61% of home sellers think of choosing the For Sale By Owner route. And it’s evident why! You get to save a whopping 3% on listing agent commissions with FSBO. That’s a potential saving of $20,970 on a typical $699,000 home in the Sunshine State.
So, whether you’re in Tenley Town or Navy Yard, you can also go FSBO and increase your profits. But how? Selecting the right FSBO website is the key! Opt for the best For Sale By Owner website in DC that offers personalized support, easy scheduling, and maximum exposure—all in one place!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in District of Columbia
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online showings & offers | 5 Star Customer service** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. List With Freedom | $195 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3 Flat Fee Realty | $199 + 0.25 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Cotton Street Realty | $399 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. Zillow For Sale By Owner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 7. Craigslist | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
What Are the Types of FSBO Websites?
There are two types of FSBO websites you can choose from to sell a house by owner in Washington DC:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites list your home 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.
7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites Reviews in District of Columbia
Here’s our review of the top For Sale By Owner sites for District of Columbia homeowners:
Reviews: 4 Best Paid FSBO Websites
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing packages:
- Bronze – $399 + $350 at closing: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver – $409 + 0.5% at closing: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold – $429 + 0.5% at closing: 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 – $499 + 1% at closing: 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!
These are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites to list with:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other 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 interested buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You also bypass the 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.
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listing 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 10,090+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best For Sale By Owner sites in District of Columbia. With Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service, you can save thousands on Realtor commissions. Moreover, advanced technology, listing exposure, and 5-star customer support helps you sell your house as FSBO like a pro.
2. List With Freedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $89 - $3954.7/5
List With Freedom is a trusted and established Multiple Listing Service that offers 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $89 + 0.5% at Closing: You can list you home for 6 months with 25 photos and unlimited changes. Online showing service, open houses, professional yard sign and other services are available at additional charges.
- Platinum Package – $195 + 0.25% at Closing: You get to list your property for 6 months with maximum number of photos. The rest of the services are the same as Gold plan.
- Platinum+ Package – $395 + 0.25% at Closing: You get a 12 months listing term along with online showing service, virtual tour, and some other features. You can add-on more services at some extra cost.
👉 Our Take: List With Freedom is a good option for experienced sellers. However, they have a compliance fee at closing along with the additional charges for add-on services which adds to the total cost.
List With Freedom helps list a house For Sale By Owner:
- Affordable Pricing: Their basic listing service starts at just $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can modify your MLS listing any number of times at no extra cost.
- Direct Buyer Leads: All buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you, with no agent involvement. So you get to interact with the buyers and negotiate with them directly.
Here are some of the drawbacks of working with List With Freedom:
- Additional Fee at Closing: You need to pay a compliance fee of 0.25%–0.50% at closing, which can add to the overall cost.
- Extra Charges: Even with the Platinum+ plan, you need to pay extra for features like Open Houses, contract prep, and offer review.
- No Agent Support: You need to handle negotiations, do market analysis, and manage the selling process on your own.
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!
List With Freedom has been operating since 19 years. They provide MLS listing services in all US states except Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Nevertheless, they don’t offer pricing or negotiation assistance. Their premium packages lack marketing services like open houses and virtual tours.
3. Flat Fee Realty
FLAT FEE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $99 - $5954.4/5
Flat Fee MLS Realty offers three real estate listing packages to suit different needs and budgets:
- Silver Package – $99: This package includes a 3-month listing term and up to 15 photos. It allows you to make maximum 10 updates to your listing.
- Gold Package – $249: This package comes with a 6-month listing term and enables you to include up to 50 photos. You are allowed to make unlimited changes to your property listing.
- Platinum Package – $549: This package lists your property for an unlimited term and lets you upload up to 50 photo. You are allowed to make unlimited changes to your property listing.
Flat Fee Realty is an affordable option. However, they do charge additional fees for optional upgrades like additional photos and listing changes.
These are some pros of Flat Fee Realty in the areas it operates:
- Cost-Effective: Flat Fee Realty lets you list your property on the MLS for a flat fee. The listing also appears on other sites like Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com.
- Quick Listing: Their Gold and Platinum packages promise an MLS listing in 24 hours.
- Free Listing Changes: You make changes to the details in your listing without any paying additional fees.
