From Cook County to McHenry, home sellers can save up to $10,950 on an average $365,000 home with with Flat Fee MLS Chicago services. Instead of a 3% agent commission, you list your house on the local MLS for a flat fee, typically under $300.
But beware! Many Flat Fee MLS services in Chicago are infamous for hidden fees. These surprise fees will be disclosed to you only at the closing table. To save you from these undisclosed fees, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching the best Flat Fee MLS Chicago services.
Rankings: 5 Best Flat Fee MLS Chicago Companies in 2025
| Flat Fee MLS Service | Price | 100% Online | Offer Management | Showing Management | 5-star Reviews | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Circle One Realty | $495 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3. Prello Realty | $795 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. List With Freedom | $295 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. Beycome | $399 | ❌ | ❌ | $ | ❌ | ❌ |
Reviews: 5 Best Flat Fee Listing Services in Chicago
1. Houzeo
100% ONLINE
Listing Fee: $199Houzeo is a high-tech platform that streamlines listings, updates, and online showings/offers. Choose from 3 Flat Fee MLS packages to simplify your home sale.
- Silver Package – $199: You can upload 24 photos, and your listing term will be 6 months. You can also make unlimited changes to your listing.
- Gold Package – $249: You can post the maximum number of photos, avail licensed broker assistance, get access to seller disclosures, and a premium yard sign.
- Platinum Package – $299: You get virtual full assistance from a licensed broker and a 12-month listing term.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of these reasons:
- Max Exposure: Your home listing is syndicated to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc., increasing its visibility.
- 100% Online: You can list your home, manage offers, and close deals, all at your fingertips with a powerful mobile app.
- 5-star Customer Service: You have access to listing support and chat services 6 days a week.
- No Hidden Fees: What you see is what you pay. Houzeo mentions all of its fees upfront on its website.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses home seller’s concerns with efficiency.
Houzeo is rated an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google and Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Rated “Excellent” by 10,000+ happy home sellers.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. The Gold Plan gives you maximum exposure, highest savings, and access to Houzeo technology features. And a licensed broker will assist you with pricing your home, offer negotiations, inspection, and closing.
2. Circle One Realty
LOCAL REALTOR SUPPORT
Listing Fee: $295Circle One Realty offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages that provide cost-effective solutions for home sellers.
- MLS Entry Package – $145: You can list your vacant land on the local MLS. It is then syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more. You get to upload 1 photo for a listing term of 3 months.
- MLS Basic Package – $295: You can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos. You also get full-service realtor support and a standard yard sign.
- MLS Classic Package – $495: This includes MLS Basic Package services with a 12-month listing term. You also get the additional benefits of a lockbox combo and professional photography.
- MLS Elite Package – $495: This top-tier package includes all the features of the MLS Classic Package. Additionally, you can list your home until it sells or you get to cancel the listing.
Here are some advantages of listing with Circle One Realty:
- Full-Service Realtor Support: All the packages come with comprehensive realtor services to help you throughout the sale process.
- Photography Services: The Classic and Elite packages include professional real estate photography to enhance your listing’s appeal.
- Yard Signs: The Elite package comes with a professional yard sign. The Basic and Classic packages include a standard yard sign, upgradeable to a professional one.
Our research uncovered some deal-breakers you should consider before choosing Circle One Realty:
- Limited Coverage: They cover only 44 counties in Illinois. If your house is outside those areas, you cannot list with Circle One Realty.
- Not 100% Online: The tech stack of Circle One Realty is modest. Many procedures, like form filling and listing, need to be manually completed. Paperwork might delay your listing process.
- Entry Package for Vacant Land ONLY: You can only list a vacant land on the MLS with this package. The listing lasts just 3 months and includes only one photo.
- Sellers may Require Add-ons: Circle One Realty offers comprehensive packages, but add-ons for custom needs may raise costs.
Circle One Realty is rated 5 out of 5 stars from 230+ reviews on Google.
» Circle One Realty: Read our in-depth review to know more about the company.
👉 Our Take: Ryan Cherny of Circle One Realty is praised for his expertise, but service quality varies. Coverage is limited to select Illinois counties. We don’t recommend it for broader exposure.
3. Prello Realty
LESS CUSTOMIZABLE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $295Prello Realty offers 3 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- MLS Basic Package – $295: Your home will be on the local MLS and major sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin. The listing term is 6 months.
- MLS Plus Package – $495: It includes everything from the Basic Package plus professional photography of your property. The listing term is 9 months.
- MLS Pro Package – $795: You get everything from the previous packages along with a combination lockbox and appointment scheduling for showings.
🚩Hidden Fees: People have complained about poor communication leading to unwanted purchases.
» What is Prello Realty? Read this blog to know more about them.
The positive standout points of Prello Realty are:
- A Yard Sign with Every Package: The Basic and Plus packages include a standard yard sign, while the Pro package includes a professional one.
