Will You Pay Zillow For Sale By Owner Fees?

Will you pay Zillow for sale by owner fees?

Zillow allows homeowners to post FSBO listings for free. Some optional or third-party services may come with costs, but Zillow doesn’t charge for sale by owner fees for basic listings. You can submit and edit your property listing, which can include:

• Video and unlimited photos
• Listing on Zillow and Zillow-owned Trulia
• Instant emails to homebuyers about new listings

However, having your listing available on Zillow.com and having it easily found by potential buyers are not the same thing. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know.

Is there a catch with Zillow for sale by owner fees?

Listing your home on Zillow is free, but there’s a hidden downside. When buyers search for homes on Zillow, your FSBO listing doesn’t get special treatment. It appears alongside agent-listed properties, which often have professional photos, polished descriptions, and better visibility.

That means your listing can easily get buried or overlooked, especially if buyers are filtering for homes with agents. So even though it’s free, your listing may not get the attention it deserves, making it harder to compete and possibly delaying your sale.

In addition, the interface may confuse buyers who do happen to find a FSBO listing. The property detail window features a prominent “Contact agent” button. The words “For sale by owner” are tucked in the upper corner of the home photo or in small print at the bottom of the description page.

What it actually costs to sell on Zillow FSBO: A breakdown of add-ons

Listing your home on Zillow as FSBO is free, but most sellers still end up paying for a few extras to make the process smoother and get more eyes on their home. Here’s what those optional add-ons usually look like:

Steps to list a home on Zillow

Even with that major drawback in mind, many sellers still turn to Zillow for the convenience and visibility it offers. If you’re planning to give it a try, it’s important to know exactly how the listing process works so you can make the most of it. Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps to list your home on Zillow.

1. Create a Zillow profile or log in: If you don’t have an existing Zillow user account yet, you’ll need to create one. Visit Zillow.com and click “Sign In” in the upper-right corner. Then click “New Account” on the pop-up window. Enter the required information to create your profile.
2. Search for your home: Use Zillow’s search function to locate your property by entering the address in the search bar.
3. Claim ownership of the property: Once you’ve found your home, you’ll need to claim ownership. To do this, click the “More” button and select “Claim ownership.” Follow the system prompts to verify that you are the owner of the house. If you cannot find an existing property page for your home, you can create a new listing page by hovering your cursor over the “Sell” tab in the navigation bar. Then click on “Post For Sale By Owner” and enter your home’s address.
4. Review your profile: While this is an optional step, it’s a good idea to navigate to your profile under “Your home” and double-check that the information you entered is correct.
5. List home for sale by owner: You can now post your home for sale by owner, which will include the following steps:

• • Enter your sale price: Research and select a competitive price for your property based on market conditions and comparable homes.
  • Upload your photos: Since nearly all buyers start their home search online, you’ll want to upload high-quality photos. Be certain to include images of each room of your house and key outdoor features.
  • Enter or edit property details: All the information you enter about the property must be current and accurate. This includes square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any new renovations or upgrades.
  • Provide your contact information: Decide how you want potential buyers to reach you and enter your contact details.
  • Agree to Zillow’s Terms of Use: Check the box to agree to Zillow’s terms and conditions of use.
  • Submit your home listing: Once you are done, click the blue “Post For Sale By Owner” button to submit your listing. It will not be live until it is reviewed and approved by Zillow. Once submitted, it usually takes about 72 hours for Zillow to verify and approve your FSBO home listing.

Zillow’s online FSBO submission interface will look something like this example:

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If your listing doesn’t appear after 72 hours

If you don’t see your verified and approved home listing on the site after 72 hours, Zillow maintains a user support page called “Where is my for sale by owner listing?” This help page covers the following scenarios:

• If you missed your Zillow verification call
• If you answered a question wrong during the verification call
• You need to change your sale price or other property listing facts
• You have just changed your mind and want to cancel the listing
• Your listing is verified, but you don’t see it in the property search results

In some cases, your listing may be posted, but you’re not using the FSBO filter after a search.

Your FSBO listing will also display on Trulia

Trulia is owned by Zillow Group, Inc., so when your FSBO listing is verified and activated on Zillow.com, it will also appear on Trulia.com, typically within 24 hours of your verification notice. However, as with Zillow, FSBO listings are not prioritized in Trulia search results. Buyers searching for homes must select a similar “For Sale By Owner” filter.

