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December 28, 2022 by Thomas O'Shaughnessy Leave a Comment

Top 5 Washington Flat Fee MLS Listing Services

Washington flat fee MLS listing services

Top Washington flat fee MLS listing services | Who should get a flat fee MLS listing? | How these services work | Typical pricing | Top alternatives | FAQs

Note: When you work with one of our partners, we may earn a small referral fee. Learn more about our editorial policy and how we make money.

Thinking about selling your home without a realtor? A Washington flat fee MLS listing company posts your home to the multiple listing service (MLS), allowing you to get your listing in front of more potential buyers.

Usually, for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers can’t post to the MLS: only licensed realtors are allowed to access it. But a Washington flat fee MLS listing company can list your home for about $75–$400, which is considerably less than it costs to hire a real estate agent. Realtors generally charge an average of 3% of the home’s sale price to represent you.

But while the savings are real, there are plenty of drawbacks to working with a flat fee MLS Washington company. Unlike traditional realtors, flat fee MLS companies won’t help you navigate your home sale. You’ll need to set a listing price for your home and manage showings, negotiations, contracts, and paperwork on your own.

You’ll also have to pay the flat fee MLS company upfront, and you won’t receive a refund if your home doesn’t sell. Traditional Washington realtors charge their fee only after your home sells.

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 Washington 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!

Quick view: Top 5 Washington flat fee MLS listing services

CompanyListing fee
FlatList.com$299
Congress Realty$299–$499
Houzeo$299–$449
MLS4Owners$75–$495
ISoldMyHouse.com$299–$399

Who are Washington 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 certain you can manage almost every aspect of the sale on your own.

If you decide to list your house for sale by owner (FSBO), it’s wise to invest in a basic flat fee MLS listing. With your home listed on the MLS, many potential buyers will see it.

Just be sure you’re ready for such a big time and work commitment. The burden of many tasks — including pricing, listing descriptions, photography, marketing, showings, and negotiations — will be on your shoulders. And keep in mind that while you won’t have to pay a listing agent, you’ll still need to pay the buyer’s agent, likely 2%–3% commission.

The average Washington home seller should consider these alternatives instead: working with a flat fee real estate agent or finding a discount realtor who has lower listing fees for the same services as a typical realtor. These options still offer significant savings while helping you through parts of the selling process that would be stressful to handle on your own.

Top 5 Washington flat fee MLS listing services

🏆 About our rankings: Our team of real estate experts spent hundreds of hours researching flat fee MLS companies in Washington and across the U.S. to find the five best options in every state. Our flat fee MLS Washington rankings include considerations like pricing, services, hidden fees, customer reviews, and availability.

1. FlatList.com

Best for hard-to-sell homes
FlatList.com logo

FlatList.com

Learn more
  • Listing fee: $299

FlatList.com offers an affordable package with a one-year MLS listing term, making it a good choice for those who think their property may take longer to sell. However, the package doesn’t include broker assistance or pricing support.

Pros

  • FlatList.com’s package comes with a one-year listing term, which is the longest compared to competitors.
  • The flat fee MLS listing package is affordable and covers the basics.

Cons

  • The option to add broker assistance is pricey.
  • There’s no additional pricing support.

FlatList.com offers flat fee MLS listings statewide in Washington.

321 9th St., Leavenworth, WA 98826
(877) 270-3726
wahomes@flatlist.com
https://www.flatlist.com/default.asp.pg-WashingtonMLS299

If you’re selling your house without a realtor in Washington state but think it might take a while to sell, FlatList.com could be a good choice.

The company offers an affordable flat fee MLS listing package ($299), and it keeps your listing on the MLS for one year, which is about twice as long as other companies offer at this price point. The package also includes 25 photos, free and unlimited listing changes, and a few extras like a for-sale sign and state disclosure forms.

The main drawback to FlatList.com is that its basic package doesn’t include any broker assistance or support. In other words, you’ll need to set a listing price, market your home, and navigate contracts on your own. The company does offer a broker assistance add-on, but it’s extremely pricey compared to other options.

2. Congress Realty

Best for pricing assistance
Congress Realty logo

Congress Realty

Learn more
  • Listing fee: $299–$499

Congress Realty offers a free comparative market analysis with their basic flat fee MLS listing package, making it a good choice for those who want assistance setting a listing price for their home.

Pros

  • All of Congress Realty’s packages include a free comparative market analysis to help you set a listing price.
  • The MLS listing plus package is competitively priced and includes everything most sellers need to sell their home.

Cons

  • Congress Realty offers only short, six-month listing terms even with upgraded packages.
  • The company’s basic package comes with just six photos.

Congress Realty offers flat fee MLS listings statewide in Washington.

