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Edited by Kristen Klempert
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Kristen Klempert
Top Tennessee flat-fee MLS companies | Best for inexperienced sellers | Best for homes in hot markets | Best for rock-bottom pricing | Other alternatives | Frequently asked questions
When you sell your home in Tennessee, you traditionally pay a commission of 6%. This commission is split between the listing agent you hire and the real estate agent representing the buyer.
You can cut your commission costs in half by selling without a realtor. However, when selling For Sale By Owner, you must find a buyer on your own and handle key tasks in your transaction without the professional help an agent offers.
A flat-fee MLS service makes this process easier. For a far lower fee than a listing agent would charge, a flat-fee MLS service ensures your property gets into the Multiple Listing Service. That’s the most comprehensive database of local properties on the market.
Flat-fee MLS services ensure buyers learn about your listing because both agents and popular home search websites obtain data from the MLS. Some flat-fee companies also provide other services as well.
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee flat fee MLS listing companies
Check out the top flat-fee MLS listing companies in Tennessee to find out what each one offers.
Top Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Tennessee
🥇 Results MLS: Best for inexperienced sellers
🥈 For Sale Martin Properties: Best for homes in hot markets
🥉 Tennessee Flat Fee MLS: Best for rock-bottom pricing
| Results MLS | For Sale Martin Properties | Tennessee Flat Fee MLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99-$499 | $99-$395 | $99-$149 |
| Number of Photos | 10 to max allowed | 10-30 | 6-25 |
| MLS Listing | 6-12 months | 3 months to until sold | 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!
🥇 Results MLS: Best for inexperienced sellers
Results MLS received praise from past clients, with reviewers indicating the listing process was easy and they received valuable guidance. Sellers can get comprehensive support, including comparable sales data to help with pricing as well as assistance negotiating with buyers and reviewing contracts, although with some packages those services cost extra.
Results MLS’ packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Basic | $379 | Unfortunately, this package includes just 10 photos, which often isn't enough to attract buyers. There are also only 5 free listing changes. If you need additional support like pricing assistance, that will cost extra. |
| Gold Showcase | $499 | This upgraded package allows sellers to make more changes to their listing than the Silver Basic package permits. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t include negotiating support or contract review, unless you pay extra. The upgrade to 25 photos is the best reason to choose this package instead of its cheaper counterpart. |
| Platinum | $99/month ($1,200 total) | This is an affordable, full-service package. It includes all the services of a traditional agent, but breaks down the cost into monthly payments. If you're an inexperienced seller, this is a great option that allows you to spread out the package's cost. |
Other considerations about Results MLS
- If you also buy a house with Results MLS, you can get their Platinum package for free.
🥈 For Sale Martin Properties: Best for homes in hot markets
For Sale Martin Properties has been helping sellers for more than 30 years. Its packages offer the bare necessities to FSBO sellers in Tennessee and as one of the only companies to have a listing term of fewer than six months, it could be a great option if you’re in a seller’s market.
For Sale Martin Properties’ packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| By Owner Basic MLS | $99 | With this package you can list your property for three months. The short listing time, coupled with the fact you can only include 10 pictures, can make it more difficult to find a buyer with this package, unless you're property is in a hot market. |
| By Owner Basic MLS Plus | $179 | This package is a better value for most sellers because it includes 24 photos and a 6-month listing. Sellers will also appreciate the opportunity to make unlimited changes at no cost. |
| MLS Upgrade | $295 | If you need more time to sell your home, this package allows you to list your property for 12 months. Listings include 24 pictures with captions, which weren’t an option on either entry-level package. The photos, coupled with the descriptions, should be more than enough to showcase your property’s best features. |
| MLS Gold | $395 | Although this package is costlier, it includes 30 pictures and the opportunity to include drone footage. However, if you have a typical house, the extra photos might not be worth the extra money. |
Other considerations about For Sale Martin Properties
- If your buyer has an agent, $45 will be deducted from their commission to cover an admin fee.
🥉 Tennessee Flat Fee MLS: Best for rock-bottom pricing
Tennessee Flat Fee MLS offers no-frills, affordable packages for sellers who don’t need any additional support. However, if you need a longer listing term or would like to purchase other services a la carte, this might not be the right choice for you.
Tennessee Flat Fee MLS’ packages
| Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|
| $99 | Although affordable for a six-month package, this option comes with just six photos. Most buyers expect to see more pictures online before visiting a property. |
| $149 | This package provides 25 photos, rather than just six. Most sellers will find it worth paying the small extra fee to best showcase their property. |
Other considerations about Tennessee Flat Fee MLS
- Tennessee Flat Fee MLS will not handle your listing, but rather connects you with local brokers who will list your home.
Alternatives to flat-fee MLS companies in Tennessee
If you want to save money when you list your house, flat-fee MLS companies are not your only option. Consider these alternatives before deciding which route is right for you:
- Discount brokers: These are full-service agents who charge a lower commission rate, typically 1.5% to 2%.
- iBuyers: iBuyers purchase qualifying homes in a matter of days, so there’s no need to list with an agent. However, they charge service fees (5% to 14%), and their offers are non-negotiable.
Not sure which discount listing option best fits your needs? 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 Tennessee
What is the best flat-fee MLS provider in Tennessee?
One of the best flat-fee MLS providers in Tennessee is Results MLS. It has tiered service packages for varying levels of support and is highly rated — but there are some drawbacks to it that are common with all flat-fee MLS companies. To find out more about it, read our complete guide to flat-fee MLS services.
Are flat-fee MLS companies in Tennessee worth it?
If you’re simply looking to get your property on the MLS in Tennessee, then a flat-fee MLS company like Results MLS or For Sale Martin Properties will help with that. However, given that properties sold without an agent often sell for less, sellers looking to maximize profits should consider working with a local discount agent instead. Read more about low commission realtors.
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Tennessee?
Tennessee flat-fee MLS companies typically charge around $100 to $500, depending on the extent of the support needed. As good a deal as that sounds, sellers that need a full-service offering should instead work with a local discount brokerage. Learn more about the best low commission real estate companies in Tennessee.
What is a flat-fee MLS company?
Sellers who list their homes For Sale By Owner can pay a fee to have their property listed on the Multiple Listing Service by a flat-fee MLS company. The cost is typically far lower than the commission a full-service real estate agent would charge, but provides less support than working with a real estate agent.
How do I tell if a flat-fee MLS company is legit?
Common problems with flat-fee MLS companies relate to surprise charges. Reviewing the fine print of your contract carefully is the best way to tell if a company you’re considering is likely to spring unexpected costs on you.
There may also be other issues with a particular flat-fee MLS company. Carefully read past reviews left by clients to see if there is a pattern of problems. If many past clients complain about similar issues, chances are good you’ll have the same problems with your sale.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with flat-fee MLS?
Offering a commission to a buyer’s agent is very important if you hope to find someone to purchase your property. An agent won’t want to bring clients to your property if you aren’t paying their standard fee. And buyers won’t want to cover their agent’s commission when a seller normally pays it. You’d have to find a buyer without an agent to avoid commission entirely.
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