7 Flat Fee MLS Companies in Arizona to Sell Your FSBO Home

What Arizona sellers might benefit from a flat fee MLS service?

Flat fee MLS services might be a good option for some sellers, but not all. Here are a few situations when sellers might consider using a flat fee MLS service:

• Sellers who want to save on the cost of a real estate agent’s commission.
• Sellers who have a hands-on personality and are confident in their home selling skills.
• Sellers who enjoy a challenge.
• Sellers who think their knowledge of the property makes them the best person to handle the sale.
• Sellers who have strong real estate industry knowledge such as a real estate attorney.
• Sellers who have the time and resources to learn all the details of the FSBO process.
• Sellers who are facing foreclosure, want to sell quickly, and don’t think they have time to work with an agent.

Different flat fee MLS listing companies offer different levels of service depending on how much you pay, but it’s generally a far cry from the comprehensive level of home-selling services provided by a traditional agent. That means if you go the FSBO route, you’ll need to be willing to take on a variety of tasks normally handled by a real estate agent.

Here are some of the responsibilities you’ll probably have as a FSBO seller:

• Conducting a comparative market analysis of the area where your property is located.
• Using your own research to choose the best asking price for your home.
• Writing a compelling listing description.
• Taking quality photos of the inside and outside of your home and yard.
• Responding to inquiries about your home from potential buyers.
• Scheduling, advertising, and hosting open houses.
• Showing the property to individual buyers.
• Understanding your legal liabilities and providing disclosure paperwork.
• Providing a purchase contract.
• Handling negotiations and counteroffers.

Pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS listing service

Here are some aspects of the flat fee MLS listing service to weigh against using a traditional agent.

One of the main reasons why sellers opt for the FSBO route is to save on paying the agent commission. However, keep in mind that the buyer will likely be using an agent, and sellers are generally responsible for paying the buyer’s agent commission, which is typically about 2.5% to 3% of the sale price.

How do I list my home with a flat fee MLS service in Arizona?

If after deliberating over the pros and cons you’ve decided to list your home using a flat fee listing service, here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Search online and ask other people who have sold their own homes for recommendations about flat fee MLS listing services in Arizona.

Step 2: Once you have selected a few companies, compare the various rate and service packages based on your needs.

Step 3: Study the service providers’ websites to learn about the process for getting started, which may differ.

Step 4: Contact the service via phone, email, or an online form if provided. Be prepared to offer information about your property and have your marketing photos ready.

Step 5: Wait one or two days for your listing to go live on the MLS.

Step 6: View your listing online and contact the service provider immediately if any changes need to be made. The information from the listing will populate on real estate websites like Realtor, Redfin, Zillow, Trulia, etc.

Step 7: Stay posted for any important communications from your service provider about the listing. You may have more regular contact if you purchased additional services.

Step 8: If all goes well, expect to receive inquiries from buyers’ agents or prospective buyers, which could result in offers and hopefully a successful sale.

Are flat fee MLS listings effective in Arizona?

A flat fee MLS service can be effective. Because the local MLS is one of the best ways to market your home and get it in front of buyers, it’s crucial to list your FSBO home on the local MLS.

The NAR reports that FSBO home sales are not a popular option — accounting for only 10% of home sales last year.

According to Maricopa County real estate agent Monique Walker, who has 20 years of industry experience, when there’s a hot seller’s market, that can cause an uptick in the number of FSBO sellers because it’s much easier to market and sell a home for top dollar. When the market is softer, Walker typically sees less activity among FSBO sellers and flat fee agents because more effort and experience are needed for a successful home sale. However, there are still occasions when people choose to go it alone.

“Someone might use a flat fee listing service if they owe too much on their property,” says Walker. “For example, if their mortgage is $300K and they can only sell it for $310K — that would be the only situation that you would move in that direction.”

Otherwise, sellers are likely going to lose more money than they’re going to save with a flat fee MLS service, Walker adds.

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Alternatives to a flat fee MLS service

Option 1: Flat fee real estate agent

A flat fee real estate agent offers to list and sell your home for a flat rate rather than a percentage of the home sale. A flat fee agent will often provide some of the same services as a traditional agent but with a different payment structure — they get paid the same amount regardless of how much the home sells for, potentially saving the seller money. However, they may not put as much effort into selling your home without the incentive of a higher commission, and you may not receive some services like professional photography, video tours, attending open houses, etc.

Option 2: Discount real estate brokers

If you want more support comparable to a traditional real estate agent but don’t want to pay a high commission, a discounted agent might be an option for you. It’s somewhat of a middle-of-the-road approach where you’ll typically pay more than a flat fee MLS service but less than the standard agent commission. However, keep in mind that you may still have to pay the standard commission for the buyer’s agent, reducing the savings potential. They may also take on a larger client load, and so may devote less time selling your property.

