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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Michael Yessis
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top Louisiana flat fee MLS companies | Best for pricing support | Best for rock-bottom pricing | Best for à la carte services | Other alternatives | Frequently asked questions
Louisiana homeowners generally pay about 6% in real estate commissions when they sell their homes. Half this money goes to the buyer’s agent and the other half to a listing agent. Selling without a realtor reduces these costs because homeowners can avoid the listing commission.
But by forgoing a listing agent, Louisiana sellers must take responsibility for finding a buyer and managing all aspects of their sale. Often, this means working with a flat fee MLS service. These companies charge a small flat fee to list a for sale by owner property on the multiple listing service (MLS).
The MLS is a comprehensive local database of properties available for sale, and it provides the information for the most popular real estate websites that buyers search. Since only licensed real estate agents can list properties on the MLS, sellers who don’t have a listing agent can work with a flat fee MLS service to get their property put 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 Real Estate Witch. We negotiate flat 1.5% listing fees with top Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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. Even though you won’t pay a traditional listing fee, it’s still typical for sellers to offer a 2—3% concession to help the buyer pay their real estate agent’s commission.
The average Louisiana 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 Louisiana flat fee MLS listing companies
These are the best flat fee MLS listing services in Louisiana, but be sure to do your research before purchasing a package with any company.
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Louisiana
🥇 Congress Realty: Best for pricing support
🥈 Flat Fee Realty: Best for rock-bottom pricing
🥉 Houzeo: Best for à la carte services
| Congress Realty | Flat Fee Realty | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $249 | $329-$429 |
| Number of Photos | 4 | 6 | 6 to max allowed |
| MLS Listing | 6 months | 6 months | 3-6 months |
| Pricing Assistance | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 |
| Negotiation Support | ❌ | ✅ | 💰 |
| Yard Sign | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 |
| Open Houses | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
Not seeing a company you like? Check out the best nationwide flat fee MLS companies!
🥇 Congress Realty: Best for pricing support
Congress Realty has a long history of satisfied clients, with past reviews praising the flat fee service for going “above and beyond,” and for providing timely responses throughout the sales process. Unfortunately, because the company is headquartered in Arizona, its knowledge of the Louisiana real estate market may not be as comprehensive as a local agent’s would be.
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 option is available for a 0.5% commission to Congress Realty’s agent.
🥈 Flat Fee Realty: Best for rock-bottom pricing
Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide company that has formed a partnership with local Louisiana real estate agents to list your property on the MLS. When you list with Flat Fee Realty, you’ll benefit from an affordable listing that you can modify any time without incurring extra costs. However, since the assigned broker won’t work directly for Flat Fee Realty, your experience may vary.
Flat Fee Realty’s package
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $249+0.5% at closing | Although this listing is for six months and comes with just six photos, it’s easy to upgrade to 25 pictures for a small additional fee of $50. The price still remains very competitive even with this add-on charge, and you’ll be better able to showcase your property’s best features. |
Other considerations about Flat Fee Realty
- Services are not available in all of Louisiana.
- To account for Louisiana’s minimum service laws, Flat Fee Realty claims 0.5% of the buyer’s agent commission at closing.
🥉 Houzeo: Best for à la carte services
Houzeo offers an easy-to-use online dashboard for managing your property. You can complete your listing, download state disclosure forms, and take care of most other steps — all in one place. You can also choose to add on additional services like pricing assistance if you need additional support.
Houzeo’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $329 | With this package, you’ll be able to list your property for 3 months with a total of 6 photos. This package may be appropriate for people selling a smaller house or who expect it to sell quickly and don’t need many pictures. |
| Silver | $349 | This package will be the best option for most sellers. You’ll get a 6 month listing featuring 24 photos as well as a 2D or 3D virtual tour. |
| Gold | $429 | The main difference between this premium package and the others is that it includes the maximum number of photos allowed by the MLS. But unless you have a large or hard to sell home, you could probably get by with a less expensive option. |
Other considerations about Houzeo
- There are no free listing changes with Houzeo’s basic package, and only 10 free changes are included with the more expensive options. Each additional change will cost $25.
Alternatives to flat fee MLS companies in Louisiana
Sellers in Louisiana have other options if they’re looking to save money when they list their properties. You can also work with a full-service discount broker. These are professional agents who have agreed to work for a lower listing commission (typically 1.5% to 2%), but they still offer all the services and support of a traditional agent.
If you’re on the fence about working with a flat fee MLS company, try Real Estate Witch. We will match you with a top agent in your area who will list your home for 1.5% commission now!
FAQs about flat fee MLS companies in Louisiana
What is the best flat fee MLS provider in Louisiana?
Those looking for a reliable and affordable flat fee MLS company in Louisiana should consider Congress Realty. It is highly rated and can provide pricing assistance; however, because it is not based locally, it might not have as extensive knowledge as other options. To learn more about all your options in Louisiana, check out our complete guide to flat fee MLS services.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Louisiana?
Louisiana flat fee MLS services typically charge around $250 for a basic package, but they can go as high as $500 for more extensive support and services. But these packages may not offer enough support for inexperienced sellers. Another affordable option is a discount real estate company that provides the support of a full-service agent for a reduced fee. Check out the best low commission real estate companies near you.
Are flat fee MLS companies in Louisiana worth it?
A flat fee MLS company such as Congress Realty will do. However, some sellers might find they're spending more time and energy selling their home than they expected — which many work with a 1% agent instead. Learn about the best 1% commission realtor and all the services and support they offer.
Are seller disclosures required in Louisiana?
Louisiana home sellers must complete a standard disclosure form detailing any material defects with the home. A lead paint disclosure is also required by federal law for homeowners with older properties built before 1978. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission has a sample disclosure form on its website that home sellers can complete.
How do I tell if a flat-fee MLS company is legit?
A flat fee MLS company is legitimate if it provides clients with the advertised services and doesn’t charge any unexpected fees. To check for surprise costs, review the contract with the listing service carefully. To determine if the company provides the promised services, read past reviews from clients.
Do I need to pay a buyer's agent commission with a flat fee MLS company?
Buyer's agents negotiate their fees with the buyer. However, it's common for home sellers to offer a concession of 2—3% to help the buyer cover their agent's fee. You can offer this concession voluntarily, or the buyer may request it.
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