Published
-
Written by
-
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Bailey Peterson
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top Hawaii flat-fee MLS companies | Best overall | Best for experienced sellers | Best for no-frills packages | Other alternatives | Frequently asked questions
Most home sellers in Hawaii hire a real estate agent, and pay handsomely for their services. Between their listing agent’s and the buyer’s agent’s commission, sellers typically pay around 6% of the home’s sale price to real estate agents.
But if you’re hoping to save money, you may decide to sell without a realtor to avoid paying the 2-3% listing agent’s commission. While you’ll still have to cover the buyer’s agent commission, you’ll save thousands listing For Sale By Owner (FSBO).
You’ll need to market your property, though. And one of the key steps to getting your home in front of buyer’s is listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS databases are used by agents and most popular online home search websites (like Zillow) pull data from them.
You can’t just list your home on the MLS yourself. But you can hire a Hawaii flat fee MLS listing service to do it for you. It’s a cheap way to get on the MLS, but there’s a lot more work (and stress) involved with selling your house.
If you want to avoid overpaying for realtor fees but still want hands-on support from your agent, we recommend checking out Clever Real Estate. Clever negotiates flat 1.5% listing fees with top Hawaii agents from trusted brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. You’ll get guaranteed full service from a great local agent, but pay a fraction of the typical price.
💰 Find top local agents, get a flat 1.5% listing fee now!
Who are Hawaii flat fee MLS listings best for?
Flat fee MLS listing services are best for home sellers who have lots of experience with real estate transactions and are comfortable selling without a realtor. You’ll need to be confident that you can handle almost every aspect of the sale that a real estate agent would typically take care of.
If you’re determined to list your house “for sale by owner,” it’s worth investing in a basic flat fee MLS listing. This ensures that as many buyers see your listing as possible.
But selling your home without a realtor is a big time and work commitment. You’ll have to handle a lot of tasks, including pricing, listing descriptions, photography, marketing, showings, and negotiations. And remember that even though you won’t pay a traditional listing fee, you’ll still probably be on the hook for the buyer’s agent commission, which typically runs between 2-3%.
The average Hawaii home seller is better off working with a flat fee real estate agent or discount realtor who charges reduced listing fees but still offers the same basic services and support as a typical realtor. You’ll still save thousands of dollars on realtor fees, but you’ll avoid the hassle and frustration of trying to sell by owner.
Top 3 Hawaii flat fee MLS listing companies
You’ll have several options for what Hawaii flat fee MLS listing service to use. Here are three of the best, so you can find one well-matched to your needs.
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Hawaii
🥇 Jeffrey Samuels: Best overall
🥈 Houzeo: Best for experienced sellers
🥉 Fizber: Best for no-frills packages
| Jeffrey Samuels | Houzeo | Fizber | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,500 | $279-$399 | $295-$395 |
| Number of Photos | Max allowed | 6 to max allowed | 6-25 |
| MLS Listing | Until sold | 3-6 months | 6 months |
| Pricing Assistance | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ |
| Negotiation Support | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ |
| Yard Sign | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ |
| Open Houses | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
🥇 Jeffrey Samuels: Best overall
Jeffrey Samuels is a real estate broker on the island of Oahu who offers almost exactly the same services as a traditional agent, but for a flat fee. While he charges more than other flat-fee companies, he offers significantly more support. Plus, as a local broker, he has a better understanding of the island’s real estate trends and can offer sellers valuable knowledge and advice.
Jeffrey Samuels’ package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $3,500 | While this package is more expensive, it includes everything a seller could need. Samuels will provide an evaluation of your house, organize showings, and negotiate on your behalf. |
Other considerations about Jeffrey Samuels’ services
- The $3,500 fee isn’t due until closing, however a general excise tax is charged on the amount.
🥈 Houzeo: Best for experienced sellers
When you need to sell your home fast, Houzeo’s timely listing service and responsive support team can help. The company generally posts your listing within one business day of the time you submit your request. Past client reviews also praised the flat-fee MLS service for quickly responding to requests for assistance.
