Our rating | Pricing | How it works | Is HomeLister right for you? | HomeLister vs. competitors | Alternatives | Customer reviews | FAQs
HomeLister is a flat-fee MLS company that lets you list your home on major real estate sites — like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia — without using an agent. The company calls itself a "limited services agency," meaning sellers get some of the perks normally provided by a real estate agent without paying agent commission.
After reviewing all of its services, policies, price plans, and customer reviews, we gave HomeLister a score of 3.5 out of 5.
HomeLister offers more services than most of its competitors, features an easy-to-use website, and has glowing customer reviews. BUT HomeLister's services aren't cheap, and depending on the plan you choose you might have to pay BEFORE closing on your sale.
While you would save money on realtor commission by selling through HomeLister, you would almost definitely get a worse deal for your home than if you sold with an agent. A 2017 study found that FSBO homes on average sell for 5.5% less than if they were sold with an agent.[1]
To get the most value when you sell your home, we recommend working with a low commission real estate company (like Clever!). The price is similar to what you'd pay to use Homelister, but you'll get full service from a top local agent.
To give you a fair and detailed review, our research team spent weeks reviewing publicly available information on HomeLister and its competitors. Our process included:
- Collecting and reviewing customer reviews
- Analyzing company policies
- Comparing their practices to competitors
- Mystery shopping HomeLister's services
Our rating for HomeLister
After taking a look at HomeLister and everything it had to offer, we gave it a 3.5 out of 5. Here's how we broke down this rating.
Website and listing portal – 5/5
Selling your home by yourself is hard, requiring a lot of paperwork, prep, and energy. We tested HomeLister's listing portal — we were immediately impressed. It makes this complicated process easier (and even a little fun).
On its listing portal, HomeLister breaks down the process into easy and quick steps, with some pages including FAQs in case you have trouble understanding what info you need to provide — or why that info is necessary in the first place. You can also see your progress throughout the process, plus an estimate on how much you'll save on realtor commission.
Customer service – 4/5
HomeLister has great customer reviews on Trustpilot, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.
While mystery shopping, we also found HomeLister has a highly responsive staff through phone, email, and the site's chat feature.
Still, HomeLister loses a point for how it portrays itself to customers. It's honest about how much you would save vs. selling with an agent. BUT HomeLister frames its services as unique among flat-fee MLS companies to justify how expensive some of their services are. In turn, you end up paying way more for MLS access — something offered by all of HomeLister's competitors at a lower cost.
Price – 2/5
HomeLister scores low here because their Premium and Platinum plans are much more expensive than those offered by other companies.
While you get more in these packages, the services themselves are overpriced. For instance, HomeLister charges $149 for a yard sign, something going for less than $100 with other companies.
And while you would pay more if you worked with an agent, you'd get virtually ALL of the stuff in HomeLister's Platinum package. You'd also get the advice of a real estate expert that would likely translate into a better sale price for your home.
Additionally, HomeLister's Premium and Platinum plans require you to pay an upfront fee — something you DON'T do with an agent or most other companies.
Savings on sale – 3/5
Selling with HomeLister will save you thousands on realtor commission. However, you're still paying for the BUYER'S agent commission. (HomeLister suggests listing at 2.5% for the buyer's broker.)
Ultimately, the thousands you save might not be worth the trouble of selling your home by yourself (i.e., without an agent).
Should I use HomeLister?
👍 What we like about HomeLister |
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👎 What we don't like about HomeLister |
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HomeLister vs. competitors
HomeLister offers more services than many of its competitors, all of which are available à la carte. However, HomeLister is also more expensive than other flat-fee MLS companies and it's not as widely available.
Price range | À la carte services? | Availability | Listing term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HomeLister | $599–2,999 | Yes | 16 states + DC | 6 months |
ISoldMyHouse.com | $299–399 | No | Nationwide (except ND) | 6–12 months |
FSBO.com | $99–399 | Yes | Nationwide (except ND) | 6 months |
Beycome | $99–499 OR 1% | No | AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, MN, NC, and SC for Basic package and cash back rebate | Until sold |
Most straightforward: ISoldMyHouse.com
ISoldMyHouse.com
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Sellers looking for a listing they can manage entirely online
Price Range
$299-399
ISoldMyHouse.com is a flat fee MLS service with coverage in almost every state. It offers two packages, both with MLS access.
Unfortunately, ISoldMyHouse.com tends to be pricier than the competition and also comes with fewer options. You’re usually better off searching for an alternative service that offers more comprehensive service at a better price.
Pros:
- It's easy to share your listing on your social media accounts directly from the ISoldMyHouse listing platform.
