$16,584 – that’s how much Michiganians paid in agent commissions on an average $276,400 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in MI 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 Detroit to Ann Arbor, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Great Lake State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in Michigan 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 $16,584 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Michigan
| FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Homecoin | $399 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. FSBO.com | $399 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Kermath Realty | $998 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. Zillow | $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 FSBOs 🚀
There are two types of FSBO websites in Michigan 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 Michigan
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
👉 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 Michigan. 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. Homecoin
AFFORDABLE PACKAGE
Listing Fee: $954.8/5
Homecoin offers only one Flat Fee MLS package:
- Flat Fee MLS Listing – $95: It includes a 12-month listing term, 25+ photos, call forwarding, info by text, email forwarding, and state and federal disclosures. You also get up to 10 free listing changes.
Add-ons:
- Sign Post Rental: $105 (price varies by area)
- Lockbox Rentals: $125 (price varies by MLS)
- Pro Photography: $182 (price varies by area)
- Seller Agent: They offer two packages for seller agent. Standard package costs $495 and the premium package costs $2,999.
👉 Our Take: Homecoin offers only a single package for listing on the MLS. If you opt for any additional service, you end up paying extra.
Note: Homecoin’s services and prices vary by region. Our research is conducted in the 90001 ZIP code.
Based on our research, the benefits of Homecoin are:
- Digital Automation: The listing documents can be filled out online on their website.
- Affordable Listing: Apart from expensive add-ons, your home gets listed on the MLS at an inexpensive price.
- Covers 22 States: Homecoin covers Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In our research, we found some limitations of Homecoin, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Essentials Are Add-Ons: Homecoin will charge you extra for features like showing management with a lockbox. You can counter an offer or request the highest and best offer.
- Upgrades are Overpriced: If you want to manage showings, you have to rent a lockbox for $125.
- Key Features Are Not Available: Key features, like inspections and appraisals, are missing in Homecoin’s offerings. Without these, you risk turning off buyers and buyer agents.
Homecoin has 4.8 out of 5 stars from 120+ reviews on Yelp.
» Homecoin Reviews: Is Homecoin worth it? Read our blog to find out.
Homecoin is a website For Sale By Owner that offers a single MLS listing package. Homecoin’s primary benefit is that it provides sellers with an easy way to list their homes on the MLS. Their rental lockbox, professional real estate photographs, or signposts come at additional costs.
We do not recommend Homecoin for most home sellers. The additional features come at a hefty price point. Further, Homecoin’s limited coverage may make it difficult for many Americans to benefit from their MLS access package.
3. FSBO.com
NATIONAL REFERRAL COMPANY
Listing Fee: $99.95 - $399- FSBO Package – $99.95
- MLS Package – $399.95
- Multiple Categories of Listings
- User-Friendly Interface
- Nationwide Coverage
- Limited Automation
- Unpredictable Broker Quality
- Extra Charges for Listing Photos
- Expensive à la carte Services
FSBO.com has no credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot.
» FSBO.com Reviews: Read why the oldest FSBO website isn’t the best anymore.
FSBO.com is accessible nationwide, providing coverage in over 50+ markets.
Apart from listing your house For Sale By Owner, FSBO.com offers no major services. The à la carte items are expensive, and you’re charged extra for uploading more than 20 photos.
4. Kermath Realty
LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: $299 - $9984.3/5
Kermath Realty offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages to home sellers.
- Bronze Package – $299: The package includes a listing term of 6 months with 6 photos. Other services include printable color flyers, buyer lead forwarding, and a regular yard sign.
- Silver Package – $399: The package includes a listing term of 12 months with 35 photos. The package also offers 3 open house postings, virtual tours, and more.
- Gold Package – $998: This is a full-service package. You get direct assistance from a broker to help you sell.
- Platinum Package – $379 + 0.5% at closing: This package is similar to the Gold Package. You need to pay 0.5% of the sales price to a maximum of $1,500 at closing.
👉 Our Take: Kermath Realty offers multiple packages tailored to fit your needs. However, the two full-service plans are expensive as compared to the other service providers.
» What is Kermath Realty? Is Kermath Realty worth it? Read our blog to find out.
In terms of value, Kermath Realty is a good option. Here are some of its advantages.
- Strong Customer Support: Kermath Realty has an excellent 4.3 out of 5-star rating on Google Reviews. This indicates they provide strong support to their customers.
- Color Flyers With All the Listings: Each listing includes a color flyer that you can hand out at open houses or post on your yard sign.
» Pros of Kermath Realty: Read this to learn more about the company.
In our research, we found some major deal breakers with Kermath Realty.
- Only for Experienced Sellers: The Bronze and Silver plan from Kermath Realty is only suitable for seasoned sellers. If you require even a little support, you should pick one of the more expensive options.
- Listing Upgrades are Not Clear: There is no information on Kermath Realty’s website about whether you can change your listing after it goes live.
Jeff Kermath Realty has 4.3 out of 5 stars from 70+ reviews on Google.
» Kermath Realty Reviews: Read Kermath Realty’s reviews and choose accordingly.
Kermath Realty is a local FSBO Flat Fee listing service, owned and operated by Jeff Kermath. They have been in this business for the last 20 years and have over 6200 listings so far.
Kermath Realty does not provide you with a real estate professional without their full-service package.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in Michigan
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 Michigan.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in Michigan?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in Michigan. 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 $276,400 home in the Great Lake State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $8,292 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $7,543!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $12,291 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $11,542 |
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 Michigan: 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 Michigan MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS Michigan listing services.
- 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 an MI 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 Michigan
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in Michigan, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local MI 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 Michigan
If you think selling a house yourself in Michigan 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: Michigan cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in Michigan 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 Michigan?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in Michigan. Create your account and opt for a listing plan. Then enter property details and sign the listing agreement.
2. What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in Michigan?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in Michigan. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
3. Where can I list my house For Sale By Owner for free in Michigan?
You can list your home for free on ForSaleByOwner, Zillow and classifieds websites like Craigslist.
What to look for in an FSBO website?
When looking for a For Sale By Owner website to list your home on the MI MLS, look for user-friendly interfaces, online visibility, and features such as listing customization and marketing tools.