Option 3: Full-service, experienced real estate agent

For many sellers, merely getting their house listed on the MLS isn’t enough to garner top dollar and a fast sale. By working with an experienced real estate agent, sellers can get comprehensive support throughout the process. For example, Walker explained how she provides clients with a 16-point action plan that includes professional photos and presentation on the MLS, using extensive local knowledge to appropriately price and market the property, as well as skilled negotiations.

“Marketing and agent-to-agent communication matters,” Walker says. “All of our different ways of getting exposure for a property make a difference.”

Here are some of the top benefits of using a full-service, full-commission real estate agent or broker:

• Knowledge of the local market.
• A comparative market analysis to determine the best selling price.
• Ability to sell for a higher price.
• Can help with staging and recommending necessary maintenance and upgrades for a higher sale price.
• Appraisal expertise for more accurate valuation estimate.
• Can preempt inspection pitfalls.
• More marketing experience and broader visibility for property.
• Sellers have less work to do during the sale process.
• Contract expertise to avoid delays and potential lawsuits.
• Professional negotiation skills.

HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent. Use our free Agent Match platform to connect with an experienced agent in your area who can help you achieve a fast sale at the highest selling price.

Will I save money with a flat fee MLS listing service?

You may be wondering whether you’ll sell your home for less if you use a flat fee MLS service or if you’ll really save money.

While you’ll save money on agent commission fees, you’ll likely lose more in the net proceeds from the sale. That’s because in exchange for those upfront commission savings, you’re sacrificing the time, work, and knowledge that a professional agent would put toward your property to command top dollar. This mainly comes from their marketing efforts, pricing scheme based on experience, and negotiation skills.

Furthermore, if you factor in the cost of your time and labor in addition to the risk of a lower sale price, the commission savings may not be as worth it as it initially appeared. According to a NAR report, the median sale from a FSBO home was $225,000, compared to $330,000 for homes sold with the help of an agent.

What if I need to sell my Arizona home fast

You may be drawn to the FSBO route because you can quickly list your property and dive right into the selling process without having to interview agents. If a fast sale is your number one priority, a better avenue may be to seek a cash offer from a house-buying company such as an iBuyer or a We Buy Houses investor group. Be prepared that the cash offer won’t be as high as you’d get selling on the open market. However, if you’re in a situation such as inheriting a house out-of-state, facing foreclosure, or having a property that needs a major amount of repairs you can’t afford, receiving a cash offer could be a good option.

One of the most convenient ways to sell a home fast is through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. It enables you to skip repairs, showings, and commissions by enabling you to receive a no-obligation cash offer in as little as a week. If you accept an offer, you can close in as few as 10 days.

What else should I know about selling a house in Arizona?

Although there aren’t any laws specifically applicable to FSBO sellers in Arizona, there are more general laws that anyone selling property should know about. While the title company will help take care of tax-related requirements, FSBO sellers will be responsible for adhering to the state’s disclosure laws. Failure to adhere to the laws could result in litigation, fines, or a terminated sale. In lieu of working with an experienced agent who would be versed in disclosure laws, FSBO sellers could hire an attorney during the process, though it’s not required to do so in Arizona.

More helpful insights about flat fee MLS services in Arizona

You may be interested in trying a FSBO sale for your property but are concerned about potentially hurting your chances in the process. According to Walker, it’s not necessarily a very positive route to take but one could use a flat fee MLS listing service for 30 days or less without hurting future chances should you subsequently opt to work with a traditional agent. However, regardless of the length of time, it’s essential to be aware of all the legal liabilities involved with being a FSBO seller.

She encourages all sellers to interview a few agents and ask them how many properties they have listed and sold in the past six months, what their list price to sales price ratio is, and their average days on market. Given that real estate transactions are generally the largest financial decisions of someone’s life, it’s important to take the time to properly vet an agent or any real estate service before making a decision.

Ready to sell your Arizona home?

Using a flat fee MLS listing service as part of your FSBO process could be a sound option for those with strong real estate knowledge or others who want to put in the time to learn, so that they can have maximum control over the process. Meanwhile, some sellers who don’t think their properties have the potential to earn a profit from the sale might also choose a flat fee MLS listing service. However, opting for a flat fee MLS company just to save on the agent commission may not be the best choice because chances are you’ll still have to pay the buyer’s agent commission, fees for the MLS listing service and may not sell for as much as you might using a traditional agent.

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