- You'll have access to an extensive library of articles on selling a property without a Realtor.
Cons:
- Your experience will depend a lot on the broker the company refers you to.
ISoldMyHouse.com has two plans that are more affordable than HomeLister's:
- $299 to get on the MLS and major sites, plus access to their customer service
- $399 to add unlimited photos to your listing
You can also pay extra to have your home be a "featured listing" on ISoldMyHouse.com, but this might not be worth the money as the website doesn't get as much traffic as Ziilow, Trulia, etc.
ISoldMyHouse.com is available in 49 states. In addition to listing your home, the company will also make a cash offer on your home in 48 hours or connect you with a discount-rate agent if you would rather not sell FSBO.ⓘ
» MORE: Our full review of ISoldMyHouse.com
Best for FSBO sellers: FSBO.com
FSBO.com
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Sellers who also want to list on a large FSBO marketplace
Price Range
$400
FSBO.com is a well-known FSBO website and one of the few that will also get you listed on Redfin.
But watch out: only its most expensive plan will actually get you an MLS listing. Chances are you can find a cheaper option with MLS access elsewhere.
Pros:
- Your home will appear in your local MLS and on FSBO.com. A lot of people shop directly for FSBO properties on their site.
Cons:
- FSBO.com refers you to a broker in your area instead of listing your property itself. Your experience could vary greatly dependin on the broker you're matched with.
- You have to pay for seller disclosures, for sale signs, and lock boxes separately.
1 (800) 690-5802
FSBO.com is best for sellers who are comfortable managing their entire home sale on their own. Both of the site's plans are cheap:
- $99 to get listed on Redfin but NOT the MLS
- $399 to get on the MLS and major sites, plus yard signs extra services depending on your state
FSBO.com has a good track record for customer service. It's available in 49 states, and it works with state-based brokers to help sell your home. (FSBO.com is not a licensed broker itself.)
» READ: FSBO.com review
Most bang for your buck: Beycome
Beycome
💲 Listing Fee
$99-$499+
Locations
AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, MN, NC, RI, SC
Beycome offers real savings for extreme DIYers. But if you don't have much experience selling a house, you'll want to look elsewhere.
- Basic MLS packages are among the cheapest in the industry
- Lack of add-ons mean DIYers aren't paying for things they don't need
- Barebones service is risky for most sellers, especially those who lack selling experience, have a complicated sale, or prefer working with an agent.
- "Concierge Package" is poor value for money.
Beycome is a flat-fee MLS company that DOESN'T set a time limit on your listing — unlike with HomeLister and other competitors, where it will expire after six months.
Beycome has a few different pricing options:
- $99 to list your home as FSBO on the MLS, plus unlimited photos of your home
- $299 for extra services, like professional photography and marketing assistance
- 1% of your sale price for Beycome's "concierge service," though we don't recommend this service as we aren't sure exactly what additional services you would get
In terms of the quality of services, Beycome is more similar to HomeLister than ISoldMyHouse.com and FSBO.com. However, Beycome is only available in eight states for its basic plan and six states for its enhanced plan.
» MORE: Our complete review of Beycome
Also consider: Low commission real estate companies
The best alternative to HomeLister isn't a different flat-fee MLS company.
Instead, it's a low commission agency. With one of these companies, you'll pay less — like you would with HomeLister — but still get all of the perks of working with an agent.
🏆 Clever charges a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum). We're available nationwide, we'll give you your pick of top local agents, and there are no upfront fees.
» SAVE: List for just 1.5% and get a top local agent by your side!
🏠 Redfin charges you 1.5% of your listing price and is a great choice if you would prefer to host remote showings of your home. You only pay after your home sells.
👨💼 Ideal Agent charges 2% of your listing price — more expensive than Redfin but still cheaper than listing with a traditional agency. It's free to list, and you'll be matched with a top local agent.
HomeLister pricing
HomeLister has three price plans for customers that offer varying degrees of service. All of these plans, including HomeLister's cheapest one, are more expensive than the plans offered by competitors (with the exception of Beycome's 1% concierge services plan).
Basic | Premium | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
$599 (Pay at closing) | $1,699 ($599 due at listing, $1,100 at closing) | $2,999 ($699 due at listing, $2,300 at closing) |
Basic plan: $599
HomeLister's basic plan gets you on the MLS and major real estate sites like Zillow and Redfin and a few extra services:
- Access to ShowingTime, an app that helps you schedule showings for your home
- The Virtual Tours app
- A yard sign
While these aren't "nothing," you are overpaying for this plan when considering you'd get much of this with other flat-fee MLS companies at a lower price.
