Real Estate Witch

  • Sell FSBO
    • How to Sell a House Without a Realtor
    • Best Flat Fee MLS Companies
    • FSBO Zillow Listings
    • Best FSBO Websites
    • Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Florida
    • Companies That Buy Houses for Cash
  • Save When You Sell
    • Low Commission Real Estate Companies
    • 1% Commission Realtors
    • 2% Commission Realtors
    • Discount Real Estate Brokers
    • How to Find a Realtor
    • Realtor Fees
    • How to Negotiate Realtor Fees
  • Reviews
    • Clever Real Estate Review
    • Redfin Review
    • Redfin vs. Realtor
    • Ideal Agent Review
    • HomeLight Review
    • Opendoor Review
  • Blog
  • About
  • 808-213-6770
Find Agents

April 19, 2022 by Craig Donofrio Leave a Comment

Flat Fee Group Reviews: What You NEED to Know

Pros and cons | Should I use Flat Fee Group? | Competitor comparisons |  Costs | State-by-state pricing | Savings | Flat Fee Group reviews | Alternatives | FAQs

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Overall, we rate Flat Fee Group 3 out of 5 stars
  • Flat Fee Group is available in most states and transparent about what broker you’ll be using.
  • Each broker offers different levels of service at varying price points β€” some have high fees.
  • Flat Fee Group is good for FSBO sellers who want to know what broker they’ll be working with, but sellers may find their broker is located too far away.

Flat Fee Group is a network composed of brokers who will get your home on the local multiple listing service (MLS) for a flat fee. If you’re looking to sell for sale by owner (FSBO), Flat Fee Group can help you list without needing to pay the typical 2–3% seller’s agent commission. In most cases, a single broker oversees each state, but some states share the same broker. 

Flat Fee Group’s main distinction from other flat fee companies is that it’s transparent about what broker you’ll be working with, whereas the competition usually hides broker names until you pay.

Flat Fee Group’s prices and services vary widely by state and broker. Some brokers offer good deals for FSBO home sellers that are just looking to get on the MLS, while others are geared toward providing additional services you would get from a full-service realtor. 

Sellers looking for expert help can probably find it at Flat Fee Group, but since each state has just one broker, it’s very possible they won’t be local to your area or have knowledge of the market’s trends. If that’s the case, we recommend going with a discount broker who has agents in your market.

Β» MORE: Find the BEST real estate discount broker for your budget

Pros and cons of Flat Fee Group

βœ… Flat Fee Group pros❌ Flat Fee Group cons
Brokers are clearly identifiedOnly a single broker available in each state
Available in most statesSome brokers cover several states
Some brokers have good dealsSome brokers charge high fees for basic services
Unavailable in Montana and New Mexico
No broker available in Alaska, West Virginia, and Wyoming

Is Flat Fee Group legit?

Yes, Flat Fee Group is a legitimate company, although it’s unclear who owns it. Flat Fee Group isn’t a brokerage β€” it’s a collection of brokers who operate independently. 

Flat Fee Group is run by the same brokers as Best Choice Flat Fee. We did find some of those same brokers offered additional services on Best Choice Flat Fee, sometimes at a cheaper rate.

Β» MORE: The best FSBO websites to help sell your home

Should I sell my home with Flat Fee Group?

If you really want to know who your broker will be before signing a deal so you can vet them, we recommend Flat Fee Group for its transparency β€” and only if those fees and prices are reasonable. But if you don’t want to do the extra research of seeing which plans are available in your state and checking the broker’s online reviews, then we’d recommend a company with more standardized nationwide services, like Fizber or FSBO.com.

Prices vary widely

Prices and services offered by Flat Fee Group’s brokers can be very different from state to state. Some brokers offer a simple package to get your FSBO home listed on the MLS for a great price, while others charge higher prices than other flat fee MLS companies. 

Flat Fee Group’s biggest appeal is that it clearly shows the listing broker. Other flat fee companies won’t show you what broker you’ll be working with until you pay. With Flat Fee Group, you can vet the broker beforehand to make sure they have good reviews and are reliable. 

Some brokers offer extra services, like yard signage, lockboxes, and a comparative market analysis β€” an estimate of your home’s market value. These are either included in a plan or can be purchased separately. Most brokers on Flat Fee Group offer two to four plans, with the highest-priced plan giving full or partial agent support.

Flat Fee Group may not be good for expert help

The downside of Flat Fee Group is that you only have one broker to choose from, and that single broker covers an entire state or more than one state. For example, the entire Northeast β€” about 181,000 square miles β€” is covered by just three different brokers. If you need expert support, it’s very likely that the listing broker will have no knowledge of your local market. 

