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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top Idaho Flat-Fee MLS Companies | Best for Showing Off Your Home | Best for Help with Pricing | Best for Hard-to-Sell Homes | Other Alternatives | Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking to sell your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Idaho, a flat-fee MLS company could help you reach more prospective buyers without breaking the bank.
Buyers’ agents depend on the MLS to find properties for their clients. Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, local brokerages, and hundreds of other websites feature properties from the MLS. So if you’re selling without a realtor, you need your property listed on the MLS.
There’s a catch, though: Only licensed brokers and realtors can list and search on the MLS.
Flat-fee MLS companies offer a kind of workaround. If you don’t want to pay the typical 6% commission payable to agents, but you still want to maximize exposure to buyers, you can pay a flat-fee MLS service a relatively low, one-time fee to list your home on the MLS.
From there it’s up to you to seal your deal, as it is with any FSBO sale.
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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 [state] 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 Idaho flat fee MLS listing companies
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Idaho
🥇 Lowes Flat Fee: Best for showing off your home
🥈 Congress Realty: Best for help with pricing strategy
🥉 Flat Fee Realty: Best for hard-to-sell homes
Choosing the right Idaho flat-fee MLS service
Not all flat-fee MLS companies are equal. Some offer more value and benefits than others.
Our team researched flat-fee MLS companies across Idaho and identified the best of the best. Learn all about them below and pick the right one for you and your needs.
Not sure if selling without a realtor is right for you? Our friends at Clever can connect you with a full-service agent and save you thousands. Find out more!
| Lowes Flat Fee | Congress Realty | Flat Fee Realty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $349-$399 | $299 | $299 |
| Number of Photos | 10-25 | 4 | 6 |
| MLS Listing | 6-12 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| Pricing Assistance | 💰 | ✅ | ❌ |
| Negotiation Support | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Yard Sign | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ |
| Open Houses | 💰 | 💰 | ❌ |
Not seeing a local company you like? Check out the best nationwide flat-fee MLS companies!
🥇 Lowes Flat Fee: Best for showing off your home
Roger Lowe of Lowes Flat Fee has numerous past sales under his belt, many of which clients attribute to his diligence and expertise in the local market. Reviewers also praise his patience and his willingness to help with paperwork.
Lowes Flat Fee’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $349 | This package includes up to 10 photos on a 6-month MLS listing. You’ll also receive listing support and a "For Sale" sign. Many companies charge extra for signs. |
| Showcase | $399 | This package provides a better value for most sellers. It includes 25 pictures and a virtual tour, so you have more opportunities to show off your house |
Other considerations about Lowes Flat Fee
- A full-service package costs $425, plus 0.75% of the purchase price at closing
If you need more photos to showcase your house, Lowes Flat Fee is one of the best options in Idaho.
🥈 Congress Realty: Best for help with pricing strategy
Yelp reviewers highly recommend Congress Realty, with many clients indicating the brokerage simplified the process of selling a home. Reviewers also describe J. Andrew English, the broker behind Congress Realty, as very knowledgeable, suggesting sellers can rely on his insight when pricing their homes.
Congress Realty’s package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $299 | This package includes a comparative market analysis to help you price your property. Unfortunately, the package includes just four pictures, which isn’t enough for most sellers. But you can upgrade to an unlimited number of pictures for $50. |
Other considerations about Congress Realty
- A full-service package costs 0.5% of the purchase price.
If you need help pricing your home, Congress Realty is an affordable option that could work for most sellers.
🥉 Flat Fee Realty: Best for hard-to-sell homes
If you want the flexibility to change the price of your property multiple times, you’ll appreciate that Flat Fee Realty doesn’t charge to make those modifications. You can also cancel your listing at any time for free.
Flat Fee Realty’s package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $299 | The package includes 6 photos and your property will be listed on the MLS for 6 months. Many sellers find it makes sense to pay an extra $50 to post up to 25 photos, giving potential buyers a clearer picture of the home. |
Other considerations about Flat Fee Realty
- The flat-fee MLS service is available only in the following counties: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bingham, Boise, Bonneville, Canyon, Coeur d’Alene, Elmore, Gem, Idaho Falls, Jefferson, Kootenai, Madison, Payette, Teton, Twin Falls, and Washington
- In most cases, you’ll have to offer a buyer’s agent commission of at least 2%. Flat Fee Realty’s broker might retain 0.1% to 0.25% of this fee.
If your home is going to be harder to sell, Flat Fee Realty allows multiple free changes to the listing so you can try different strategies for attracting buyers.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS companies in Idaho
Flat-fee MLS companies are not the best fit for every homeowner. If you need more support selling your home, take the time to consider alternatives.
Another way to save money on listing commissions is by hiring a discount agent. These realtors are full-service but work for a reduced rate, typically 1% to 2% (plus a buyer’s agent commission). Compared to working with a traditional agent, you’ll still save money but won’t have to take on the responsibility of selling your house on your own.
If you want a full-service agent for less, we can’t recommend Clever Real Estate enough. Learn more about their agent-matching service and 1.5% commission savings now!
FAQs about Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Idaho
What is the best flat-fee MLS provider in Idaho?
Lowes Flat Fee is one of the best flat-fee MLS providers in Idaho because it’s highly rated, and it offers more photos per listing than most other companies. However, there are some drawbacks to it that are common with other flat-fee MLS services. Read our complete guide to flat-fee MLS services to find out more.
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Idaho?
Idaho flat-fee MLS services charge around $300 to $400 for basic packages. And there aren't many options for sellers who want to pay for an upgraded package. Those looking for more dedicated support while still saving some money might want to consider taking on the services of a discount real estate company that provides the support of a full-service agent for a reduced fee. Learn more about the best low commission real estate companies.
Are flat-fee MLS companies in Idaho worth it?
Sellers merely looking to list and advertise their property on the MLS may find a flat-fee MLS company in Idaho like Lowes Flat fee or Congress Realty to be the right fit for them. However, FSBO properties usually sell for less than if you had the help of an agent — which is why a local discount agent might be a better choice. Find out more about the best 1.5% commission realtor.
What is a flat-fee MLS company?
A flat-fee MLS company charges a set rate to list a property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which offers anyone selling for sale by owner (FSBO) a way to gain more visibility for their property.
Only agents can list and view properties on the MLS. So to get your listing on the MLS, which puts it in front of the biggest pool of potential buyers through the most popular home-search websites, you pay a flat-fee MLS company a one-time fee and retain the right to FSBO.
How do I tell if a flat-fee MLS company is legit?
A legitimate flat-fee MLS company has an established track record of competently performing promised services in a timely manner.
Past reviews can offer insight into whether all services were performed effectively, including listing the property within the promised time frame and making updates as needed.
Also, review the contract with the company for hidden fees. A legitimate company should be up front about costs.
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