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

How much does a flat fee MLS service cost in Florida?

The cost for a flat fee listing service ranges from $99 to $5,000, depending on the level of service you select. Added features, such as additional photo uploads, lockboxes, and marketing materials, may be available à la carte. Limited agent assistance is often available at an additional cost.

Flat fee MLS listing companies in Florida

How would a Florida seller benefit from a flat fee MLS service?

A flat fee MLS service might be the right choice for you if:

You’re looking to save on the cost of a real estate commission

Traditionally, the seller is the one responsible for paying the real estate commission, usually 5% to 6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

With a flat fee MLS service, you avoid paying the listing agent’s portion of that commission, making the process more cost-effective. With the commission changes brought by the landmark settlement by the NAR, decoupling buyer and seller agent fees, you may also save further by not having to cover the buyer’s agent’s compensation.

You have a desirable home, and it’s a hot market

If property inventory is low in your area, and your home has desirable features and is located in a desirable area, it may sell itself. Keep in mind, however, that even though your MLS listing may bring multiple buyers and competitive offers to your door, you’ll still be responsible for all the aspects of your home sale.

You want to be very involved in your home sale

If you’re a savvy go-getter with home-selling experience, you may want to go all-in on your home sale. Selling a house by owner may be your chance to shine. A flat fee MLS is one of the first steps in your home-selling journey.

You don’t want to work with a listing agent

Maybe you’ve had a bad experience with an agent in the past. Maybe you feel none of the agents you’ve interviewed understand the features of your home. If you’re determined to sell your home yourself, you can forgo the services of a licensed agent and still get your home listed on the MLS.

You have the time and energy to invest in the home-selling process

Depending on the level of service you purchase from a flat fee company, you may need to take on a variety of tasks normally handled by a real estate agent.

It’s important to know what you’re getting into, Madan explains. When FSBO sellers turn to her, it’s because they’re in over their heads. “They’re like, you know what? I’m so tired of this, I want you to handle it. They see it’s not as easy as they think it is,” she explains.

When you take on the home-selling process, you’ll be responsible for:

• Determining the best selling price for your home.
• Writing a compelling listing description.
• Taking photos of your property, inside and out.
• Marketing your home outside of the MLS.
• Making the disclosures required by Florida state law.
• Coordinating showings and open houses.
• Handling negotiations and counteroffers.
• Understanding the terms of your contract.
• Navigating any issues that may come up with the appraisal or inspection.
• Handling real estate transfer tax.
• Getting the required documentation together.

Pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS listing service

Using a flat fee MLS listing service can be a cost-effective way to get your property in front of more buyers. However, it comes with trade-offs that sellers should understand before choosing this approach.

“Agents work with contracts all day long, and we know the laws that are taking place. The list is endless,” warns Madan. “For example, if the seller doesn’t read the contract carefully, they might be paying for all special assessments. Agents know to look for things like that. It can make a huge difference in your bottom line as the seller.”

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

Once you’ve decided to list your home with a flat fee listing service, follow these steps to get your Florida FSBO home on the MLS:

Step 1: Vet the flat fee MLS service

Research the local service you’d like to use, including packages and rates. Know how much information you’ll be able to list, what forms are available free of charge, and what add-ons come at an additional charge before you proceed. Be sure to look up Google reviews and check out the company on the BBB.

“When you hire a flat fee service, you need to know what services you’re paying for, how long your listing will be up, how many photos you can post,” says Madan.

“If it doesn’t sell in a certain amount of time, can you pull it back? Can you continue to market your property? Are they gonna charge you more? You need to know who’s taking the calls. Will agents be able to reach you, or are your calls going unanswered by the service? When you get an offer, is it going to you or them? Just like when you hire an agent, it’s important to know what they’re going to do for you,” she adds.

Step 2: Register and select a plan

Register on the flat fee MLS company website, select the package you want, and pay the flat fee online.

Step 3: Enter your property information

Describe your property and upload photos. If your service offers it, fill out the disclosure form.

Step 4: Read and sign your listing agreement

Carefully review the listing agreement, which may be an Exclusive Right to Sell with the MLS company, before signing. Make sure you can cancel without penalty and won’t owe a commission before you sign.

Step 5: Review your live listing

The flat fee company will make your listing live on the MLS, which means it will be visible to buyers’ agents. Your listing will also be posted on real estate websites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. However, it can take a couple of days or longer to populate. Review how your listing is displaying on real estate sites to be certain it’s correct and complete.

Are flat fee MLS listings effective in Florida?