- Easy Cancellation: You can cancel or remove your listing from the MLS anytime, without paying any additional fees. If you change your mind before your property gets listed, you will receive a full refund.
In our research, we have found certain drawbacks of Flat Fee MLS Realty.
- 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.
- Paid Add-ons: For services like professional real estate photography, you have to pay an additional $450 with the Silver package and $300 with the Gold package.
Flat Fee MLS Realty has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 90+ total reviews on Google.
» Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Flat Fee Realty.
These MLS For Sale By Owner packages include only an option to list on the MLS. With this package, you get free listing changes and related seller disclosures. You can add more than 6 photos to your listing by paying an additional $50.
However, Flat Fee Realty requires you to pay a minimum 2% buyer agent commission, 0.25% of which goes as a kickback to your listing agent. This means you end up paying a small commission to the listing agent at closing.
4. Cottage Street Realty
LOW ON TECH
Listing Fee: $299 - $9994.8/5
Cottage Street Realty offers 3 Flat Fee MLS Packages and 1 Full Service Package.
- Basic Package – $299: It includes a listing term of 6 months and allows you to upload max photos. The package also provides access to all state forms & disclosures.
- Showcase Package – $399: It includes everything from the Basic package with combo key box, yard sign, and showing service.
- Premium Package – $799: It includes everything from the Showcase package with a listing term of one year. The package also provides a printable color flyer, market analysis, and contract review.
- Supreme Full Realtor Support – $999: It includes everything from the Premium package plus sign post, DocuSign, and negotiation assistance. Your property will be listed until sold.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the Showcase package for your MLS listing. It offers a listing term of 6 months, combo key box, and yard sign.
Cottage Street Realty offers its services in District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. There are a few advantages of listing your home with this company.
- Market Exposure: Your property is syndicated to local and national websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and many more.
- State Disclosures: All packages include all necessary contracts, forms, addenda, and disclosures you need to sell your house.
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you with no agent involvement.
During our research, we identified several disadvantages of listing with Cottage Street Realty.
- No Free Listing Changes: You have to pay additional fees for listing changes. Sites like Houzeo offer unlimited changes and customized yard signs.
- Extra Charges for Additional Services: For add-on services like combo lockbox, showing time, sentrilock electronic key lock-box, and contract review guide, you have to pay extra fees.
- Extra Fees for Listing Extension: You have to pay extra for extending the listing term.
Cottage Street Realty has 4.8 out of 5 stars (50+ total reviews) on the popular review site Zillow.
» Cottage Street Realty: Check out their reviews on Zillow.
Cottage Street Realty is a “locally” operated full-service real estate brokerage company, licensed in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. They offer a range of flat fee packages starting from $299 to $999.
However, if you require market analysis, showing time, or want to make changes to your listing you have to pay additional fees. You may also consider listing your house with off-market listings.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
Listing Fee: $0 - $4953.4/5
ForSaleByOwner.com includes 2 FSBO packages:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package – $495: You get the assistance of a licensed real estate broker. However, for this, you need to have a potential buyer.
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com does not list on MLS. This can be a strong drawback in your selling processes.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com caters to customers throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You can set your schedule, host showings, and manage the sale process at your convenience.
- Direct Buyer Interaction: You can directly communicate with potential buyers through their messaging system.
We have found certain cons about ForSaleByOwner.com in our research:
- No MLS Listing: This site does not list your property on MLS. You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- Lack of Technology: It can be time-consuming and demanding to manage the listings, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
- Privacy Violation: Even though listing on ForSaleByOwner.com is free, payment details are still necessary.
- Lead for Rocket Homes: Your listing information is shared with Rocket Homes agents. They may frequently contact you to solicit MLS listings.
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 is the oldest free FSBO website, serving since 1999. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and legal forms. But the website doesn’t offer MLS listing service. And their paid agent support package is priced similarly in cost to a traditional Realtor.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
Zillow offers the following listing plans for home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.
- Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: This is the traditional way to sell your home. You get access to a real estate agent who guides you through the entire sale process.
👉 Our Take: Zillow is a comprehensive real estate website that offers a variety of tools and resources for home sellers.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Fees: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Maximum Market Exposure: It is one of the most popular real estate websites, with millions of monthly visitors. This means that a large number of potential buyers will see your listing.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow FSBO services are accessible in all 50 states across America.
- User-Friendly Interface: Its website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on location, price, features, and other criteria.
