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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top South Carolina Flat-Fee MLS Companies | Best for Bang for Your Buck | Best for Hard-to-Sell Homes | Best for Experienced Sellers | Other Alternatives | Frequently Asked Questions
Selling a South Carolina home often means paying a realtor commission of 5% to 6% of the home’s value. While this money is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agents, it’s all paid by the seller, and it can take out a large chunk out of your home sale profit.
There’s an alternative, though. You can sell your home without a realtor — or For Sale By Owner (FSBO). It can be challenging, since you’ll have to handle all aspects of the transaction yourself, including marketing your property. But using a flat-fee MLS company can be a key part of succeeding.
Real estate agents use local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) to share available listings. Home search sites also pull information from MLSes to put listings on their site, making an MLS listing a powerful way to market your house to buyers.
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 South 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 South 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 2-3%.
The average South 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 South Carolina flat fee MLS listing companies
A flat-fee MLS service allows you to advertise your property on the MLS for significantly less than hiring a full-service realtor. But not all services are the same. Here are the best ones in South Carolina.
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in South Carolina
🥇 iSave Realty: Best bang for your buck
🥈 Carolina Realty Solutions: Best for hard-to-sell homes
🥉 South Carolina Flat Fee MLS: Best for experienced sellers
| iSave Realty | Carolina Realty Solutions | South Carolina Flat Fee MLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299-$799 | $399 in most counties | $99-$149 |
| Number of Photos | Max allowed | 24 | Up to 25 |
| MLS Listing | 12 months | 6 months to 2 years | 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!
🥇 iSave Realty: Best bang for your buck
iSaveRealty has several positive reviews from sellers praising the company’s responsiveness. The Gold Package is a great deal for sellers who need a little more assistance, as it includes broker advice on almost all aspects of the sale. Plus, iSaveRealty regularly runs price discounts, so there’s a good chance you could get everything you need for even less money.
However, while you can cancel anytime, it’s unclear if there are cancellation fees or additional costs to make changes to your listing.
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | $299 | The Silver package includes a 12-month listing and a decent number of photos. However, there’s very little additional support and is probably only a good fit for experienced sellers. |
| Gold | $799 | This is essentially a full-service option for a very affordable price. The iSaveRealty will write your sales contract and help review buyer's offers. You’ll also get help with inspections, counter-offers, and any other issues you have. |
Other Considerations about iSaveRealty
- For Sale Signs are available for $25
Considering all the included services and the frequent price discounts it runs, iSaveRealty can provide you the most support for the least amount of money.
🥈 Carolina Realty Solutions: Best for hard-to-sell homes
Carolina Realty Solutions isn’t available in all of South Carolina, but for sellers with hard-to-sell properties in eligible areas, Carolina Realty Solutions is a good choice. It offers free listing extensions for up to two years. Other local flat-fee MLS services generally list your property for just 6 or 12 months and charge for extensions.
However, it’s difficult to tell what level of help you’d get for your money, as past positive reviews are several years old. Pricing and available services also vary by location.
| 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
- The flat-fee MLS service is available only in Berkley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Beaufort, Hampton, Jasper, Chester, Lancaster, and York counties. Prices and services may vary by location
- Recommends a buyer’s agent commission of 3%
- Full-service options are available for a discounted commission rate that includes buyer’s agent commission
If you have a home that needs work, is in a slow market, or difficult to sell for other reasons, Carolina Realty Solution provides a flexible listing term so you have up to two years to find a buyer.
🥉 South Carolina Flat Fee MLS: Best for experienced sellers
South Carolina Flat Fee MLS charges much less than other local services. And you’ll still be provided with the required forms and disclosures for your state. However, this discounted price means skimpy service, including a very limited number of pictures and a short listing period with no free extensions.
Also, South Carolina Flat Fee MLS is not a real estate brokerage, which means after you buy a package, you’ll work with an affiliated agent, not the company. Depending on which agent works in your area, the level of service you receive may vary.
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $99 | This is one of the most affordable packages anywhere. However, you’ll get just 6 pictures with this package, which in most cases isn’t nearly enough to showcase your property or attract potential buyers. |
| $149 | Offering 25 photos, this package is probably a better fit for most sellers. But unless you live in a hot market, the 6 months listing term may not be long enough to find a buyer. |
Other Considerations about South Carolina Flat Fee MLS
- No recent reviews of the company or the broker you’ll work with
- Listing plans and prices are subject to change without advance notice
If you’ve gone the FSBO route before, South Carolina Flat Fee MLS could be a great fit. It’ll save you the most money and only provide the services you need.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS Companies in South Carolina
Flat-fee MLS companies are not the only option if you want to save money while selling your home in South Carolina. You could possibly sell your home faster and for more money with a discount broker.
These are full-service agents who offer their professional expertise for a lower listing commission — typically 1.5% to 2%. However, you’ll still be responsible for paying a competitive buyer’s agent commission.
Want to save money selling your home, but aren’t sure about selling FSBO? 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 South Carolina
What is the best flat-fee MLS provider in South Carolina?
Carolina Realty Solutions is the best flat-fee MLS provider in South Carolina for sellers with hard-to-sell properties, whereas iSave Realty is ideal for those that need extra support without breaking the bank. There are pros and cons to both of these options, which is why it’s crucial to understand how flat-fee MLS companies operate before making a decision. Read our complete guide to flat-fee MLS companies to learn more about them!
Are flat-fee MLS companies in South Carolina worth it?
Purchasing the services of a South Carolina flat-fee MLS company such as Carolina Realty Solutions or iSave Realty will get your property listed on the MLS — but won't offer much more support. Those that need more help and want the best possible profit from their sale should consider working with a 1.5% agent instead. Learn about the best 1.5% commission realtors in your area.
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in South Carolina?
The cost of flat-fee MLS services in South Carolina runs anywhere from $100 to $800, depending on the extent of support needed. Those that need even more support without breaking the bank should instead work with a low commission real estate company. Learn more about discount real estate companies to see how x compare to flat-fee MLS companies.
What is a flat-fee MLS company?
Local MLS databases are the primary way to advertise homes on the market. Most online websites that buyers use to find properties get their information from the MLS. Agents also use the MLS to help their clients find homes.
Since individual sellers can't put their home on the MLS, flat-fee MLS services charge a set fee to list homes. They cost far less than full-service agents but provide more limited services.
In many cases, flat-fee MLS services only list the property. Those who offer upgraded packages may do more, but they aren’t invested in selling your property because they aren’t paid on commission. And they don’t help with every step of the transaction.
How do I tell if a flat-fee MLS company is legit?
To tell if a flat-fee MLS company is legitimate, read the contract it provides — including the fine print. Look for hidden fees and add-on costs, such as extra charges for yard signs. If you don’t understand what you’re paying for or a deal seems too good to be true, don’t be afraid to walk away.
Also, look for reviews from past customers, either for the flat-fee MLS company or the broker who works for that company. If the same issue is repeatedly raised in reviews, expect that it will arise in your sale too.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with a flat-fee MLS company?
Most South Carolina flat-fee MLS services give you the option to decide how much commission to offer a buyer’s agent. If you don’t offer the standard 2.5% to 3%, though, buyer’s agents may not bring clients to your property. They'll have no incentive to close the deal.
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