Best flat fee MLS listing services for Washington State | Should you use a flat fee MLS listing service? | What's included with a flat fee MLS listing | Typical pricing | Top alternatives | FAQ
If you're selling for sale by owner (FSBO) in Washington State, a flat fee MLS listing service can post your home on the MLS for a one-time fee starting around $100. You'll get the same basic visibility as you would selling with a realtor, without having to pay a 2.5–3% commission to a listing agent.
The downside is that you have to do most of the work yourself — which is often a lot more than first-time FSBO sellers realize.
Additionally, FSBO homes sell for an average of 6% less than comparable homes sold with an agent. So you need to weigh the commission savings against the potential profit loss — especially since you still need to pay a buyer's agent if your buyer uses a realtor.
Should you use a flat fee MLS service?
Using a flat fee MLS service instead of a real estate agent can save you thousands in realtor commission. But you'll work hard to earn those savings by doing the tasks a realtor normally does.
Here are the pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS service:
Pros
- Commission savings. You pay a few hundred dollars to a brokerage instead of a 2–3% commission to a listing agent.
- Control over the sale. Because you’re selling without a realtor, you have direct control over pricing, presentation, and negotiations.
- Pay-per-service. Many flat fee MLS companies offer multiple service packages and add-ons (such as a lockbox or help reviewing offers) so you can pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Lower sale price. FSBO homes generally sell for less than homes sold with an agent. In 2022, the median sale price for FSBO listings was $225,000, compared to $345,000 for agent listings.
- Missed leads. MLS rules prevent your contact info from being posted to public sites like Zillow. Unless your MLS package comes with automated lead forwarding, buyers have to go through your broker, who may be slow to respond.
- Hidden costs. Flat fee MLS companies often charge fees for their most valuable add-ons. And in most cases, you should still expect to offer seller concessions to help the buyer cover some costs.
If you’re on the fence about selling FSBO but still want to save, we recommend using an alternative like Real Estate Witch. We can connect you with top local agents who offer a 1.5% listing commission through its network. You’ll still save thousands, but you’ll have a full-service realtor by your side.
If you decide a flat fee MLS listing is right for you, Washington State has plenty of decent listing services to choose from. We've compiled a list of regional and nationwide companies that offer good value at various price points.
Best flat fee MLS listing services in Washington State: Quick view
What is a flat fee MLS listing?
A flat fee MLS listing allows sellers without a realtor to post their home on the local multiple listing service (MLS), the main online database where realtors list their clients’ homes for sale and find available listings for buyers.
Once on the MLS, property listings get syndicated to popular home buying websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. If your home isn’t listed on the MLS, most buyers won’t even know it’s an option — so it's pretty much a necessity.
While you'd normally hire a realtor to handle your listing, since only licensed real estate professionals can access the MLS, a flat fee MLS service provides a low-cost workaround. With this type of brokerage, you get a legal MLS listing through a licensed broker without having to pay for the other services a realtor typically provides.
What's included with a flat fee MLS listing?
At minimum, a flat fee MLS listing package should include an MLS listing with photos, syndication to real estate sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, and a way to receive leads from buyers and buyers' agents.
Higher-priced service packages tend to offer more assistance with the sale, which you might need if you're not as experienced. For example, Unreal Estate in Washington State offers a 30-minute broker form review as an optional add-on. For 1.5% of the sales price, MLS4owners.com offers agent support with pricing, offers, negotiations, and closing paperwork.
However, if you're considering spending thousands of dollars on a flat fee MLS service, you're probably better off hiring a low commission realtor who knows the local market and can provide hands on support for similar savings.
How much do flat fee MLS services cost?
In Washington State, the flat fee MLS listing services we reviewed have entry-level packages ranging from $95 to $329. Most of these basic packages come standard with 6–25 photos and a 3–12 month listing term.
Many flat fee MLS companies in Washington also have higher-tier packages ranging from $399 to $795. The packages include extra services like contract review and virtual broker assistance.
Typically, the cheaper the plan, the less that’s included. And you often have to pay extra for useful features, such as lock boxes, additional photos, and unlimited changes to your listing. For example, MLS4owners.com offers only 6 photos with its basic plan and charges $20 for each additional photo you want to add to your listing, plus $25 for each listing change.
How do flat fee MLS services work?
Most flat fee MLS listing services follow the same basic steps. To get an MLS listing, you can:
- Visit the company website and choose a service package.
- Place an order online or over the phone.
- Fill out forms with your home's information and submit photos.
For basic MLS listings, that's pretty much it! If your service package includes additional features like a lawn sign, lockbox, or professional photography, you'll coordinate with the company to pick up items or schedule a photo shoot.
Once the company lists your home on the MLS, a broker will likely manage your listing and forward buyer leads to you.
