6 Best For Sale By Owner MLS Flat Fee Listing Brokers (2024 Reviews)

Real Estate Bees’ editorial team asked a number of industry-leading real estate agents and brokers to share their expertise on the best flat fee MLS listing sites to help our readers make a more educated purchase decision when researching available solutions.

With the help of the experts, we compared flat fee MLS listing services and evaluated them based on critical factors that are important for home sellers. Visiting retailers of the listed products by clicking links within our content may earn us commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation for the inclusion of products and/or services in our consumer guides. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our review and rating process.

— Kimberly Anderson, Senior Creative Editor at Real Estate Bees

Houzeo is one of the best flat fee MLS listing service providers, offering a comprehensive and tech-centric platform for homeowners looking to sell their properties by owner.

This national flat fee MLS listing company simplifies the home selling process by eliminating the need for real estate agents, thereby significantly reducing associated costs.

The platform features a user-friendly online dashboard, making it easier for sellers to manage their property listings.

Houzeo not only enables property listings on the MLS, but also connects users with local real estate professionals.

It also offers property evaluations, positioning itself as a leading for sale by owner flat fee multiple listing service.

Features

Houzeo Showings

This digital scheduling tool streamlines property viewings for sellers and buyers. Sellers can set up their showing calendars on the platform, controlling when to accept or deny requests.

Buyers and their agents can request showings directly. After ID verification and seller approval, they get access instructions.

DigiTransact

DigiTransact is a real estate transaction management software tool. This feature provides sellers with an online platform to handle paperwork and necessary documentation digitally.

From signing contracts to managing closing documents, DigiTransact aims to simplify the transaction process, reducing the need for physical paperwork and making real estate transactions more accessible and efficient.

Houzeo Offers

This feature provides an efficient way for users to review, analyze, and manage property offers.

It consolidates the most critical aspects of an offer — detailing the buyer’s financing method, the earnest money deposit amount, and the expected closing date.

Users can compare offers and counter on price, closing date, and earnest money deposit.

IntelliList Listing Management

Houzeo provides tools to create, edit, and update your property listing on the MLS and other real estate listing websites.

IntelliList is a user-friendly system that guides users through each step of the property listing process and helps with some of the steps of real estate listing marketing.

It offers helpful tips to simplify intricacies such as defining pricing, writing a property description, setting buyer agent commissions, and uploading photos.

The system automatically assigns relevant documents based on property type and MLS. It even auto-fills forms by using public data, making property listing faster and more efficient.

Learn more about these and other features from our full Houzeo review.

Plans and Pricing

Houzeo offers a flat fee with no hidden costs. The exact fee varies based on your location and the package chosen. There are four pricing tiers designed to cater to various seller needs.

The Bronze plan is priced at $399 plus $0 at closing.

It includes a 6-month MLS listing with 24 photos, property syndication to leading real estate platforms, unlimited listing changes and open houses, yard signs (at an additional cost), and access to Houzeo IntelliList and Showings.

The Silver plan, at $399 and an additional 0.5% (minimum of $999) at closing, provides all Bronze features plus maximum photo allowance, premium yard sign, Houzeo mobile app, and seller disclosures.

The Gold plan costs $429 plus 0.5% (minimum of $999) at closing and encompasses everything in the Silver plan along with licensed broker assistance, contract to close consulting, Houzeo Offers, personal concierge, and call forwarding service.

Lastly, the Platinum plan, priced at $449 and 1% (minimum of $999) at closing, covers everything in the Gold package with the added benefits of virtual full-service assistance of a licensed broker, 12-month listing, and rush service guaranteeing a draft in 12 hours.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Intuitive online dashboard. Houzeo provides an easy-to-use online dashboard that simplifies property listing and home showing management allowing users to easily view, manage, and make changes to their home listings, offering an enhanced user experience.

• Extensive nationwide reach. Houzeo offers broad nationwide coverage, with limited availability only in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

• No hidden fees. One of Houzeo’s key selling points is its transparent fee structure. In most states, Houzeo charges a small flat fee for MLS by-owner listings, enabling users to avoid listing agent commissions. All fees are disclosed upfront, ensuring transparency.

