Update on the best Flat Fee Listing Services
Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes
Update on the best Flat Fee Listing Services
Most Popular Reply
Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 754 posts · 504 votes
3yQuote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
22 Replies
- Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 754 posts · 504 votes3yMost of these are a huge disservice to sellers, as the listing agents don't do much if anything, don't market it, have the worst photos, weakest mls marketing verbiage, slowest response time to requests, etc.
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3y
Chad McMahan Yes I know. But I am selling a small piece of land. I doubt a realtor would be interested in listing it. But I would still like to get it on the mls.
- Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes3y
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
- 3yJosh YoungPro MemberRental Property Investor / REALTOR® / Property Manager · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2023 · 385 posts · 421 votes
@Sandy Land I just sent you a DM, I don't normally offer a flat fee, but I'd like to learn more about this piece of land you want to sell. Message me back if you want to connect. Thanks.
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
I haven't been able to list anything on Zillow in many months. I don't think they do free FSBO listings anymore.
- Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes3y
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
I haven't been able to list anything on Zillow in many months. I don't think they do free FSBO listings anymore.
You set up an account and click on "Your Home", then Add the property, then list. It's there. I have one active right now.
It may need a physical address, not just a parcel number. I haven't tried selling land on Zillow, so I don't know for sure.
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3yI have used Zillow in the past for land. It is one of the best places to sell FSBO. But almost everyone I know says the same thing:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
I haven't been able to list anything on Zillow in many months. I don't think they do free FSBO listings anymore.
You set up an account and click on "Your Home", then Add the property, then list. It's there. I have one active right now.
It may need a physical address, not just a parcel number. I haven't tried selling land on Zillow, so I don't know for sure.
You create the listing and send it for approval.
You immediately get a call from the automated service verifying some of the facts about the property.
Then you sit and wait. After a few hours, days etc it shows up.
Except they stopped showing up.
I have a handful of properties that I have tried to list in different states. None of their listings worked in Zillow. - Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes3yDo you own the land and is it recorded in the appropriate county. There is lot of title theft going on so they've become suspicious.
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I have used Zillow in the past for land. It is one of the best places to sell FSBO. But almost everyone I know says the same thing:Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
I haven't been able to list anything on Zillow in many months. I don't think they do free FSBO listings anymore.
You set up an account and click on "Your Home", then Add the property, then list. It's there. I have one active right now.
It may need a physical address, not just a parcel number. I haven't tried selling land on Zillow, so I don't know for sure.
You create the listing and send it for approval.
You immediately get a call from the automated service verifying some of the facts about the property.
Then you sit and wait. After a few hours, days etc it shows up.
Except they stopped showing up.
I have a handful of properties that I have tried to list in different states. None of their listings worked in Zillow.
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/1137858-titl... - Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Account Closed:
Do you own the land and is it recorded in the appropriate county. There is lot of title theft going on so they've become suspicious.Quote from @Sandy Land:
I have used Zillow in the past for land. It is one of the best places to sell FSBO. But almost everyone I know says the same thing:Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @Sandy Land:
I'm looking for opinions on flat fee listing services. The property that I need to sell is in Arizona.
TIA,
Sandy
You can try Fizber.com and Zillow.com free listing.
I haven't been able to list anything on Zillow in many months. I don't think they do free FSBO listings anymore.
You set up an account and click on "Your Home", then Add the property, then list. It's there. I have one active right now.
It may need a physical address, not just a parcel number. I haven't tried selling land on Zillow, so I don't know for sure.
You create the listing and send it for approval.
You immediately get a call from the automated service verifying some of the facts about the property.
Then you sit and wait. After a few hours, days etc it shows up.
Except they stopped showing up.
I have a handful of properties that I have tried to list in different states. None of their listings worked in Zillow.
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/1137858-titl...Yes. The 2 properties that I have in Arizona I have owned for a few years. I have tried contacting Zillow. But I get nothing in response.
- Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 754 posts · 504 votes3yI agree. Listing on the mls is a great way to gain more buyer exposure. When I was a new agent, I used to take the listings nobody wanted, at a flat fee. I'm sure an agent would be willing to take a low commission listing in order to have more sign exposure.
