Top Texas Flat-Fee MLS Companies | Best Bang for Your Buck | Best for Inexperienced Sellers | Best for Experienced Sellers | Other Alternatives | Frequently Asked Questions
In a traditional real estate sale, sellers pay around 6% in commission, which is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Some Texas homeowners opt to sell without a realtor to avoid that listing commission. But the savings come at a price, as you have to navigate the sale on your own.
Getting your property listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a key step of the process. Buyer’s agents use their local MLS to find properties for clients. Plus, most buyers indirectly rely on the MLS to look at houses, as online home search websites get their data from MLSes.
This makes listing your home on the MLS crucial to reaching the widest possible pool of buyers. However, homeowners can’t do that on their own.
A flat-fee MLS service allows you to put your home on the MLS without hiring an agent — and the fee is a fraction of what a real estate agent would charge. The quality of flat-fee services varies, though, so here are three top services to consider so you can find one that best meets your needs.
Not sure if selling without an agent is right for you? Our friends at Clever can connect you with a full-service agent and save you thousands. Find out more!
Top flat-fee MLS companies in Texas
🥇 Flat Fee By You: Best bang for your buck
🥈 Creekview Realty: Best for inexperienced sellers
🥉 Texas MLS Broker: Best for experienced sellers
| Flat Fee By You | Creekview Realty | Texas MLS Broker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $45-$295 | $600-$1,400 | $175-$399 |
| Number of Photos | 6 to Max Allowed | Varies | 10-50 photos |
| MLS Listing | 6 months | 6 months | 6-18 months |
| Pricing Assitance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Yard Sign | ✅ | ✅ | 💰 |
| Open Houses | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Not seeing a company you like? Check out the best nationwide flat-fee MLS companies!
🥇 Flat Fee By You: Best bang for your buck
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 comes recommended by sellers, investors, and landlords. Reviews of the company also say they offer great service and are quick to respond to sellers’ questions. However, Flat Fee By You only lists properties in the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio metro areas.
Flat Fee By You’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $45 | While this package is affordable, it only comes with 6 photos. However, it does include a comparable market analysis to help with pricing, so if you have a smaller home, it could still be a good option. |
| Best | $95 | Aside from professional photos, this package has almost everything you'll need to sell FSBO, including the max number of photos, showing scheduling services, and broker consultations. |
| Premium | $295 | This package is best if you're in a competitive market or have a house that's hard to photograph. It offers a professional photoshoot that will help your listing stand out. |
Other considerations about Flat Fee By You
- There’s no cancellation fee
- Only available in the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas
Flat Fee By You’s packages are comprehensive and significantly more affordable than the competition. Add to that their reputation for quality service, Flat Fee By You could be a great choice for almost any seller, including investors or landlords.
🥈 Creekview Realty: Best for inexperienced sellers
If you’re an inexperienced seller or know you’ll be facing a complicated sale, Creekview Realty could be a great option. Reviews from first-time sellers say Creekview Realty made the process stress-free and that the staff was responsive to their questions and concerns.
They also offer a package that includes contract review and negotiation support, which help you with the more difficult parts of selling a house. However, be prepared to pay more for that package.
Creekview Realty’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Plan A | $600 | This package includes most of what you'll need to sell your house. But considering its price, you can get the same services for less from other companies. |
| Plan B | $1,400 | While this package is more expensive, it includes almost all of the same services you'd receive from an agent. It's a great option if you need more support but still want to save some money. |
Other considerations about Creekview Realty
- The number of photos per package varies based on the size of the house and location. Be sure to contact Creekview Realty to determine how many will be included in your case.
If you’ve never sold a house before and need as much support as possible, Creekview has a proven track record. While its packages are more expensive, they could be worth it, especially if you want a stress-free experience.
🥉 Texas MLS Broker: Best for experienced seller
Texas MLS Broker offers affordable, no-frills packages that could be perfect for sellers who have been through the process before. The brokerage has been in business since 2010 and has experience working with sellers, home builders, investors, and landlords.
Plus, Texas MLS Broker is one of your only options if you need a shorter or longer listing term. Most other companies in Texas only have packages for six months, but Texas MLS Broker has listing terms of 4 to 12 months.
Texas MLS Broker’s packages
| Package | Price | Professional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $175 | Many sellers will find this package too limiting because it comes with just 10 photos. Still, it includes online broker support at a reasonable price. |
| Premium | $280 | This package will fit most sellers needs. Plus, it includes the max number of photos allowed, a longer listing term (6 months), and a comparative market analysis to help you price your home. |
| Showcase | $399 | Aside from a 12-month listing term, the big appeal of this package is the contract review and closing assist services. This can provide sellers continued support even after finding a buyer. |
Other considerations about Texas MLS Broker
- With the Showcase package, you can choose to pay $399 upfront or $899 at closing.
Texas MLS Broker is a great option if you know exactly what services you want. You can choose an affordable package and be confident you’re not paying for more than you need.
Alternatives to flat-fee MLS companies in Texas
If you don’t believe a flat-fee MLS company can meet all your needs when selling your home, there are other options in Texas. Here are two other options that could help you sell fast, with less stress, and for more money:
- Discount brokers: These brokerages offer the same services as a traditional agent but at a lower rate, typically 1% to 2%. However, you’ll still need to pay a typical buyer’s agent commission.
- iBuyers: If your home meets their requirements, an iBuyer can buy your house in a matter of days. However, they charge service fees (5% to 14%), are not available in all cities, and will not negotiate on the price of your house.
Want to save money selling your home, but want more support than a flat-fee MLS company will offer? We can’t recommend Clever Real Estate enough. Learn more about their agent-matching service and 1% commission (or $3,000 fee on homes under $350,000).
Don’t Want to Sell Your Home By Yourself?
Our friends at Clever Real Estate negotiate with top-performing agents so you don’t have to go it alone (and you can save thousands in fees).
FAQs about flat-fee MLS companies in Texas
What is a flat fee MLS company?
A flat-fee MLS 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.
You should also carefully read reviews left by past customers. If you identify a pattern of common issues, the same problems could affect your own sale.
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in Texas?
Prices vary for flat-fee MLS services in Texas. Some packages are as inexpensive as $45 while more inclusive packages can be more than $1,000. Entry-level packages generally offer little else besides listing your property, while some of the more expensive packages come with additional services such as contract reviews.
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.
To avoid commission entirely, you need to find a buyer who doesn’t have an agent or find a buyer willing to cover the commission costs for their own agent. This will be difficult, as most people have agents when buying a home, and they expect sellers to pay their fees which is standard practice.
Are seller disclosures required in Texas?
Texas law requires sellers to complete a Disclosure Notice. Sellers must provide information about known defects or malfunctions. They also must attest to whether the property has:
-Any prior structural or roof repairs
-Termite or wood rot damage that requires repair
-Previous termite damage
-Components containing asbestos
-Improper drainage
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