$24,948 – that’s how much Mainers paid in agent commissions on an average $415,800 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in ME 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 Portland to Houlton, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in Pine Tree State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in Maine 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 $24,948 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Maine
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. FSBO.com | $399.95 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. List With Freedom | $195 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Landfall Properties | $499 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 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 Maine 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 Maine
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 Maine. 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 the oldest For Sale By Owner website. Third-party sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and others syndicate the listings. In the basic package, the properties are only listed on FSBO.com and not on the MLS listing platform.
Apart from listing houses For Sale By Owner, FSBO.com offers no major services. The à la carte items are expensive, and you must pay extra for uploading more than 25 photos.
3. List With Freedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $89 - $3954.7/5
ListWithFreedom is a trusted and established MLS listing service that offers 3 Flat Fee packages:
- Gold Package – $89: You can upload up to 25 home photos and get a 6 months listing term.
- Platinum Package – $195: You can upload unlimited number of pictures of your home and can keep it on the MLS for 6 months.
- Platinum+ Package – $395: You get a 12 months listing term along with online showing services, unlimited open houses, a personal transaction coordinator, and a yard sign.
👉 Our Take: List With Freedom is a good option for experienced sellers. However, they charge a compliance fee at closing, which adds to the total cost of their services.
Here’s what makes ListWithFreedom stand out:
- Affordable Pricing: You can avail basic listing services at a minimal price of just $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make as many updates to your MLS listing with no extra cost.
- Market Exposure: Your home is syndicated to popular real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia making it visible to potential buyers throughout America.
- Direct Buyer Leads: All buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you, with no agent involvement.
Here are some of the drawbacks of working with ListWithFreedom:
- 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.
- No Agent Support: You need to handle negotiations, do market analysis, and review contract, all 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!
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!
🚩You Should Know: List With Freedom charges a 0.25% fee at closing. They do not disclose this fee upfront on their “Pricing” page.
4. Landfall Properties
NEW ENGLAND BASED
Listing Fee: $699 or 1% commission5/5
Landfall Properties is a New England-based flat fee MLS service provider. It offers three packages for flat-fee MLS listings:
- Level One package – Free: This package includes a free listing on the MLS for 2 months with 40 photos. You can make unlimited updates to your listing at no additional cost.
- Level Two package – $699: You receive an unlimited listing term along with professional services like a ‘For Sale’ yard sign, contract forms and addendums, escrow services, and virtual tours.
- Level Three package – 1% Commission: The premium plan offers everything from the Level Two package, plus full broker assistance throughout the transaction. Additional perks include pricing guidance, a Bluetooth lockbox, and comprehensive support until closing.
👉 Our Take: Landfall Properties offers affordable packages. However, the lower-tier plans, especially the free listing, require you to manage most of the process. This includes negotiations and showings, which can be challenging.
Landfall Properties offers the following advantages:
- Free Listing: Allows listing for free in REALTOR MLS for up to 2 months.
- Experienced Broker: Paul Marino, the broker, has over 35 years of experience, providing valuable guidance for higher-tier plans.
- Market Exposure: Your listing is shared across national and local MLSs such as Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc.
Landfall Properties has the following disadvantages:
- DIY Responsibility: In the free and basic packages, you need to handle most of the sales process. This includes showings, price negotiations, and legal paperwork.
- Limited Service Options: You’ll need to opt for a premium package if you want extensive assistance such as full agent support.
- Limited Coverage: Landfall properties only serve in 5 states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Landfall Properties LLC has a 5-star rating on Zillow.
Landfall Properties is a Flat Fee MLS service run by broker Paul Marino.
Although they are very flexible with their packages, they fall short on technology as they do not have a mobile application. Also, the 2-2.5% commission at closing can be avoided if you choose another service.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in Maine
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 considered one of the biggest FSBO websites, as they claim to have 7 times more traffic than other For Sale By Owner sites.
Although ForSaleByOwner.com offers other paid services, none of these services include For Sale By Owner MLS listing. Further, your information is provided to a Rocket Homes affiliated agent. These agents contact you frequently to solicit MLS listings.
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 often inaccurate. This misleads both buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
- Lead for Real Estate Agent: Your listing information is shared with Zillow’s agents. You’ll get calls from agents rather than potential buyers.
- Hide FSBO Listings: Zillow hides FSBO listings behind agent listings. They are often two clicks away and get almost no traffic.
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 real estate website. It attracts more than 200 million visitors every month. To list your home on Zillow For Sale By Owner, all you need to do is sign up and make your free account.
As Zillow FSBO listings are not on the MLS, they have very low exposure. Additionally, all FSBO listings on Zillow are hidden in the ‘Other Listings’ tab. This has lowered the success rate of free Zillow FSBO listings drastically.
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 the biggest classifieds website in the U.S. In terms of traffic, it is the second most visited website, with more than 140 million monthly visitors.
While Craigslist can give your listing decent exposure, it can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash house buyers. Hence, we recommend that you put very limited information about your property and request identification from anyone who makes an offer.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in Maine?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in Maine. 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 $415,800 home in the Pine Tree State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $12,474 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $11,725!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $12,474 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $11,725 |
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 Maine: 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 Maine MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS Maine 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 ME 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 Maine
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in Maine, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local ME 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 Maine
If you think selling a house yourself in Maine 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: Maine cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in Maine 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 Maine?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in Maine. 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 Maine?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in Maine. 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 Maine?
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 ME MLS for maximum exposure.