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Chad McMahan Yes I know. But I am selling a small piece of land. I doubt a realtor would be interested in listing it. But I would still like to get it on the mls.
- Real Estate Broker · San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 725 posts · 129 votes3y
@Sandy Land Try googling "flat fee MLS" and you will find many providers of this service.
Here are the big things to look for in a flat fee MLS listing:
1. The listing MUST be on the local MLS.
There are hundreds of MLSs in the United States. Sellers want to be on the MLS that covers the area where their home is located, so they can offer a commission to LOCAL buyer agents.
2. Cost to List + Changes to Listing.
Can range from $100-$400 for the exact same listing on the MLS. Watch out for fine print that requires an additional fee at closing - this is a huge red flag and how most flat fee companies make money. Make sure you are able to make changes to the listing after it has been posted for a nominal fee. For example, we provide 10 free changes with any listing (and $5 per change after that). Most sellers use ~5-6 changes. Note that a change can be anything such as pictures, description, price, open house, and status.
3. Photos on MLS.
Make sure you can upload at least 12 photos. Some services offer a great price, but it's only for 1 photo - which is not useful for most properties. Home buyers are very easily visually influenced. Pictures work wonders and numerous studies have shown that pro photography pays for itself many times over.
4. Length of Listing.
Get at least a 6 month listing and be sure that there is no charge for cancellation. Homes rarely sell as quickly as their owners think they will, even when the owner is sure the home is priced perfectly.
5. How Buyers and Agents Are Connected to You.
Ensure your contact information goes into the MLS private remarks to agents. The MLS rules prevent your contact information from appearing on websites, but websites are required to show the listing broker phone number. Find a flat fee service that offers free call forwarding so buyers are able to connect with you instantly.
6. Fine Print.
You should never be required to use any closing service (e.g. escrow) provided by the flat fee service agent. Read the listing agreement carefully - you will be required to sign it in every state.
7. Be Careful With Referral Services
Many of the flat fee MLS listing service providers you come across on the internet are actually just middlemen. These referral services find flat fee agents in each state and then advertise flat fee MLS listing service to sellers. These referral services have you add property info, photos, etc. but then send your info to the listing agent who does the work (and gets paid by the referral service).
Here's the catch: The actual listing agent is going to need to send you the real listing input form for your local MLS. The generic form that the referral service had you fill out is basically useless. Check out the listing input forms for a residential property for two different MLSs: Los Angeles and San Diego (in case you want to see how different the forms can be). Note that many fields are required on the forms and typically only the seller is going to know the right info.
You will also be required by state law to sign a listing agreement with the listing agent. It can be very dangerous paying for a listing without knowing what terms you are going to be required to agree to.
To recap: Be extremely cautious with flat fee MLS sites that only refer business to other agents.
Bonus Points
You should also consider the ease of use of the flat fee MLS listing provider, for example, can you complete everything online? How quickly is the listing added to the MLS? How quickly can changes be made? Is the agent easy to get in contact with?
- 3yTravis BohlingBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2011 · 65 posts · 78 votes
Hi Sandy, give Richard a call at AZ Flat Fee. He will take great care of you.
www.azflatfee.com
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Jonathan Minerick:
@Sandy Land Try googling "flat fee MLS" and you will find many providers of this service.
Here are the big things to look for in a flat fee MLS listing:
1. The listing MUST be on the local MLS.
There are hundreds of MLSs in the United States. Sellers want to be on the MLS that covers the area where their home is located, so they can offer a commission to LOCAL buyer agents.
2. Cost to List + Changes to Listing.
Can range from $100-$400 for the exact same listing on the MLS. Watch out for fine print that requires an additional fee at closing - this is a huge red flag and how most flat fee companies make money. Make sure you are able to make changes to the listing after it has been posted for a nominal fee. For example, we provide 10 free changes with any listing (and $5 per change after that). Most sellers use ~5-6 changes. Note that a change can be anything such as pictures, description, price, open house, and status.
