$27,666 – that’s how much Virginians paid in agent commissions on an average $461,100 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in VA 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 Norfolk to Harrisonburg, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Old Dominion State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in Virginia 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 $27,666 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites In Virginia
| FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 2. ISoldMyHouse | $399 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 3. NetRealtyNow | $299 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 4. Flat Fee Realty | $299 +0.25% | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 6. Zillow For Sale By Owner | $0 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| 7. Craigslist | $0 | ā | ā | ā | ā |
*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 4.8 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBOs š
There are two types of For Sale By Owner websites in Virginia 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, Realtor.com, and 100s of 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 Virginia
1. Houzeo.com
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
š 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
Houzeoās 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 ratedĀ 4.9 out of 5 starsĀ by thousands of home sellers onĀ GoogleĀ &Ā Trustpilot.
Ā»Ā Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the top FSBO websites in Virginia. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeoās 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. ISoldMyHouse
Low Tech, But Great Broker
Listing Fee: $299 - $3994.7/5
I Sold My House offers 2 flat fee packages:
- Get Listed – $299: This package offers MLS listing with 6-10 photos. Your listing is syndicated to major sites like Zillow and Trulia. It is best suited for rental properties and small 1-2 bedroom homes.
- Get Sold – $399: This package includes all the features of the Get Listed plan, plus you can upload up to 25 photos. It is best suited for larger homes.
š Our Take: ISoldMyHouse.com offers affordable MLS listings, but its services are relatively basic, even in premium packages. Unlike many other flat fee brokers, they do not offer agent support or guidance throughout the selling process.
I Sold My House offers the following advantages:
- Fast Listing: Your home is listed on the MLS within 24 hours from the time you submit your details.
- Market Exposure: Your MLS listing gets syndicated to websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
- Buyer Leads Forwarded: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you with no agent involvement.
Here are some deal breakers associated with I Sold My House:
- Limited Coverage: ISoldMyHouse.com is licensed to provide direct services in 8 states. In the rest of the region, it works as a referral service.
- Limited Features: They don’t offer any additional services like professional photography, yard signs, or comparative market analysis.
- Self-Managed Process: The entire selling process is DIY, meaning sellers have to manage pricing, marketing, and the closing process.
I Sold My House has a rating of 4.73 out of 5 from 10+ reviews on Better Business Bureau.
Ā» I Sold My House Reviews: Do consider reading these reviews before choosing I Sold My House.
ISoldMyHouse is a great choice in the 8 states it covers. Kris Lippi is an experienced Flat Fee broker with thousands of transactions under his belt.
In the remaining 42 states and Washington D.C., ISoldMyHouse.com is only a referral service. They act as a middleman and will sell your information to a local broker who will help you list on MLS.
3. Net Realty Now
EXPERIENCED BROKER
Listing Fee: $299 - $1,2994.7/5
Net Realty Now offers 2 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Flat Fee MLS Package – $299: This package provides a 6-month listing period and 36 photos, virtual tours of the house, and unlimited text editing of your MLS listing.
- Full-Service Flat Fee MLS Package – $1,299: This package allows listings across 83 affiliated websites, both national and local. You are also provided comparable sales information on similar properties.
š Our Take: They have affordable Flat Fee MLS packages, which include all the services a homeowner looks for.
- Experienced & Highly Rated Broker: The company is known for its first-class services. Thomas has a great sense of the market and how things work.
- Good Customer Reviews: The team at Net Realty Now respond to their clients promptly and are renowned for their integrity.
- Extensive Marketing Reach: They syndicate your listing to popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia.
- High Credibility: Net Realty Now lists between 500 to 600 properties every year. Out of these, over 60% of properties sell within the initial listing term.
- Unlimited Changes: You are allowed to make unlimited changes to your listing for free.
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: Buyer leads are sent to the homeowners directly to limit broker participation in the sale.
- Online Paperwork: The full-service package offers a complete electronic paperwork from listing to closing.
- Comparable Sales Report: It also provides a detailed CMA report which helps you price your property accurately based on market comparisons.
