HomeLister is a flat fee MLS company that lets you list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) for $599, $1,699, or $2,999 — depending on the level of service you want. It's available in 17 states and Washington, DC.
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%). HomeLister'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.
HomeLister flat fee MLS plans and pricing
| Basic $599 | Premium $1,699 | Platinum $2,999 |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month MLS listing term MLS listing & syndication Showing scheduling tools Yard sign Access to virtual tour app | Everything in Basic plan, plus: Professional photos Flier Offer review Downloadable documents Open house signs | Everything in Premium plan, plus: Professional home valuation Offers & negotiation support Aerial photography Staging assistance Lockbox Email marketing Transaction coordination |
Here's an overview of HomeLister's plan offerings:
- Basic plan is pricier than most competitors, especially for sellers wanting to get on the MLS. While it includes a few extras, like showing tools and a yard sign, similar services are often available for much less.
- Premium plan adds listing photos, paperwork support, and offer review — features that can help sellers navigate the sale with more confidence. But even at this price point, you’re not getting full-service guidance on pricing or negotiations, which limits the plan’s usefulness for many sellers.
- The Platinum plan is a big step up in cost, but it’s the only option that comes close to the support you'd expect from a traditional agent. It includes pricing help, negotiation support, and transaction coordination. That said, for this price, some sellers may prefer to work with a full-service agent who handles more of the process directly.
Cancellation policy: If you cancel your listing within 30 days of posting it, HomeLister charges you $99. If you cancel after 30 days, you aren't charged unless the state MLS requires a fee.
- Professional photography: $349
- Twilight photography shoot (5–10 images): $349
- Professional photography including aerial photography: $549
- Drone photography (aerial stills): $299
- 3D interactive video tour (Matterport / 360° tour): $399
- Home price report (CMA): $129
- Transaction management (offers, paperwork): $799
- Online advertising campaign (2 weeks): $299
- Digital lockbox (Bluetooth & codes): $219
- Combination lockbox: $49
- Directional open house signs (2): $99
- Window sign: $49
- Yard sign post flyer box: $35
- Additional wooden frame yard sign: $149
- Rider: $35
- Listing description: $89
- Floorplan & home measuring service: $189
- Custom flyer (PDF & printed): $129
- Custom flyer (digital PDF): $79
- Printing of custom flyers (50 copies): $50
- Custom flyer edit: $19
- StreetEasy featured listing (NYC, 2 weeks): $299
- StreetEasy rental listing (NYC, 2 weeks): $99
- Second MLS listing: $299
- Appraisal comps to appraiser: $159
- Reactivate cancelled or expired listing: $69
- Convert to a rental listing (basic): $599
- Convert to a rental listing (premium): $1,100
- Convert to a rental listing (platinum): $2,300
- Staging consultation report: $129
- One-time document tech support: $29
- End-to-end document tech support: $299
- Email marketing to local agents: $129
- Additional email blast to local agents: $69
- Add a rental listing: $599
- International MLS listing: $500
- Pay basic fee upfront: $500
HomeLister for buyers
HomeLister also offers a buyer rebate program that connects home buyers with licensed agents who agree to share part of their commission at closing. The program includes access to MLS listings, scheduling tools, and optional support from an agent throughout the purchase process. Buyers must sign a representation agreement, as required by the National Association of Realtors, before attending showings. Rebate amounts vary based on the property price and location, and some buyers use these savings to offset closing costs or increase their down payment.
HomeLister Pro
HomeLister Pro is a listing service tailored for real estate investors who manage multiple properties. It offers bulk listing packages that reduce the overall cost per property, aiming to help investors save on traditional listing commissions. Services include MLS exposure, professional photography, virtual tours, and access to a dedicated contact for managing listings. HomeLister Pro is positioned as a flexible option for investors looking to scale efficiently without relying on multiple agents or paying standard agent fees.
Who does HomeLister work best for?
HomeLister 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 can successfully sell a home on their own.
HomeLister 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 tech-savvy
- You're just looking for MLS access and a few other basic services
HomeLister 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.
HomeLister pros and cons
- Easy-to-use website and listing portal
- Great customer service
- Variety of à-la-carte services
- Overpriced plans
- Upfront fees
HomeLister reviews from customers
| BBB | 2.33/5 (3 reviews) |
| 3.5/5 (15 reviews) | |
| Trustpilot | 3.5/5 (216 reviews) |
| Zillow | 4.9/5 (200 reviews) |
| Weighted average | 4.14/5 (434 reviews) |
HomeLister has positive customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.14/5 across 434 reviews.
