$50,178 – that’s how much Californians paid in agent commissions on an average $836,300 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in CA will continue to rise, and so will commissions. But there’s an alternative! Going FSBO.
FSBO is powerful. Millennials are leading the way, with over 55% considering selling their homes by owner. From Eureka to San Diego, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Golden State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in California will double your savings. You save 3% on the listing agent commission. With the NAR Settlement, you save on the 3% buyer agent commission too. That’s potentially a cool $50,178 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Sites in California
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Congress Realty | $299 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 3. Beycome | $99 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Flat Fee MLS Realty | $549 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. Zillow For Sale By Owner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 7. Craigslist | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
For 100% online, only FSBO sites with online showings, inspection scheduling, offer management, and mobile apps have been considered.
For 5-star reviews, customer ratings above 4.75 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBO Websites 🚀
There are two types of FSBO websites in California you can choose from:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites list your property on the MLS for a flat fee. The MLS syndicates your listings to Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and other websites.
- Free FSBO Websites: When you list for free, your listings are visible on the website and not on the MLS. No MLS exposure means less buyers and a lower sale price.
Reviews: 4 Best Paid FSBO Websites in California
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing Plans:
- Bronze: $399 + $350 at closing
- Silver: $409 + 0.5% at closing
- Gold: $429 + 0.5% at closing
- Platinum: $499 + 1% at closing
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. Which gives you access to Houzeo Tech. You can easily manage showings, negotiations, etc.
- Maximum Exposure
- 5-star Customer Service
- 100% Online
- No Hidden Fees
- Free Home Value Estimator
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listings may take more than 12 hours to get updated.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best FSBO sites in California. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service helps you save thousands on Realtor commissions. You get dedicated customer support, which makes the home-selling process smooth and effortless. In addition, Houzeo covers 47 states and DC.
2. Congress Realty
Most Experienced Broker
Listing Fee: Starts at $2994.9/5
Congress Realty offers 4 different packages:
- Basic – $299: It includes a listing term of 6 months and 6 photos, with access to all state forms & disclosures.
- Plus – $399: The services offered are similar to the basic package. You can make up to 10 free listing changes.
- Premium – $499: You get all the services of the Plus Package, with unlimited open house postings, social media featured listings, and unlimited listing changes.
- Full-Service – $399 + 0.5% Commission: This package comes with the assistance of an agent to help you with negotiations, contract review, and closing. They charge 0.5% at closing.
Additional Add-ons:
- MLS Extension – $50: You can extend your listing for 2 years.
- eLockbox – $295: Keyless entry system (price includes $125 refundable deposit).
- Yard Signs – $150: Congress Realty branded yard sign.
- Virtual Tour – $350: Professional virtual tour.
- Key Lockbox – $50: Numeric punch lockbox system.
👉 Our Take: Jared Andrew English is Congress Realty’s broker-in-charge. Under his leadership, Congress has sold over $1 billion worth of properties. His expertise can help you get the best deal for your home.
Congress Realty offers these benefits with its packages:
- Experienced Principal Broker: Under the leadership of Jared Andrew English, the company has sold over $1 billion worth of properties. His expertise can help you get the best deal for your home.
- Commission Savings: Congress Realty’s Flat Fee packages allow you to ditch the listing agent commission entirely. Their full-service package is also cost-effective.
- Direct Contact with Buyers: Congress Realty allows buyers to contact you directly. This enables you to have better control over the sale.
- Greater Exposure: The company syndicates your MLS listing to national real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, etc. They also feature it on social media in premium and full-service packages.
- Transparent Fees: The company clearly outlines its fees, ensuring home sellers know what to expect upfront.
- Client Portal: Congress Realty’s client portal allows you to download all the necessary state and seller disclosure forms. You can also counter an offer or make changes to your listing from there.
During our research, we found certain limitations of Congress Realty:
- Expensive Add-ons: You have to pay extra for add-on services like yard signs, a virtual tour, a key lockbox, etc., which eventually makes you spend more.
- Limited Listing Duration: All the plans offer only 6 months of listing, which may be too short for sellers. You have to pay an extra $50 to extend your listing to 2 years.
- Lack of Vital Features: Although the company is tech-centric, it does not have a listing management platform that can simplify your FSBO journey.
