes can be purchased for $45
$299 - Basic package
| $599 - Premium package
|
A-la-carte services include signs, market analyses, open house announcements, and more
Unlimited listing changes can be purchased for $45
Pros
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- 50 photos in base package
Cons
- $45 for unlimited listing changes
- Market analysis not included in base package
As of August 4, 2020, Cottage Street Realty has an average rating of 5/5 based on 10 reviews across Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
DNK Real Estate
DNK Real EstatePrice Range
$249-799
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
12 months
- DNK Real Estate is a licensed real estate brokerage in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- DNK Real Estate offers flat fee MLS listing services, as well as full- and limited-service real estate agents
- The company offers many a-la-carte services with their flat fee packages, but all their services are non-refundable
- A-la-carte services include: Expedited flat fee mls listing, uploading extra photos, virtual tours, yard signs, realtor lock box, and printable flyers
- It typically takes two to three business days to list with DNK Real Estate
- Buyer’s agent commission isn’t required, but if a buyer’s agent brings a buyer you’re expected to pay their commission fee
- Sales comps are available at certain pricing tiers
$249 - Basic
| $499 - Deluxe
| $799 - Premium
|
Pros
- 1% limited service options available for home sellers that need help with contracts
- Lots of a-la-carte options help home sellers customize the service to their needs
Cons
- Upsells on services that are standard for other flat fee MLS services, e.g., $10 for extra photo uploads, $25 to change listing info, etc.
- Other flat fee MLS services charge less and provide more out of the box
- $2000 non-refundable fee to use access 1% limited-service agent
- Need to pay for sales comps in your area
As of August 4, 2020, DNK Real Estate has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 10 reviews across Facebook and Zillow.
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Virginia Beach
MLS My Home
MLS My HomePrice Range
$49-99
Number of Photos
5-25
Listing Term
6 months
- MLS My Home is a nationwide 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
- Listings posted on the MLS within 24-48 hours
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (within a required range in some locations, e.g. 2-3%)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Cancel anytime
$49
| $69
|
Available packages, services, and pricing depend on location. Check the website for details about your local options.
Pros
- Cancel anytime
- No commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
Cons
- Limited options and many states
- No built-in home valuation
- May not offer complete coverage in your state
As of August 17, 2020, MLS My Home has an average rating of 2.5/5 based on 280 reviews across Trustpilot, Yelp, and Facebook.
- Trustpilot: 2.6/5 (236 reviews)
- Yelp: 1/5 (18 reviews)
- Facebook: 2.7/5 (26 reviews)
- BBB: F
Note: MLS My Home will refer you to an independent, local broker who’s level of service and customer reviews may vary from MLS My Home’s, so be sure to research the broker before signing a listing agreement.
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$399-479+ (varies by state)
Number of Photos
25
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Flat Fee Group is a network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee services in their respective state(s)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you (in most states)
- Contracts, disclosures, and addendums included (in most states)
$399 - Showcase
| $549 - Premium
|
Packages, services, and pricing vary by state. Check the website for details about options in your area.
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
Cons
- As of August 10, 2020, does not have an independent broker in Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming
- Experience and service quality may vary depending on your state’s broker
As of August 10, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Flat Fee Group. However, as a network of independent brokers, you can check the website, find your state’s broker and research their individual reviews.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 3.3% 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