From California to New York, Flat Fee MLS services have helped Americans save thousands in 2024. Flat Fee MLS 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 the U.S. You will also save on the 2.5% to 3% buyer agent commission with the NAR settlement. That’s a potential saving of $25,994 on an average $433,229 home sale!
What Is a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service?
A Flat Fee MLS listing service helps you list your home on the MLS at a flat rate. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is an online regional database of homes for sale. Once on the MLS, your listing gets syndicated to real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and many more.
Only licensed real estate agents can access and list on the MLS. However, they charge a 3% listing agent fee. Flat Fee MLS companies help you save this 3% commission, keeping more equity in your pocket.
Advantages of a Flat Fee MLS Service
Here are several compelling benefits of opting for a flat fee service when selling your property:
- Cost Savings: Instead of paying 2.5% to 3% commission to the listing agent, you pay a fixed fee to list your property on the MLS. This can save you a substantial amount, especially for properties with higher value.
- Control and Flexibility: A flat fee listing service gives you more control over the selling process. You can manage showings and seek professional assistance for negotiations and paperwork.
- Transaction Transparency: Flat fee listing services typically offer transparent pricing. This eliminates any surprises or hidden costs.
- Customization of Services: Flat fee companies usually offer different packages to cater to varying needs and budgets. You can choose the package that aligns with your requirements. This way, you only pay for the services you use.
How Do Flat Fee Listing Services Work?
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 U.S 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 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 flat rate MLS listing service like Houzeo costs $399, with a closing fee of just $350.
Imagine a $433,229 home in the United States; you would pay $12,997 to the listing agent. However, listing with Houzeo would save you $12,248.
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $12,997 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $12,248 |
What Are the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in America?
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo 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 America’s #1 ranked Flat Fee MLS service. The company provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Houzeo offers flat fee listing packages at affordable rates to home sellers. Your home will be listed within 48 hours. Even if you’re a first-time home seller on the MLS, Houzeo’s offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.
2. Beycome
DIY Tech-Driven Platform
Listing Fee: $99 - $5994.5/5
Beycome offers three Flat Fee MLS listing packages to home sellers:
- Basic Package – $99: This package will get your home listed on the MLS with free unlimited changes to your listing. This package offers services in AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NC, SC and TX.
- Enhanced Package—$399: This package includes a yard sign, a featured listing on Beycome’s website, customizable flyers, and a brochure. You can also add a virtual tour video to your listing. As in the basic package, this package offers services in all states.
- Concierge Service – $599 + 1% Commission: This virtual full-service package includes assistance until closing. They charge 1% of the sale price at closing with this package. It offers services in all the states as in the other packages.
👉 Our Take: Beycome’s prices are reasonable, and their technology is useful. However, they own a title company which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
Below are the advantages of listing with Beycome:
- Open House & Marketing Tools: Beycome provides free tools, such as an open house scheduler, customizable flyers, and promotional materials, to streamline the selling process.
- Fast Listing on MLS: Properties are listed on the MLS in as little as 36 hours, ensuring quick market entry.
- Enhanced Digital Advertising: Sellers can benefit from digital advertising tools, including social media sharing and YouTube video tours.
In our research, we came across some deal breakers with Beycome:
- Limited Agent Support: Unlike traditional real estate agents who provide hands-on guidance, the basic and enhanced Beycome packages offer minimal agent involvement.
- Regional Availability: Beycome is not available nationwide, and only operates in select states. Sellers outside these areas will need to seek other options.
- Limited Negotiation Support: Unless you opt for the Concierge package, sellers may lack professional negotiation help, which could result in missed opportunities to maximize the sale price or navigate complex buyer demands.
Beycome has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 600+ reviews on Google Reviews.
» Beycome Reviews: Know why it might not be a good idea to sell with Beycome.
Beycome’s MLS listing packages are reasonably priced. The company offers legal forms, seller disclosures, an Open House scheduler, and customer support. We recommend the $399 Enhanced Package for FSBO home sellers.
Beycome operates like a traditional Realtor, which involves manual processes. This can delay the listing process significantly. You’ll have to be very diligent and manage leads manually outside the platform.
3. 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 For Sale By Owner website that offers a single Flat Fee MLS package, priced at $95. You can avail of their rental lockbox, professional real estate photographs, or signposts at additional costs.
We do not recommend Homecoin for most home sellers. While the $95 flat fee package is compelling, Homecoin’s limited coverage is a matter of concern. Not all Americans can benefit from their MLS access package.
Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Near Me
How to Choose the Best Flat Fee Listing Service?
Here’s what you must consider when choosing 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 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 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 listing company 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 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 America’s best Flat Fee MLS listing services.
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 commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
Alternatives to Flat Fee MLS Listing Services
Flat-fee companies are the best option if you want to retain most of your 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 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 America make offers for distressed houses within 24 to 48 hours.
- For Sale By Owner Websites: For Sale By Owner websites 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 United States.
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 the U.S?
Houzeo is one of the top flat fee services in America because of its advanced tech and stellar customer reviews. Beycome 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 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 America?
Yes! Flat Fee MLS is legal all over the United States.
Is a seller’s disclosure required in the U.S?
Yes! The seller disclosure form reveals all material defects and the general state of your property to potential buyers.
Why should I list my property on the real estate Multiple Listing Service?
Listing your property on the MLS ensures maximum visibility to buyers and agents, giving your home more exposure. Using America's flat rate MLS listing service can help you avoid paying full commission to a real estate agent.