Using a paid flat-fee MLS service

Many FSBO sellers use a flat fee multiple listing service (MLS) to place their listings on Zillow and other major real estate search websites nationwide. These services allow home sellers to pay a one-time fee to have their home listed on the MLS, the database used by real estate agents and investors to locate properties for sale.

By listing on the MLS, your property will gain far more visibility. It will appear on the default search for buyers and their agents browsing Zillow, Trulia, and other major platforms like Realtor.com. This will attract many more home shoppers than listing through Zillow’s free FSBO process.

Flat fee MLS listing service rates can range from a few hundred dollars to as much as $5,000 if you decide to pay for additional services such as an agent’s help with marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.

Examples of reputable flat fee MLS service providers include:

• FSBO.com
• Unreal Estate
• ISoldMyHouse.com
• Houzeo
• Flatfeegroup.com

Cost breakdown of Zillow FSBO vs. flat-fee MLS services

Listing your home FSBO on Zillow is free, but it limits exposure to only Zillow-affiliated platforms. In contrast, flat-fee MLS listings may cost more, but they put your home on the MLS. It can reach more buyers via Realtor.com, Redfin, and other real estate websites and boost visibility without paying full agent commission.

Other free FSBO home listing options

If you’re exploring other free listing sites, Zillow isn’t your only option. Here’s a list of popular platforms that will allow you to post a FSBO listing at no cost:

• ForSaleByOwner.com: A dedicated FSBO platform designed to connect buyers and sellers directly
• Facebook Marketplace: A community-driven space to share your home listing and reach local buyers
• Oodle Marketplace: Another online marketplace for posting real estate listings and finding buyers
• Craigslist: A longstanding option for local advertising, including FSBO real estate listings
• Fizber: A website offering tools for FSBO sellers and includes the option to place your listing on Redfin
• listproperty4free.com: A global platform that connects FSBO sellers with potential buyers for free

In addition to these national and international platforms, there may be smaller, local FSBO websites or online marketplaces tailored to your region.

Helpful tips when selling FSBO

Selling your home FSBO can be empowering, but it also comes with challenges. Here are some tips to improve your chances of a successful sale:

• Price your home competitively: Research similar properties in your area and use online valuation tools to set a fair market price.
• Write a compelling listing description: Highlight key features, recent upgrades, and unique selling points to attract buyers.
• Use high-quality photos: Good lighting and professional-grade photos can make your home stand out online.
• Be available for showings: Flexibility is crucial for accommodating potential buyers’ schedules.
• Prepare your home: Declutter, clean, and stage your space to make a strong first impression.
• Keep security in mind: Always have someone with you during showings. Require unrepresented buyers to provide identification before scheduling a tour.
• Watch out for scams: Be on the lookout for buyers who seem far too eager or who ask for personal information upfront. Verify their credibility before proceeding.
• Follow state disclosure laws: Most states have disclosure laws you’ll need to follow. It’s better to be fully transparent now than face potential lawsuits later.
• Hire a real estate attorney: Having a legal expert to review contracts and guide you through the closing process can save you headaches.
• Be prepared for lowball offers: Buyers often make low offers on FSBO listings. Be patient and negotiate in good faith, but be shrewd.

Consult with a top agent for free

While FSBO may work for some sellers, it’s a rare choice due to the heavy workload involved and fewer proceeds. In fact, only about 5% of homes were sold FSBO in 2025, as shown in the latest NAR report. Most of these sales happen between people who already know each other, like relatives, friends, or neighbors.

For everyone else, the process can quickly become overwhelming without professional guidance. That’s why many sellers end up choosing options that offer more support and a smoother experience.

Many sellers find that partnering with a real estate agent will save time and stress, and earn them more profits. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform connects you with top-performing local real estate professionals who understand your market and can help you sell faster and for more money.

Even if you’re not ready to commit to working with an agent, consulting one can provide valuable insights about pricing, market trends, and the selling process. Most agents don’t even charge for a consultation.

Ready to explore your options? Find a top agent today to get expert advice and determine the best path forward for selling your home.

Need to sell fast? If you need to sell your home right away, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you to one of the largest networks of cash home buyers in the U.S. Answer a few questions about your home and selling timeline, and you’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours. If you accept, you can close in as few as 7 days.