If you decide that you want expert help but don’t want to spend thousands on seller agent commission, we recommend Clever Real Estate. Clever will connect you to top-performing, local real estate agents who know your area for a low fee of $3,000 or 1% on home sales above $350,000. You get to pick from several agents and find the one that’s right for you β€” and if you decide to go back to selling FSBO, that’s totally fine β€” there are no upfront fees!

How does Flat Fee Group compare to top competitors?

Some home sellers in certain states have access to companies that offer very cheap flat fee MLS services. If all you’re looking for is getting your FSBO home listed on the MLS, you should look there first. 

Other states have more limited options, and you’ll want to compare Flat Fee Group’s broker to the competition. 

Like other flat fee MLS companies, Flat Fee Group will post your home to a local MLS that should feed into hundreds of other sites like Zillow, realtor.com, Trulia, etc. 

CompanyAvailabilityPriceMLS listing terms
Flat Fee GroupUnavailable in MT and NMVariesVaries
ISoldMyHouse.comUnavailable in ND, SD, and WY$299–3996-25+ photos, 6-12 months
FizberAll statesFree–$395Varies
HomecoinCA, FL, GA, MI, MO, NC, SC, TN, VA$95–3,000Max photos, 10 free listing changes, 12 months

ISoldMyHouse.com

βœ… Best for: Sellers in minimum service laws states

ISoldMyHouse.com connects you to a local broker, but you won’t know who you’re working with until you pay. 

ISoldMyHouse.com offers two add-ons: lockboxes for $50 each (2 for $90) and yard signs for $75 each (or 2 for $140).

In states with minimum service laws, ISoldMyHouse.com may be cheaper than Flat Fee Group, because some of those states’ brokers charge additional fees. 

Β» MORE: Read our ISoldMyHouse.com review

Fizber

βœ… Best for: Sellers who want a free online listing and a quick way onto the MLS.

Fizber connects you to a local brokerage who will list you on the MLS for $295–395. You can get a free Fizber listing to show off your FSBO home on social media, and it comes with unlimited photos. 

While it’s available in every state, Fizber does have special deals in specific areas β€” but you’ll have to ask customer support for details about your local area. You may find that Fizber has better deals than Flat Fee Group. 

Β» MORE: Read our full Fizber review

Homecoin

βœ… Best for: FSBO home sellers who want lots of add-ons

Homecoin is one of the cheapest ways to get on the MLS,  but it’s only available in nine states. 

Homecoin’s appeal is its rock-bottom MLS listing price and the ability to add lots of upgrades, like professional photography and lockboxes. 

However, adding many upgrades can get so pricey that it makes better sense to go with a discount broker, where you’ll get more for your money. 

Β» MORE: What companies offer the lowest real estate commission fees?

How much does Flat Fee Group cost?

Most of Flat Fee Group’s brokers charge $199–399 for a basic flat fee MLS listing option, but that’s not always the case. Some brokers charge more, have upfront fees, or charge a percentage of the sales price. 

FSBO home sellers in Arizona and Nevada who just want a flat fee MLS service should look elsewhere. The broker there charges a 1% fee + $99 β€” while this comes with extra support, there’s no other option for FSBO home sellers just wanting to get listed on the MLS.

Some brokers have a la carte services. For example, in Wisconsin, the broker will send a professional photographer out for $300, and also offers a comparative market analysis for $80. In Maine and other neighboring states, the broker offers same-day MLS entry for $100 and $40 for a lockbox, among many other options.

Β» MORE: How much does it REALLY cost to sell a house by owner?

Best Choice Flat Fee may be cheaper

Best Choice Flat Fee is an identical sister website with the exact same brokers β€” but some offer cheaper rates. 

For example, the broker who oversees Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont offers 2 plans that are $100 cheaper on Best Choice Flat Fee. However, they don’t offer any add-ons on Best Choice Flat Fee, but have lots on Flat Fee Group. 

Some brokers offer the same price on both sites, but it’s worth checking out Best Choice Flat Fee for a quick price comparison. 

Additional fees and minimum service laws

Some states have minimum service laws, which require brokers to perform additional tasks β€” and that comes with extra costs. These fees are not uniform across all flat fee MLS sites. 

For example, in Missouri, the Flat Fee Group broker charges $299–395 for their basic MLS listing packages plus an additional $395 broker fee and $500 agent fee. ISoldMyHouse.com only charges an extra $500 on top of its $299 or $399 package. 

Β» MORE: Read this BEFORE you pay for a flat fee MLS service

Flat Fee Group costs by state

Want to know what it’ll cost you to list on Flat Fee Group? Select your state from the drop-down menu below. 