• Helpful customer support. Customers have access to Houzeo’s expert support seven days a week, from 9 AM to 6 PM CST. Assistance is available in English and Indian, and support can be accessed via call, chat, or email.

Cons

• Higher service fees. Compared to some competitors, Houzeo’s MLS packages are more expensive. Most competitors start their base packages at around $100, while Houzeo’s pricing starts at $399.

• Restrictive refund and cancellation policy. Houzeo only allows refunds within the first 14 days of purchasing a package. However, if a listing agreement is signed or a live listing is posted within those initial 14 days, refunds are not granted. Additionally, a $50 non-refundable deposit is charged.

• Modification cost. If you need to modify your listing on the Bronze package, Houzeo charges $25 per modification or you need to choose a more expensive package.

Integrations

• Zillow
• Trulia
• Realtor.com
• Redfin
• DocuSign
• Local MLS platforms

SimpleShowing is revolutionizing the real estate industry as a modern online real estate brokerage.

It streamlines the home selling and buying process to make it both efficient and affordable for those who don’t have professional realtor skills.

As one of the best flat fee MLS listing service providers, SimpleShowing offers features designed to benefit both sellers and buyers.

It offers a free home valuation tool, a comprehensive home selling guide, 1% full service listing agent (including negotiation and paperwork support), and commission rebates for buyers, making the process rewarding for both sellers and buyers.

Features

Self-Tour Lockbox

The real estate lock box feature allows verified buyers to view the property on their schedule, even without a buyer’s agent. Buyers can schedule these tours through the SimpleShowing app or website.

Each buyer is thoroughly screened by using proven identity verification methods before their showing request is sent for seller’s approval.

Upon approval, the buyer is sent a digital key, granting access to the property and potentially saving them buyer agent commissions.

Home Valuation

SimpleShowing offers a free home valuation feature, designed to help homeowners accurately gauge the market price of their properties.

By leveraging real estate market data and insights from local seller agents, it provides a current and reliable valuation, enabling owners to competitively price their homes.

Fully Remote Closing

As one of the best FSBO listing sites, it offers fully remote closings through a partnership with Expetitle. This partnership eliminates the need for physical presence or paperwork.

It is not only incredibly convenient for users but also streamlines the workflow for real estate agents.

1% Listing Agent Commission

SimpleShowing offers a 1% listing agent service, partnering with experienced local realtors.

Acting as one of the best real estate listing syndication websites, it provides listings on MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow, and others.

You also get the services of a professional real estate photographer, a lock box, and a yard sign.

Additional support includes negotiation and paperwork assistance, pricing and home valuation help, and a prominent feature on SimpleShowing.com.

Plans and Pricing

Operating on a flat fee commission model, SimpleShowing diverges from the traditional 6% real estate commission structure.

Instead, it charges a flat fee of 1%, plus a 3% commission to the buyer’s agent if one is involved.

This approach affirms SimpleShowing’s position as a leading for sale by owner flat fee multiple listing service.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Buyer rebate. SimpleShowing offers a buyer rebate worth up to 1% of the purchase price, which can help buyers get money back after closing on a home.

• Personalized agent support. Unlike many national flat fee MLS listing companies that may sacrifice personalized support for lower fees, SimpleShowing stands out by offering full-service real estate services with experienced local agents.

• Innovative mobile app. The SimpleShowing mobile app simplifies the home buying and selling process, allowing users to search for properties for sale, book tours, and communicate with agents easily. This adds a layer of convenience for both buyers and sellers.

Cons

• Limited geographical coverage. SimpleShowing’s services are restricted to Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The platform currently does not cater to sellers outside of these areas.

• Limited agent selection. SimpleShowing operates with a small team of agents to maintain its low commission model. This could mean narrower choice for consumers when selecting an agent.

• Minimum fee. SimpleShowing has a minimum fee of $5,000, which could limit savings for sellers, especially for homes priced below $120,000 where SimpleShowing may cost more than a conventional brokerage.

