$46,428 – that’s how much Hawaiians paid in agent commissions on an average $773,800 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in HI 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 Honolulu to Pahala, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Aloha State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in Hawaii 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 $46,428 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Hawaii
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online showings & offers | 5 Star Custome Sevice** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. FSBO.com | $399.95 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3 Hawaii Flat Fee | $250 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Flat Fee Realty | $349 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 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 apps have been considered.
For 5-star reviews, customer ratings above 4.75 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBO Websites 🚀
There are two types of FSBO websites in Hawaii 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 Hawaii
1. Houzeo.com
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 FSBO sites in Hawaii. 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. FSBO.com
NATIONAL REFERRAL COMPANY
Listing Fee: $99.95 - $399- 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. Hawaii Flat Fee
SIMPLE MLS LISTING
Listing Fee: $2501/5
Hawaii Flat Fee offers a Flat Fee MLS package and a Full Service package.
- Flat Fee MLS package – $250: The package includes a listing term of 12 months with 25 photos. Your listing gets syndicated to websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com. You can also make 10 free MLS listing changes.
- Full Service Package – 1% Commission: The package comes with the assistance of a full-time staff member. They help you to list the documents, negotiate, and with closing. This package is beneficial to first time sellers who need guidance every step of the way.
Coverage: They have coverage limited to Hawaii Island, Lanai, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
👉 Our Take: For budgeted sellers, we recommend the $250 package that has all the basic necessities.
Hawaii Flat Fee is a local flat fee MLS Hawaii that offers both FSBO services and full broker assistance.
- Listing Changes: You can make up to 10 fee changes in your listing.
- Market Exposure: Your listing gets syndicated to popular websites like Zillow, Realtor.com and Trulia along with the local Hawaii MLS.
In our research, we found some major drawbacks of Hawaii Flat Fee.
- No Recent Reviews: Hawaii Flat Fee has no recent customer reviews. The existing reviews are also poor.
- Outdated Website: The website is not easy to navigate and also lacks a seller’s dashboard and mobile app.
Hawaii Flat Fee has 1 out of 5 stars (2 total reviews) on Google Reviews.
» Hawaii Flat Fee Reviews: Check out the customer reviews of Hawaii Flat Fee MLS.
Hawaii Flat Fee is a local flat fee MLS company that serves sellers all over Hawaii. They offer 2 packages, at a flat rate and for a commission fee.
The website is outdated, not easy to navigate, and lacks a dashboard. They also have poor customer reviews.
4. 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.
Flat Fee Realty offers a single MLS package that varies from state to state. With this package, you get free listing changes and related seller disclosures.
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.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in Hawaii
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 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 Hawaii.
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 the most popular Hawaii 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
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 sites in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii. 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 Hawaii?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in Hawaii. 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 $773,800 home in the Aloha State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $23,214 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $22,465!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $23,214 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $22,465 |
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 Hawaii: 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 Hawaii MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS Hawaii 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 an HI 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 Hawaii
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in Hawaii, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local HI 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 Websites in Hawaii
If you think selling a house yourself in Hawaii 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: Hawaii cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in Hawaii 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 Hawaii?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in Hawaii. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner for free in Hawaii?
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 HI MLS for maximum exposure.
