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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top North Carolina flat fee MLS companies | Best for pricing support | Best for hard-to-sell homes | Best for experienced sellers | Other alternatives | Frequently asked questions
Hiring a real estate agent to sell your North Carolina home can be expensive. You’ll have to pay around a 3% commission to your listing agent — and pay another 3% to a buyer’s agent.
But listing agents perform many important services, like listing your home on the multiple listing service (MLS). Local MLSes are large databases of properties for sale. They’re widely used by agents, and they provide the data for most online home search websites buyers use.
Luckily, you can sell your home without a realtor and still get it on the MLS with a flat fee MLS service. This will cost you far less than working with an agent. However, you’ll forgo a lot of the help and support a real estate professional provides.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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% to 3%.
The average North Carolina 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 North Carolina flat fee MLS listing companies
There are many flat fee MLS services in North Carolina, so picking the right one for your needs is important. Here are three of the best companies to consider.
Top flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina
🥇 Clickit Realty: Best for pricing support
🥈 Carolina Realty Solutions: Best for hard-to-sell homes
🥉 List with Freedom: Best for experienced sellers
| Clickit Realty | Carolina Realty Solutions | List with Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299-$995 | $399 in most counties | $89-$295 |
| Number of Photos | 3-40 | Max allowed | 1 to Max allowed |
| MLS Listing | 6-12 months | 6 months to 2 years | 6-12 months |
| Pricing Assistance | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Negotiation Support | 💰 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Yard Sign | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Open Houses | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 |
Not seeing a company you like? Check out the best nationwide flat fee MLS companies!
🥇 Clickit Realty: Best for pricing support
Pricing your home correctly is essential to selling your home without an agent, and Clickit Realty is one of the only flat fee MLS services to offer a comparative market analysis (CMA) with every package. A CMA details how much similar homes in your area have sold for. This data ensures you don’t leave money on the table or price your property too high and miss out on potential buyers.
Past reviewers also commented that the company was happy to answer questions, was prompt with communication, and made listing properties simple regardless of the package chosen.
However, know that Clickit Realty is based in Atlanta, so its agents may not be as experienced or knowledgable about North Carolina real estate trends. (See more Clickit Realty reviews here.)
Clickit Realty’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | $299 | While this is one of the only entry-level packages that provides a CMA, it also only includes 3 photos. And considering each additional photo costs $15, it might be better to just pay for a more expensive package. |
| Gold | $399 | This package includes 25 photos and most other services an experienced seller would need. However, its listing term is only 6 months, which might not be long enough for homes in slow markets. |
| Platinum | $599 | The Platinum package includes some bonuses like a lockbox and a brochure box, but for most sellers, those add-ons won't justify the higher price. |
| Full Service | $995 | If you want the most assistance for the lowest price, this package is a great option. You'll receive almost the exact same services as if you hired a traditional agent. Plus, of all of Clickit Realty's packages, this one has the longest listing term. |
Other considerations about Clickit Realty
- If you decide FSBO isn’t right for you, Clickit Realty can recommend a full-service agent and will refund your money.
One thing you can’t get wrong when selling your home is the listing price, and Clickit Realty is one of the only companies that includes a comparative market analysis with all of its packages.
🥈 Carolina Realty Solutions: Best for hard-to-sell homes
With Carolina Realty Solutions, you can extend your listing for up to two years at no extra cost with Carolina Realty, making it an ideal choice if you expect your home to be on the market a while. The package also includes the maximum number of photos and unlimited, free changes, which can be helpful if you may need to reduce your price or make other modifications.
Services do vary by county, though, and Carolina Realty Solutions isn’t available in all areas in North Carolina.
Carolina Realty Solutions’ packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $399 | Aside from free listing extensions, this package also includes ShowingTime, a service to help schedule showings and receive feedback from buyers. This can help you learn how to better market your hard-to-sell house. |
Other considerations about Carolina Realty Solutions
- You can cancel any time without a penalty or charge
- A full-service option is available in some areas
Whether you’re home is in a cold market or has unusual features, you’ll want flexibility in your flat fee MLS listing so you can find the right buyer. Carolina Realty Solutions’ packages can be renewed for up to two years, include numerous photos, and allow you to make unlimited changes so you can adapt your listing over time.