3. Photos on MLS.
Make sure you can upload at least 12 photos. Some services offer a great price, but it's only for 1 photo - which is not useful for most properties. Home buyers are very easily visually influenced. Pictures work wonders and numerous studies have shown that pro photography pays for itself many times over.
4. Length of Listing.
Get at least a 6 month listing and be sure that there is no charge for cancellation. Homes rarely sell as quickly as their owners think they will, even when the owner is sure the home is priced perfectly.
5. How Buyers and Agents Are Connected to You.
Ensure your contact information goes into the MLS private remarks to agents. The MLS rules prevent your contact information from appearing on websites, but websites are required to show the listing broker phone number. Find a flat fee service that offers free call forwarding so buyers are able to connect with you instantly.
6. Fine Print.
You should never be required to use any closing service (e.g. escrow) provided by the flat fee service agent. Read the listing agreement carefully - you will be required to sign it in every state.
7. Be Careful With Referral Services
Many of the flat fee MLS listing service providers you come across on the internet are actually just middlemen. These referral services find flat fee agents in each state and then advertise flat fee MLS listing service to sellers. These referral services have you add property info, photos, etc. but then send your info to the listing agent who does the work (and gets paid by the referral service).
Here's the catch: The actual listing agent is going to need to send you the real listing input form for your local MLS. The generic form that the referral service had you fill out is basically useless. Check out the listing input forms for a residential property for two different MLSs: Los Angeles and San Diego (in case you want to see how different the forms can be). Note that many fields are required on the forms and typically only the seller is going to know the right info.
You will also be required by state law to sign a listing agreement with the listing agent. It can be very dangerous paying for a listing without knowing what terms you are going to be required to agree to.
To recap: Be extremely cautious with flat fee MLS sites that only refer business to other agents.
Bonus Points
You should also consider the ease of use of the flat fee MLS listing provider, for example, can you complete everything online? How quickly is the listing added to the MLS? How quickly can changes be made? Is the agent easy to get in contact with?
This is AWESOME! Thank you!
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Travis Bohling:
Hi Sandy, give Richard a call at AZ Flat Fee. He will take great care of you.
www.azflatfee.com
Thank you!
- Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 2 votes3yOK. Maybe this is more for houses. I have been told that I will probably only get $6K for this property. $3500 flat fee plus $350 retainer is just too much to give up when all I am asking for is to get it on the mls. No one has to show it. I already had a photographer take pics. Maybe Bigger Pockets was the wrong place to post this. I was just hoping for a fresh perspective
Quote from @Sandy Land:
Quote from @Travis Bohling:
Hi Sandy, give Richard a call at AZ Flat Fee. He will take great care of you.
www.azflatfee.com
Thank you!
- Investor · Donnelly, ID · Member since 2013 · 8 posts · 4 votes2y
With Zillow alone, your listing doesn't show in the main section. It's only under a subsection that most people dont go to. And Zillow wont cleanup any address issues for a non-Agent. In my personal research, Houzeo seems to be a solid Flat Fee MLS Service, a good interface and online forms, no % of sale $ with Bronze plan, a site buyers may have heard of, and good reviews on Trustpilot.
- Member since 2024 · 2 posts · 0 votes2y
I agree with Brett, Zillow doesn't give your listing the maximum reach. You need to get it on your local MLS, which then feeds to all third party sites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor, etc. I don't know anything about Houseo but in Illinois we use ListHomeFlatFee.com to sell everything from vacant land to condos, houses and multi-family. They are experienced, responsive and pricing is awesome. Good luck!
- Real Estate Agent · Miami, FL · Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 19 votes1y
Unless you already have experience in selling properties, in which case, getting it onto the MLS is the sole value of the flat fee listing service and you can take it from there, I'd recommend getting with a local realtor. Navigating the pricing/positioning, offers/contracts, and getting through the entire process to actually close without missing critical steps is part of the reason you'd pay a realtor. It's worth the money for anyone who doesn't have experience selling properties and believes flat fee will save them money. I'd make the case that in most markets, you'd leave more money on the table trying to learn as you go (and potential liabilities) by trying to save 2-3% in commissions.
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