From Churchill to Huguenot, Flat Fee MLS services have helped Richmonder save thousands in 2024. Flat Fee MLS Richmond services will list your house on the MLS for a fraction of what you’d pay a 6% Realtor.
There’s more good news. You save the 3% listing agent commission with a Flat Fee MLS listing in Virginia. You will also save on the 2.5% to 3% buyer agent commission with the NAR Settlement. That’s a potential saving of $22,500 on an average $375,000 home in the River City!
Rankings: 8 Flat Fee MLS Richmond Listing Companies
Flat Fee MLS Service | Price | 100% Online | Offer Management | Showing Management | 5-star Reviews | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo | $349 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. FSBO.com | $99-399 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. Flat Fee Group | $299- $500 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. List With Freedom | $295 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. Virginia Flat Fee MLS | $99- $149 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
6. Homecoin | $295 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
7. Home Discovery Realtors | $469 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
8. Net Realty Now | $299 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Reviews: 8 Best Richmond Flat Fee Listing Companies
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Houzeo.comHouzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, and online showings and offers.
You can choose from 4 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Bronze Package – $399+$350 at Close: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver Package – $399+0.5% at Close: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold Package—$429+0.5 % at Close: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum Package – $449+1% at Close: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Before you list, confirm all prices on your particular state’s pricing page.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why 10,000+ Americans love Houzeo.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 5 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s listing packages get your home on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to potential buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the traditional listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent“ by 10,020+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Richmond’s #1 ranked Flat Fee MLS service. Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
In Richmond, the Bronze package costs $399. The Silver package costs $409 +0.5% at close and the Gold package costs $429 +0.5% at close. The Platinum package costs $449 +1% at close.
2. FSBO.com
NATIONAL REFERRAL COMPANY
FSBO.com- 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 available in all states with coverage in 50+ markets. FSBO allows sellers to list their property for sale while saving on the listing agent commission.
But you should know that a la carte items can add up to a total of $335 additional costs! For example, If you wish to avail of CSS showing service, and e-lockbox rental, then you have to pay $75 and $150 over your flat fee package.
3. Flat Fee Group
CUSTOMIZABLE PACKAGES
Flat Fee Group- Listing Fee: Starting at $195 (Varies as per the State)
- No Hidden Fees
- No credible reviews were found
Flat Fee Group is a network of independent brokers providing Flat Fee MLS listings across the US. They offer 3 – 4 packages depending on the state:
- Basic Package – $195 – $399: Prices for MLS listing services vary by state and broker.
- Add-Ons – $400 – $1,000: This covers upgrades like yard signs, lock boxes, and negotiation assistance. Some brokers may charge non-refundable upfront fees.
👉 Our Take: When you choose Flat Fee Group, you’ll work with an independent flat-fee brokerage. Service quality can vary depending on the broker you’re matched with.
Flat Fee Group offers certain advantages:
- Multiple Packages: The packages differ in services offered. You can select the package that suits your real estate needs.
- Maximum Market Exposure: Your property gets listed on many popular websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc. This market exposure will help you sell your house faster.
- Access to Legal Documents: Flat Fee Group provides you with state-wise contracts, forms, and disclosures. This would save you time to collate the documents from different sources.
Flat Fee Group has several drawbacks:
- No Uniform Pricing: Prices and services are not standardized and vary as per state. so you may encounter unexpected fees.
- Inconsistent Service Quality: With brokers operating independently, the level of service can vary widely.
- No Credible Reviews: They do not have reviews on websites like Zillow, Trustpilot, Yelp, and Google.
Flat Fee Group has no customer reviews on Google or Trustpilot.
» Is Flat Fee Group legit? Read our in-depth reviews on Flat Fee Group and choose accordingly.
Since its founding in 2003, the Flat Fee Group has grown to serve clients throughout the United States by connecting independent, flat-fee real estate brokerages with sellers. Flat Fee Group.com’s pricing and multiple packages may seem attractive in listing a property for a flat fee.
However, it works with a variety of different flat-fee brokerages, and not every homeowner will have the same experience.
4. List With Freedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
List With FreedomList With Freedom is one of the oldest Flat Fee MLS services based out of Florida. It offers 3 packages:
- Gold – $89: This plan offers a 6-month MLS listing with up to 25 photos. You can decide the buyer’s agent compensation, but a 0.50% compliance fee is charged at closing.
- Platinum – $195: This plan includes everything from the Gold Plan but allows maximum photos and lowers the compliance fee to 0.25%.
- Platinum+ – $395: This plan includes everything in the Platinum Plan, along with a 12-month listing. It also offers an online showing service, unlimited open houses, a personal transaction coordinator, and a yard sign.
👉 Our Take: List With Freedom is a good option for experienced sellers. However, it’s important to note that they charge a compliance fee at closing, which adds to the total cost of their services.
Here’s what stands out about List With Freedom:
- Affordable Pricing: List With Freedom listings start at $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make unlimited updates to your listing without extra costs.
- Market Exposure: Homes are listed on the MLS and various national websites, including Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- Buyer Leads Forwarding: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you without agent involvement.
