Best flat fee MLS listing services for North Carolina | Should you use a flat fee MLS listing service? | What's included with a flat fee MLS listing? | Typical pricing | Top alternatives | FAQ
If you're selling for sale by owner (FSBO) in North Carolina, a flat fee MLS listing service can get your home on the MLS for a one-time fee starting at about $100. You'll get the same basic visibility as you would selling with a realtor, without having to pay a listing agent 2.5–3% in commission.
The downside is that you have to do most of the work yourself — which is often a lot more than first-time FSBO sellers realize.
Additionally, FSBO homes sell for an average of 6% less than comparable homes sold with an agent. So you need to weigh the commission savings against the potential profit loss — especially since you still need to pay a buyer's agent if your buyer uses a realtor.
Should you use a flat fee MLS listing service?
Using a flat fee MLS service instead of a real estate agent can save you thousands in realtor commission. But you'll work hard to earn those savings by doing the tasks a realtor normally does.
Here are the pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS service:
Pros
- Commission savings. You pay a few hundred dollars to a brokerage instead of a 2–3% commission to a listing agent.
- Control over the sale. Because you’re selling without a realtor, you have direct control over pricing, presentation, and negotiations.
- Pay-per-service. Many flat fee MLS companies offer multiple service packages and add-ons (such as a lockbox or help reviewing offers) so you can pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Lower sale price. FSBO homes generally sell for less than homes sold with an agent. In 2022, the median sale price for FSBO listings was $225,000, compared to $345,000 for agent listings.
- Missed leads. MLS rules prevent your contact info from being posted to public sites like Zillow. Unless your MLS package comes with automated lead forwarding, buyers have to go through your broker, who may be slow to respond.
- Hidden costs. Flat fee MLS companies often charge fees for their most valuable add-ons. And in most cases, you should still expect to offer seller concessions to help the buyer cover some costs.
If you’re on the fence about selling FSBO but still want to save, we recommend using an alternative like Real Estate Witch. We can connect you with top local agents who offer a 1.5% listing commission through its network. You’ll still save thousands, but you’ll have a full-service realtor by your side.
If you decide a flat fee MLS listing is right for you, North Carolina has plenty of decent listing services to choose from. We've compiled a list of regional and nationwide companies that offer good value at various price points.
Best flat fee MLS listing services in North Carolina: Quick view
What is a flat fee MLS listing?
A flat fee MLS listing allows sellers without a realtor to post their home on the local multiple listing service (MLS), the main online database where realtors list their clients’ homes for sale and find available listings for buyers.
Once on the MLS, property listings get syndicated to popular home buying websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. If your home isn’t listed on the MLS, most buyers won’t even know it’s an option — so it's pretty much a necessity.
While you'd normally hire a realtor to handle your listing, since only licensed real estate professionals can access the MLS, a flat fee MLS service provides a low-cost workaround. With this type of brokerage, you get a legal MLS listing through a licensed broker without having to pay for the other services a realtor typically provides.
What's included with a flat fee MLS listing?
At minimum, a flat fee MLS package should include photos and a short description of the property. Most packages include 6–25 photos and a 3–12 month listing term. Other service packages offer more assistance with the sale, which you might need if you’re not as experienced selling homes.
For example, United Brokers LTD offers contract, negotiation, and closing assistance with its $875 Full Service Bundle, and Carolina Realty Solutions offers a comparative market analysis with its full-service options. For an extra 1% at closing, Houzeo offers virtual broker assistance to help you with pricing, negotiations, and paperwork.
While these extras are helpful, the costs can easily add up into the thousands — and when it comes to pricing and contracts, it's probably better to have someone local to your market.
If you need extra support from a realtor, you may be better off hiring a low commission realtor who knows the local market and can provide hands on support for similar savings.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost?
In North Carolina, the flat fee MLS listing services we reviewed have entry level packages ranging from $0 to $325. These basic packages are geared toward FSBO sellers who just need to get their home on the MLS.
If you want your listing to stand out, you can pay more for additional features. In North Carolina, for example, Homecoin offers professional photography packages that cost differently depending on the area. On plans costing $695 and up, Flat Fee Group offers a lockbox and access to the Centralized Showing Service, which professional realtors use to book, manage, and review agent feedback from showings.
Several flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina also have higher-tier packages that cost about $1,000, sometimes with an additional percentage due at closing. These packages often include agent advice on offers and negotiations.
Typically, the cheaper the plan, the less that’s included. You'll typically need to pay extra for items such as lock boxes, additional photos, and changes to your listing.
How do flat fee MLS listing services work?
Most flat fee MLS listing services follow the same basic steps. To get an MLS listing, you can:
- Visit the company website and choose a service package.
- Place an order online or over the phone.
- Fill out forms with your home's information and submit photos.
For basic MLS listings, that's pretty much it! If your service package includes additional features like a lawn sign, lockbox, or professional photography, you'll coordinate with the company to pick up items or schedule a photo shoot.