Integrations

• Expetitle
• Local MLS platforms

FSBO.com is a real estate website that offers for sale by owner listing services, enabling homeowners to list their properties for sale without a real estate agent.

The platform assists sellers throughout the process by offering valuable resources like listing creation tools, marketing aid, and access to essential legal forms.

This comprehensive suite of services aims to simplify and enhance the FSBO experience for property owners.

Features

FSBO.com and MLS Listing

FSBO.com provides homeowners with the ability to list their properties on their local multiple listing service (MLS) as well as the FSBO.com website.

Once a property is listed on the MLS, it may also appear on several national real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and Yahoo, depending on the area.

FSBO Store

This platform is designed for homeowners to purchase essential marketing materials once they place their MLS listing order.

This includes items such as yard signs, directional arrows, and brochures to provide detailed information about the listing.

These à la carte purchases help professionally promote the property and facilitate the sale process for homeowners.

Real Estate Contracts

FSBO.com offers a comprehensive set of forms and legal documents essential to selling a property independently, without a broker’s assistance.

These forms, provided via a partnership with USLegalForms.com, include all state-specific documentation required to close a home sale.

Plans and Pricing

FSBO.com offers an economical solution for homeowners eager to list their properties on the MLS.

The service charges a one-time fee of $399.95 to list a property on the MLS. It is important to note, however, that a buyer’s broker commission of 2-3% is required and will be settled at closing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multiple categories of listings. FSBO.com allows listing a property under multiple categories — foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, tax lien, or bankruptcy. This ensures proper classification and increases the likelihood of connecting with the different types of real estate investors, many of whom are investor home buyers who specialize in finding foreclosures and finding distressed properties or other kinds.

• Nationwide coverage. FSBO.com’s services are available in every US state, except for North Dakota.

• Full seller control. Sellers have full control over their listing, including pricing, description, and scheduling showings, allowing for a more personalized selling experience.

• Affordable one-time listing fee. FSBO.com positions itself among the best platforms to list your home on MLS for a flat fee, with an attractive flat rate of $399.95.

Cons

• Limited assistance. Sellers need to manually manage their listings — updating information and responding to inquiries without platform assistance. The FSBO.com platform lacks comprehensive DIY resources and tools to assist them throughout the process.

• Hidden charges. FSBO.com’s pricing can be misleading due to hidden fees. Brokers across different states put forward a range of add-on services at inconsistent prices, including varying charges for adding photos and videos to listings.

• Lack of credible customer reviews. FSBO.com has limited credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot, making it difficult for potential users to gauge the platform’s effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

Integrations

• USLegalforms.com
• Zillow
• Realtor.com
• Trulia
• Local MLS platforms

Homie Real Estate is a discount full-service real estate brokerage that streamlines the property buying and selling experience by combining advanced technology with local agent expertise.

Homie provides a package that includes listings on the MLS, pricing assistance, professional photographs, a yard sign, and negotiation support — all for a set fee that can potentially save sellers thousands compared to traditional commission models.

Currently, Homie’s one-time fee MLS service is limited to certain states, which might affect its usability for some prospective sellers.

Features

Flat Fee Listing

Homie offers a budget-friendly solution for home sellers with a $5,000 flat fee listing service.

This affordable approach simplifies the home selling process by replacing the 6% commission model of traditional real estate selling.

Provider Marketplace

This feature provides users with a curated list of reliable service providers to streamline the home buying and selling process.

Covering everything from home inspectors to moving companies, the platform helps users find the right partners for every phase of their journey.

It offers users the flexibility to select service providers according to their preferences.

Homie Loans

Homie offers assistance to those aiming to purchase a new home or refinance an existing mortgage.

The service helps buyers secure the best available rates, enabling them to finance their home with confidence and ease.

Homie Title

Homie employs a combination of automated technology and an expert team to transform the home closing process into a simple, secure, and stress-free experience.

It aims to alleviate clients’ concerns regarding the often overwhelming amount of paperwork required by title companies to finalize a home purchase or sale.

