FSBO Madison is a flat fee MLS company in South Central Wisconsin that helps you list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) for a fee of $599, $2,999, or 1% — depending on the level of service you want. You can also list only on fsbomadison.com for $179.
Flat fee MLS companies can help you reach buyers through the MLS without paying a listing agent. On a $400,000 home, a traditional agent costs $12,000 (3%). FSBO Madison's basic MLS plan costs just $599, saving you about $11,400.
However, you won't get the full range of support that an agent gives. You'll be responsible for managing the home sale yourself.
This DIY approach comes with risks — including the chance of selling your home for less than it’s worth if you don’t know how to price and market it effectively. In fact, homes sold without an agent sell for $55,000 less on average than agent-assisted sales.[1]
If you want to save on fees but still get expert help, a low-commission agent might be a smarter alternative. These agents offer full service for a reduced listing fee, helping you keep more money in your pocket without sacrificing sale price or support.
FSBO Madison flat fee MLS plans and pricing
| FSBO Only $179 | FSBO Plus MLS $599 | FSBO Plus MLS Enhanced $2,999 | Get the Works! 1% |
|---|---|---|---|
| fsbomadison.com listing 6-month listing term 50 photos Unlimited listing changes Manage your own listing Yard sign Flyers & brochures Basic customer support No early cancellation fee | Everything in FSBO Only plan, plus: MLS listing & syndication 6-month listing term Professional home valuation Remote broker support Showing scheduling tools Lockbox Disclosure forms | Everything in FSBO Plus MLS plan, plus: Professional photography Offers & negotiation support Closing coordination | Everything in FSBO Plus MLS Enhanced plan, plus: Yard sign w/ The McGrady Group contact info Video tour Custom website The McGrady Group handles all inquiries, showings, & status updates |
The FSBO Only plan gets your home listed on FSBOmadison.com, a local site with some visibility in the Madison area. However, it does not include an MLS listing — which means your home won’t appear on major platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, or Redfin. Considering Zillow alone gets over 200 million monthly visits, skipping the MLS could mean significantly less exposure. For most sellers, this plan doesn’t offer strong value.
The FSBO Plus MLS plan adds MLS access, which syndicates your listing to the most popular real estate websites. It also includes essential tools like a professional home valuation, a lockbox, showing scheduling software, and broker support if questions come up. For sellers who want more exposure but don’t need help managing offers or closing, this is a solid middle-ground option. However, some competitors may offer similar plans for cheaper.
The Enhanced plan adds services that bridge the gap between DIY selling and full agent support. You’ll get professional listing photos, help with reviewing offers and negotiating, and coordination through the closing process. These upgrades can be worth it if you’re looking for more guidance. Note that if your home is $200,000 or under, you can get a full-service agent for the same price. Some discount brokers offer full service for 1.5%, which is $3,000 on a $200,000 home.
The Get the Works! plan offers more services from The McGrady Group for a 1% listing fee. You’ll get a video tour, a custom property website, and an agent who handles all inquiries, showings, and updates. While it’s the most expensive option, it provides some of the hands-on support you’d expect from a traditional agent. But it’s still not full support. For a similar 1.5% fee, you could work with a full-service agent who handles everything for you.
Who does FSBO Madison work best for?
FSBO Madison is for home sellers who want to avoid paying a 3% commission to a listing agent and are willing to manage the sale themselves. However, not everyone is equipped to successfully sell a home on their own.
FSBO Madison may be a good fit if:
- You have experience with and expertise in selling homes
- You're comfortable handling most of the sales process yourself
- You're just looking for MLS access and a few other basic services
FSBO Madison is likely not the right fit if:
- You don't have in-depth knowledge of the home sale process
- You don't have a lot of time to dedicate to the sale
- You want hands-on, in-person support
- You want traditional services like help getting your home ready to sell and coordinating open houses
Need more support at a great price? Clever Real Estate gets you a low 1.5% listing fee with top-rated, full-service agents from trusted brokerages like Century 21 and Keller Williams. You'll receive affordable, comprehensive support from an expert dedicated to maximizing your sale price. Just answer a few quick questions, and we’ll match you with a top-rated agent near you.
