Flat Fee MLS Realty Reviews: Is the $99 Package a Good Deal?

Flat Fee MLS Realty is a real estate brokerage based in Florida. They provide three flat-fee packages to home sellers. These packages help you avoid traditional Realtor commissions. Additionally, they get your home maximum exposure via MLS, Zillow, Trulia, and, Homes.com.

Flat Fee MLS Realty may seem affordable at first. However, a lack of essential services like lockboxes and yard signs can increase your overall selling costs later. Plus, their packages offer limited listing periods. This makes it harder to sell at the best price and on your timeline.

✍️ Editor’s Take: For most home sellers, we recommend selling with Houzeo. They offer comprehensive, long-term listing packages starting at $199. Plus, their advanced technology helps you compare and choose the best offer for your home. Compare Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. Houzeo.

Is Flat Fee MLS Realty Legit?

Yes, Flat Fee MLS Realty is a legitimate business. Stephen Hachey is the owner of the company. He is a licensed realtor with 20 years of experience in the Florida real estate market. 

Flat Fee MLS Realty holds BBB accreditation and an A+ rating. According to their website, they have helped over 2,046 clients successfully list and sell their homes.

How Does Flat Fee MLS Realty Work?

Here’s how you can sell your home with Flat Fee MLS Realty:

1. Choose a Plan: Select a plan range from Silver to the all-inclusive Platinum plan based on your selling needs.
2. Create an Account: To register with the company, complete the questionnaire with your details, such as name, contact number, etc.
3. Make the Payment: Purchase your desired plan via a credit card to finish the sign-up process.
4. Add Property Details: Add necessary data, such as the number of bedrooms, photos, asking price, etc., to your property listing.
5. Stage Your Home for Sale: Prepare your home for showings. You can improve landscaping, clean the exteriors, and make repairs.
6. Work With Buyers: After interviewing all potential buyers, you can schedule home viewings as desired. Negotiate with the buyer until you reach an agreement.

Where Does Flat Fee MLS Realty Operate?

Flat Fee MLS Realty provides MLS listing services majorly in Florida. Their coverage is quite limited. As a result, you cannot sell with them from anywhere in the US.

Houzeo, on the other hand, provides FFM services in 50 states + DC. So, you can benefit from Houzeo’s packages regardless of your location.

Flat Fee MLS Realty Pricing 

» Jump to: Silver Package – $99 | Gold Package – $249 | Platinum Package – $549

Flat Fee MLS Realty offers three MLS Listing Plans – Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Their plans allow home sellers a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) selling process. 

1. Silver Package – $99 

👉 Our Take: This plan is best for experienced sellers who understand comparative market analysis and can sell quickly. They should also be able to arrange high-quality photography on their own.

2. Gold Package – $249

👉 Our Take: The Gold package offers all the services from the Silver package. You get some additional services like 50+ photo uploads, unlimited listing changes, and a 6-month MLS term. However, it still lacks essential services like professional photography and a lockbox.

3. Platinum Package – $549  

👉 Our Take: This package isn’t the best choice, as its price is higher than what other companies offer. For $249, Houzeo’s plan delivers a far more comprehensive experience.

🚩 Do you just pay the package cost? All Flat Fee MLS Realty packages include a $375 coordination fee at closing if you use an external title company. However, this fee is waived if you choose their in-house service.

Flat Fee MLS Realty Reviews

Flat Fee MLS Realty has an impressive 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Google based on 99 reviews. Many positive reviews highlight Stephen Hachey’s extensive knowledge and professionalism. Sellers praise him for helping them get the best possible deals.

We also came across some Flat Fee MLS Realty complaints on Google. These complaints describe inconsistent experiences with the company’s Title insurance and sales management technology.

Positive Flat Fee MLS Realty Reviews

✅ Rick Stager saved $24,000 in commissions by selling through Flat Fee MLS Realty. They found a buyer in just one month after traditional agents failed for a year.

✅ Joey Mackey had a positive experience with Flat Fee MLS Realty. They appreciated Stephen’s professionalism and the company’s simple, hassle-free selling process.

Negative Flat Fee MLS Realty Reviews

❌ Jeff was not happy with Flat Fee MLS Realty services. They highlighted the loss of about $15k by using their in-house Title company Excel Title.

