Top Texas flat fee MLS listing services | How do flat fee MLS listing services work? | Alternatives | FAQs
If you’re selling a house without a realtor in Texas, you may want to consider using a flat fee MLS listing service. These companies will get your house listed on the multiple listing service (MLS), the largest directory of houses for sale, so you can reach more potential buyers.
Texas flat fee MLS listing companies let you avoid paying seller’s agent commission fees, which in Texas average 2.71% of the home’s sale price. You typically have to pay for a flat fee MLS listing upfront, but you’ll pay thousands less in realtor fees when your house sells.
The disadvantage of purchasing a flat fee MLS listing is that you’ll have to handle almost every step of the home selling process yourself, including: pricing, marketing, negotiations, and paperwork. It’s a lot of work and many people selling for sale by owner (FSBO) end up accepting offers for much less than what they could get with a realtor.
If you want to avoid overpaying for realtor fees but still get hands-on support from your agent, we recommend checking out Clever Real Estate. Clever negotiates flat 1.5% listing fees with top Texas realtors 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.
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Quick view: Top 5 Texas flat fee MLS listing services
💲Price | 📷 Number of photos | 📆 MLS listing term | |
---|---|---|---|
Flat Fee By You | $45-$295 | 6 to max allowed | 6 months |
Creekview Realty | $600-$1,400 | Varies | 6 months |
Texas MLS Broker | $175-$399 | 10-50 | 6-12 months |
Fizber | $95-$395 | 6-25 | 6 months |
Houzeo | $199-$999+ | Varies | 3-12 months |
Who are Texas flat fee MLS listings best for?
Texas flat fee MLS listing services are best for sellers who have lots of experience with real estate transactions. 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.
Selling your home without a realtor in Texas 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 listing fee, you’ll still probably be on the hook for the buyer’s agent commission, which typically runs between 2-3%.
The average Texas 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 5 Texas Flat Fee MLS Listing Services
Flat Fee By You
Best bang for your buck
- Cheapest rates
- Only available in select cities
- Must pay for extra support
Flat Fee By You offers the cheapest rates of any major flat fee MLS listing company in Texas. While only available in select areas, reviews are positive.
Pros:
- Its most basic package is the cheapest flat fee MLS listing we’ve found in Texas
- Higher priced package provides consultations with a broker to help improve your listing
- Highly rated by customers
Cons:
- Basic package is barebones and includes no free listing updates
- Not available in all of Texas
Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio
If you want to pay the lowest possible price for your listing, Flat Fee By You is your best bet. The entry-level package costs just $45, and even their premium package is well below the price of some competitor’s most affordable options. The company also gets consistently good reviews for its customer service.
However, Flat Fee By You’s basic package is very barebones and only appropriate for experienced sellers. You’ll want one of the more premium packages if you need even minimal support. The company is also only available in the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio metro areas.
Creekview Realty
Best for inexperienced sellers
- Offers more broker support
- More expensive
- Photo limits vary based on location
Creekview Realty offers more support than many flat fee MLS listing companies, making it a good choice for those who want a bit of guidance through the real estate transaction. However, be prepared to pay more than you would with other services.
Pros:
- Get support and many of the services offered by a traditional agent
- Highly rated by customers
Cons:
- More expensive than many other flat fee MLS listing services
- Photo limit depends on size of your house and location
Austin, Bryan-College Station, Central Texas, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Highland Lakes, Houston, Killeen-Fort Hood, Longview, McAllen, San Antonio, Tyler, Waco
1-800-219-9444
creekviewrealty.com
If you’re an inexperienced seller or know you’ll be facing a complicated sale, Creekview Realty could be a great option. Its premium package, in particular, includes many of the services you’d get from a traditional realtor. Reviews from first-time sellers also say Creekview Realty made the process stress-free and that staff was responsive to questions and concerns.
However, that extra support comes at a cost. While other flat fee MLS listing services in Texas tend to cost a few hundred dollars, Creekview Realty costs $600 to $1,400 and you still won’t get the full service that you would from a traditional realtor.