Plans and Pricing

As one of the best flat fee MLS brokers, Homie charges sellers a flat fee of $5,000 rather than the traditional percentage-based commission model.

The fee covers a suite of real estate services, including listings, offers, negotiations, and paperwork. Additional services may be available for separate fees.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Cost savings. Homie has a fixed service rate of $5,000, replacing the traditional 3% commission. This offers considerable savings, especially for sellers of high-priced homes.

• Automated process. Homie uses an automated and digitized listing process that allows for immediate completion of the necessary documents, significantly simplifying and speeding up the home selling experience.

• Comprehensive service offering. Beyond MLS listing services, Homie also provides mortgage, title, and insurance services, covering a broad spectrum of real estate needs.

Cons

• Poor client support. Homie’s realtors manage a large number of clients, primarily through online channels. This could lead to a lack of hands-on support and poor communication due to overwhelming caseloads.

• Weak incentive structure. Homie’s agents are paid a salary rather than a commission, which potentially affects their motivation to negotiate the best deal for their clients.

• Restricted coverage area. Homie currently only operates in five states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The services they provide are unavailable to home sellers outside these states.

Integrations

Aside from integrations with MLS platforms, Homie does not offer integration with any third-party software platforms.

Being one of the best flat fee MLS brokers, Flat Fee Group is a national conglomerate of individual agents providing diverse services ranging from a mere MLS listing to complete service packages.

Covering 48 states and Washington D.C., this group allows homeowners to choose from a variety of service plans.

They include listings on Realtor.com and local realtor sites, contracts, addendums and disclosures, phone/email support, and more to suit any needs and budgets.

Features

Buyer Leads Forwarding

Flat Fee Group doesn’t handle inquiry emails or calls. Instead, they send the seller’s contact information to interested parties.

This ensures direct communication between sellers and potential buyers or tenants without middlemen.

Market Analysis

Flat Fee Group provides market analysis to help property sellers determine an optimal listing price for their property.

By providing real estate market data on local property values, they help sellers eliminate guesswork and make informed decisions about their listing price.

6 months – 1 year MLS listing

Flat Fee Group offers MLS listing services for sellers seeking extended market exposure, with options ranging from 6 months to 1 year.

Plans and Pricing

A top contender for the best flat fee MLS listing service, Flat Fee Group offers an array of pricing plans and packages that differ by state.

Each plan comprises a unique range of services, with 2 to 4 available plans depending on the state. For example, in North Carolina, here’s a breakdown of pricing plans:

Basic costs $295 and is ideal for budget-conscious sellers. This plan includes everything you need to sell your property or rent it out, such as:

• a six-month listing term
• six photos on the MLS
• syndication to major real estate sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia
• a printable color flier
• yard sign
• buyer lead forwarding
• essential real estate forms

Showcase costs $395. Building on the Basic offering, the Showcase plan adds a showing service and feedback option and a market analysis to help you price your home competitively.

Premium costs $695. It encompasses all the features of the Showcase plan with additional marketing boost through social media and marketing.

It provides convenience with a combo lock box and comprehensive support with contract and sales consultation.

Full Service costs $995. As the most comprehensive option, this plan includes all the features of the Premium plan, along with:

• expert assistance with contract reviews
• advice on offers
• negotiation handling
• digital signing with DocuSign Contracts

This plan offers many of the benefits of using a real estate agent and provides the closest experience to a traditional agent-assisted sale.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Variety of packages. Flat Fee Group provides 3 to 4 package options in most states, giving sellers the flexibility to choose based on their needs. They can opt for a more economical basic plan or select a premium package for comprehensive agent support.

• Increased transparency. Flat Fee Group clearly lists the broker for each state along with the price and services included in each package, promoting transparency and allowing sellers to make well-informed decisions.

• Experienced brokers. Most brokers associated with Flat Fee Group bring over a decade of industry experience, which fosters confidence in their expertise and service quality.

Cons

• Inconsistency across states. Prices and services can differ substantially from state to state, potentially causing confusion and lack of uniformity.