Here are some of the drawbacks of working with List With Freedom:
- Additional Fee at Closing: List With Freedom charges a compliance fee of 0.25%–0.50% at closing, which can add to the overall cost.
- No Agent Support: There’s no agent support to assist with contract review, negotiations, or market analysis. Sellers must handle everything independently.
List With Freedom has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 600+ reviews on Google.
» List With Freedom Reviews: Is List With Freedom a good choice? Find out the details in our review!
Ralph Harvey headed List With Freedom has affordable listing packages that are ideal for an experienced seller. The listing process is quick and simple.
But you can only get MLS listings with List with Freedom as they do not provide any pricing or negotiation assistance. If you are new to the real estate market you will need guidance throughout the selling process!
🚩 Fees at Closing: List With Freedom charges a 0.25% fee at closing. They do not disclose this fee upfront on their “Pricing” page.
5. Virginia Flat Fee MLS
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS
Virginia Flat Fee MLSVirginia Flat Fee MLS offers 2 Flat Fee MLS packages with a listing period of 6 months.
- Basic Package – $99: This includes a listing term of 6 months and 6 photos. Your listing will be syndicated on the local MLS and other home listing websites such as Zillow, Trulia, and MSN.com.
- Showcase Package – $149: This includes a listing term of 6 months with 25 photos to help you sell your home faster. Other services offered are similar to the basic package.
👉 Our Take: The packages start at just $99, it is mostly for experienced sellers who understand the listing process well.
Virginia Flat Fee MLS is a good local option for VA home sellers looking for a simple listing service.
- Cheap Packages: You get to choose from two very affordable flat fee packages that offer basic listing requirements.
- Free Status Changes: With free status changes you can keep potential buyers informed. The buyer can check to see if your home is still on the market or if you have accepted an offer already.
- Local Market Exposure: Your listing gets displayed on hundreds of local realtor websites and on the local MLS for 6 months in both packages.
Virginia Flat Fee MLS has a few drawbacks that can make your selling process less than optimal, especially for new home sellers.
- Additional 0.25% Fee at Closing: Virginia Flat Fee MLS refers your listings in Virginia to ListWithFreedom.com or other Flat Fee Brokers. They typically charge a 0.25% fee at closing. So make sure to read the listing agreement carefully!
- Entry-Only Listing: Virginia Flat Fee MLS offers no pricing or negotiation assistance. Sites like Houzeo offer full-service packages that allow you to find the best deal!
- No Listing Changes: You can only make free changes to your listing status but cannot make free changes to your photos or text. If you hire a professional photographer or home stager after your listing, you won’t be able to use those pictures in the same listing!
- No Tech Features: When you are trying to sell by owner, you need all the help you can get. With Virginia Flat Fee MLS you will not get a dashboard or mobile app for easy management and timely notifications.
In our research, we found no credible Virginia Flat Fee MLS reviews.
Virginia Flat Fee MLS offers some really affordable options for Virginia home-sellers. They also list your home on websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com
But you can list your home on the local MLS for only 6 months. Their services are not 100% online. The paperwork process can be tedious and time-consuming.
⚠️ You Should Know: Cheap listing packages like $99 usually come with additional costs. These costs can be up to 0.25% of your home sale price!
6. Homecoin
AFFORDABLE PACKAGE
HomecoinHomecoin 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 was founded by Jon Minerick in 2011. The website is easy to use and they offer low-cost packages.
You can avail of their rental lockbox, professional real estate photographs, or signposts at additional costs.
7. Home Discovery Realtors
SINGLE STANDARD PACKAGE
Home Discovery RealtorsHome Discovery Realtors provides a single Flat Fee MLS Package.
- Diamond Flat Fee MLS Package ($499): This package includes online forms and Virginia State disclosures with up to 40 photos to upload. Your home will be listed on the local MLS and other websites, like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, etc., for a period of your choosing.
👉 Our Take: Home Discovery Realtors mostly focus on VA sellers looking for someone close to home.
Home Discovery Realtors can be beneficial for VA home sellers looking for local support.
- Broker Assitance: Home Discovery Realtors claims to offer full support during the pricing and negotiation stages. According to their website, they also offer strategic marketing help when requested.
- E-Sign Available: Instead of a fax, mail, or going in person, you can e-sign all forms, offers, and counters. This keeps the process online and makes the transaction smoother.
There are a few red flags to note about Home Discovery Realtors.
- Only One Listing Package: Home Discovery Realtor offers only the Diamond package priced over $400. You can find packages starting from $95 to $999 on various competitive sites and choose the best one for yourself.
- Unclear Information: Home Discovery Realtor offer sellers direct lead generation, but their communication methods are unclear. They also lack clear information about what it costs to change listings details, which can lead to hidden costs during closing.
No reviews of this company could be found from enough reliable sources.
Jerry Gerhart’s Home Discovery Realtors provides all the necessary procedures online with a single flat fee package. They cover the entire state of Virginia.
But Home Discovery Realtors only offers a diamond package. Their website does not offer customization or a la carte services.