- Limited Coverage: The main turn-down of Net Realty Now is its limited coverage. It serves only in four states prominently.
- Expensive Package:Ā In case you opt for the full service package, you will have to shell out a greater amount.
Net Realty Now has 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 20+ reviews on Zillow.
Ā»Ā Net Realty Now.com Reviews:Ā Check out what Houzeo home sellers have to say about working with Net Realty Now.
With Net Realty Now, you work with agents who have over 30 years of experience in the business. They provide unlimited customer services for market advice, professional guidance, and contract negotiations in the full-service package with a 1%-2% listing fee.
If you are looking for customizable packages curated to your specific needs, you may want to look at some other websites on this list.
4. Flat-Fee 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.
š 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:Ā Flat Fee MLS Realty may not be ideal for you if you are a first-time seller. Youāll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own.
- Expensive Add-ons:Ā For services likeĀ professional photography, you have to pay an additional $460 with the Silver package and $300 with the Gold package.
Flat Fee MLS Realty hasĀ 4.3 out of 5Ā starsĀ from 90+ total reviews onĀ Google.
Ā» Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Flat Fee Realty.
Flat Fee Realty offers a single MLS package that varies from state to state. With this package, you get free listing changes and related seller disclosures.
However, Flat Fee Realty requires you to pay a minimum 2% buyer agent commission, 0.25% of which goes as a kickback to your listing agent. This means you end up paying a small commission to the listing agent at closing.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in Virginia
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.
Ā» 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 Virginia.
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.
Ā» Zillow For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular Virginia 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
Social Media Behemoth
Listing Fee: $0Facebook Marketplace offers free FSBO real estate listing in its ‘Property for Sale’ section.
- FSBO Listing on Facebook – $0: You can list your property with some photos and basic details.
š Our Take: Facebook Marketplace is good for added exposure outside MLS or real estate websites. However, do not rely on it completely to get buyer leads. List on the MLS for credible buyer leads.
- Facebook has Millions of Users: Your property is advertised to millions of Facebook users. This certainly gives you exposure outside of MLS-syndicated websites.
- Facebook Marketplace is Not a Real Estate Website: Although it gives your listing some exposure, you don’t get assistance or FSBO tools. Its only purpose is marketing your property.
- Potential Privacy Attacks:Ā Hackers can steal your personal data online. Make sure you have limited information open to the public while using Facebook Marketplace.
- No FSBO Support:Ā Although Facebook Marketplace gives your listing some exposure, you donāt get assistance or FSBO tools. Its only purpose is marketing your property.
- You Can Get Scammed:Ā Be vigilant of fraudulent offers. Scammers may attempt to make phony offers. If you get an offer that is too good to be true, high chances are it is a scam.
Facebook Marketplace has no customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot.
Craigslist is one of the biggest free For Sale By Owner sites in Virginia. 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 Virginia. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in Virginia?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in Virginia. 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 $461,100 home in the Old Dominion State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $13,833 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $13,084!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $13,833 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $13,084 |
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 ā Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLSā 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 Virginia: 5 Steps
Hereās how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents:
- Find the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service:Ā Choose a flat-rate listing service to list your FSBO home on Virginia MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the bestĀ Flat Fee MLS real estate Virginia services.
- Create Your Account:Ā 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:Ā Fixed fee listing services offer a DIY MLS listing by owner plan or a virtual full-service plan.Ā Choose the plan that meets your home-selling needs.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos:Ā Provide property information like the number of beds, baths, etc. Professionally clicked high-quality photos can help you sell your homeĀ 50%Ā faster. So, consider hiring aĀ VA real estate photographerĀ before you upload photos!
- Sign the Listing Agreement:Ā 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 Virginia
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in Virginia, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local VA 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 Virginia
If you think selling a house yourself in Virginia 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: Virginia cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in Virginia 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 Virginia?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in Virginia. 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 MLS listing service in Virginia?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO Virginia real estate MLS listing service. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my house For Sale By Owner for free in Virginia?
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 VA MLS for maximum exposure.