Best flat fee MLS listing services in Washington State: Full breakdown
About our rankings
To find the best flat fee MLS services in each state, we spent dozens of hours researching companies across the country. Our research process involved:
- Investigating more than 140 local flat fee MLS services to ensure our information about service packages, cost, and contract terms is up to date
- Mystery shopping over 20 flat fee MLS companies to gain insight into the consumer's experience
- Interviewing sellers and real estate agents who have experience with flat fee MLS services
- Combing through Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and Facebook reviews for each business
- Browsing user forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets for additional perspectives
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
List4FlatFee.com offers one MLS listing plan that includes key basic features, such as a six-month listing term, up to 40 photos, and unlimited listing changes. This no-frills package may work best for experienced sellers.
You can add agent support to the plan for an additional 1.5% at closing.
Online reviews are very positive for the company's broker, Stacie Whitfield. Reviewers report professional customer service and an easy listing process.
You can cancel at anytime, but there are no refunds.
Pros
- The plan includes a six–month listing term and 40 photos, which should be enough for most homes.
- Online reviews are positive.
- All buyer leads are forwarded to your email.
Cons
- Agent support costs 1.5% at closing.
- Less-experienced sellers may need more help than the plan provides.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
MLS4Owners.com offers four plans to fit different sellers’ needs. The entry-level plan includes only six photos and a three-month listing term, which may not be enough for some properties.
You can get agent support through the Virtual Broker plan or as an add-on. Either way, that support costs 0.5% at closing in addition to the up-front flat fee.
The number of online reviews is limited, but they're positive. Reviewers describe the broker as prompt, professional, and courteous.
There are no hidden fees, and you can cancel anytime.
Pros
- All plans include a market trends report, flyers, state disclosures, and standard purchase agreements.
- Buyer leads are forwarded directly to you.
Cons
- A lockbox is only available as an add-on.
- The cost of the virtual broker service can be expensive, depending on your selling price.
- With the MLS Entry plan, you have to pay for listing changes and additional photos.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Washington Flat Fee MLS has three plans that focus just on the MLS listing. It doesn't offer additional marketing, agent support, or add-ons like other companies. The only difference between plans listed is the number of photos and the number of sites your listing is syndicated to.
WashingtonMLSFlatFee.com is a site by ByOwnerFlatMLS.com. While there are no reviews for Washington Flat Fee MLS specifically, there are some positive reviews for its parent site.
You can cancel only before your property is listed on the MLS.
Pros
- The company offers cheap bare-bones plans, which may appeal to some experienced sellers.
- All plans include state documents and forms.
- Customer reviews are positive.
Cons
- The company doesn't offer any add-ons for features like lockboxes, yard signs, ShowingTime, or agent support.
- The Silver and Solid Gold plans differ only in the number of sites your listing is syndicated to.
- The entry-level plan includes only six photos.
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Flat Fee Group is a nationwide company that matches you with a local listing broker. In Washington State, your listing broker is Chris Nye of MLS4owners.com. If you use Flat Fee Group in Washington, the plans are slightly different than if you used MLS4owners.com directly. Differences include pricing, number of photos, and available add-ons.
The affordable entry-level plan is best for experienced sellers with a property that will likely sell fast. Most sellers will need the longer listing term and higher photo allowance included with other plans. Sellers needing agent support can add virtual broker assistance to their plan for a 0.5% fee at closing.
The website can be misleading about what's included with each plan. We recommend contacting the company directly to know exactly what it offers.
The number of customer reviews for Chris Nye is limited, but they're generally positive. Reviewers indicate that he’s professional and easy to work with.
You can cancel anytime as long as you’re not under contract.
Pros
- The company offers an affordable MLS Entry plan that may work well for experienced FSBO sellers.
- All plans include phone and email support.
Cons
- The MLS Entry plan includes only eight photos and a three–month listing, which may not be enough in slower selling markets.
- The website can be misleading and what's included with each plan.
Listing Fee
Overview
Availability
Houzeo is a nationwide flat fee MLS company designed primarily for For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers. With an impressive average customer rating of 4.9/5 across thousands of reviews, Houzeo stands out as a prominent player in the industry. It provides an easy-to-use online dashboard, simplifying the management of property listings for sellers.
However, it's important to note that its fees are often higher than some competitors, especially when additional services are required. Service quality can vary based on the partner agent assigned to the customer, potentially leading to inconsistent experiences. Additionally, Houzeo's refund policy is considered restrictive by some customers.
One of Houzeo's key strengths is its nationwide presence, allowing sellers to list their homes on the MLS, a crucial database used by real estate professionals. This significantly enhances the chances of finding a buyer. The company offers various pricing packages with different levels of support and services, but pricing and availability can vary by location.
Pros
- User-friendly online dashboard
- Positive reviews of its customer service
- Extra services available, including contract reviews and professional showings (for a fee)
Cons
- High fees for some services
- Varied service quality
- Restrictive refund policy
Listing Fee
Overview
Service packages
Availability
Unreal Estate is a nationwide flat fee MLS service with a wide range of plans and good reviews. Notably, Unreal Estate offers a Starter package with no up-front costs — you just pay 0.5% at closing.