15849 N 71st St. #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(800) 657-6579
Contact Us page
https://congressrealty.com/

If you’re set on selling for sale by owner but think you might need extra support setting a listing price, Congress Realty is a good option.

Congress Realty offers four different MLS listing packages, but the $399 MLS listing plus is the one that most sellers should consider. It includes essential services like a six-month MLS listing term, the maximum number of photos allowed by the MLS (usually 36), and 10 free MLS changes. It also includes a free comparative market analysis (CMA) upon request to help you set a listing price; most companies charge extra for this service or don’t offer it at all.

Congress Realty’s cheaper option — the $299 basic package — includes the same range of services as the MLS listing plus. However, it includes just six photos, which won’t be enough for most homeowners to display their properties in a listing.

3. Houzeo

Cheap service, surprise fees
Houzeo logo

Houzeo

Learn more
  • Listing fee: $299–$449

Houzeo offers very cheap rates for flat fee MLS listings and many à 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

  • Houzeo’s cheapest plan is affordable if you won’t need to update your listing or post more than six photos.
  • Houzeo’s mid-range silver plan offers the basics.

Cons

  • The company charges high fees for services that are free with other MLS listing companies.
  • Premium plans are much more expensive than comparable options from competitors.

Houzeo offers flat fee MLS listings statewide in Washington.

349-L Copperfield Blvd. #225, Concord, NC 28025
(844) 448-0110
support@houzeo.com
https://www.houzeo.com/flat-fee-mls/washington

Houzeo offers several listing packages. The $349 silver package that most home sellers should consider is competitively priced compared to similar offerings from other Washington flat fee companies.

Houzeo’s silver package covers the basics with a six-month MLS listing, unlimited listing updates, and 24 photos. However, it doesn’t come with any valuable extras like broker support or contract review. 

Houzeo does offer a full-service package for $499 upfront plus $550 at closing, but your contact with the broker will be virtual. If you need hands-on support from an agent throughout your sale, it’s better to go with a low commission realtor.

Houzeo also offers a cheaper option (a $329 bronze package), but it isn’t worth it for most home sellers. The bronze package keeps your listing on the MLS for just three months; most other companies offer a six-month term. You’re also limited to six photos, which isn’t enough to truly show off your home in your listing.

4. MLS4Owners

Most affordable option
MLS4Owners logo

MLS4Owners

Learn more
  • Listing fee: $75–$495

MLS4Owners offers more affordable packages than many Washington flat fee MLS listing companies, making it a good choice for sellers on a tight budget. But services that are free with other companies — like additional photos and listing changes — can incur significant charges with MLS4owners.

Pros

  • The MLS entry package is the most affordable option in Washington.
  • All of the company’s MLS listing packages include a free comparative market analysis to help you set a listing price.

Cons

  • The MLS entry package offers a limited four-month listing term that might not be enough time for your property to sell.
  • The entry and gold packages include limited photos and require $20 for each additional photo.

MLS4Owners offers flat fee MLS listings statewide in Washington.

3616 Tahoma Place, West University Place, WA 98466
(253) 460-1900
sales@mls4owners.com
https://mls4owners.com/

If you’re selling a small or vacant property that you think will sell quickly, MLS4Owners could be a good option. 

MLS4Owners is owned by Flat Fee Group, and its $75 MLS entry package is by far the most affordable option in Washington. The bare-bones package keeps your MLS listing active for four months, and it includes eight photos and a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set a listing price.

However, most sellers need more photos and a longer listing term to sell their properties. You can pay an additional $20 per photo or upgrade to the MLS4Owners’s gold package, which covers the basics with a six-month listing term and 16 photos.

You won’t have a real estate agent to help navigate the selling process unless you pay for the company’s virtual broker service. The service is competitively priced compared to other multiple listing service Washington state options, but the broker is only there to coach you: you’ll still be responsible for doing the work yourself.

5. ISoldMyHouse.com

Best for DIY sellers
ISoldMyHouse.com logo

ISoldMyHouse.com

Learn more
  • Listing fee: $299–$399

ISoldMyHouse.com offers basic flat fee MLS listing packages that are competitively priced, making it a good choice for those who want a straightforward, no-frills package. However, you won’t be able to opt for extras like negotiation or closing support.

Pros

  • Service is easy to use for most sellers.
  • Flat fee MLS listing packages are competitively priced.

Cons

  • ISoldMyHouse.com doesn’t offer refunds if you change your mind.
  • MLS listing packages don’t include any pricing assistance or broker support.

ISoldMyHouse.com offers flat fee MLS listings statewide in Washington.

935 Main Street B3, Manchester, CT 06040
Contact Us page
https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/flat-fee-mls/washington/

If you’re comfortable navigating the home sale process completely on your own, ISoldMyHouse.com may be the right choice. It offers straightforward packages that are competitively priced.