- Maximum Photos for MLS Pro and Plus Package: Prello Realty’s MLS Plus and MLS Pro packages allow up to 25 photos.
The drawbacks of listing with Prello Realty are:
- Limited Customization: Limited customization may require purchasing add-ons, which can increase the total transaction cost.
- Unclear Communication: Some customers report lack of communication, leading to potential surprises during the transaction process.
- Narrow Coverage: Prello Realty operates exclusively in Illinois. If your property is located in another state, you cannot use their flat fee services. Furthermore, it covers barely half of the counties in the state.
Prello Realty has 4.6 out of 5 stars from 40+ reviews on Google.
» Prello Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Prello Realty.
👉 Our Take: Prello Realty is affordable with a 4+ rating, but reviews cite poor communication and listing issues. Coverage is limited to half of Illinois counties.
4. ListWithFreedom.com
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $89List With Freedom is a popular Multiple Listing Service that offers 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $89: You can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos and unlimited changes. Online showing service, open house, a professional yard sign, and other services are available at additional charges.
- Platinum Package – $195: You get everything in the Gold plan, plus you can list your property for 6 months with the maximum number of photos.
- Platinum Plus Package – $395: This package provides a 12-month listing term with an online showing service, virtual tour, and other features. Add-on services cost extra.
Here are some advantages of choosing List With Freedom:
- Affordable Pricing: List With Freedom offers affordable listing packages starting at just $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: List With Freedom lets you make unlimited listing changes, regardless of the plan you choose.
- Nationwide Coverage: Their service is available in 45+ states across the U.S.
- Important Paperwork: The company provides necessary paperwork and seller disclosures for a smooth, compliant process.
- Direct Buyer Leads: Buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you, ensuring you maintain full control over negotiations.
Some drawbacks of using List With Freedom include:
- Additional Fee at Close: List With Freedom charges a compliance fee of 0.25%–0.50% when your property sells. This may increase your overall costs.
- Extra Charges: Even with the Platinum Plus plan, you need to pay extra for features like open houses, contract prep, and offer review.
- Expensive Add-Ons: Add-ons like virtual tours, open houses, and offer reviews increase transaction costs. List With Freedom charges $49 for a yard sign, and you are responsible for installation costs.
- Limited Online Showing Service: List With Freedom does not provide online showing service in all the areas. Additionally, even if the service is included in your listing package, the company doesn’t provide a refund or credit if unavailable in your area.
List With Freedom has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 700+ reviews on Google.
» List With Freedom Reviews: Should you opt to sell with them? Check out our review!
👉 Our Take: We don’t recommend List With Freedom for most home sellers. Their 0.25% – 0.50% compliance fee at closing can significantly increase your expenses. Instead, you must opt for a Flat Fee MLS service that discloses all its fees upfront so you don’t get any surprises later.
5. Beycome
TECH-DRIVEN PLATFORM
Listing Fee: $99You can choose from 3 Flat Fee MLS packages to list your house.
- Basic Package – $99: You can upload max photos and access your listing until closing or two years.
- Enhanced Package – $399: You can post 25 HDR photos and get a personalized yard sign.
- Concierge Service – $599: You can access an immersive 3D tour. Also, you get full negotiation and paperwork support.
🚩Hidden Fees: Some reviews mention issues with Beycome’s refund policy. They charge a $25 cancellation fee which is not clearly mentioned in their plans. Furthermore, problems with incorrect listings have led many people to lose their money.
Below are the advantages of listing with Beycome:
- Effective Marketing Tools: You can schedule open houses and get customizable flyers and brochures.
- Unlimited Photos: You can upload as many photos as you want.
- Contract Forms: You can access all the paperwork for selling your house without a Realtor.
In our research, we came across some drawbacks of listing with Beycome:
- Limited Support: You don’t get negotiation and paperwork support in the basic and enhanced packages. You may have to opt for an upgrade to avail of the support.
- Misleading MLS Placement: Some customers have reported being listed on the wrong MLS, resulting in poor local exposure.
- Regional Availability: Beycome is not available nationwide and only operates in 12 states. If you reside outside these states, you will need to seek other Flat Fee MLS listing services.
Beycome has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 700+ reviews on Google.
» Beycome Reviews: Know if Beycome is a good option for you to list your house.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Beycome for home sellers seeking a comprehensive Flat Fee MLS service with excellent customer support and professional guidance. If you need full support, including negotiation and paperwork help, Beycome is a great choice.
🚩Beware: Various Chicago Flat Fee MLS Companies Have High Hidden Fees
The biggest issue with Chicago Flat Fee MLS services is the high hidden fees. For example, some companies offer a $99 MLS listing but charge an undisclosed extra fee of $300+ for add-ons like a yard sign or lockbox. These hidden fees make your home sale more expensive, which ruins your experience with all the nickel and diming!
