There are no Zillow listing fees, whether you’re selling for sale by owner (FSBO) or with a real estate agent. For those looking to post premium rental listings, Zillow charges $29.99.
But deciding if Zillow is the right platform for your sale involves considering several key factors. FSBO listings on Zillow come with specific challenges that could potentially impact the success of your sale:
- Missing out on the MLS. Listings don't automatically appear on the multiple listing service (MLS). According to a three-year study of MLS sales, 83% of all home sale transactions occurred on the MLS, and those homes sold for 13% more than comparable homes sold off-MLS.[1]
- Missing out on realtor expertise. While hiring a real estate agent involves certain fees, their expertise often leads to a higher sale price and a smoother sales process. The typical FSBO home sold for $380,000 compared to $435,000 for agent-assisted homes in 2024.[2]
For most sellers, listing with an agent is a better option. Your agent will get your home on the MLS, and their expertise in pricing, marketing, and negotiating will likely get you a much higher sale price — possibly tens of thousands more.
You don't have to pay full price for expert guidance from an agent. Many top agents offer full service for half the typical listing fee. Find the best low-cost agents in your area, and get top dollar for your home.
How much are Zillow listing fees?
| Type of listing | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1. FSBO | Free |
| 2. Agent-represented | Free |
| 3. Rental | Free |
| 4. Premium rental | $29.99 (one-time fee) |
1. Zillow FSBO fees
There are no fees to create a FSBO listing on Zillow.
However, listing only on Zillow is very limiting in reach compared to listing on the MLS.
The MLS is the most popular method to market homes, and buyer's agents typically use the platform to find the right home for their clients. About 88% of all sellers list on the MLS,[3] while only 1% of FSBO sellers list on sites other than the MLS.[4]
Zillow does get you a lot more exposure than other FSBO sites, since it's the biggest real estate site in the US. In 2024, Zillow had 365.8 million monthly visits, while Realtor.com came in second with 141.7 million visits.[5]
🔍 Zillow no longer filters out FSBO listings in search results
For four years, Zillow used to display agent listings by default and separate FSBO listings under a "By owner & other" filter. This separation was due to the National Association of Realtors' "no commingling" rule. That rule, which was enforced by many local MLSs that follow NAR's policies, said MLS listings couldn’t appear next to homes listed by owners or non-agents.
Because of the separation, FSBO listings on Zillow received less exposure than agent-listed properties. In fact, Zillow found that pageviews of FSBO listings decreased by about 80–85% when the company moved those listings to a separate section of the site.[6]
In December 2024, Zillow changed its default search results to include both agent and FSBO listings. This was possible because several major MLSs began allowing commingling again, stepping away from NAR’s earlier rule. With that shift, Zillow could show all listings together — making it possible for buyers to see all available homes in one place.[7]
2. Zillow fees for listing with an agent
Real estate agents can list properties on Zillow for free. When an agent posts a home on the MLS, it automatically gets republished on Zillow and other major real estate sites.
Listing with an agent on the MLS and Zillow increases visibility, attracting 500 times more visitors than FSBO properties advertised only on Zillow. This wider exposure through the MLS leads to a much larger pool of potential buyers.
Zillow is free — but your agent isn’t
When listing with an agent, you usually have to pay realtor commission when your home sells.
The average total real estate commission is 5.57% nationwide, while listing agents earn an average commission of 2.82%, according to Clever's annual survey of realtors.
However, you can pay less without sacrificing service by using a discount real estate broker. These brokers provide services comparable to traditional firms — but at lower rates.
For example, Clever Real Estate partners with full-service listing agents who charge only 1.5%, or nearly half the average cost of hiring a listing agent nationwide. These agents can showcase your property on Zillow and other websites for maximum visibility.
Clever matches you with top local realtors from trusted brands — like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — for a discounted listing fee of just 1.5%. You get the same full service and support, but for about half the usual rate!
Ready to find the perfect agent and save thousands on commission? Enter your zip code below to get started.
3. Zillow rental listing fees
Zillow Rentals Network is a free platform allowing landlords to manage rental properties. When you sign up, your rental gets listed on Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads.
The platform also includes features for:
- Screening tenants, including background checks and income verification
- Creating leases with e-signatures
- Collecting rent through direct deposits
4. Zillow's premium rental option
The basic version of Zillow Rentals Network is free, but you can upgrade to a premium listing for a one-time fee of $29.99, which gives you premium benefits for your listing up to 90 days.[8] According to Zillow, premium listings get increased visibility as the listings are placed higher in search results for renters searching in your area.
How to list a rental property on Zillow
1. Create a Zillow account
Create a Zillow account and check the box "I am a landlord or industry professional."
