Published
-
Written by
-
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Written by Michael Yessis
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Top Montana flat fee MLS companies | Best for a stress-free process | Best for affordable pricing | Best for showcasing your home | Alternatives | Frequently asked questions
Are you thinking about selling your home without a realtor? Listing your home without a seller’s agent can reduce the amount you pay in fees, since you can avoid the additional 3% fee listing agents usually charge. You’ll still have to pay a buyer’s agent a commission of around 2.5% to 3%, but listing your home without an agent can save you thousands of dollars.
Be aware that listing agents provide a lot of services for that fee, though — including putting your property onto the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS is the largest database of properties for sale in any local market. Popular online home search websites like Zillow and Realtor.com get information from the MLS to aggregate listings.
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 Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana flat fee MLS listing companies
If you’re selling without an agent and want your home to appear on the MLS, you’ll need to work with a flat fee MLS service. There are several of these services in Montana, but here are three of the best.
Top Flat Fee MLS Companies in Montana
🥇Congress Realty: Best for a stress-free process
🥈Flat Fee Realty: Best for affordable pricing
🥉FSBO.com: Best for showcasing your home
| Congress Realty | Flat Fee Realty | Madison Flat Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299-499 | $299 | $399.95 |
| Number of Photos | 4-Max allowed | 6-25 | 20 |
| MLS Listing | 6 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!
🥇 Congress Realty: Best for a stress-free process
Congress Realty is based in the western U.S. and is the industry leader in the volume of homes listed and sold. They offer a variety of packages, from a basic listing to a full service package that includes negotiating with buyers. As the only regional company on our list, Congress Realty is likely to have more knowledge about your specific market than those serving the entire country.
Reviews of Congress Realty indicate that their broker, Andrew English, ensures sales go off without a hitch because of the support he offers. They have also praised him for providing easy, step-by-step instructions and solid communication throughout the sales process.
Congress Realty’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $299 | If you’re a confident seller who just needs a few photos and an MLS listing, this is a great way to save money. Includes a showing time appointment tool and DocuSign documents, but only four photos and no agent or marketing support. |
| Plus | $399 | Ready to list FSBO but want a little more bang for your buck? Upgrade to this package for unlimited photos and up to 10 changes to your MLS listing. |
| Premium | $499 | This plan is a great option for a confident seller who needs help with marketing their home. You’ll get unlimited photos and changes to your MLS listing, but you’ll also be listed on Congress Realty’s website and social media, which can increase exposure to your home outside of just the MLS. |
Other Considerations about Congress Realty
- Congress Realty offers a full service package for $399 + 0.5% commission that includes a dedicated agent, negotiation and paperwork support, and contract reviews. We couldn’t find information on where their agents are based, however, so you may not get a local agent that is familiar with your specific market.
- You have the option to add-on yard signs, key lockboxes, and virtual tours to any of Congress Realty’s packages at à la carte pricing.
🥈 Flat Fee Realty: Best for affordable pricing
Flat Fee Realty offers flat fee MLS services throughout the U.S., including in Montana. The service partners with local brokers to list your property for you. Flat Fee Realty really is a bare-bones MLS listing service — it’s an affordable option if you only need access to the MLS and are comfortable doing everything else. If you’re looking for extra advice or marketing help along the way, however, they might not be your best option.
Flat Fee Realty’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Montana MLS Listing | $299 | This is a good plan for basic coverage, but we’d recommend spending $50 to add on more photos, as the base plan only allows six. You do get a few services like free changes to your listing price, but otherwise this package doesn’t have much to offer. For the price, you might find better support elsewhere. |
Other Considerations about Flat Fee Realty
- The service is available only in Billings and Missoula, as well as Big Horn, Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Stillwater, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone counties. You can type in your address to make sure they cover your area, which we recommend as Flat Fee Realty doesn’t offer refunds.
🥉 FSBO.com: Best for showcasing your home
FSBO.com costs a bit more than competitors, but you’ll get some extra services not available elsewhere. Specifically, when you opt for the Montana Flat Fee MLS Package, you will get a free FSBO.com listing that includes a video upload.
Online reviews show that clients have mixed feelings about FSBO.com. Because they are a national company, they use realtors around the country to help you list your home. Unfortunately, you don’t get to vet your agent prior to paying, so it can be luck of the draw. This likely explains the mixed reviews, so proceed with caution prior to signing up. If you want more information before you decide, check out our full review of FSBO.com.
FSBO.com’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Montana MLS Listing | $399.95 | You’ll get standard fare like a six month listing and 20 photos, but your property will be listed on FSBO.com’s listings in addition to the MLS. If you’re selling yourself the additional traffic may help, but it’s not enough to justify the price. |
Other Considerations about FSBO.com
- Services are only available in Lewis and Clark, Big Horn, Carbon, Cascade, Lincoln, Mineral, Musselshell, Powell, Ravalli, Stillwater, Treasure, Wheatland, Yellowstone, Lake, Missoula, and Sanders counties.
- A buyer’s agent commission is required, although you choose how much to offer. They require you to state the commission you’re offering before listing your property on the MLS.
- You have the option of adding on services like additional photos, open house postings, and a yard sign at à la carte pricing.
Alternatives
If listing and selling a house yourself sounds like too much work, there are alternatives to flat fee MLS companies you can explore. You can sell your home with less work while still saving a significant amount of money.
Using a discount broker gives you the benefit of having a licensed real estate agent while saving money on commission. Discount brokers charge as low as 1% commission, which can easily save you thousands of dollars. You’ll also have to pay 2-3% commission to your buyer’s agent, but that’s no different from using a flat fee MLS service. Learn which companies have the lowest commission fees!
Not convinced selling without an agent is right for you? If you want a full-service experience while saving money, try Real Estate Witch. Learn more about our agent-matching service and 1.5% commission savings now!
Frequently Asked Questions about Flat Fee MLS in Montana
What is the best flat fee MLS listing service in Montana?
For the price and number of options to fit your need, Congress Realty is the winner in Montana. With their mid-range package, you’ll get the maximum number of photos, free updates to your listing, and support with showing scheduling and documents. The price is the same as FSBO.com and only slightly more expensive than Flat Fee Realty, while offering more support than both combined.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in Montana?
The cost of flat fee MLS services in Montana typically averages around $300-400. If you are interested in more support than someone simply listing your property on the MLS for you, you can expect to pay at the higher end of this range. Rather than having to pay an additional fee every time you want to add on a service, you should also consider researching low commission real estate companies near you.
Are flat fee MLS companies in Montana worth it?
It depends on how confident you are in selling your home. If you’ve sold a home before, or are ready to jump in and put in the extra work, they can be a low-cost way to sell your home. However, most homes sold without an agent often take longer to sell, and sell for much less. The money you save by not paying a listing agent may be lost by a lower selling price. For a great alternative, read more about some of the best 1% commission realtors that serve Montana.
How do I tell if a flat fee MLS company is legit?
To determine if a flat fee MLS company is worthwhile, carefully read the company’s contract as well as reviews left by past clients. A legitimate service won’t have any hidden fees and will have many positive reviews from past customers who were satisfied with their real estate transaction. If they have bad reviews or aren’t forthcoming with information, it might be worth looking at other options.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with a flat fee MLS?
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.
Are seller disclosures required in Montana?
Unlike most states throughout the U.S., Montana is a non-disclosure state. However, sellers are still expected to alert buyers to any material defects that could affect the value of the property. Lead paint disclosures, which federal law mandates for homes built prior to 1978, are also required.
Leave a Reply