- Limited Coverage: Congress Realty only offers services in 12 states. Its limited coverage is a deal-breaker for people living in other parts of the country.
Congress Realty has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 90+ reviews on Google.
» Congress Realty Reviews: Is Congress Realty worth it? Read our blog to find out.
You can opt for Congress Realty to list your home if you are willing to put some manual effort into your sale. Their principal broker, Jared Andrew English, has extensive experience in the real estate industry.
However, you may find their à la carte services expensive. Additionally, their technology lacks some essential features. For instance, they do not have a listing management platform that can simplify your FSBO journey.
3. Beycome
DIY Real Estate Brokerage
Listing Fee: $99 - $5994.5/5
Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC offers three Flat Fee MLS listing packages for homeowners:
- Basic Package – $99: This package offers you unlimited changes to your listings.
- Enhanced Package – $399: You get a yard sign, a featured listing on Beycome’s website, flyers, brochures, and one key lockbox. You can also add a virtual tour video to your listing. This package is available only in 8 states.
- Concierge Service – $599 + 1% Commission: This is essentially a virtual full-service package that includes assistance till closing. They charge 1% of the sale price at closing. It is available only in 6 states.
👉 Our Take: Beycome’s prices are reasonable. However, their à la carte services comes with a hefty price tag. Also, the website is suitable only for experienced sellers.
Beycome offers good service in the selected states they are available in:
- Unrestricted Revisions and Edits: You can make unlimited changes to the description, photos, or price of your listing.
- Expert Assistance, if Needed: You can get expert assistance on all 7 days of the week in English and Spanish.
In our research, we came across these deal breakers with Beycome:
- Upselling Title Service: Beycome also owns a title company, which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
- Limited Coverage: It is only available in 10 states.
- Lack of Assistance: Most sellers had to manage price negotiation, showings, and closing by themselves. Sellers also complained about the delay in resolving issues.
- Average Technology: Leads, inspections, appraisals, etc., are managed offline so the process can be cumbersome.
- Only for Experienced Sellers: First-time sellers may not have experience in closing costs and seller disclosures. Beycome does not provide that much assistance in this area.
Beycome has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 600+ reviews on Google.
» Beycome Reviews: Know why Beycome is not the best choice to sell your home.
Beycome is headquartered in South Miami, FL, and has been operating since 2020. They are known for their affordable packages. And you can make unlimited changes to your listing.
However, Beycome is available only in 10 states. The sellers complain about the lack of in-person support during the closing process and handling seller disclosures.
4. Flat Fee MLS Realty
UNLIMITED LISTING TERM
Listing Fee: $99 - $5954.3/5
FlatFeeMLSRealty offers three real estate listing packages to suit different needs and budgets:
- Silver Package – $99: This package includes a 3-month listing term and up to 15 photos with 10 listing changes.
- Gold Package – $249: This package comes with a 6-month listing term and enables you to include up to 50 photos with unlimited listing changes.
- Platinum Package – $549: This package has unlimited listing terms and changes with 25+ HD photos.
👉 Our Take: Flat Fee Realty is an affordable option. However, they do charge additional fees for optional upgrades like additional photos and listing changes.
These are some pros of Flat Fee Realty in the areas it operates:
- Cost-Effective: Flat Fee Realty offers an affordable flat fee listing package.
- Free listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing without paying any additional fees.
- Easy Cancellation: You can cancel anytime and get a refund within 30 days of purchase. If you decide not to sell your home, some of your listing fees will be refunded.
In our research, we have found certain drawbacks of Flat Fee MLS Realty.
- Not for First-Time Sellers: Flat Fee MLS Realty may not be ideal for you if you are a first-time seller. You’ll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own.
- Expensive Add-ons: For services like professional photography, you have to pay an additional $460 with the Silver package and $300 with the Gold package.
Flat Fee MLS Realty has 4.3 out of 5 stars from 90+ total reviews on Google.
» Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Flat Fee Realty.
Flat Fee MLS Realty offers MLS listings for a flat fee. They allow you to make unlimited changes to your listing at no extra cost in their gold and platinum plan.