2. Find the Rental Manager
Post a rental on Zillow through Zillow’s Rental Manager, which you can find at the top of Zillow’s homepage.
3. Create your listing
Click on "Post your properties for free," and add the address and some other basic info about your rental property. Click "Create listing."
4. Upload photos and key info
Add more specific details about your listing, such as the monthly rent, size of the property, rules, tour availability, and amenities. You can also add photos and videos.
5. Publish your listing
After you verify your phone number, click "Publish Listing" at the bottom of the page. Your listing will be published on Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads.
Is listing FSBO on Zillow worth it?
Pros
- It's free to list FSBO.
- It's the most popular real estate website.
- Your listing is also syndicated to Trulia.com.
Cons
- Less visibility for listings.
- You compete with agent-listed properties.
- No agent helps screen inquiries.
Posting on Zillow is usually worth it for the online exposure.
Most home buyers (96%) use the internet to search for homes, and many start their search on Zillow. It's the biggest real estate website, with an average of 365.8 million monthly visitors in 2024.[5]
When buyers search for homes on websites like Zillow, they often first scroll through photos from a desktop or mobile device. Then they find an agent to help them view homes in person.
However, posting FSBO on Zillow has limitations. For example, Zillow listings aren't automatically posted on the MLS. You'll need to hire a flat fee MLS listing service to do that for you. By using a flat fee MLS service, your listing will not only be posted on Zillow but also syndicated to dozens of other platforms.
FSBO homes sell for less
Recent data shows that FSBO homes sell for less than homes with an agent.
- Clever Real Estate reported that in the past two years, people who sold their homes with the help of an agent pocketed almost $50,000 more on average than those who sold FSBO.
- The National Association of Realtors found that FSBO homes stay on the market longer and sell for about $55,000 less than homes sold through a realtor.[2]
If you sell without a realtor, the potential loss in your sale price could outweigh the savings you would make from not paying realtor fees.
You can use an agent and save money
If you're unsure about selling FSBO, consider selling with a low commission realtor instead. You don't have to pay high commission fees to get the support of a full-service agent.
For example, Clever Real Estate can connect you with top agents from well-known brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. If you move forward with an agent, you'll pay a low 1.5% listing fee instead of the standard 2.5–3%.
Your agent will ensure your home gets listed on the MLS and other key real estate sites. They'll also use their expertise and connections to help you maximize your profit. Connect with top local agents for free, and save thousands on realtor fees.
Steps to list FSBO on Zillow
Here are the steps required to get your listing live on Zillow:
- Create a Zillow profile or log in.
- You can find your home by looking up your address on Zillow (the company's database is likely already full).
- In the Public view, click "More" → "List For Sale By Owner." If you haven’t already claimed this property, you’ll be prompted to do so before continuing.
- On the FSBO Listing page, set a list price, upload photos, write a listing description, edit home facts, and add your contact information.
- Once everything is ready, click "Post For Sale By Owner" and submit your listing for Zillow’s review.
- Before publishing your listing, Zillow will verify the information you provided — and that you actually own the property. This can take up to 72 hours.
Tips for listing your home FSBO on Zillow
Here are detailed tips on how to sell a home on Zillow:
1. Invest in professional photos
About 66% of all home buyers think photos are the most useful feature on real estate websites, and that figure rises to nearly 90% for buyers aged 58 and under.[9] And a Redfin study revealed that professionally photographed homes in the $400,000 price range sold three weeks faster and for over $10,000 more than those with amateur photos.[10]
In real estate, it's crucial to make a strong first impression online. Using professional photographs to showcase your home, especially key features like a renovated kitchen or bathroom, can quicken the selling process and increase your profit.
2. Use a flat fee MLS service
You need to post your home on the MLS if you want your listing to reach a wider audience. The MLS is the top spot for listing homes, with 88% of all sellers using it.[3] However, only 10% of FSBO sellers list on the MLS.[4]
Only licensed real estate professionals can access the MLS, but you can still get your FSBO listing on it by using a flat fee MLS service. However, these companies offer limited service compared to a traditional agent. A flat fee MLS listing can cost $100–1,000, depending on the level of service.
3. Write a great listing description
Your listing description is one of the best opportunities to sell people on your home. Emphasize the unique features and selling points that make your property stand out. And make sure your description is accurate and honest to build trust with potential buyers.
Also, pay attention to details like spelling and grammar. Consider using a spell-checker or having someone review your work to ensure it's error-free and presents your home in the best light.
4. Price your home well
Pricing your home right is key. If you set the price too high, you’ll struggle to find a buyer. Too low, and you could leave thousands of dollars on the table.
Online home value estimators, like Zestimate, aren't the best way to get an accurate home value. They often fail to factor in recent upgrades or major repairs and are prone to errors.