8. Net Realty Now
EXPERIENCED BROKER
Net Realty NowNet 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.
👉 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: 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.
» Net Realty Now.com Reviews: Check out what Houzeo home sellers have to say about working with Net Realty Now.
With Net Realty Now you work with agents that 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.
However, if you are looking for customizable packages curated to your specific needs, you may want to look at some other websites on this list.
How Do Flat Fee Listing Services in Richmond Work?
Richmond Flat Fee Multiple Listing Services get your home on the MLS for a fixed fee. However, only licensed agents can access the MLS. So, the top flat fee services in VA work with these agents to list and market your home.
All you have to do is choose a plan that best suits your home-selling needs. And voila! You save thousands.
Once the MLS listing is live, buyer agents can view your property on the MLS and subsequently recommend it to prospective buyers.
How Much Can You Save With a Flat Fee MLS Richmond Listing?
It depends on who you work with. A traditional full-service agent charges a 2.5% to 3% commission. On the other hand, a Richmond flat rate MLS listing service like Houzeo costs $399, with a closing fee of just $350.
Imagine you own a $375,000 home in the River City. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $11,250 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $749 and save $10,501!
Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
Traditional Agent | 3% | $11,250 | $0 |
Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $10,501 |
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 pay 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 fees can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
How to Choose the Best Flat Fee Listing Service in Richmond, VA?
Here’s what you must consider when choosing VA Flat Fee MLS companies:
- Affordable Pricing: Select a Flat Fee MLS listing company that offers plans ranging from $300 to $800. Low listing costs may help you free up funds for other expenses like home staging or repairs.
- Maximum Exposure: Ensure that the VA Flat Fee MLS service provider gets your home on all the MLSs in your area. This will increase your home’s visibility.
- Maximum Photos: The MLS company must allow you to upload at least 22 pictures of your house. Professional photos taken from different angles help potential buyers visualize the property.
- Extended Listing Term: Choose a Flat Fee MLS Richmond listing service that keeps your listing live for at least 6 months. This way, you can wait for a better offer instead of feeling rushed to accept a less desirable one.
- Quick Listing: Select a local Flat Fee MLS Richmond listing service that gets your home on the MLS quickly. The faster your home is on the market, the less likely you will miss out on potential offers.
How to List on Richmond MLS via Houzeo
Follow these steps correctly to get an active MLS listing with Houzeo in 48 hours:
- 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.
- Enter Property Details: 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.
- Set Your Asking Price: Use online tools to check the value of your home and set the asking price accordingly.
- Choose Your MLS Plan: Houzeo offers 4 flat fee packages. Once you select a plan, the necessary documents will be automatically assigned to you. Completing the listing agreement will take just 20 to 30 minutes if done correctly.
- Add Property Description and Photos: Highlight your property’s key features to attract potential buyers. Upload high-quality photos showcasing major rooms and amenities such as a home gym or installed solar panels.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is one of Richmond’s best Flat Fee MLS listing services.
Alternatives to Richmond Flat Fee Listing Services
Richmond flat rate listing services are the best option for home sellers looking to retain most of their home equity.
However, if you don’t want to save your hard-earned equity, here are a few options for you:
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: They are licensed real estate professionals who offer the same services as traditional agents but for a lower fee. Discount real estate brokers in Richmond charge between 0.5% to 2% commission.
- Full-Service Realtors: They are real estate agents or brokerages that offer comprehensive services, including marketing, negotiation, paperwork, closing assistance, etc. However, they charge a 5% to 6% commission for their services.
- iBuyers/Cash Home Buyers: iBuyers, such as Opendoor and Offerpad, purchase homes directly from sellers. They have strict home-buying criteria. Cash buyers in Richmond make offers for distressed houses within 24 to 48 hours.
- For Sale By Owner Websites: For Sale By Owner websites in VA allow homeowners to list and sell their properties without the assistance of a real estate agent. However, your home won’t get the MLS exposure it deserves.
Final Word
You don’t need a full-service agent to sell your home in the River City.
With a flat fee listing on Houzeo, you can take control of your sale and save thousands. Get the same MLS exposure and expert tools at just $749 instead of a whopping 3% agent fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Flat Fee MLS listing service in Richmond, VA?
Houzeo is one of the top flat fee services in Richmond because of its advanced tech and stellar customer reviews. Flat Fee MLS Realty and Homecoin are other great options.
Can I list on the MLS without a real estate agent?
Yes, you can list your home on the MLS in Richmond without a real estate agent. Opt for a Flat Fee MLS listing service and eliminate the 3% listing agent's commission.
Is Flat Fee MLS legal in Richmond, VA?
Flat Fee MLS is legal all over the United States, including Richmond.
Is Seller’s Disclosure required in Virginia?
Yes. The Virginia seller disclosure form when selling your home in Richmond. It helps you disclose all the material defects and the overall condition of your property to potential buyers.
Why should I list my property on the Richmond real estate Multiple Listing Service?
Listing your property on the MLS ensures maximum visibility to buyers and agents, giving your home more exposure. Using a Richmond flat rate MLS listing service can help you avoid paying full commission to a real estate agent.