ISoldMyHouse.com’s Get Sold package ($399) comes with a six-month MLS listing, 25 photos, an open house scheduler, and online customer support.

The Get Listed package ($299) is cheaper and also keeps your listing on the MLS for six months, but it includes only six photos. You might be able to get away with this if you’re selling vacant land or a small property that doesn’t need a lot of pictures to show it off — but most home sellers should spring for additional photos.

The biggest downside to ISoldMyHouse.com is that the company doesn’t provide any broker support with pricing, paperwork, negotiations, or closing. But the brand has many positive reviews from past customers, making it a good option for sellers who are experienced enough to handle most of the sale on their own.

How do flat fee MLS listing services in Washington work?

Washington 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 with a Washington flat fee MLS listing?

Most Washington flat fee MLS listing companies offer a basic package that includes a six-month MLS listing and 24–36 photos — although a handful of companies offer only a three-month listing term and as few as six photos.

In most cases, when you work with a flat fee MLS listing company, you’ll need to navigate your sale without the help of a real estate agent. This means you’ll be responsible for pricing, marketing, negotiations, paperwork, and closing. For phone or email support from an agent, you generally need to purchase an expensive premium plan.

If you’re not comfortable managing the sales process on your own, consider working with a low commission real estate brokerage. These companies offer hands-on service while charging lower fees than a traditional realtor.

How much do Washington flat fee MLS listings cost?

Flat fee MLS Washington state companies charge a set rate of anywhere from $75 to over $1,249, with most packages falling in the $300–$400 range for a basic six-month MLS listing.

Most multiple listing service companies in Washington state allow you to make at least 5–10 free changes to your listing, and some provide unlimited listing changes. One exception is MLS4Owners, which charges $50 for listing updates. Houzeo also charges $25 for each listing update when you purchase the bronze package.

Many companies offer a full-service option with extra benefits such as virtual assistance from a broker, pricing, and support with contracts and negotiations. However, these services are usually expensive and not worth the price, ranging from $980 to over $1,250.

For example, FlatList.com charges an upfront fee of $299 for its full-service package, with an additional fee of either $950 or 1% of the final sale price at closing — depending on whether the buyer has their own agent. If you need a licensed real estate agent to support you with the sales process, it’s better to work with a 1% commission realtor who charges zero upfront fees and offers higher-quality service.

Top Washington flat fee MLS alternatives

Sell FSBO without an MLS listing

While effective, the MLS isn’t the only way to get your home noticed. If you want to keep your home selling costs even lower, try these alternative ways to list your home:

  • List FSBO on Zillow: Zillow is a major real estate platform that lets you list your home for free. But if you don’t have a realtor, your listing goes on a separate part of the website that’s harder to find. So even though you’ll have a listing on Zillow, most potential buyers won’t see it.
  • List on Craigslist: Craigslist might not be as popular as it once was, but it still has a large audience. You can list your house using the platform for free, but you might have to wade through scammers and investors who will lowball you.
  • List on another FSBO website: Websites like Forsalebyowner.com and Facebook Marketplace let you list your house for free, but your listing won’t get as many views as it would on the MLS.

Flat fee real estate agents

Traditionally, realtors take home a percentage-based commission, but some flat fee real estate brokers accept a fixed dollar amount instead. If your home sells at a higher price point, you could save a lot of money with a rate that stays the same no matter what your house sells for.

Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell are two flat fee real estate companies that offer services in Washington state. Both companies offer a decent combination of savings and services, but both also operate as franchises, meaning the quality of service varies by location.

If you decide to work with a flat fee real estate broker, we suggest finding one that offers services similar to what a traditional realtor provides. Real estate agents with limited services might require you to manage important steps of the home selling process yourself, which could be challenging if you’re not an experienced seller.

Other discount real estate brokers

Flat fee real estate agents can be a good option for higher-priced homes, but sellers should also consider working with a discount real estate broker that charges percentage-based rates.

It’s important to research what each discount real estate broker gives you before deciding on one. The top discount brands charge listing fees as low as 2% (or less!), while still offering the exact same services as a traditional realtor. But some brands have service tradeoffs that could negatively impact your sale.

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 about flat fee MLS listings in Washington

What is the best flat fee MLS listing service in Washington?

FlatList.com is the best flat fee MLS provider in Washington for those who have hard-to-sell homes, while Congress Realty is ideal for those who need pricing assistance. Both companies have their pros and cons, which is why it’s best to understand how such services work before making a decision. Look into our complete guide to flat fee MLS providers to learn more.

How much do flat fee MLS listings cost in Washington?

