Discover DFW’s Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Services
Selling a home can be quite challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. One way to increase your chances of a successful sale is by utilizing the services of a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service. These services allow you to list your home on the MLS for a flat fee, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars in commissions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits of using these services and highlight some of the top Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in DFW.
Benefits of Using Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in DFW
The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a database that real estate agents use to share information about properties they have listed for sale. By listing your home on the MLS, you can reach the widest possible audience of potential buyers. Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in DFW offer several benefits, including:
- Cost-savings: Traditional real estate listing agents typically charge a commission of around 2-3% of the sale price. With a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service, you can pay a flat fee to list your home on the MLS, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in commissions.
- Control: By using a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service, you have more control over the process of selling your home. You can set your own price, negotiate directly with buyers, and make decisions about the sale of your home with or without the help of a traditional real estate agent.
- Efficiency: Flat Fee MLS Listing Services offer a streamlined process for listing your home on the MLS. You can quickly and easily upload photos and information about your home, making it easier for potential buyers to find and view your property.
- Market Exposure: The only way to fully expose your offering to the market is to have your home listed in an MLS. By doing so, your home is shown in MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor, Redfin, and thousands of agent websites. No matter whom you list with, the market exposure is the same. All other forms of advertising such as social media, email campaigns, open house, flyers, signs, etc. is wasteful advertising. Nobody goes to Facebook to find the best choice for their budget. With todays modern on-line real estate services, buyers setup an auto email to find homes to buy.
Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in DFW
If you’re considering using a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service in DFW, there are several options to choose from. Here are a few examples of the available services:
- DFWCityhomes – Offers a one-time low fee of $495 to list your home on the MLS and multiple levels of turnkey listing services that are just like a 6% agent giving you everything you need to list your home. With the exception of the lowest level, DFWCityhomes offers full representation and is the point of contact for agents and buyers. DFWCityhomes is a Texas based brokerage with great one on one service.
- Houzeo – This service offers 4 levels of service starting at $99 to list your home on the MLS. They have easy terms and a sophisticated online system. At all service levels the seller is the point of contact.
- Creek view Realty – This service offers 2 levels of service at $600 and $1,400 to list your home on the MLS with additional fees for signage, lockbox, pictures, market analysis, sign, etc. At the lower level the seller is the point of contact. At the higher level it includes full representation.
- Flatfeebyyou – This service offers 3 levels of service starting at $45 to list your home on the MLS. In all cases a buyer agent fee is required and Flatfeebyyou takes 50% of the buyer agent fee as additional compensation. Check out their Yelp reviews for more guidance. This service is a very good example of why you need to look closely at the listing agreement and other details. At all service levels the seller is the point of contact.
- ISoldMyHouse.com – This national service offers 2 levels of service $299 and $399 to list your home on the MLS with additional fees for signage, lockbox, pictures, market analysis, sign, etc. . At all service levels the seller is the point of contact.
Finding the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service in DFW
Using a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service in DFW can be a cost-effective and efficient way to sell your home. By choosing a flat fee service, you can save money on commissions and have more control over the selling process. It’s important to do your research and choose a service that fits your timing, needs, and budget. With the right Flat Fee MLS Listing Service, you can increase your chances of a successful sale and move on to your next adventure.
Additional Considerations
commissions and fees can be Confusing
Real estate commissions can be confusing, and some sellers may mistakenly assume that a “flat fee” means they only have to pay the agreed-upon fee with their DFW agent. However, it’s important to remember that all MLS require an amount offered to and advertised in the listing that the buyer agent will earn. Sellers are responsible for paying the buyer’s agent commission, which can add an additional 2% to 3% of the final sale price to the flat rate fee. Moreover, sellers might have to pay title company fees, prorated property taxes, and any negotiated concessions. If your flat fee service includes negotiation assistance or full representation, your agent can help estimate these fees and assist in negotiating concessions when an offer is presented.
Know what you’re getting With the service you select
Most Flat Fee MLS Services charge upfront before you can see the listing agreement. The listing agreement is a contract between the seller and the broker outlining the duties of each party, fees, and services provided.