Once the company lists your home on the MLS, a broker will likely manage your listing and forward buyer leads to you.
Best North Carolina flat fee MLS listing services: Full breakdown
About our rankings
To find the best flat fee MLS services in each state, we spent dozens of hours researching companies across the country. Our research process involved:
- Investigating more than 140 local flat fee MLS services to ensure our information about service packages, cost, and contract terms is up to date
- Mystery shopping over 20 flat fee MLS companies to gain insight into the consumer's experience
- Interviewing sellers and real estate agents who have experience with flat fee MLS services
- Combing through Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and Facebook reviews for each business
- Browsing user forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets for additional perspectives
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Carolina Realty Solutions has offered flat fee listing services in North Carolina and South Carolina since 2003. Because of this experience, the company has a good understanding of the local markets within these states.
The company offers one flat fee listing package at $375. While this cost is slightly higher than other starter options, it includes useful features like a lockbox and access to ShowingTime.
Carolina Realty Solutions also offers full service with two pricing options. You can choose to pay an up-front fee and a percentage at closing or just a percentage at closing.
Pros
- Carolina Realty Solutions is an award-winning company with an established market presence.
- You can cancel anytime for free.
- All plans include a lockbox and appointment scheduling through ShowingTime.
Cons
- The company doesn't offer a cheap basic package.
- You must pay a buyer’s agent commission.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
United Brokers LTD stands out among flat fee MLS listing services. It has a strong foothold in the regional markets it serves, and it consistently gets 5-star customer reviews.
Since bundles span from basic to full service, you can choose the level of support you want.
Optional add-ons include a lockbox, "for sale" sign, and help with contracts, negotiations, and closing. If you want the latter add-on, you'll probably get better value from the Full Service Bundle.
Pros
- The company offers a range of packages with different price points and levels of support.
- The company is established, with 35+ years in operation.
- Customers love the quality of the phone and email support.
Cons
- The Basic Bundle has a very limited listing term and photo allowance and charges for each listing change.
- For all bundles, you have to pay extra for a lockbox and a "for sale" sign.
Listing Fee
Overview
Availability
Homecoin offers one low-cost MLS listing package and many à-la-carte services to customize it. This option is ideal for experienced FSBO sellers who know exactly what services they need. However, the add-ons are more expensive than competitors. If you think you need add-ons like a lockbox or yard sign, another FSBO website might be a better pick.
You can order a Real Estate Comps Report without purchasing the package.
Customers say that Homecoin offers a great service and is easy to work with. Reviewers also mention the convenient online platform and professional, responsive customer service.
Canceling a listing is free, and you can do it anytime there isn’t an active offer.
Pros
- Comprehensive Real Estate Comps Report with comparable sales, property details, and market trends
- 12-month listing term with unlimited photos
- Fully online listing management
Cons
- No full-service option for additional support
- Add-on costs can accumulate quickly
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Unreal Estate is a nationwide flat fee MLS service with a wide range of plans and good reviews. Notably, Unreal Estate offers a Starter package with no up-front costs — you just pay 0.5% at closing.
But the company’s two top-tier plans offer the best overall value. You get a higher photo limit, phone support, and lead forwarding.
Unreal Estate’s pricing includes a flat fee plus 0.5% at closing. However, we have an exclusive agreement with Unreal Estate. The company drops the 0.5% charge on most plans when you use code “Clever,” so you get a flat rate of $99–450 no matter how much your home sells for.
Pros
- Offers three affordable options
- No upfront cost with the Starter package
Cons
- Cancellation fee for the Starter package
- Phone support limited to higher-priced plans
Listing Fee
Overview
Availability
Houzeo is a nationwide flat fee MLS company designed primarily for For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers. With an impressive average customer rating of 4.9/5 across thousands of reviews, Houzeo stands out as a prominent player in the industry. It provides an easy-to-use online dashboard, simplifying the management of property listings for sellers.
However, it's important to note that its fees are often higher than some competitors, especially when additional services are required. Service quality can vary based on the partner agent assigned to the customer, potentially leading to inconsistent experiences. Additionally, Houzeo's refund policy is considered restrictive by some customers.
One of Houzeo's key strengths is its nationwide presence, allowing sellers to list their homes on the MLS, a crucial database used by real estate professionals. This significantly enhances the chances of finding a buyer. The company offers various pricing packages with different levels of support and services, but pricing and availability can vary by location.
Pros
- User-friendly online dashboard
- Positive reviews of its customer service
- Extra services available, including contract reviews and professional showings (for a fee)
Cons
- High fees for some services
- Varied service quality
- Restrictive refund policy
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Flat Fee Group is a nationwide company that matches you with a local listing broker. In North Carolina, Jeff Ayres of ClickIt Realty manages the listings.
ClickIt Realty is an established company, in operation since 2000. But its customer ratings aren't as good as other companies in North Carolina.