StatePriceService fees where applicableNotes
Alabama$399-9990.5% for $349 planNone
Alaska0.5% feeNo broker listed, contact them. Only option is 0.5% plan.
Arizona$99-1,499$99 plan has 1% fee$799 option unavailable for FSBO sellers. Same broker as Nevada.
Arkansas$299-4990.75-1% for full service plansNone
California$299-5000.5-0.75% for platnium and full service plansNone
Colorado$399-5490.5% for all plans$1,500 minimum fee.
Connecticut$299-$999Same broker as Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont..
Delaware$399-899NoneSame broker as Pennsylvania
District of Columbia$299-999NoneNone
Florida$177-895NoneNone
Georgia$295-995NoneNone
Hawaii$379-500$250 for basic and limited plans, 1% for full serviceNone
Idaho$0-3990.75-1.5%Same broker as Oregon
Illinois$295-795NoneNone
Indiana$399-5991% for full service planNone
Iowa$399-1,995 upfront3-3.5%Fee includes buyer agent's commission
Kansas$295-699$395 broker admin fee and/or $500 agent closing feeSame broker as Missouri
Kentucky$295-999$250 closing fee for all plansNone
Louisiana$349-499.00375-.002% closing feeNone
Maine$299-999NoneSame broker as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Maryland$299-999NoneNone
Massachusetts$299-999Same broker as Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Michigan$399-9980.5% for $349 planMinimum fee is $1,000, maximum is $1,500
Minnesota$399-998$2,900 for realtor planNone
Mississippi$399-999NoneNone
Missouri$299-999$395 admin fee and/or $500 agent feeSame broker as Kansas
MontanaUnavailable
Nebraska$399-$1,9952.4-2.9%Fee includes buyer agent's commission. Same broker as Iowa.
Nevada$99-1,499$99 plan has 1% fee, other plans have $245 settlement fee$799 option not available for FSBO sellers.
New Hampshire$299-999NoneSame broker as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont
New Jersey$199-999NoneSame broker as New York
New MexicoUnavailable
New York$199-999NoneSame broker as New Jersey
North Carolina$295-995NoneSame broker as South Carolina
North Dakota$495-$8490.5% for $549 plan$1,000 maximum fee
Ohio$299-9991% for full service planNone
Oklahoma$199-3990.5% or $1,000 for gold planFee applies to homes over $2,000
Oregon$0-$3990.75-1.5%Same broker as Idaho
Pennsylvania$399-899NoneSame broker as Delaware
Rhode Island$299-999NoneSame broker as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont
South Carolina$499-999NoneSame broker as North Carolina
South Dakota$299-899NoneNone
Tennessee $499-5,000NoneNone
Texas$399-1,289NoneNone
Utah$0-2,000 $750 or 1%
Vermont$299-999NoneSame broker as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
Virginia$299-1,299NoneNone
Washington$75-495Classic plan has 0.5% feeNone
West Virginia$399-5490.5% for full service planNo broker available, contact them
Wisconisn $299-5991% for platinum plan$2,000 minimum fee for platinum plan
Wyoming$399-549$479 plan has 0.5% feeNo broker available, contact them

🚩 Some states have no broker 🚩

In Alaska, West Virginia, and Wyoming, no broker is listed but services are still available for purchase. 

We reached out to Flat Fee Group and asked what that meant for home sellers but received no response.

If you live in one of those states, we recommend contacting Flat Fee Group first from the “contact us” page listed where the broker should be. If they don’t respond in a timely fashion, go with an alternative. 

Will Flat Fee Group save me money?

If you’re selling a home FSBO with Flat Fee Group, the savings come from knocking out the 2.5–3% seller’s commission fee. You’ll still need to pay the 2.5–3% buyer agent’s commission, unless you can find an agentless buyer.

On a $350,000 home, that’s a savings of $8,750–10,500, minus whatever fees you paid to Flat Fee Group. Keep in mind that broker fees and additional fees can eat into your costs, and you may be able to find a cheaper flat fee MLS company for your state. 

An important thing to consider is that selling FSBO is difficult and can end up costing you money. FSBO homes sell for an average of 5.5–26% less than agent-assisted homes. That’s a wide range, but even a 5.5% price drop more than wipes out what you save in skipping the 2.5–3% seller agent’s commission. 

If going the FSBO route seems like too much work or you’re worried about hitting that perfect price point, we recommend going with Clever. Clever will connect you with top-rated local agents who will sell your home for just $3,000 or 1%. 

πŸ’° Find out how much you can save with Clever today! πŸ’°

Flat Fee Group customer reviews

There are no online customer reviews for Flat Fee Group. 