❌ Flat Fee MLS Realty asked Randy to use their title insurance company or they would charge. They also complained about Flat Fee MLS Realty collecting a fee from the buyer’s agent commission and the seller.

Pros and Cons

Flat-Fee MLS companies offer certain benefits over the traditional home-selling model. Similarly, Flat Fee MLS Realty makes it convenient for sellers to sell homes on their own.

Here are some major pros and cons of Flat Fee MLS Realty:

✅ Pros

1. Affordable Packages: Flat Fee MLS Realty offers affordable packages starting at $99. These packages can be a good option if you are on a tight budget.
2. Good Customer Service: Sellers have rated customer service as prompt and efficient.
3. Free Listing Changes: Flat Fee MLS Realty provides unlimited listing changes and updates free of cost in their Gold and Platinum packages.

❌ Cons

In our research, we have found certain red flags with Flat Fee MLS Realty.

1. Limited Coverage: Flat Fee MLS Realty primarily serves Florida. This means you may not be able to use their services if you’re selling in another state.
2. Not for First-Time Sellers: Flat Fee MLS Realty may not be ideal for you if you are a first-time seller. You’ll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own.
3. Expensive Add-ons: For services like professional photography, digital flyers, lockboxes, etc. you pay extra. This makes your selling costs double the package amount.
4. Expensive Coordination Fees: Flat Fee MLS Realty offers title services through Excel Title. If you do not opt for this service, you pay a $375 fee at closing.

Flat Fee MLS Realty Competitors

» Jump to: Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. Houzeo | Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. Flat Fee Group | Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. List With Freedom

Here are the top 3 alternatives to Flat Fee MLS Realty.

1. Comprehensiveness: Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. Houzeo 

Flat Fee MLS Realty lets you avoid traditional agent fees, but their packages are limited. Services like professional photography, lock boxes, and comparative market analysis aren’t included in one place. Furthermore, you can only sell in Florida with them.

Houzeo is a Flat-Fee MLS listing service that saves you from hefty agent fees while offering an all-inclusive package for a seamless home sale. With pricing analysis tools and advanced sales management technology, you can attract and manage the best offers.

2. Coverage: Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. Flat Fee Group 

Flat Fee MLS Realty operates only in Florida. So, if you want to sell your home from anywhere else in the US. You might not be able to avail of their services.

Flat Fee Group, on the other hand, operates on a much larger scale. They offer Flat Fee MLS services in all 50 states plus DC, ensuring nationwide coverage. So, no matter where you’re selling, you can access their services with ease.

3. Listing Term: Flat Fee MLS Realty vs. List With Freedom

Flat Fee MLS Realty is a budget-friendly choice for experienced home sellers in Florida. However, for first-time sellers with little to no experience, costs can add up quickly. Plus, their $99 package only includes a 3-month listing.

List With Freedom offers 6-month listings from $89, making it better than Flat Fee MLS Realty. However, like them, it excludes essentials like yard signs and lockboxes.

Other Options You Should Consider

• Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself, saving thousands in agent commissions. Hence, selling FSBO allows you to retain 100% of your home’s Fair Market Value.
• Sell Through a Realtor: Traditional Realtors list your property on the MLS and help you at every step of home selling. However, you have to pay them 3% of the home’s sale price for this convenience.
• Sell Through Discount Realtors: Discount real estate brokers reduce their commissions to offer affordable services. Their commission varies between 0.5% and 2%.

Should You List Your Home With Flat Fee MLS Realty?

Yes, you can sell your home with Flat Fee MLS Realty. Their Silver package is a solid choice for experienced sellers. It helps you skip the 3% agent commission, saving thousands while keeping control of your sale.

However, they have a few drawbacks. The company provides MLS listing services with several additional costs. Furthermore, Flat Fee MLS Realty’s technology may not have all the features required for your FSBO journey. 

For a comprehensive home sale, you can consider Houzeo. Their packages take care of all your selling needs. Additionally, Houzeo’s 5-star customer support helps you at every step to achieve a smooth sale.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 10,000+ home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews and Trustpilot.

Frequently Asked Questions