Texas MLS Broker
Good for experienced sellers
- Affordable packages
- Low photo limit
- Fewer extras than other companies
Texas MLS Broker offers no-frill packages that are affordable, but don’t come with many extras. They tend to be best for sellers who already have some real estate experience.
Pros:
- Packages are affordable
- Flexible listing terms of six to 12 months
Cons:
- Not available in all of Texas
- Basic package has low photo limit
- Fewer extras than other flat fee MLS listing companies
Austin, Bryan-College Station, Central Texas, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, Midland, Odessa, San Antonio
1-210-201-6250
www.texasmlsbroker.com
Texas MLS Broker offers affordable, no-frills packages that may work for you if you have experience selling homes and are comfortable handling much of the sale process yourself. You can be confident you’re not paying for anything you don’t need.
Plus, Texas MLS Broker is a good option if you need a shorter or longer listing term. Whereas six months is the standard listing term for most flat fee MLS services, Texas MLS Broker has listing terms of six to 12 months, although you will have to pay for its premium package.
Fizber
Good for attracting FSBO buyers
- Affordable, but barebones
- Website lacks important info
- No MLS listing with cheapest plan
Fizber offers affordable, but barebones, flat fee MLS listing plans and features good customer service. But a lackluster website means you won’t always know what you’re getting until you talk to a representative.
Pros:
- Flat fee MLS plans are affordable
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Plans vary by state, with some state plans offering poor value for money
- Cheapest plan doesn’t provide MLS access
- State-specific services aren’t listed on the website, requiring you to speak directly to a representative
Nationwide
1-888-381-2201
www.fizber.com
Fizber is a nationwide flat fee MLS listing service with affordable plans and good customer service. It also offers a flexible refund policy and does a good job of promoting your listing on social media.
However, Fizber’s website makes it difficult to know what state-specific services are on offer without first talking to a representative. Without knowing what specific services you’ll get where you live, it’s difficult to know whether or not it will be a good deal for you.
Houzeo
Cheap service, surprise fees
- Surprise fees for extras
- Cheap packages
- Barebone plans
Houzeo offers very cheap rates for MLS access and a lot of a la carte services, but watch out for surprise fees. Items that are free with other companies — like listing updates — can incur significant charges with Houzeo, making it poor value for money.
Pros:
- Your listing gets syndicated to Redfin, Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com
- Affordable plans are good for experienced sellers
Cons:
- High fees for services that are free with other MLS listing companies
- Limited service which makes it unsuitable for inexperienced sellers
Nationwide
1-844-448-0110
houzeo.com
Houzeo’s plans are a no-frills way to get your house listed on the MLS and syndicated to major real estate websites like Redfin, Zillow, and Trulia. If you have lots of experience selling homes and don’t need any extras, it could be an affordable way to get an MLS listing.
But watch out for high fees for extra services. Unlike many flat fee MLS listing companies, with Houzeo’s most basic plan you’ll have to pay $25 for each change you make to your listing. Pricing assistance — also a service that other competitors offer for free — comes at a premium with Houzeo.
How do flat fee MLS services in Texas work?
Texas flat fee MLS listing companies charge a fixed dollar amount to post your house on the local multiple listing service (MLS), a regional database of properties that are for sale in your area. These services are typically a lot cheaper than selling with a traditional realtor. But you get what you pay for: Aside from the MLS listing, the company will provide few (if any) of the services you’d expect from a real estate agent.
What do you get?
The most basic packages typically include a 6-month MLS listing with just six photos. Higher tier packages will include higher photo limits — typically up to 50 — and a longer — typically up to 12 months — listing period.
Many packages also include extra items, the most common being yard signs, pricing assistance, and lockboxes. These extra items are sometimes free or available for an extra charge.
Also be sure to keep an eye out for listing change fees. While some flat fee MLS companies allow for some or even unlimited free listing changes, others do not. Even a few changes can quickly add a significant charge to your final bill.
Flat fee MLS listing services typically don’t include broker assistance, meaning you’ll largely be left on your own to manage the pricing, marketing, and negotiations. While some premium plans do include broker assistance, the cost often makes them poor value for money. If you do need broker assistance, you’re better off getting a discount real estate broker.
