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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Bailey Peterson
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top Iowa flat fee MLS listing companies | Best for sellers who need support | Best for rock-bottom prices | Best for showing off your home | Other alternatives | Frequently asked questions
If you’re looking to sell your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Iowa, a flat fee MLS listing service can help you reach a wider audience of qualified local buyers without costing a ton of money.
Buyers’ agents rely on the MLS to find the properties for their clients. The MLS also syndicates to Redfin, Realtor.com, Zillow, and hundreds of other local real estate websites. To get your FSBO property in front of as many potential buyers as possible, you have to get your property listed on the MLS.
But you can’t add your listing to the MLS on your own. Only licensed brokers and agents have MLS access. In Iowa, flat fee MLS listing companies are a cost-effective workaround.
Iowa flat fee MLS listing companies charge a relatively low, one-time fee to add your FSBO property to the MLS. That means you get the increased exposure without having to pay the hefty 6% total commission agents typically charge to sell your home.
The downside is that there’s a lot more to selling your house than getting it on the MLS.
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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa flat fee MLS listing companies
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Iowa
🥇 Flat Fee Group: Best for sellers who need support
🥈 Flat Fee Realty: Best for rock-bottom pricing
🥉 FSBO.com: Best for showing off your home
Choosing the right Iowa flat fee MLS service
To set yourself up for success when you’re selling without a realtor, it’s important to pick the right flat fee MLS company for your needs. They’re not all created equal. Some are all about cost savings, while others offer additional support to sell your FSBO property — either built-in or à la carte.
We’ve evaluated flat fee MLS companies across Iowa, searching for the best of the best. Consider these three companies if you’re selling your home FSBO.
Don’t feel comfortable selling your house alone? Clever can connect you with a full-service agent and save you thousands. Find out more!
| Flat Fee Group | Flat Fee Realty | FSBO.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99-$499 | $199 | $399.95 |
| Number of Photos | 50 | 6 | 20 |
| MLS Listing | 6-12 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| Pricing Assistance | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Negotiation Support | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Yard Sign | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 |
| Open Houses | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
Not seeing a company you like? Check out the best nationwide flat fee MLS companies.
🥇 Flat Fee Group: Best for sellers who need support
Past clients have given numerous five-star ratings to Flat Fee Group broker Bryan Curtis. Reviewers praise Curtis for his responsiveness throughout the sales process, as well as his attention to detail. Sellers can expect additional assistance throughout their transaction, including negotiating help.
Flat Fee Group’s packages
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $99+4% at closing | This full-service package features a year-long listing and up to 50 photos. |
| $499+3.5% at closing | Includes a year-long listing, as well as help reviewing offers and negotiating with potential buyers. Sellers also receive up to 50 photos and assistance setting a price. |
Other considerations about Flat Fee Group
- An MLS Only package costs $299 plus 3.5% of your home’s sale price at closing.
If you want a full-service experience for less money, Flat Fee Group is a great option in Iowa.
🥈 Flat Fee Realty: Best for rock-bottom pricing
Flat Fee Realty promises that once you complete your forms online, your home should be listed on the local MLS in one or two business days. Once posted, you can make status changes and price modifications without paying extra fees.
Flat Fee Realty’s package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $199 | List your property on the MLS for six months at a price well below what many of the company's competitors charge. Although this package includes just six pictures, you can upgrade to 25 photos for $50 more. |
Other considerations about Flat Fee Realty
- Flat Fee Realty offers service only in these counties: Adair, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Scott, and Warren.
- Flat Fee Realty might retain 0.1% to 0.25% of the buyer’s broker commission.
Sellers who don’t need a lot of support will get the essential services from Flat Fee Realty without having to pay an arm and a leg.
🥉 FSBO.com: Best for showing off your home
FSBO.com will publish your listing on the MLS and on FSBO.com. Entry-level packages include 20 photos on the MLS and a video on FSBO.com, which is a pretty solid value compared to top competitors.
FSBO.com’s package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $399.95 | List your property for up to six months and include as many as 20 photos. You can view messages and how many people have viewed your property. |
Other considerations about FSBO.com
- FSBO.com offers service only in these Iowa counties: Adams, Benton, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Harrison, Ida, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Lyon, Madison, Obrien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Sac, Scott, Sioux, Warren, and Woodbury Cancel at any time with no added fees.
- 0.5% may be due at closing.
FSBO.com offers enough photos and other amazing marketing features like a video tour on its website.
Alternatives to flat fee MLS companies in Iowa
If you’re not sure whether a flat fee MLS company is the right fit for you, know that you have other options.
You could get more professional assistance for less money if you work with a discount agent. These realtors are full service but for less, typically 1.5% to 2% (plus a buyer’s agent commission). You’ll still save money but won’t have to take on as much responsibility as you would working with a flat fee MLS company.
If you want a full-service agent for less, we can’t recommend Clever Real Estate enough. Learn more about its agent-matching service and 1.5% commission savings now!
FAQs about flat fee MLS companies in Iowa
What is the best flat fee MLS provider in Iowa?
Flat Fee Realty is the best flat fee MLS company in Iowa for those looking for the most affordable package, whereas Flat Fee Group is ideal for those that need additional support and services. These are both great options for most sellers, but there are some downsides to them — and most flat fee MLS companies share. Read through our complete guide to flat fee MLS services to learn more about them.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Iowa?
Iowa flat fee MLS services typically charge around $200 to $400. Basic plans may have fees as low as $100, whereas more robust service packages cost as much as $500. However, those looking for more dedicated support for an affordable price may find better value working with a discount real estate company. Find the best low commission real estate companies in Iowa.
Are flat fee MLS companies in Iowa worth it?
Working with a flat fee MLS company like Flat Fee Realty is worth it if all you’re looking for is a way to advertise your property on the local MLS. However, For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties generally get lower offers than when working with an agent — which means they walk away with less money from the sale. Another option is working with a 1% commission realtor in Iowa
What is a flat fee MLS company?
A flat fee MLS company charges a set rate to list a property on the MLS, helping for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers increase their properties’ visibility among qualified local buyers.
Only agents can list and view properties on the MLS. So to get your listing on the MLS, which puts it in front of potential buyers through popular home-search websites, you pay a flat fee MLS company a one-time fee and retain the right to FSBO.
Flat fee MLS services are much cheaper than the typical 3% commission most buyers' agents get, although you’ll get fewer services.
How do I tell if a flat fee MLS company is legit?
Read the company's contract carefully to spot any fees that raise red flags. You should also check reviews to see whether the company's previous clients reported major problems.
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