With HomeLister's basic plan, you pay the full $599 when you close on the sale. However, if you pick any of the add-on services (e.g., a comparative market analysis, marketing assistance, or professional photography), you're charged for these when you list.
Premium plan: $1,699
With this plan, you pay $599 upfront, BEFORE your listing is posted on the MLS and other sites. You pay the remaining $1,100 at closing.
Along with all the stuff included in the basic plan, HomeLister's premium plan adds other services:
- Professional photography of your listing
- Seller's paperwork management services
- A custom flyer for marketing
- Offer review and counteroffer prep provided by HomeLister's experts
It's important to note what's NOT included in this plan: a comparative market analysis (CMA) that will give you the most accurate estimate of how much you could make from this sale. CMA's are invaluable tools offered (with no extra cost!) by agents; with HomeLister, you're paying $1,699 and STILL not getting a CMA and other services.
Platinum plan: $2,999
To get HomeLister's full suite of services, you need to shell out $2,999 — $699 when you list and $2,300 at closing.
In addition to all of the stuff offered in HomeLister's basic and premium plans, the platinum plan includes services that are much closer to what you'd get with an agent:
- Offer negotiation assistance
- A CMA
- Staging consultation
- Email marketing of your listing
- Support from HomeLister's agents during a "welcome call" and advice when you get an offer and reach closing
Choosing HomeLister means you don't have to work with an agent, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. BUT your buyer will probably still have an agent.
You'll still need to offer commission to the buyer's broker, and HomeLister recommends offering 2.5%, the industry standard.
With any of these plans, HomeLister offers to refer you to a local agent if you decide to cancel your listing.
HomeLister's cancellation policy
If you cancel your listing within 14 days of posting it, HomeLister will charge you $99. If you cancel after 14 days, you aren't charged.
All listings on HomeLister last for six months.
How does HomeLister work?
HomeLister's process is arguably its strongest asset. The site's listing portal is incredibly intuitive, making it easier for you to list your home than on other sites.
Listing your home
To begin, enter your address on HomeLister's site and make an account. This will give you access to your account dashboard and listing portal.
The listing portal (below) is easy to navigate and displays everything you'll need to post on the MLS.ⓘ
Let's have a quick look at 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 on 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 chat bot will share FAQs and articles based on your questions, or connect you with a HomeLister rep.
On the portal, HomeLister will ask for info on your home, like 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 to be posted 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.
Where is HomeLister available?
HomeLsiter is available in 16 states and Washington DC. The company plans to expand to six other states by the end of 2022.
Where you can list with HomeLister | ||
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Customer reviews
HomeLister has strong, positive customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 across 189 on Trustpilot, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Customers noted HomeLister's easy-to-use website, sizable savings, and good customer service.
Intuitive website and process
Many customers said HomeLister's website and listing portal were very user-friendly. (We agree with this!)
One reviewer mentioned the process was quick enough that their home "went into contract within a week of listing."
Some others noted that the act of listing a home is naturally complicated, BUT HomeLister makes that process much easier. Here's one customer: "It does require some work on your part, like talking to the buying agents directly. But it is worth the money you save."
Real savings
A few folks who used HomeLister shared how much they saved in their reviews, including one who saved $30,000 compared to if they sold with an agent. (HomeLister states on its website that the average customer savings is $21,000.)
When reading these reviews of HomeLister and other flat-fee MLS companies, take each anecdote about savings with a grain of salt.
Yes, you'll likely pay more to sell your home if you work with an agent. BUT you're also much more likely to sell your home for a better price.[1]
Good customer service
One other thing HomeLister does well — that both we and clients have noticed — is its customer service.
Online reviews are glowing about HomeLister's team, with some describing company reps as "experienced, helpful," and "very responsive in answering questions."
Contact info
Website | www.homelister.com |
Email | help@homelister.com |
Phone | (855) 400-8566 |
FAQs for HomeLister
HomeLister is a flat-fee MLS company that lets you list your home without using an agent. Using HomeLister and similar companies help you avoid paying realtor commission and certain fees, which can add up to thousands of dollars. Still, you'll also miss out on a lot of services that an agent provides without added expense; you'll also miss out on a better price for your home.
HomeLister has great customer reviews and an intuitive website that makes listing your home easy. However, HomeLister's price plans are more expensive than just about any of their competitors.
Currently, HomeLister is available in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.
Your home will be fully listed within 72 hours of providing all of the necessary information. HomeLister states listings are on the market for an average of 11 days.
Collateral Analytics. "Saving Real Estate Commissions at Any Price."