🥉 List with Freedom: Best for experienced sellers
List with Freedom offers four packages that include a variety of services and support. If you’re an experienced seller, you can pick the right option for you and be confident you’re not wasting any money.
Plus, the company has over 1,000 reviews with more than 85% of customers describing the company’s services as excellent. Many past sellers are repeat customers and most comment on how easy the process is.
However, List with Freedom is not based in North Carolina, so if you need advice from a local expert, they may not be the right fit.
List with Freedom’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | $89 | This package includes just one photo, so it isn’t an ideal choice for sellers who want to showcase their property. A virtual tour is available for $40, though, which could make up for such a limited number of pictures. |
| Gold | $149 | With the exception of 5 photos more, the Gold Package offers no extra features beyond what the Silver offers. Those additional few pictures aren’t worth paying so much more for this package. |
| Platinum | $195 | The platinum package includes 25 photos, which is actually a lot more than competitors' packages at this price point. |
| Platinum Plus | $295 | This package is perfect for experienced sellers who want the biggest bang for their buck. The listing lasts for 12 months and includes the max number of photos, automated showing scheduling, and unlimited open house announcements. |
Other considerations about List with Freedom
- There is no cancellation fee
- Some services are available a la carte, like virtual tours or showing scheduling services
If you’ve already been down the FSBO road before, List with Freedom can be a great option. You can get a bare minimum package or pay a little bit more for the specific support you need.
Alternatives to flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina
Flat fee MLS companies aren’t your only option if you want to save money while selling your house. Make sure you look into alternatives so you can choose the route that’s right for you. Here are two other considerations for home sellers in North Carolina:
- Discount brokers: Agents at discount brokerages offer the same services as a traditional agent but for a lower listing commission, typically 1.5% to 2%. However, you’ll still need to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission.
- iBuyers: iBuyers will directly buy homes that meet their requirements, often in a matter of days. However, they charge service fees (5% to 14%), are not available in every city in North Carolina, and will not negotiate on the final price.
Want to save money while selling your home, but require more professional support than a flat fee MLS company can offer? 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 North Carolina
What is the best flat fee MLS provider in North Carolina?
For sellers with a hard-to-sell property, Carolina Realty Solutions is the best flat fee MLS provider in North Carolina. It can provide free listing extensions and a large number of photos — however, the particular services it provides differ for each county. To learn more about the pros and cons of flat fee MLS companies, check out our complete guide to flat fee MLS services.
Are flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina worth it?
Yes, North Carolina flat fee MLS companies like Carolina Realty Solutions and List with Freedom can be worth it if all you want is to get your property on the local MLS. However, FSBO properties often net a lower profit than those sold with the help of an agent — which is why many sellers prefer working with a 1% agent. Check out our recommendations for 1% commission realtors.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost in North Carolina?
Flat fee MLS companies in North Carolina typically charge around $300 to $400. The fees can go as low as $100 for a bare-bones service, while more comprehensive packages can cost as much as $1,000. Sellers that need more full-service support while still sticking to a budget may find that a low commission real estate company offers better value for their money. Learn more about the best low commission real estate companies.
What is a flat fee MLS company?
A flat fee MLS company is a service used by people who want to sell their homes without a realtor.
Normally, real estate agents list properties on the multiple listing service (MLS). This is a local database of homes for sale, and is a key source of data for home search websites like Zillow. A flat fee MLS service will list your home on the MLS for a low fee but won't provide many of the other services.
How do I tell if a flat fee MLS company is legit?
There are two important ways to determine if a flat fee MLS company is legitimate. First, check past reviews. If many previous customers report the same problems, there’s a significant chance the issue could crop up in your sale as well.
You should also read the fine print carefully, as customers who use flat fee MLS services often complain about unexpected costs. Check your contract to see details of any fees you might be expected to pay so you aren’t caught by surprise.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with flat fee MLS?
Sellers traditionally pay a buyer's agent commission between 2.5% and 3% of the home’s value. While you could try to find a buyer with no agent to avoid this cost, know that most people do hire an agent to help them purchase a house.
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