The cost of flat fee MLS Washington state services typically runs from $300 to $400, and additional à la carte services (like broker assistance) add another $1,000 to the bill. Inexperienced sellers may find such offerings lacking in terms of support, which is why local discount real estate companies are often a better choice. Check out the best low commission real estate companies near you to find out more.

Are seller disclosures required in Washington?

Yes, in most real estate transactions in Washington state, sellers are required to give an official disclosure statement to the buyer — unless the buyer waives their right to a disclosure form.

You must inform the buyer of any existing property damage, to the best of your knowledge. This includes things like structural damage, details about the sewage system, electrical failure, or roof damage.

If you're working with a flat fee MLS listing company in Washington, ask the company in advance whether they will provide you with a seller disclosure form.

How do I tell if a flat fee MLS Washington company is legit?

The experiences of past customers can provide valuable insight into whether a flat fee MLS company is legitimate or not. Read reviews left by other clients who have used the same service and pay attention to common complaints or trends. If you see that many past sellers have had issues with a particular company, chances are you will too.

Are flat fee MLS companies in Washington worth it?

Washington flat fee MLS companies like FlatList.com and CongressRealty can be worth the money if you’re simply looking to get your property seen by as many buyers as possible.

However, selling without an agent often means lower sale prices — which is why many sellers will find better value by working with an experienced real estate agent who charges discounted listing fees. Learn more about 1% commission realtors and how they compare to flat fee MLS companies.

What is a flat fee MLS company?

A flat fee MLS company charges a set fee to list your home on the Washington multiple listing service. This database of properties is widely used by real estate agents, and online home search websites generate their lists of available properties from it.

Only real estate agents can list a property on the Multiple Listing Service Washington state, so if you don’t hire a listing agent, you’ll need to work with a flat fee MLS service if you want your property to be included.

Do you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission with a flat fee MLS company?

You should pay a commission to a buyer’s agent even if you list for sale by owner. Most home buyers are represented by agents, and those agents may steer their clients to other homes if you pay less than the standard commission. Plus, many MLSes require you to offer a buyer's agent commission. The only way to avoid paying is if you find a buyer without a real estate agent. Learn more about who pays realtor fees.

Methodology

Our team of real estate experts and mystery shoppers spent weeks looking into various flat fee MLS listing companies to find the best ones in Washington. 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 considerations, like the size of the company’s service area, customer service, and customer reviews. We update our real estate 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

Top 10 Low Commission Real Estate Agents + Companies: If you know you want to work with a low commission real estate company but don’t know where to start, check out our guide to the top 10 companies. For each company, we cover ratings, locations, and how much you could save.

How to Sell Your House Without a Realtor: Before deciding to sell for sale by owner (FSBO), carefully weigh the pros and cons. Although you’d be saving on realtor fees, your house would likely sell for less than it could with a realtor. We cover these factors and more in our guide to selling without a realtor.

Negotiating Realtor Fees | 5 Tips to Lower Commission: While the average total realtor commission is around 5%–6% nationwide, you could pay less than that by negotiating lower fees with your realtor. We give five tips that can help you approach the conversation intelligently and tactfully.

The Best 1% Commission Realtors + Brokerages: It’s possible to negotiate lower realtor fees on your own, but you have another option for getting a better price: working with a low commission agent. Some agents already offer a lower rate, even as low as 1%. We review which 1% commission brokerages to consider and which to avoid.

More Washington home selling guides

We Buy Houses in Washington | Top Companies: Sometimes sellers in difficult situations need to sell as quickly as possible. We Buy Houses companies offer a solution: they can make an offer within a week and close within two. But working with these companies isn’t for everyone. We share the risks and benefits and review the top options in Washington.

Realtor Fees in Washington: When planning a budget for your home sale, make sure to account for realtor fees. Read our guide to see the average total realtor commission in Washington and how you could get a lower rate.

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Washington: For sale by owner sellers undertake a lot of work. We review what responsibilities you’d take on if you choose to forgo a realtor so you can decide if the potential savings are worth the extra effort.

Cost to Sell a House in Washington: Preparing for a home sale in Washington? We cover what realtor fees and closing costs to expect so you won’t be caught off guard by unforeseen expenses.

Filed Under: Sell a House Without an Agent

About Thomas O'Shaughnessy

Tommy O’Shaughnessy is the Growth Product Manager at Clever Real Estate, a real estate education platform where buyers, sellers, and investors can learn how to make smarter financial decisions.

With previous experience working in real estate education at Veteran's United — a major VA lender — Tommy is an expert in home buying and mortgages. His work has been featured by CNBC, LA Times, Yahoo Finance, and Business Insider.

Education: BA Journalism, Magna Cum Laude — University of Missouri, Columbia Journalism School

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