All homebuyers use the internet when searching for a new home. With few exceptions, these online tools rely on local MLS databases to populate the most up-to-date listings. Buyers’ agents rely on MLS data as well, making it one of the most effective marketing opportunities for sellers.

Not only will more buyers and agents see your home, but it will bring them to your front door.

Madan explains, “Real estate agents have a code of ethics that we have to show or try to show every house that our buyers want to see or that meets their criteria, even FSBO homes,” she says.

Alternatives to a flat fee MLS service

If you’re not sure a flat fee MLS service will fit your Florida selling situation, here are some other options worth exploring.

Option 1: Flat fee real estate agent

A flat fee real estate agent provides limited services for a flat rate rather than a percentage of the home sale. The average flat fee can range from $3,000 to $5,000, but some may charge for additional services.

A flat fee agent might be a good option for a homeowner who wants more control of their home sale but needs the guidance of a professional. Read your listing contract carefully to find out exactly what services a flat fee agent provides and if there are any additional fees.

Option 2: Discount real estate brokers

You can seek out the services of a low-commission or discount real estate broker. These companies or agents are typically more expensive than flat fee MLS services. However, they will accept a reduced commission and often still provide some of the basic services and support you might receive from a full-commission agent.

Option 3: Full-service, experienced real estate agent

List with a top-performing, full-service Realtor who will provide comprehensive services in addition to listing your home. An experienced local professional will have deep knowledge of local market trends, leverage local connections with contractors and sales contacts, and have the proven skills to sell a home faster with the best results.

“An agent does so much more than just put your listing in the MLS,” explains Madan. “We’re going to make sure that it gets picked up, syndicated. But that’s not where we stop.

“We’re not just putting your listing up and waiting for the phone to ring. We get the photographs done. Maybe we do drone photos or a walk-through video. We do the marketing. We have the signs installed. Sellers don’t pay for any of that when they hire us.”

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

Using a flat fee MLS service can reduce your upfront agent commission costs, but those savings often come with trade-offs. You’ll be taking on more work and responsibility, and you may miss out on a professional’s expertise that could help you negotiate a higher sale price.

When factoring in your time and the potential impact on your home’s final selling price, the savings may be less than expected. HomeLight data shows that homes listed with a top-performing agent can sell for up to 10% more than those handled by an average agent.

Additionally, while skipping the seller’s commission fees (2% to 3%) might seem like a saving, it could be offset by a lower sale price. The NAR reports that sellers who work with an agent typically earn $55,000 more than those who sell on their own. The data shows that FSBO homes sold for an average of $380,000, compared with $435,000 for agent-assisted sales.

What if I need to sell my Florida home fast

If you need to sell your Florida home fast, you can seek a cash offer from a house-buying company, such as an iBuyer or a We Buy Houses investor group. One of the most convenient ways to sell your home fast is HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. You can skip repairs, showings, and commissions and receive a no-obligation cash offer in as little as 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as few as 7 days.

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

Even if you’re selling your home on your own in Florida, you are still required to follow state disclosure laws. State law mandates that sellers provide a written disclosure of the property’s condition, including any known defects or issues that could affect its value or safety, before completing the sale. Failing to disclose such information can lead to legal liability.

While Florida does not require an attorney to sell your FSBO home, it’s highly recommended that you hire one to help you understand the terms of your contract, oversee your documentation, and reduce your risk of liability.

Alternatively, you can hire an agent at a reduced price or flat fee to oversee certain parts of your sale, such as the documentation. Madan says, “If you need help with the negotiation, or if you’d like an agent to oversee it, we usually do it for about one percent of the sale.”

Find a Top-Rated Real Estate Agent Near You

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Ready to sell your Florida home?

Listing a house by owner in your local Florida MLS is the first step to getting your FSBO property in front of more buyers. However, doing so requires the assistance of a listing agent or the services of a flat fee MLS company.

With a flat fee listing service, you can avoid paying the listing agent commission and maintain complete control of your home sale. While you may save on the listing commission, know that FSBO listings tend to sell for less than agent-assisted sales.

An experienced agent who knows the area can help you maximize your sale price and get a premium offer. This can help to offset or, in some cases, more than make up for the cost of commission.

If you choose to sell a house by owner in Florida, you should now have a good idea of what to expect from a flat fee listing company. But if you want to maximize your profit, save time, and avoid the potential headaches of a FSBO sale, HomeLight can connect you with proven, top-performing agents in your Florida market.

Writer Jael Batty contributed to this post.

Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Florida flat fee MLS companies should not be considered endorsements.

Header Image Source: (Eric Ardito / Unsplash)