FSBO Madison pros and cons
Pros
- Save on realtor commission
- Tiered packages allow you to choose the level of service you need
Cons
- Cheapest plan doesn't get you on the MLS
- FSBO Madison isn't nearly as popular as it once was, with much less traffic and fewer listings
FSBO Madison reviews from customers
| 5/5 (9 reviews) |
FSBO Madison has hardly any online reviews, but the ones it does have are all five star. Customers consistently praise the company’s ease of use, helpful support, and significant cost savings.
✅ Hands-on support for FSBO sellers
Several reviewers noted that while FSBO Madison is a for-sale-by-owner platform, you’re not entirely on your own. Jason A. said, “For Sale by Owner doesn’t have to mean you are on your own, FSBO Madison is always right there to help.” Others highlighted working directly with Seth from The McGrady Group as a major plus — “Seth was very prompt on replies and was an extremely great resource for us,” wrote KevLil F.
✅ Cost savings and fast sales
Reviewers frequently emphasized how much they saved in commission by listing FSBO. Arthur B. claimed he’s “saved literally close to $200,000 or more by selling on my own,” while Andrea M. reported that she “saved thousands on commissions” and received an offer within a week. Jason A. estimated he saved around $16,000 on a single sale.
✅ Helpful tools and smooth process
Multiple users mentioned the platform's helpful features and how quickly they were able to list and start showings. Andrea M. praised the professional photography and text notification system for showings, calling FSBO Madison “the Best. Decision. Ever.” Sterling D. echoed the sentiment, saying, “Everything went smoothly and the house sold quickly.”
❌ No major negative themes
None of the reviews mention major complaints or problems with FSBO Madison’s service. However, the small number of total reviews — and lack of feedback on third-party platforms — means prospective users should still do their homework and ask questions upfront.
FSBO Madison company info
| 🏢 Business address | 1802 Legacy Ln, Madison, WI 53719 |
| 🌐 Website | fsbomadison.com |
| 📞 Phone number | (608) 276-8814 |
| 🗓️ Founding | 1998 |
| 🏆 Credibility | One of the first websites that gave Wisconsinites an alternative to selling with a real estate agent. Circa 2006, it represented 25% of home sales in Madison. Featured in The New York Times and a Northwestern University study.[2][3] |
FSBO Madison alternatives
FSBO Madison vs. other flat fee MLS companies
FSBO Madison is a solid option for sellers who want flexible service levels and some broker support. But there are several other flat fee MLS companies to consider — especially if you want lower pricing.
Homecoin offers one of the lowest-priced MLS listing packages on the market — just $95. Like any MLS listing, it includes syndication to major websites like Zillow and Realtor.com, plus digital forms and the option to purchase à-la-carte add-ons like a yard sign or lockbox. It’s a strong alternative for experienced sellers who don’t need hands-on help.
ISoldMyHouse.com charges $299 for a basic MLS listing and $399 for its premium plan, which allows 25+ listing photos. That’s more affordable than FSBO Madison’s $599 MLS plan, but the support is more limited and less personalized.
HomeZu’s $399 flat fee MLS package, like FSBO Madison's $599 plan, includes a 6-month MLS listing, syndication, and digital forms. But it doesn't include pricing help, broker support, a showing scheduling tool, or a lockbox. The extra $200 for FSBO Madison's basic plan is likely worth it for many sellers.
🔍 Compare FSBO Madison to the top flat fee MLS companies in Wisconsin
FSBO Madison vs. low-commission agents
Flat fee MLS services like FSBO Madison work best for confident, hands-on sellers. But if you’re not comfortable handling everything yourself, a low-commission agent can be a smart way to still save on commission.
Low-commission agents (which you can find through services like Clever Real Estate) charge just 1.5% to list your home and offer full service, managing all parts of the sale for you.
You’ll pay more upfront than you would with FSBO Madison, but you'll have a lot less work on your shoulders, and you'll likely sell for a much higher price. Agents are experts at pricing, marketing, and negotiating, which can help you get top dollar for your home.
- FSBO listings sell for 13% less on average vs. agent-assisted sales
- Clever lets you list with top local realtors for just 1.5% at closing
- Get full in-person representation, showings, pro photos, and more
