$40,500 – that’s how much sellers paid in agent commissions on an average $675,000 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in DC will continue to rise, and so will commissions. But there’s an alternative! Going FSBO.
FSBO is powerful. Millennials are leading the way, with over 55% considering selling their homes by owner. From Tenley Town to Navy Yard, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in DC.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in DC will double your savings. You save 3% on the listing agent commission. With the NAR Settlement, you save on the 3% buyer agent commission too. That’s potentially a cool $40,500 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in the 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 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
For 100% Online, only FSBO sites with online showings, inspection scheduling, offer management, and mobile app have been considered.
For 5-Star Reviews, customer ratings above 4.8 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBO Websites 🚀
There are two types of For Sale By Owner websites in Washington DC you can choose from:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites list your property 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.
Reviews: 4 Best Paid FSBO Websites in District of Columbia
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing Plans:
- Bronze: $399 + $350 at closing
- Silver: $409 + 0.5% at closing
- Gold: $429 + 0.5% at closing
- Platinum: $499 + 1% at closing
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. Which gives you access to Houzeo Tech. You can easily manage showings, negotiations, etc.
- Maximum Exposure
- 5-star Customer Service
- 100% Online
- No Hidden Fees
- Free Home Value Estimator
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listings 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 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best FSBO sites in the District of Columbia. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service helps you save thousands on Realtor commissions. You get dedicated customer support, which makes the home-selling process smooth and effortless. In addition, Houzeo covers 47 states and DC.
2. List With Freedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $89 - $3954.7/5
- Gold: $89
- Platinum: $195
- Platinum+: $395
👉 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.
- Affordable Pricing
- Unlimited Listing Changes
- Market Exposure
- Buyer Leads Forwarding
- Additional Fee at Closing
- No Agent Support
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. Also, the listing process is quick and simple.
List with Freedom does not provide any pricing or negotiation assistance. Therefore, if you are new to the real estate market, you will need guidance throughout the selling process.
3. Flat Fee Realty
UNLIMITED LISTING TERM
Listing Fee: $99 - $5954.3/5
FlatFeeMLSRealty 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 with 10 listing changes.
- Gold Package – $249: This package comes with a 6-month listing term and enables you to include up to 50 photos with unlimited listing changes.
- Platinum Package – $549: This package has unlimited listing terms and changes with 25+ HD photos.
👉 Our Take: 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 offers an affordable flat fee listing package.
- Free listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing without paying any additional fees.
- Easy Cancellation: You can cancel anytime and get a refund within 30 days of purchase. If you decide not to sell your home, some of your listing fees will be refunded.
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.
- Expensive Add-ons: For services like professional photography, you have to pay an additional $460 with the Silver package and $300 with the Gold package.
Flat Fee MLS Realty has 4.3 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 in District of Columbia
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
Listing Fee: $0 - $4953.4/5
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package: $0
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package: $495
- Nationwide Coverage
- Control and Flexibility
- Direct Buyer Interaction
- No MLS Listing
- Lack of Technology
- Privacy Violation
- Lead for Rocket Homes
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 has been operating since 1999. You can list your single-family home, condo, or townhouse at no cost. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and access to legal forms.
Although ForSaleByOwner.com offers various paid services, their agent support package is similar to what you’d pay to a traditional Realtor. And none of the packages include a For Sale By Owner MLS listing in District of Columbia.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
- FSBO Listing on Zillow: $0
- Zillow Premier Agent: 3% commission
- No Fees
- Free Cancellation
- Maximum Market Exposure
- Nationwide Coverage
- User-Friendly Interface
- Offers Rental Services
- Slow Listings
- Inaccurate Zestimate
- Limited Support
- Lead for Real Estate Agent
- Hide FSBO Listings
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 the most popular District of Columbia real estate website. 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 the exposure on your property.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0
- User-Friendly Website
- Free FSBO Listing
- Good for Distressed Property
- Huge Traffic
- Lowball Offer
- Scammers and Pranksters
- Short Lifespan of Ads
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 sites in District of Columbia. The platform is free to use and can provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing.
But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers in District of Columbia. So, you must be careful when sharing your property information and verifying the buyer’s identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in District of Columbia?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in District of Columbia. You just need to pay a flat fee, which is a fraction of the cost you would pay to the Realtor.
Imagine you own a $675,000 home in DC. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $20,250 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $19,501!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $20,250 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $19,501 |
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 be paying 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.
How to List on MLS in District of Columbia: 5 Steps
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents:
- Find the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service: Choose a flat-rate listing service to list your FSBO home on District of Columbia MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS District of Columbia listing services.
- Create Your Account: Almost all Flat Fee listing services will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo will allow you to manage your listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: Fixed fee listing services offer a DIY MLS listing by owner plan or a virtual full-service plan. Choose the plan that meets your home-selling needs.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Provide property information like the number of beds, baths, etc. Professionally clicked high-quality photos can help you sell your home 50% faster. So, consider hiring a DC real estate photographer before you upload photos!
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete the seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will list your home within 24 to 48 hours.
5 Tips for Listing Your House as For Sale By Owner in District of Columbia
To sell your home as FSBO with ease, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local DC real estate market. Learn about recent house sales prices, market trends, and the typical time it takes to sell a home.
- Prepare Your Home: Make necessary repairs and renovations. Clean, declutter, and opt for home staging. All this makes your house appealing to potential buyers.
- Price It Right: Set a competitive price for your house. To get a Fair Market Value, consider a professional appraisal or use online tools.
- Market Your Home: Create a detailed marketing plan. Use high-quality images and make a virtual tour or video walkthrough.
- Opt for Exposure: Choose an FSBO website that gets your home listed on the MLS. This will give maximum exposure to your property and attract potential buyers.
Alternatives to For Sale By Owner Sites in District of Columbia
If you think selling a house yourself in District of Columbia can be difficult, here are some other options you can consider:
- Choose a Low Commission Agent: A low-commission real estate agent offers you the same services as a traditional Realtor for a reduced commission rate.
- Opt for a Cash Home Buyer: District of Columbia cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in District of Columbia with them.
- Sell With an iBuyer: Opendoor and Offerpad are iBuyers that use technology to extend cash offers on homes. They typically offer 70%-80% of a home’s Fair Market Value (FMV).
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list a house For Sale By Owner in District of Columbia?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in District of Columbia. Create your account and opt for a listing plan. Then enter property details and sign the listing agreement.
What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in District of Columbia?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in District of Columbia. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my house For Sale By Owner for free in District of Columbia?
You can list your home for free on ForSaleByOwner.com, Zillow and classifieds websites like Craigslist.
What to look for in an FSBO website?
When opting for a FSBO website, look for user-friendly interfaces, online visibility, and features such as listing customization and marketing tools. Also, you should list your home on the DC MLS for maximum exposure.