- Offers Rental Services: Zillow is one of the best rental websites in America. It offers a built-in tenant screening tool, rent collection feature, owner portal, pricing suggestions, etc.
We identified several disadvantages of listing with Zillow:
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours to update from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is not always accurate. This misleads buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
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 one of the most popular FSBO websites. 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 exposure when selling a house in District of Columbia.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
Since Craigslist is one of the biggest classified websites, it offers free listings:
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0: You get an FSBO listing on Craigslist. Here you can upload your property’s description, location, and some photos.
👉 Our Take: With Craigslist you can post your house for sale for free. However, you don’t have MLS exposure.
These are some key pros to consider:
- User-Friendly Website: Craigslist’s website is easy to navigate. This helps you to easily create your listing and add property information.
- Free FSBO Listing: Most of the FSBO sellers who opt to advertise on Craigslist do it to save up on the agent’s commission.
- Good for Distressed Property: Craigslist is a great platform for distressed properties. This is mainly because many cash buyers, house flippers, and investors keep track of listings on Craigslist.
- Huge Traffic: According to Similarweb, Craigslist is the most visited classified website in the USA.
Here are a few cons to keep in mind:
- Lowball Offer: Customers have reported that buyers on Craigslist make lowball offers.
- Scammers and Pranksters: Craigslist is infamous for being a playground for scammers. Many people who list their homes on Craigslist get unsolicited calls from scammers posing as buyers.
- Short Lifespan of Ads: Craigslist ads are listed in reverse chronological order, the newest ones always have the most prominence.
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 companies. They can provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing. But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With a FSBO Website in District of Columbia?
If you plan to sell your home in District of Columbia, using a FSBO website can save you thousands of dollars in Realtor commissions. Imagine you own a $699,000 home in the Sunshine State. Traditionally, you’ll have to pay around $20,970 in commission.
But with a FSBO website like Houzeo, your house gets listed on the MLS for a flat fee of just $399 + $350 at closing. This helps you save a whopping $20,221.
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $20,970 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $20,221 |
What to Look Out for in the Best FSBO Websites?
Consider these 4 factors when selecting the best FSBO home selling sites in the Sunshine State:
- User Experience: The top For Sale By Owner websites should be easy to navigate. Look for features like mobile app, virtual tours and offers.
- MLS Listing: Opt for a platform that offers MLS listing. This can significantly increase your property’s exposure to buyers and agents.
- Pricing: Evaluate the packages of FSBO websites. Some offer free listings, while others charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price.
- Customer Support: Look for platforms that offer top notch customer service and provide guidance to the sellers.
Tips to List Your House as For Sale By Owner in District of Columbia
Here are some home selling tips and strategies you must follow with For Sale By Owner websites in District of Columbia.
How to List on District of Columbia’s #1 FSBO Website?
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents with the help of For Sale By Owner listing sites in District of Columbia:
- Find the Best FSBO Website With MLS Access: Choose a FSBO platform that offers MLS listing to maximize your property exposure.
- Create Your Account: Almost all best FSBO sites with MLS access will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo allow you to manage your MLS listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: The plan should meet needs and include all the services that would make your home selling journey smooth and effortless.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Include property details like the number of beds, baths, etc. and add high quality photos. Consider hiring a real estate photographer in District of Columbia.
- Sign the Agreement: Carefully review and sign the listing agreement and seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, your home will be listed on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner in District of Columbia for free?
You can list your District of Columbia home for free on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Zillow For Sale By Owner. However, these platforms offer limited exposure compared to Houzeo's MLS listing service.
What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in District of Columbia?
Houzeo is the best FSBO MLS listing service in District of Columbia. It offers a user-friendly platform, professional tools, and a Flat Fee MLS District of Columbia listing service that can help you avoid commissions.
Do buyers look for District of Columbia house for sale on FSBO websites?
Yes, buyers do look for District of Columbia houses for sale on For Sale By Owner platforms. This gives sellers an opportunity to save on real estate agent commissions in Washington DC.
Is selling a house yourself in District of Columbia worth it?
Yes, selling a house in District of Columbia can be worth it if you opt for top FSBO websites like Houzeo. You get to save on hefty Realtor commissions. Also with Houzeo Mobile App, you can manage listings, schedule showings, review offers- all at your fingertips!