How much do they cost?
Flat fee MLS listing companies in Texas can cost anywhere from less than $100 to over $1,000, with most falling in the $200-300 range for an MLS listing and a couple free services, like disclosure forms and yard signs. Typically, the cheaper the plan, the less that’s included. And you may have to pay extra for important items, such as changes to your listing and lockboxes.
Alternatives
Sell FSBO without an MLS listing
The MLS is often the most effective way to get your home noticed, but it’s certainly not the only way. Here are other places where you can list your home for sale that aren’t on the MLS.
- List FSBO on Zillow: Zillow is the world’s largest real estate website and anybody can list on it for free. There is a catch though: if you don’t have a real estate agent, your listing will be relegated to a separate and much harder to find section of the site. So, while you’ll technically be on Zillow, most potential buyers on the site will likely never see your listing.
- Sell your house on Craigslist: While not as popular as it used to be, Craigslist still attracts a large audience and is completely free to list your house on. Beware, however, that it tends to attract a lot of scammers. And the serious buyers who are on the platform are often investors who are looking for a good deal, so they may try to aggressively bargain you down on the sale price.
- Use another free FSBO site: Aside from Zillow and Craigslist, other websites like Forsalebyowner.com and Facebook Marketplace also let you list your house for free. However, these sites won’t get you on the MLS, which will severely limit the number of potential buyers who will actually see your listing.
Flat fee real estate agents
While most real estate agents work for a percentage-based commission, some also work for a fixed dollar amount. If you choose to work with a flat fee real estate broker, we recommend one that offers full service. Limited or reduced service flat fee real estate agents will often leave you managing important and difficult steps of the home selling process yourself.
With a full service, flat fee real estate broker — like Clever or Houwzer — you’ll get all the services that you would get with a traditional realtor, but often at a much lower price. That way you can rest assured knowing that you’ll still have a realtor on your side helping you with marketing, negotiating, pricing, showings, and paperwork.
Discount real estate brokers
If you want to save money but you don’t want to deal with the hassle of trying to sell your house completely on your own, a discount real estate broker is the best alternative. Discount real estate brokers offer some or even all of the services a traditional realtor offers, but for less than the traditional 2-3% listing fee.
It’s important to research what each discount real estate broker gives you before deciding on one. Some offer limited service, whereas others offer the exact same services that a traditional realtor offers.
The best option for most people is Clever Real Estate, which negotiates 1.5% listing fees with top agents at traditional brokerages like Keller Williams and Berkshire Hathaway. You’ll save thousands on realtor fees; plus you still get to work with an experienced agent from a trusted brand.
FAQs
What is the best flat fee MLS listing provider in Texas?
Flat Fee By You is one of the best flat fee MLS providers in Texas because it can provide more services than most other companies while still maintaining affordable rates. However, it is only available in select areas, making it an option only for those in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. To learn more about other options, check out our complete guide to flat fee MLS services.
How much do flat fee MLS listings cost in Texas?
Texas Flat fee MLS listing services can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 for a basic package, while more comprehensive services can cost almost $1,400. Sellers looking for more dedicated support but that still want to save money should consider working with a local discount real estate company. Read more about the best discount real estate companies.
Are flat fee MLS companies in Texas worth it?
Flat fee MLS listing companies in Texas like Flat Fee By You and Creekview Realty are worth it if all you’re looking for is to list your property. However, properties sold without an agent often sell for less, which is why sellers that want to maximize profit prefer working with a discount agent. Learn more about the best 1% commission realtors.
What is a flat fee MLS company?
A flat fee MLS listing service allows you to get your property listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) without hiring a traditional real estate agent.
It's far cheaper to use a flat fee MLS service than to hire a full-service agent. However, you will get limited or no assistance during the sales process so you need to be prepared to handle all of the steps of the transaction on your own.
How do I tell if a flat fee MLS company is legit?
The best way to tell if a flat fee MLS company is legitimate is to carefully read the fine print of their contract. If there are many hidden fees the company doesn’t clearly disclose, this is a big red flag. You could end up paying more than expected, and the company’s attempts to obscure the true costs suggest they have poor business practices.
Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with flat fee MLS?
Sellers have a choice about how much commission to offer a buyer’s agent. Generally, sellers offer between 2.5% and 3%. Even as a FSBO seller, you probably want to offer a competitive buyer's agent commission as an incentive for agents to bring their buyers to see your property.
Can I use a real estate agent to help me with my listing?
Yes, a real estate agent is the ideal person to help with your listing. With a realtor you can get your listing on the MLS, which will greatly increase the number of potential buyers it will reach. While you will have to pay realtor fees, in exchange you’ll get someone who will take care of your listing, as well as marketing, showings, pricing, negotiations, and paperwork. You can get matched with a realtor for only a fraction of the price that traditional realtors charge through our friends at Clever Real Estate. Read more about how Clever can help you find a realtor.
Are pocket listings illegal in Texas?
No, pocket listings — also known as off-market listings — are legal in Texas. However, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) requires its members to add listings to the MLS within one day of marketing it to the public, such as through a yard sign or social media post. While most realtors are NAR members, not all are and even those who are can still share pocket listings among realtors at their own brokerage.
Is MLS more accurate than Zillow?
The MLS is syndicated to Zillow, so there is rarely much difference between the two. However, getting on the MLS is more advantageous than only listing on Zillow, since your MLS listing will get reposted to not just Zillow, but to most of the major real estate websites, like Redfin and Realtor.com. Plus, when you post for sale by owner (FSBO) on Zillow, your listing gets relegated to a hard-to-find section of the site. So having your house on the MLS — which will get it reposted to the main section of Zillow — will help you reach a lot more potential buyers. Learn more about listing FSBO on Zillow.
What is included in a Texas flat fee MLS listing?
The specific services and items included in your Texas flat fee MLS listing will depend on which company you use. At a minimum, you’ll typically get a listing of at least six months with a six-photo limit. Many companies offer packages with longer listing terms and higher photo limits. Some companies also offer pricing assistance, yard signs, listing changes, and lockboxes for free, while others charge extra for them. Learn more about what you get from a Texas flat fee MLS service.
Methodology
Our team of researchers and mystery shoppers spent weeks looking into various Texas flat fee MLS listing companies to find the best ones for you. In coming up with our rankings, we considered price and the range of services offered as the most important factors. However, we also took into account other factors, like the number of areas served, customer service, and customer reviews. We update our reviews on a regular basis to ensure they are providing you with the most up to date information.
More ways to save on realtor fees
Low Commission Real Estate Agents: Trying to save money on your next real estate transaction? Check out our rankings of the top real estate agents and companies that offer low commission fees.
2% Real Estate Commission Companies: Compared to the 3% listing fee that realtors typically charge, a 2% commission can net you some serious savings. We rank the best 2% commission companies that can help you keep more money in your pocket.
Top 12 Best For Sale By Owner Websites: If you want to go it alone, selling for sale by owner (FSBO) can save you a lot in fees. We take a look at the top FSBO websites, including their benefits and red flags to watch out for.
Negotiating Realtor Fees: 5 Tips to Lower Commission: Realtor fees aren’t set in stone. Check out some of the best strategies for negotiating realtor fees down while still getting full service from your agent.
More Texas home selling guides
How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Texas: Thinking about selling your house for sale by owner in Texas? Find out how to do it, as well as the costs, regulations, and alternatives.
Top 5 We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Texas: We buy houses for cash companies can help you sell fast, but not all are created equal. Make the most informed decision with our rankings of the top 5 we buy houses for cash companies in Texas.
Realtor Fees in Texas: Wondering what average realtor commission is in Texas? We break down typical real estate agent fees for buyers and sellers — and we look at how you can save money on realtor fees on your next real estate transaction.
The True Cost to Sell a House in Texas: From realtor fees to closing costs, there are a lot of expenses to keep track of when selling a house in Texas. In this article we break down what the true cost to sell in Texas is so you can be better prepared.
Steps to Selling a Home in Texas: Selling a house is a lot of work. Whether you’re planning to sell with a realtor or do most of the work yourself, we take you step by step through the process of selling a house in Texas.
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