How Flat Fee MLS Works

Everything you need to know about listing your home on the MLS for a flat fee — from start to closing.

📋

Choose Your Flat Fee MLS Plan

Select a flat fee MLS company and plan. Most sellers choose a mid-tier plan ($299–$399) for unlimited photos, full syndication, and digital offer management.

→Plans range from $95 (basic) to $499 (concierge)
→Look for unlimited listing changes and photos
→Ensure they list on your local MLS specifically
→Check if digital offer management is included

📸

Create Your Listing

Upload photos, write your property description, set your price, and enter listing details. Your flat fee company submits it to the MLS.

→Upload 25+ professional-quality photos
→Write a compelling property description (focus on features)
→Set your offer-of-buyer-agent-compensation amount
→Include showing instructions and contact info

🏡

Go Live on the MLS

Within 24–48 hours, your listing appears on your local MLS and syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and 100+ real estate portals.

→Local MLS listing reaches all buyer agents
→Zillow & Realtor.com syndication reaches buyers directly
→Redfin, Trulia, Homes.com and more
→Your listing is identical to agent-listed properties

🔑

Manage Showings

Buyer agents and buyers contact you directly to schedule showings. Use a lockbox and set showing windows that work for you.

→Get a combination lockbox for unattended showings
→Set availability windows (e.g. Mon–Sat, 10am–7pm)
→Confirm buyer agents have valid MLS credentials
→Follow up for feedback within 24 hours

📝

Review and Negotiate Offers

Offers come directly to you. Review, counter, accept, or reject on your own timeline with no agent pressure.

→Compare purchase price, contingencies, and closing date
→Counter-offer to improve terms you don't like
→Some platforms include digital offer management built in
→Consider pre-approval letters with all cash offers

🏦

Open Escrow & Close

Once you accept an offer, open escrow with a title company or attorney. They handle the paperwork and fund distribution at closing.

→Buyer's lender orders an appraisal
→Inspection period (typically 10–14 days)
→Title company prepares closing documents
→You receive sale proceeds minus buyer agent commission and flat fee

What You Actually Pay

Traditional Agent

Listing agent (2.5–3%)$10,000–$12,000

Buyer's agent (2.5–3%)$10,000–$12,000

Total$20,000–$24,000

Based on $400,000 home

Flat Fee MLS

Flat fee listing (mid-tier plan)$399

Buyer's agent (2.5–3%)$10,000–$12,000

Total$10,399–$12,399

You save $9,601–$11,601

Ready to Get Started?

Get listed on the MLS in 24–48 hours. Starting at $99.

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