For Sale By Owner Flat Fee MLS Services

The MLS is a database of homes for sale operated by the Board of Realtors®. It is the method agents use to find homes for their buyers or to advertise their client listings to other agents or consumers.

Flat Fee MLS services are now offered through For Sale By Owner real estate websites that will get you the same exposure as agent represented homes for a fraction of the cost.  Average prices range from $299-$499 (based on local conditions). For this amount, you get listed on your local MLS, Realtor.com® (only homes listed in the MLS can appear on Realtor.com®), AOL®, MSN®, Yahoo!® and many more real estate websites that feature MLS listings.

Self-directed FSBO buyers are increasingly viewing MLS listings without an agent in hopes to cut out middle man commissions and find a home without involving an agent. Approx. 80% of buyers start their home buying search online and one of the broadest ways to get exposure for your home is to have it listed on the MLS by a flat fee agent. Listing on the MLS has been an increasingly preferred method for selling 'by owner'. If you wanty to sell it fast and have the most buyers see your property - get your home listed in the MLS and save yourself some time.

No commissions are paid to the listing (sellers) agent - your flat fee replaces the 3% commssion you would normally pay in a contractual agreement. But if an agent finds a buyer for your home, a 2-3% commission is normally paid. And you are never obligated to sell your home to a buyer or agent that found your home through the MLS.

If you're thinking about listing in the MLS, be aware of low cost providers. If you find it for $150 or $200, expect the service to reflect the price you're paying. In most cases, the average fee is around $399. Even though it may seem as a simple task to simply add your home to the MLS, there is considerable initial and follow-up work on the flat fee agents behalf.

With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you'll get: 

- Maximum Exposure: Widest exposure to local buyers and those on the searching on the Internet.

- Home Listing and Photos: Home will appear the same as agent represented homes on the MLS.

- More Visibility: Listing on www.realtor.com®, the country’s largest national real estate website, and other sites like Yahoo®, MSN® & AOL®.

- Sold Faster: More buyers means more opportunities to make the sale.

Plus, you can still sell “By Owner” and find a buyer without an agent and pay no commissions at all.

Based on local real estate market conditions, results will vary.

External Resources:

Flat Fee MLS Listing Services - Largest Flat Fee Agent Network

FlatFeeMLSListing.com as seen on CNN-Money, the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere.