SimplyFSBO, alongside its sister brokerage Home Marketor, is a flat fee MLS company that helps you list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) for an upfront fee of $1,995 (plus 1% at closing) or $3,495. You can also get lower-priced plans that don't include MLS access. The companies serve the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois, as well as Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids.
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%). SimplyFSBO's flat fee MLS plan costs $3,495, saving you about $8,500.
SimplyFSBO and Home Marketor offer more support than other flat fee MLS companies, which is why their prices are high compared to competitors. However, you won't get the full range of support that a traditional agent gives. You'll be responsible for managing much of 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.
SimplyFSBO flat fee MLS plans and pricing
Basic $595* | Pro $995* | MLS Premier $1,995 + 1%** | MLS Flat Fee $3,495** |
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SimplyFSBO listing Zillow/Trulia listing management Advisor support Professional photos Disclosure forms | Everything in Basic, plus: Home value estimate 3D walk-through Floor plans Online offer negotiation platform Attorney assistance with purchase agreement & closing | Everything in Pro, plus: MLS listing & syndication Dedicated agent support Showing coordination Paperwork assistance Negotiation assistance Closing assistance | Same services as MLS Premier, just different pricing model |
*Basic and Pro plans DO NOT include MLS access. **MLS Premier and MLS Flat Fee are offered through SimplyFSBO’s sister company, Home Marketor.
SimplyFSBO’s flat fee plans can be divided into two types: those offering MLS access (via sister site Home Marketor) and those that don’t. Basic and Pro don’t have MLS access, while MLS Premier and MLS Flat Fee do.
The Basic plan costs $595 and does not include an MLS listing, which is much higher than the competition given the lack of MLS access. Instead, you’ll get a listing on SimplyFSBO’s website as well as help with managing a listing on Zillow/Trulia. Keep in mind that Zillow/Trulia is free to list on for anybody, so you don’t need to hire a company to do it for you. The biggest benefits are that you’ll also get free professional photography and advisor support until your property is sold.
The Pro plan is $995 and also doesn’t include an MLS listing, which again makes it very expensive considering the lack of MLS access. You’ll get everything offered in the Basic plan, plus a home value estimate, schematic floor plans, 3D walk-through, attorney assistance, and access to SimplyFSBO’s offer management platform. While attorney assistance is extremely useful, this plan provides limited value given that it fails to get your home on the local MLS.
MLS Premier costs $1,995 upfront plus a 1% fee at closing and is offered through Home Marketor. This plan includes MLS access and comes with quite a bit of agent support, including with pricing, negotiations, and closing. While the high level of assistance may make it good value compared to a traditional realtor, it's very expensive compared to most flat fee MLS companies. If you’re just looking for an MLS listing and a few basic services, alternative companies offer better value.
MLS Flat Fee is the exact same service as MLS Premier, but with a different pricing structure. You’ll pay a higher upfront fee of $3,495, but there’s no fee at closing. For any property that sells for more than $150,000, this plan offers better value than MLS Premier.
Who does SimplyFSBO work best for?
SimplyFSBO is for home sellers who want to avoid paying a 3% commission to a listing agent and are willing to manage much of the sale themselves. However, not everyone is equipped to successfully sell a home on their own.
SimplyFSBO may be a good fit if:
- You have experience with and expertise in selling homes, but you want some agent assistance
- You're comfortable handling some of the sales process yourself
- You're tech-savvy
SimplyFSBO is likely not the right fit if:
- You're just looking for MLS access and a few other basic services
- You don't have in-depth knowledge of the home sale process
- 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.
SimplyFSBO pros and cons
Pros
- Dedicated support from an advisor
- Excellent customer service
- Professional photography
Cons
- Much more expensive than similar companies
- Lacks a basic, no-frills MLS listing option
- Lacks à-la-carte options
SimplyFSBO reviews from customers
4.9/5 (100 reviews) |
SimplyFSBO has mostly positive customer reviews, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 100 reviews.
Positive reviews tended to focus on the professionalism and customer service provided by SimplyFSBO’s agents and staff. Adam F. (Google, 2025) said, “I had a lot of questions about how to do for-sale-by-owner for the first time and he guided me through every step required.” Many customers especially appreciated how SimplyFSBO was quick to respond to questions. Dolores M. (Google, 2025) said of the founder that he was “very professional and helpful in the sale of our home. He was always available to answer questions.”
Many customers were also impressed by the quality of the services offered. Specifically, the high quality of the photography was mentioned in multiple reviews. Tom T. (Google, 2025) said, “the work they do on the listing including the photos and floorplan provided are top notch.” Similarly, Vanessa H. (Google, 2024) said, “Everyone that viewed our home commented that the pictures and 3D walk thru looked JUST like our house!” Given how important photos are to attracting buyers, SimplyFSBO’s emphasis on high quality photographs is a big plus.
SimplyFSBO has almost no negative reviews online, which attests to the high level of service the company provides. While SimplyFSBO provides excellent service and strives to make its customers happy, we think it's important to emphasize that it has some drawbacks. Its pricing is much higher than other flat fee MLS companies and its two cheapest plans (which will still set you back either $595 or $995) don’t come with MLS access.
SimplyFSBO company info
🏢 Business address | 4620 E 53rd St STE 200, Davenport, IA 52807 |
🌐 Website | simplyfsbo.com |
📞 Phone number | 309-762-9000 |
🗓️ Founding | 2016 |
SimplyFSBO alternatives
SimplyFSBO vs. other flat fee MLS companies
SimplyFSBO offers excellent service and a dedicated team of advisors. However, compared to the competition, its products are expensive and it doesn’t offer a basic MLS listing plan for more DIY-minded sellers. These alternative companies may be a better fit.
FSBO.com is a decent alternative for sellers who don’t want to use a realtor and are looking to save money. Its basic package is just under $100. Like SimplyFSBO, that package doesn’t include MLS access and you’ll only get a listing on FSBO.com and Redfin. Its MLS plan costs just under $400, which is much cheaper than SimplyFSBO. It’s a very no-frills option with limited support, making it suitable for experienced sellers.
Fizber is another good alternative if you’re looking for a cheap and simple plan that includes MLS access. Its MLS plans cost $270 or $295 depending on the level of service required. Those are much cheaper than what SimplyFSBO charges, but the level of service is also much more hands off. Unlike SimplyFSBO, Fizber doesn’t offer a premium level of service with dedicated support.
ISoldMyHouse.com is a nationwide flat fee MLS service that has two plans, one for $299, the other for $399. Both will get your home listed on the MLS, with the only major difference being that you’ll get a much higher photo limit on the more expensive plan. Again, ISoldMyHouse.com is designed for DIY-sellers and it doesn’t offer nearly the same level of support that SimplyFSBO offers. However, it does have a useful library of online resources to help sellers learn more about the FSBO process.
🔍 Compare SimplyFSBO to the top flat fee MLS companies in Iowa or Illinois
SimplyFSBO vs. low-commission agents
Flat fee MLS services like SimplyFSBO 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 SimplyFSBO, 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