Another crucial aspect to consider about Flat Fee MLS Services is that they may provide fewer services than traditional agents. It’s important to carefully review the details before choosing a flat-rate realtor to understand exactly what their fee includes and excludes.
Make sure you have the support you need
One potential downside of using some Flat Fee MLS Services is the level of support they provide. Due to the use of unlicensed staff and the lack of a designated representative, it may take longer to get your listing live, receive answers to your questions, or make changes to your listing.
Are you willing to be the point of contact?
The most cut rate Flat Fee MLS Services post your listing in MLS as a limited service (FSBO) listing and designate you as the point of contact . These services typically post your listing in MLS and within the agent listing instructions identify you by name, email address, and phone number as the point of contact for inquiries from agents. However, it’s important to understand that selling a home involves more than just posting a listing.
Tasks such as setting up showings, understanding and negotiating contracts, pricing your home appropriately, and determining the best strategies can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially if you don’t have experience in these areas. While a Flat Fee MLS Service may save you money upfront, you may end up paying more in the long run if you make costly mistakes.
If you don’t have the experience or feel comfortable with these tasks, we recommend choosing a Flat Fee MLS Listing Service that offers full representation with a competent broker who understands contracts and transactions. With full representation, the broker will take all the calls and provide you with the guidance you need to get the best deal possible. This can save you time and money, and give you peace of mind knowing that a professional is handling the details of your sale.
You are not a for sale by owner (FSBO) anymore
When it comes to flat fee listing services, some may advertise themselves as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) service, but this can be a misleading statement. This is because if you use a flat fee service to advertise your home in an MLS, it is no longer considered a FSBO. While you may be the point of contact for potential buyers, you have actually created an obligation with your broker to pay an agent commission to the agent who procures a buyer through your listing agreement. The only difference between using a flat fee service and hiring a full service agent is the reduced fee and reduced services provided.
It is important to note that it can be confusing for buyer agents if you tell them you are a FSBO. This is because they may become concerned that they won’t be paid. Even if you are the point of contact for potential buyers, it is not a true for sale by owner situation due to the obligation you have with your broker to pay an agent commission.
How do I find a local flat rate Realtor in DFW?
To see sponsored and organic ads for Flat Fee MLS Services, search for ‘Flat Fee MLS Service’ on Google. It’s important to note that the key difference between a flat fee service and a traditional agent is that the former advertises their fees and service levels upfront. Before choosing a flat fee service, ensure that you fully understand the services provided and that they align with your level of experience and needs to successfully complete the job. Check their reviews on Google, Realtor.com, and Zillow to see what other clients are saying about them.
A final conclusion
When deciding on a Flat Fee MLS Service, it’s important to consider your level of experience and comfort with selling a home within the confines of the service selected. If you are uncertain or lack the time to manage all the tasks associated with a limited service, it may be beneficial to invest in full representation with a competent broker, either through a flat fee or full service agreement. This will help to ensure a smooth and successful sale.
Our Track Record
I’m excited to announce that after 18 years of providing dedicated service, our clients have collectively saved over $10,000,000 in commissions! Among these savings are over $1,100,000 for clients who found unrepresented buyers and were able to avoid any selling costs. On top of that, we’ve distributed more than $330,000 in incentive rebates to over 100 satisfied buyers. These remarkable achievements are a true testament to our commitment to providing high-quality, cost-effective real estate services to our clients.
Tod G. Franklin – Realtor®, Broker, Owner, and multi-million dollar producer at DFWCityhomes
DFWCityhomes is an established and highly regarded Flat Fee MLS Listing Service company in Texas. We have been providing dedicated service for almost two decades delivering personalized service to each client. As the best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service in Texas, we offer affordable and excellent service, while our track record showcases our commitment to professionalism, integrity, and customer satisfaction.
Visit our MLS listing comparison chart and Flat Fee MLS Listing Services to see a detailed breakdown of the different plans and their features.
You can Contact Us or call (214)-207-0210 to speak with a Realtor® and find out how we can save you time and money.