• Lack of oversight for service quality. There is no central authority within the Flat Fee Group overseeing or guaranteeing the quality of service offered by individual brokers.

• Limited broker options. With just one broker available per state, sellers lack the opportunity to choose between different brokers, which restricts their options to find the best fit for their specific needs.

Integrations

• DocuSign
• Local MLS listing platforms

Beycome is an innovative real estate and online listing platform that offers homeowners and buyers a self-service approach to buying, selling, or renting a property.

It facilitates a do-it-yourself process, removing the need for real estate agents to be involved and eliminating associated fees.

The platform provides features like downloadable contracts, remote agent support, and more to ensure a smooth transaction process.

Features

Flat Fee MLS Listing

Beycome offers a flat fee MLS listing, allowing you to list your property on the MLS for a single upfront cost.

The price typically ranges from $99 to $599 depending on the chosen package. This saves you money compared to traditional real estate agent commission fees.

Messaging Center

This feature grants users direct access to all communication from potential buyers or renters, streamlining the process by removing intermediaries.

This direct access ensures that contracts, messages, visit requests, and even legal forms are delivered straight to the user.

Comparative Market Analysis

This feature improves property valuation by employing two estimation tools, mirroring the professional diligence of real estate agents.

The service compares a property to others recently sold and currently on the market. It provides a detailed analysis without the cost or experience constraints of an agent.

Beycome Title

This feature integrates help from top-notch agents with advanced technology designed to ensure a simplified, transparent, cost-effective, and seamless real estate closing process starting at $199.

The tool offers round-the-clock access from any device, ensuring stakeholders are always informed about document updates, Estoppel Letters, and title and liens searches.

Plans and Pricing

Beycome offers three distinct pricing plans tailored to meet diverse real estate needs.

Basic Package costs a one-time fee of $99 (pricing may vary by state), and offers comprehensive features, including listing on local MLS and top real estate sites, maximum pictures allowed by MLS, and free unlimited listing updates.

Enhanced Package, priced at a flat fee of $399, expands upon the Basic Package by adding professional HDR pictures, featured placement on beycome.com, customizable promotional items, a key lock box, and digital advertising for wider reach.

For users seeking premium support, the Concierge Service, priced at $599 (+1% commission at $999 minimum), includes all the features of the Enhanced Package, with additional benefits such as:

• dedicated real estate personnel,
• full negotiation support
• comprehensive home valuation services

This package offers pictures shot with a real estate photography drone and immersive 3D walkthroughs made with virtual tour software, ensuring clients get premium marketing support during the sales process.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable basic services. Beycome provides all basic services and state-required forms for just $99, making it an attractive option for experienced sellers who only require a simple listing service.

• Direct forwarding of buyer leads. All buyer leads are directly forwarded to sellers without agent involvement, enabling direct communication and potential negotiation opportunities.

• Innovative marketing tools. On higher plans, the platform features HDR photos, a virtual tour, drone pictures (where available), and a YouTube video for listings, offering innovative ways to showcase properties.

Cons

• Variable pricing. While the $99 plan is attractive, the price of the package may vary depending on the seller’s location, and not all packages are available in every area.

• Limited coverage. Beycome is only licensed in 10 states, which limits its availability to sellers and buyers in other regions.

• Restrictive refunds policy. While Beycome offers a refund of up to $99 within 90 days, specific conditions apply, such as not receiving two legitimate offers or already being under contract. Georgia sellers may also face a $25 cancellation fee.

Integrations

• Armadillo
• SmartMLS
• Credible Insurance
• Trulia
• Realtor.com
• Zillow
• Redfin
• ApartmentGuide
• Oodle
• Listanza
• Local MLS listing platforms

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About the Author:

Kristina Morales is both a licensed mortgage loan originator and real estate agent in the State of Ohio. Inspired by her years of working with buyers and sellers and seeing a need for more consumer education, Kristina created loanfully.com, an online educational resource for borrowers and industry professionals. In addition to real estate sales and mortgage lending, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking, treasury, and corporate finance. She ended her corporate career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX. Kristina obtained her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and her B.A in Business Management from Ursuline College.