If you’re an experienced seller, with Houzeo’s a la carte upgrades, you can ensure you only pay for the services you need. However, on the entry-level package, each change costs $25. And even with more expensive packages, sellers are limited to 10 changes.
Houzeo’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $279 | This package is affordable but is a good option only if you’re confident your home will sell quickly. Your listing is posted for only 3 months and you only get 6 photos, which can make it difficult to find a buyer in that time frame. |
| Silver | $329 | You double your listing time and get 24 photos with this package, making it well worth the extra money for most sellers. You can also upgrade your package to include pricing assistance and contract review if you need them. |
| Gold | $399 | The Gold plan doesn’t add much to the Silver plan. You are allowed the maximum number of photos the MLS permits, but for many sellers 25 is plenty. You also get free access to seller disclosure forms with this package, but you can find most of those online for free. |
Other considerations about Houzeo
- With the Bronze package, you can not add on additional services like contract review.
🥉 Fizber: Best for no-frills packages
With Fizber, all you really get is an MLS listing with a certain number of photos. But for some sellers, that’s all you need.
However, it’s worth noting that Fizber has received mixed reviews from previous sellers. Positive reviews taut how easy it is to work with Fizber and its customer service. However, many negative reviews mention that Fizber simply farmed out the listing to other flat-fee MLS providers, leading to inconsistent services.
Fizber’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| MLS Boost | $295 | This entry-level package gets your home on the MLS at an affordable price, but you can include only six photos. For many sellers, this isn’t enough. |
| Premium MLS Boos | $395 | Your property will be listed on the MLS, other search websites, and will be a featured property on Fizber. You’ll also be able to include 25 photos, which is important for showing off your property’s best features. |
Other considerations about Fizber
- Fizber offers a free package and a package for $95, however, these options do not include a listing on the MLS. They will only get your home listed on Fizber’s website.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS companies in Hawaii
If you’re unsure about whether a flat-fee MLS company is right for you, consider your other options. Otherwise, it won’t matter if you’re saving money on listing fees because your home will just sit on the market.
You can also save money by working with a discount agent. These realtors charge a reduced commission, typically 1.5% to 2% (plus a buyer’s agent commission), but offer all the same services as a traditional agent.
If you want all the support and expertise of a full-service agent, but don’t want to pay a full commission, we recommend Clever Real Estate. Learn more about their agent-matching service and 1.5% commission savings now!
FAQs about Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Hawaii
What is the best flat-fee MLS provider in Hawaii?
One of the best Hawaii flat-fee MLS providers is Jeffrey Samuels, as he's experienced and can offer service and support to those looking to list their property in Oahu. As extensive as his services can be, however, they are still prone to the same downsides that all other flat-fee MLS companies have. To understand more about the pros and cons, look into our complete guide to flat-fee MLS services.
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Hawaii?
The services of a flat-fee MLS company in Hawaii can cost anywhere from $250 to over $3,000. Given the limited support and the particularly high price points, many sellers find that choosing to work with a low commission real estate company is the better option. Check out the best low commission real estate companies near you today.
Are flat-fee MLS companies in Hawaii worth it?
Experienced sellers merely looking to list and advertise their Hawaii property on the MLS may find that working with a flat-fee MLS company like Houzeo or Fizber is worth the money. However, houses that are sold without an agent often sell for less — which is why many sellers would much rather work with a 1% agent. Learn about the best 1% commission realtor in Hawaii.
How do I tell if a flat-fee MLS company in Hawaii is legit?
To determine if a flat-fee MLS company is legitimate, check past reviews from customers who have used the service. If you spot a pattern of problems with many people making similar complaints, you’re likely to experience the same issues.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with a flat-fee MLS company?
Traditionally, home sellers pay a commission of between 2.5% and 3% of their home’s value to the buyer’s agent. If you offer less than that, agents may not bring clients to see your home. If you want to avoid commission, you would have to find a buyer who is not represented by a real estate agent.
Leave a Reply