How Does a Flat Fee Multiple Listing Service in Chicago Work?
A Flat Fee MLS listing service allows you to list your home on the MLS for a fixed fee. However, only licensed agents have direct access to the MLS. They partner with agents, all you have to do is choose a plan that suits your needs. And voila! You save thousands.
With thousands of New Yorkers and Washingtonians moving to Illinois, your property will gain exposure to a larger pool of potential buyers. Once your property is listed on Chicago MLS, agents can view it and share it with interested buyers.
How Much Can You Save With a Flat Fee MLS Service in Chicago?
In Chicago’s affluent areas like Lincoln Park, River North, and Gold Coast the median home prices are $733,750, $426,450, and $565,000, respectively. Selling your home through a traditional agent could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in commission fees.
However, with top Illinois Flat Fee MLS listing services like Houzeo, you can save up to $10,701 when selling a $365,000 home in the Windy City. You can use these savings to put your kids through college, upgrade your kitchen, or enjoy a luxury cruise!
| Service Provider | MLS Listing Fee in Chicago | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% Commission – $10,950 | $0 |
| Houzeo | Fixed Fee – $249* | $10,701 |
How to List My Home on MLS in Chicago via Houzeo
Here’s how to list your house on Chicago MLS in five steps:
- Create Your Account: Download the Houzeo Mobile App or go to Houzeo.com and click “Start Listing Now.” You’ll then have to provide basic information, like your name, contact details, etc., to set up your account.
- Add Property Details and Photos: Go to the Houzeo dashboard and click “Sell a Property.” Submit details about your home, such as the number of rooms and baths, square footage, etc. Also, upload high quality pictures and highlight what makes your Chicago home special!
- Choose Your MLS Plan: Houzeo offers 3 flat fee packages. Once you select a plan, the necessary documents will be automatically assigned to you.
- Set Your Asking Price: Use online tools such as a home worth calculator to check the value of your home and set the asking price accordingly.
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement and complete the paperwork. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will make your listing live within 48 hours.
Pros and Cons of Listing With Chicago Flat Fee MLS Services
Here are some pros and cons of listing your Chicago home with Flat Fee MLS services:
✅ Pros
- Great Savings: With a Flat Fee MLS service, you typically pay a fixed fee, up to $300. With a Chicago Flat Rate MLS service, you can save up to $10,071 on an average $625,000 home.
- Max Exposure: Your home listing is shared with major Illinois real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia. This makes your home visible to local and national buyer agents.
- Full Control: You can set your price, negotiate directly with buyers, and control the showing schedule with a Flat Fee Chicago real estate broker.
❌ Cons
- Limited Support: When you choose pocket-friendly plans ranging from $75 to $99, you likely end up handling a lot of paperwork, pricing, and negotiation all by yourself.
- Add On Charges: Even some of the best Chicago Flat Fee MLS listing services do not offer critical marketing tools like yard signs, open house schedulers, and pricing assistance in their basic packages. You will likely pay $500 to $1,000 more in add-ons.
- Hidden Fees: One of the biggest cons of working with Flat Fee Chicago listing services is the hidden fee disclosed at the closing table. It’s so late you can’t even back out of the contract now!
- Time Commitment: Flat Fee MLS services offer virtual broker assistance mostly. You will have to dedicate significant time to market, list, and eventually sell your Chicago home.
Mistakes to Avoid With a Chicago Flat Fee MLS Service 🚫
- Overprice Your Property: An unrealistic listing price can drive away serious buyers and increase your home’s days on market. Use a home worth calculator to set an appropriate value for your house.
- Forget to Prepare Your Home: Most buyers aren’t interested in shabby homes needing repairs and maintenance. If you’re serious about selling, improve your curb appeal, declutter your home, and make minor fixes to attract offers.
- Neglect Marketing Efforts: MLS exposure is great, but it’s not enough in Chicago’s competitive market. Use traditional marketing tactics like yard signs to attract drive-by traffic. Learning how to list a home for sale on Facebook Marketplace is another great way to get more offers.
- Ignore Legal and Paperwork Requirements: FSBO paperwork is complex. But that’s not a good enough reason to overlook crucial documents like a Illinois seller disclosure. Remember to consult with a real estate attorney to verify your contracts.
- Provide Incomplete or Inaccurate Listing Details: Falsifying your listing information is the fastest way to get sued in Chicago. Not only do you risk the deal falling through, but the MLS will also penalize you with a hefty fine. Double-check your listing to avoid more expenses.
- Dismiss Buyer Inquiries and Offers: Serious buyers have many housing options to choose from in the current Illinois real estate market. Respond promptly to all inquiries and offers to avoid losing out on a serious buyer.
- Choose the Wrong Flat Fee MLS Service: The wrong flat fee company will drown you in hidden fees, outdated tech, expensive add-ons, and poor customer support. Why throw away more than $500 for nothing when you can get superior service at just $199?