Instead, keep an eye on what other homes are selling for near you — especially those similar to yours in size, age, and renovations. You can search Zillow to view recently sold homes in your area.
For the most accurate home pricing, consider requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a realtor. A CMA considers your home's unique features, upgrades, local market trends, and recent sale prices of similar properties nearby.
» Request a free home valuation from a local agent
5. Accept offers only from pre-approved buyers
For FSBO sellers, one of the biggest problems with Zillow is that it’s open to the public, including qualified and unqualified buyers.
On the MLS, buyers typically work with licensed agents and are often pre-approved for financing by mortgage lenders. But on Zillow, the situation is less predictable. Sometimes sellers go through inspections, negotiations, and extensive paperwork only to have the deal collapse at the last minute due to the buyer's financial instability.
6. Don’t rely on just Zillow
About 90% of sellers list their home with a licensed real estate agent or broker, while only 6% sell FSBO, according to an industry study.[3] That means most of your competitors’ listings are likely getting published across hundreds of other websites and advertising channels, which gives them a much better chance of capturing the attention of your ideal buyer.
If you’re trying to sell your home FSBO, you’ll need to hustle — that means posting on as many sites as possible, spreading the word on social media and among family, friends, and co-workers, posting signs and passing out flyers, and doing anything else you can do to boost your home's visibility and attract local buyers.
FAQ about listing a home on Zillow
What is Zillow?
Zillow is the nation’s leading online real estate marketplace, based on monthly website traffic.
Zillow offers a wide array of products and services. However, its foremost is a massive real estate database, consisting of more than 135 million U.S. properties for sale, for rent, or off-market, and over 1 million active property listings.
Unlike many other real estate websites, Zillow is accessible to the public. Agents, buyers, sellers, and casual browsers can use the site to view listing information, look up estimated property values (which Zillow calls "Zestimates"), assess local market conditions, and more.
How much does it cost to list on Zillow?
Listing a house FSBO on Zillow is free. It's also free to list with an agent on the site. But Zillow doesn't give you as much visibility as the multiple listing service (MLS). A flat fee MLS listing service will put your home on the MLS for as little as a few hundred dollars, or you can sell with a low-commission real estate agent to get the benefits of a traditional realtor for a fraction of the price.
How accurate is Zillow's pricing estimate?
Zillow Zestimates can vary in accuracy. The company reports a median error rate of 2.4% for homes currently on the market, while off-market homes have a higher median error rate of 7.49%. For a home valued at $500,000, the Zestimate could be off by $12,000–37,450.[11]
Zillow's algorithm is based on data like square footage and number of bedrooms, but the information isn't always accurate. Also, Zillow valuations may not always reflect recent home improvements or renovations.
How does Zillow make money?
Zillow primarily generates revenue through real estate agents who buy advertising space or purchase buyer leads on its website. Zillow also makes money from networking fees when buyers connect with sellers via Zillow-affiliated agents.
Another revenue stream for Zillow is its involvement in the mortgage market through Zillow Home Loans, although this business only accounted for about 5% of its total revenue in the third quarter of 2023.
Should you claim your home on Zillow?
If you're considering selling now or in the future, claiming your property on Zillow can be beneficial. You can update property details to improve the Zestimate's accuracy, which is especially useful when you're ready to list your home.
Will Zillow buy my house?
No, Zillow no longer buys houses. Zillow formerly had an iBuyer program called Zillow Offers, which allowed homeowners to sell their houses directly to Zillow. This program shut down in November 2021. Sellers can instead turn to other cash home buyers, including offer marketplaces, cash investors, and iBuyers.
Why trust us
To create this guide, we've consistently tracked Zillow's platform and policy changes, including product updates and pricing, to ensure we're up-to-date with the latest developments.
We also analyzed industry surveys from reputable sources like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to compare selling a home FSBO on Zillow and other sites versus using the MLS directly with a realtor or through a flat fee MLS service. Additionally, we interviewed real estate experts with firsthand experience using Zillow and evaluated Zillow against other leading FSBO websites.
This article was authored by Steve Nicastro, Managing Editor at Clever Real Estate and a former real estate agent in South Carolina with extensive experience assisting home buyers, particularly with FSBO properties on Zillow. Steve is also an active real estate investor with direct experience selling properties FSBO, providing him firsthand insight into the process.
About Clever Real Estate
Clever is a free online platform that educates consumers about real estate and helps them save money when buying or selling a home. We strive to give 100% objective advice to help you make better real estate decisions.
If you have more questions about finding realtors (or Clever’s service), our licensed Concierge Team is standing by seven days a week, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. CST, at 1-833-225-3837.