But the company’s two top-tier plans offer the best overall value. You get a higher photo limit, phone support, and lead forwarding.
Unreal Estate’s pricing includes a flat fee plus 0.5% at closing. However, we have an exclusive agreement with Unreal Estate. The company drops the 0.5% charge on most plans when you use code “Clever,” so you get a flat rate of $99–450 no matter how much your home sells for.
Pros
- Offers three affordable options
- No upfront cost with the Starter package
Cons
- Cancellation fee for the Starter package
- Phone support limited to higher-priced plans
Listing Fee
Overview
Service package
Availability
Flat Fee Realty offers one MLS listing plan that may work best for experienced sellers. You get basic features like a six-month listing term and unlimited listing changes. If you want more than six photos, you'll have to purchase the $50 upgrade.
Flat Fee Realty partners with experienced brokers in Washington State. You may want to request speaking with the local broker first to make sure they're a good fit.
You can cancel anytime. The company will give you a full refund (minus a $10 credit card processing fee) within 30 days of purchase as long as your property hasn't been listed yet.
Pros
- The company offers an affordable basic plan for experienced sellers.
- You get unlimited listing changes and state-required disclosures.
Cons
- The plan includes only six photos.
- You have to offer at least 2% to the buyer's agent.
Top alternatives to flat fee MLS listing services in Washington State
Discount real estate brokers | FSBO without the MLS | Flat fee real estate agents
Sell with a discount real estate broker
Top discount brokers provide the same services as traditional real estate agents — but for a 1–2% commission instead of the typical 3%.
With this type of company, a local agent will list your home on the MLS and provide the localized expertise to help you sell for your asking price. You won't have to worry about doing all the work of selling your home yourself like you would if you sold FSBO.
Sell FSBO without an MLS listing
It's possible to sell a home without using an agent or listing on the MLS, especially if you already have a buyer lined up. But if you need to drum up interest in your home, you'll need to look for creative ways to market it.
Get started by listing your home on free FSBO listing websites like:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- ForSaleByOwner.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
You'll also need to familiarize yourself with Washington's real estate laws and FSBO paperwork requirements.
» LEARN MORE: How to sell without a realtor in Washington
Sell with a flat fee real estate agent
Flat fee real estate agents work for a flat rate instead of the standard 3% commission most listing agents charge.
Flat fee agents can provide great savings. For example, if you're selling a $500,000 house, a flat fee agent may charge you a set $5,000 fee instead of 3%, which would be $15,000.
But it's important to research the brokerage before signing a contract. Many flat fee brokerages claim to provide full service, but they may actually cut corners on service to meet their price point.
To make sure you have the right realtor before committing, try a free service like Real Estate Witch. We give you the opportunity to interview multiple full-service agents until you find the right fit. All of our agents offer a flat fee of $3,000 on homes less than $200,000 and just 1.5% commission for homes above $200,000.
FAQ about flat fee MLS listings
What is the best flat fee MLS company in Washington State?
In Washington, we recommend Unreal Estate for its affordable prices, List4FlatFee.com for its high-quality of customer service, and MLS4owners.com for its broker support. Learn more about other flat fee MLS companies in Washington.
Do I have to pay a buyer's agent commission with a flat fee MLS company?
You should expect to offer a 23% concession to help the buyer pay their real estate agent. This isn't mandatory, but it may help make your home more affordable for buyers.
How do I get access to the MLS in Washington State?
You can get on the MLS in Washington by either hiring a listing agent or using a flat fee MLS service. You can't post on the MLS yourself, since only licensed real estate agents can access the MLS.
What is a flat fee in real estate?
A flat fee is a one-time fee paid to a real estate agent or MLS service instead of a commission. Most real estate agents charge a commission of 2.53% of the home's sale price. Some agents work for flat fees starting at $3,000, but they may limit the level of service they provide.
More ways to save on realtor fees
Top 10 Low Commission Real Estate Agents and Companies: We’ve done a lot of the research for you. Discover the best low commission real estate agents and companies to help you save on your home sale.
Top 2% Real Estate Commission Companies: A 2% real estate commission can save you a lot of money on your home sale compared to a traditional commission. Check out our handpicked list of top 2 percent commission realtors.
How to Sell Your House without a Realtor: In this guide, we cover the steps to selling without a realtor, plus the pros, cons, and costs.
More Washington home selling guides
How to Sell a House without a Realtor in Washington: Selling FSBO means saving on realtor commission, but there's plenty of work you'll need to do to earn those savings. Learn about required paperwork, state laws, costs, and more.
Average Real Estate Commission in Washington: Even if you decide to sell without a realtor, it’s still a good idea to offer a buyer’s agent commission. Learn how much this could cost you.
Top "We Buy Houses" Companies in Washington: "We buy houses" companies offer to buy homes quickly, even if they’re in poor condition. If you need to sell fast, find out if one of these agencies can help.