$23,040 – that’s how much South Carolinians paid in agent commissions on an average $384,000 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in SC 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 Charleston to Greenville, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Palmetto State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in South Carolina 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 $23,040 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in South Carolina
FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo.com | $399 | β | β | β | β |
2. ListWithFreedom.com | $195 | β | β | β | β |
3. Flat Fee Realty | $299 | β | β | β | β |
4. Fizber.com | $295 | β | β | β | β |
5. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | β | β | β | β |
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner | $0 | β | β | β | β |
7. Craigslist | $0 | β | β | β | β |
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 FSBOs π
There are two types of FSBO websites in South Carolina 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 South Carolina
1. Houzeo.com
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
π 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
Houzeoβs 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 ratedΒ 4.9 out of 5 starsΒ by thousands of home sellers onΒ GoogleΒ &Β 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 South Carolina. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeoβs 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
List With Freedom is one of the oldest Flat Fee MLS services based out of Florida. It offers 3 packages:
- Gold – $89: This plan offers a 6-month MLS listing with up to 25 photos. You can decide the buyer’s agent compensation, but a 0.50% compliance fee is charged at closing.
- Platinum – $195: This plan includes everything from the Gold Plan but allows maximum photos and lowers the compliance fee to 0.25%.
- Platinum+ – $395: This plan includes everything in the Platinum Plan, along with a 12-month listing. It also offers an online showing service, unlimited open houses, a personal transaction coordinator, and a yard sign.
π 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.
Hereβs what stands out about List With Freedom:
- Affordable Pricing: List With Freedom listings start at $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make unlimited updates to your listing without extra costs.
- Market Exposure: Homes are listed on the MLS and various national websites, including Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- Buyer Leads Forwarding: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you without agent involvement.
Here are some of the drawbacks of working with List With Freedom:
- Additional Fee at Closing: List With Freedom charges a compliance fee of 0.25%β0.50% at closing, which can add to the overall cost.
- No Agent Support: Thereβs no agent support to assist with contract review, negotiations, or market analysis. Sellers must handle everything independently.
List With Freedom has a 4.7 out of 5Β stars rating from 600+ reviews on Google.
Β» List With Freedom Reviews:Β Is List With Freedom a good choice? Find out the details in our review!
List With Freedom is a licensed Flat Fee MLS company founded by Jim Tyminski in 2005. They provide MLS listing services in all US states except Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Also, they are known for their easy-to-use platform.
Nevertheless, List With Freedomβs a la carte services come with a hefty price tag. Additionally, they don’t provide any pricing or negotiation assistance.
3. Flat Fee Realty
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.
π 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:Β Flat Fee MLS Realty may not be ideal for you if you are a first-time seller. Youβll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own.
- Expensive Add-ons:Β For services likeΒ professional photography, you have to pay an additional $460 with the Silver package and $300 with the Gold package.
Flat Fee MLS Realty hasΒ 4.3 out of 5Β starsΒ from 90+ total reviews onΒ Google.
Β» Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review of Flat Fee Realty.
Flat Fee MLS Realty offers MLS listings for a flat fee. They allow you to make unlimited changes to your listing at no extra cost in their gold and platinum plans.
However, if you choose not to use their affiliated title company, Excel Title, you will have to pay an additional $375 at closing.
4. Fizber.com
Fizber offers 4 packages for FSBO home sellers:
- Free Listing β $0: Your home gets listed on Fizber’s and Redfin’s websites, but no MLS exposure.
- Digital Boost – $95: Includes everything in the Free Listing, plus open house alerts to local buyers.
- MLS Boost β $270:Β Your home gets listed on the MLS for 6 months with up to 6 photos, syndicated to Fizber and other major real estate platforms. This package includes listing forms, disclosures, and 7-day customer service.
- Premium MLS Boost β $295: This package includes everything from MLS Boost and extends your MLS listing to 12 months with unlimited photos. It also adds features like free showing assist, open house ads, and virtual tour posting.
π Our Take: Fizber provides affordable packages to home sellers. However, only paid packages offer MLS access and important features like unlimited photos or longer listings come with extra costs.
Here are some of the advantages of listing with Fizber:
- Nationwide Coverage: The company offers services across the USA.
- Buyer Leads Forwarded: All buyer leads are forwarded to you. So you can directly contact the buyers or agents.
- Refund Policy: They provide full refunds for Flat Fee MLS packages within 30 days, provided that no documentation has been submitted to the MLS.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can update your listings free of charge with the MLS Boost and Premium MLS Boost packages.
These are some drawbacks we found with Fizber:
- Closing Fee: A 0.5% closing fee is charged if you are selling your property in Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming.
- Additional Fees: The MLS Boost package includes only 6 photos, and many features, such as showing assistance virtual tour posting, and open house ads require additional fees costing from $25 – $60.
- Negative Customer Reviews: Some users have reported negative experiences with Fizber. It includes unauthorized listings, difficulties in securing refunds, and poor communication with their representatives.
Fizber has 3.5Β out of 5 stars out of 100+ reviews on Trustpilot.
Β» Fizber Reviews: Find out what customers really experienced when listing with Fizber!
Evan Gentry founded Fizber in 2006. The company is headquartered in Ladera Ranch, California. It has sold thousands of homes since its inception.
Although Fizber has been a major player in the real estate space, it lacks state-of-the-art technology. This might result in your listing process being delayed.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites in South Carolina
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
- ‘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.
Β» 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 South Carolina.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
- 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.
Β» Zillow For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular South Carolina 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
- 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.
Β» 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 South Carolina. 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 South Carolina. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in South Carolina?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the South Carolina MLS. 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 $384,000 home in the Palmetto State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $11,520 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $10,771!
Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
Traditional Agent | 3% | $11,520 | $0 |
Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $10,771 |
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 β Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLSβ 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 South Carolina: 5 Steps
Hereβs 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 South Carolina MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS South Carolina 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 SC 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 South Carolina
To sell your home as FSBO with ease, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local SC 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 South Carolina
If you think selling a house yourself in South Carolina 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: South Carolina cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
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 South Carolina MLS for maximum exposure.