After analyzing the feedback, we found a few common themes:
Smooth and simple process
Several customers said HomeLister made it easy to list and sell their homes, even from a distance.
Would recommend they helped me list my home before I moved. Smooth and easy and helped sell my house faster.
Cost-effective and empowering for DIY sellers
Some reviewers appreciated the platform’s affordability and flexibility, saying it gave them control over their MLS listing while avoiding high realtor fees.
I sold my home in Delaware County, NY through HomeLister and found the process easy and cost-effective. Their customer service was helpful at the start, and the platform gave me full control over my MLS listing. While I handled most of the sale myself, HomeLister’s flat-fee model made selling fair and affordable — a great alternative to paying a 6% commission.
Major savings compared to traditional agents
Many sellers said HomeLister helped them close deals quickly while saving thousands in commission.
Using HomeLister was great. I didn’t need help with photos and showings so I didn’t need to pay for those services. It saved me a lot of money. The hard part of selling is all the legal contractual stuff which they were able to advise me on and take care of. I’d sell my next house with HomeLister in a heartbeat.
Recent concerns about service issues
A few newer reviews mention technical or operational problems, though these customers still praised the platform’s overall convenience.
I started using Homelister when they gained notoriety back in 2021. Very convenient, thorough, and simple process. However, something is going on within the company. After having my house on the MLS for 30 days they terminated my contract and removed my home from their platform. They reasoning was that there isn't enough interest in real estate in my area, which is not true because I'm in a town that's a part of the metropolitan area of one of the best real estate markets in the country.
How does HomeLister work?
HomeLister's process is arguably its strongest asset. The site's listing portal is incredibly intuitive, making listing your home easier than on other sites. Here's how it works:
- Enter your address on HomeLister's site and make an account. This will give you access to your account dashboard and listing portal.
- On the portal, HomeLister will ask for information on your home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the home's condition, and details on your neighborhood. You can also share photos and write a description of the listing for posting on the MLS.
- After providing these details and setting a price, you set the terms of the future purchase agreement (like setting contingencies) and ownership terms. Then, just pick a price plan and review your listing before submitting.
- Your listing should be posted on the MLS and other major sites within 72 hours.
The listing portal is easy to navigate and displays everything you'll need to post on the MLS. Here are the portal's key components:
-
- On the left-hand side is a list of all of the steps you need to take before your listing is live. You can follow the steps as listed, or jump ahead to other steps.
- At the top is an estimated range of what you would save on realtor commission when you close. If you click on the info icon, you'll see an explanation of how this is calculated.
- A progress bar showing how far along you are is at the top.
- At the top right corner, you can leave the listing portal and go to your dashboard, which lets you manage your profile and any other listings.
- At the bottom right corner is HomeLister's chat feature. A chatbot will share FAQs and articles based on your questions, or connect you with a HomeLister rep.
HomeLister company info
| 🏢 Business address | 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 |
| 🌐 Website | homelister.com |
| 📞 Phone number | (855) 400‑8566 |
| 🗓️ Founding | 2015 |
HomeLister alternatives
HomeLister vs. other flat fee MLS companies
HomeLister offers more services than many competitors, and all of its services are available à la carte. However, HomeLister is more expensive than other flat fee MLS companies, and it's not as widely available.
Houzeo is one of the most popular flat fee MLS companies, offering tech-driven tools that make listing and managing your sale easy. It provides strong nationwide coverage, quick MLS posting, and customizable plans starting around $249.
ISoldMyHouse.com is praised for its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and responsive customer service. But it may lack the in-person agent support and comprehensive service options found in competitors’ basic packages.
Homecoin offers one basic MLS listing plan for a low flat fee. This plan may work for experienced sellers who don’t want additional support. Like HomeLister, Homecoin also offers add-on services. But the cost of these services can add up quickly, and they're not available in all locations.
Beycome stands out because it doesn't set a time limit on your listing. Its entry-level plan is cheaper than HomeLister’s and has similar service quality. But Beycome has fewer service areas.
HomeLister vs. low-commission agents
Flat fee MLS services like HomeLister 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 HomeLister, 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