However, if you choose not to use their affiliated title company, Excel Title, you will have to pay an additional $375 at closing.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in California
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
Listing Fee: $0 - $4953.4/5
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package – $495
- Nationwide Coverage
- Control and Flexibility
- Direct Buyer Interaction
- No MLS Listing
- Lack of Technology
- Privacy Violation
- Lead for Rocket Homes
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on BestCompany.com.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
ForSaleByOwner.com has been operating since 1999. You can list your single-family home, condo, or townhouse at no cost. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and access to legal forms.
Although ForSaleByOwner.com offers various paid services, their agent support package is similar to what you’d pay to a traditional Realtor. And none of the packages include a For Sale By Owner MLS listing in California.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0
- Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission
- No Fees
- Free Cancellation
- Maximum Market Exposure
- Nationwide Coverage
- User-Friendly Interface
- Offers Rental Services
- Slow Listings
- Inaccurate Zestimate
- Limited Support
- Lead for Real Estate Agent
- Hide FSBO Listings
Zillow has a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 350+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular California real estate website. To list your home, you can simply sign up and create your free account.
However, Zillow’s FSBO listings do not appear on the MLS and are hidden in the ‘Other Listings’ tab. This limits the exposure on your property.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0
- User-Friendly Website
- Free FSBO Listing
- Good for Distressed Property
- Huge Traffic
- Lowball Offer
- Scammers and Pranksters
- Short Lifespan of Ads
Craigslist has a poor rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» How to Sell a House on Craigslist: Learn the step-by-step process of selling your home on Craigslist.
Craigslist is one of the biggest free For Sale By Owner sites in California. The platform is free to use and can provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing.
But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers in California. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in California?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the California MLS. You just need to pay a flat fee, which is a fraction of the cost you would pay to the Realtor.
Imagine you own a $836,300 home in the Golden State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $25,089 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $24,340!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $25,089 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $24,340 |
NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely be paying much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage Buyer Agents, and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 will be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
How to List on MLS in California: 5 Steps
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents:
- Find the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service: Choose a flat-rate listing service to list your FSBO home on California MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings for the Flat Fee MLS California listing.
- Create Your Account: Almost all Flat Fee listing services will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo will allow you to manage your listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: Fixed fee listing services offer a DIY MLS listing by owner plan or a virtual full-service plan. Choose the plan that meets your home-selling needs.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Provide property information like the number of beds, baths, etc. Professionally clicked high-quality photos can help you sell your home 50% faster. So, consider hiring a CA real estate photographer before you upload photos!
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete the seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will list your home within 24 to 48 hours.
5 Tips for Listing Your House as For Sale By Owner in California
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in California, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local CA real estate market. Learn about recent house sales prices, market trends, and the typical time it takes to sell a home.
- Prepare Your Home: Make necessary repairs and renovations. Clean, declutter, and opt for home staging. All this makes your house appealing to potential buyers.
- Price It Right: Set a competitive price for your house. To get a Fair Market Value, consider a professional appraisal or use online tools.
- Market Your Home: Create a detailed marketing plan. Use high-quality images and make a virtual tour or video walkthrough.
- Opt for Exposure: Choose an FSBO website that gets your home listed on the MLS. This will give maximum exposure to your property and attract potential buyers.
Alternatives to For Sale By Owner Sites in California
If you think selling a house yourself in California can be difficult, here are some other options you can consider:
- Choose a Low Commission Agent: A low-commission real estate agent offers you the same services as a traditional Realtor for a reduced commission rate.
- Opt for a Cash Home Buyer: California cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in California with them.
- Sell With an iBuyer: Opendoor and Offerpad are iBuyers that use technology to extend cash offers on homes. They typically offer 70%-80% of a home’s Fair Market Value (FMV).
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list a house For Sale By Owner in California?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in California. Create your account and opt for a listing plan. Then enter property details and sign the listing agreement.
What is the best For Sale By Owner Flat Fee MLS Listing in California?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in California. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner for free in California?
You can list your home for free on ForSaleByOwner.com, Zillow and classifieds websites like Craigslist.
What to look for in an FSBO website?
When opting for a FSBO website, look for user-friendly interfaces, online visibility, and features such as listing customization and marketing tools. Also, you should list your home on the multiple listing service California for maximum exposure.