That’s because Flat Fee Group serves as an organization of independent brokers. You’ll need to look up reviews for your state’s broker individually. 

While Flat Fee Group usually displays a Zillow star or Better Business Bureau rating next to a broker’s profile picture, clicking on it doesn’t always take you to their review page. Instead, you’ll have to copy and paste the broker’s name into a search engine and see if they have online reviews available.

The majority of the brokers we individually researched had many good reviews, usually between four and five stars on Zillow or Google Reviews. Some brokers, like in Utah and North Dakota, had few reviews. 

What are some good Flat Fee Group alternatives?

Other flat fee MLS services

CompanyPriceProsCons
ISoldMyHouse.com$299–399Widely available, simple to useCan't vet brokers beforehand
FizberFree–$395Promo codes can cut the price, listing terms may be better than advertisedOptions vary by state, you need to ask customer service to find out
Homecoin$95–3,000Cheap, lots of add-ons availableOnly available in a handful of states

Β» MORE: The best flat fee MLS services in your state 

Discount brokers

Many of Flat Fee Group’s brokers offer services similar to discount or low-commission agents. But Flat Fee Group only gives you one broker to choose from and their office may be located 1,000 miles away from the home you’re trying to sell. 

If Flat Fee Group’s broker ends up being located nearby, great! We still recommend comparing two or three discount brokers with local agents if you need expert help. 

A good discount broker will have agents that can tell you vitally important information for your home sale, like if you’re more likely to get an FHA buyer in your neighborhood and what repairs you’ll need to make in anticipation. 

CompanyListing feeeProsCons
Redfin1.5%Low listing fees, available in most major marketsNot available everywhere, high client volume may affect assistance level
Trelora$3,000–4,000 or 2%Low listing feeOnly available in AZ, CO, GA, MO, NC, SC, WA. Doesn't come with a dedicated agent
Clever1% or $3,000Lowest listing fees, nationwide coverageAgents may not offer premium services, like drone-based photography

In our opinion the clear winner is Clever. Clever is available nationwide and will pair you with a top-performing local agent who can help you sell for top dollar while providing hands-on assistance. It’s a whole lot less stressful than selling FSBO, and a lot less expensive than selling with a traditional agent. 

Unlike many Flat Fee Group brokers, there are no upfront fees, and you get multiple agents to choose from. Don’t like Clever? Head right back to selling FSBO at no cost to you. Hit the button below to learn more!

FAQs

What is Flat Fee Group?

Flat Fee Group is a company composed of many brokers located around the United States. Flat Fee Group offers you one broker for each state, and some states share the same broker. Every broker operates independently, so you will be working with the broker listed, not Flat Fee Group.

How much does Flat Fee Group cost?

Flat Fee Group's brokers offer a wide range of prices and services. In most cases, it costs $199–399 to get your home listed on the MLS. But some brokers charge additional fees and are more geared toward selling full-service support.

Is Flat Fee Group the best flat fee listing service?

Flat Fee Group's brokers offer many different kinds of services, but its basic MLS options may not be the cheapest or the most cost effective. Since each broker is different, your best bet is to compare Flat Fee Group with its competitors and weigh what kind of help you need.

Related reading

Selling FSBO is tough. Beef up your FSBO smarts before you put your home on the market. 

The Best Home Value Websites to Help Price Your Home: It’s vital that you price your FSBO home correctly, but what home value estimator should you use? And just how realistic are those prices? We’ll show you everything you need to know in our guide. 

The 12 Best FSBO Websites: When selling FSBO, you’ll want your home on as many sites as possible. That also means putting up ads on sites that aren’t connected to the MLS, like Facebook and Craigslist. Here’s where you should go. 

Companies That Buy Houses for Cash: Own a fixer-upper but can’t be bothered to fix it all yourself? Or just want to sell for cash, fast? These businesses will buy your home for cash, but you’ll be selling at a discount. Here’s what you need to know and consider before working with these investment companies.  

Filed Under: FSBO, Sell a House Without an Agent, Sellers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

three × 4 =

Need an Agent?

Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees.

I Want to Learn More

How To Sell Your Home

  • What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees?
  • Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service

Real Estate Reviews

  • Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit?
  • Redfin: What It Really Charges Sellers
  • Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees
  • Opendoor: How Much Will It Pay For My Home?

Categories

  • For Home Buyers
  • For Home Sellers
  • Save When You Sell Your Home
  • Costs to Sell a House
  • Sell a House Without an Agent
  • Sell Your House Quickly
  • Real Estate Company Reviews

Real Estate Witch
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 Real Estate Witch | All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service