Flat Fee Group offers some compelling services, including access to the Centralized Showing Service, which professional realtors use to book, manage, and review agent feedback from showings.
The company also offers generous photo packages and listing terms with its higher-priced plans.
Pros
- The company offers user-friendly online tools to support the selling process.
- Buyer leads are automatically forwarded to you.
- Every package except the Basic includes a comparative market analysis.
Cons
- Customer reviews for the local listing broker are mixed. Some sellers complain about being “upsold” by company representatives.
- The Basic package is expensive for what you get.
- DocuSign is only available with the most expensive plan.
Listing Fee
Overview
Availability
List With Freedom offers affordable basic packages with optional add-ons, so it’s a good choice for experienced sellers who know exactly what they need. Unlike competitors, the company doesn't offer agent support with its higher-priced plans.
The company charges a 0.25% compliance fee from the buyer's agent commission, which could discourage buyer’s agents from showing your home. As the seller, you pay this fee, which is equal to $750 on a $300,000 house.
Customer reviews note good customer service and quick responses.
Pros
- The company has a user-friendly platform, giving you full control of your listing.
- Prospective buyers are routed directly to you.
- There’s no cancellation fee for live listings.
Cons
- Only six photos are included in the base package.
- The company doesn't offer a home valuation or built-in pricing support.
- It charges a 0.25% compliance fee, taken from the buyer's agent commission.
Top alternatives to flat fee MLS listing services in North Carolina
Discount real estate brokers | FSBO without the MLS | Flat fee real estate agents
Sell with a discount real estate broker
Top discount brokers provide the same services as traditional real estate agents — but for a 1–2% commission instead of the typical 3%.
With this type of company, a local agent will list your home on the MLS and provide the localized expertise needed to sell quickly and for top dollar. You won't have to worry about doing all the work of selling your home yourself like you would if you sold FSBO.
Sell FSBO without an MLS listing
It's possible to sell a home without using an agent or listing on the MLS, especially if you already have a buyer lined up. But if you need to drum up interest in your home, you'll need to look for creative ways to market it.
Get started by listing your home on free FSBO listing websites like:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- ForSaleByOwner.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
You'll also need to familiarize yourself with North Carolina's real estate laws and FSBO paperwork requirements.
» LEARN MORE: How to sell without a realtor in North Carolina
Sell with a flat fee real estate agent
Flat fee real estate agents work for a flat rate instead of the standard 3% commission most listing agents charge.
Flat fee agents can provide great savings. For example, if you're selling a $500,000 house, a flat fee agent may charge you a set $5,000 fee instead of 3%, which would be $15,000.
But it's important to research the brokerage before signing a contract. Many flat fee brokerages claim to provide full service, but they may actually cut corners on service to meet their price point.
To make sure you have the right realtor before committing, try a free service like Real Estate Witch. We give you the opportunity to interview multiple full-service agents until you find the right fit. All of our agents offer a flat fee of $3,000 on homes less than $200,000 and just 1.5% commission for homes above $200,000.
FAQ about flat fee MLS listings
What is the best flat fee MLS company in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, we recommend United Brokers LTD for its range of service levels, Homecoin for its straightforward pricing, and Carolina Realty Solutions for its local market expertise. Learn more about other flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina.
Do I have to offer a buyer's agent commission in North Carolina?
You should expect to offer a 23% concession to help the buyer pay their real estate agent. This isn't mandatory, but it may help make your home more affordable for buyers.
How do I get on the MLS in North Carolina?
You can get on the MLS in North Carolina by either hiring a listing agent or using a flat fee MLS service. You can't post on the MLS yourself, since only licensed real estate agents can access the MLS.
What is a flat fee in real estate?
A flat fee is a one-time fee paid to a real estate agent or MLS service instead of a commission. Most real estate agents charge a commission of 2.53% of the home's sale price. Some agents work for flat fees starting at $3,000, but they may limit the level of service they provide.
More ways to save on realtor fees
Top 10 Low Commission Real Estate Agents and Companies: We’ve done a lot of the research for you. Discover the best low commission real estate agents and companies to help you save on your home sale.
Top 2% Real Estate Commission Companies: A 2% real estate commission can save you a lot of money on your home sale compared to a traditional commission. Check out our handpicked list of top 2 percent commission realtors.
How to Sell Your House without a Realtor: In this guide, we cover the steps to selling without a realtor, plus the pros, cons, and costs.
More North Carolina home selling guides
How to Sell a House without a Realtor in North Carolina: Selling FSBO means saving on realtor commission, but there's plenty of work you'll need to do to earn those savings. Learn about required paperwork, state laws, costs, and more.
Average Real Estate Commission in North Carolina: Even if you decide to sell without a realtor, it’s still a good idea to offer a buyer’s agent commission. Learn how much this could cost you.
Top "We Buy Houses" Companies in North Carolina: "We buy houses" companies offer to buy homes quickly, even if they’re in poor condition. If you need to sell fast, find out if one of these agencies can help.