Zillow For Sale By Owner Fees: Cost Breakdown (2024)

Published February 5, 2024

Expert Verified

Written by Michael Warford
Edited by Jessica Johansen
Reviewed by Steve Nicastro

Looking to sell your house without a realtor? Listing a home for sale by owner (FSBO) on Zillow is free, but there’s a catch. The site greatly limits the number of buyers who will view your listing.

Here’s the challenge: without multiple listing service (MLS) access – the No. 1 source for sellers to list their homes for sale – your property remains hidden behind Zillow’s ‘By owner’ filter, reducing its exposure.¹

Also, pricing your home accurately can be challenging without the insights of a professional. Data reveals that homes sold with the help of agents typically fetch higher prices, even after accounting for commission fees.² This advantage often stems from a more precise listing price.

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How much are Zillow listing fees?

Zillow doesn’t charge FSBO sellers any listing fees.

However, a study by Clever Real Estate found that sellers with agents typically pocket nearly $50,000 more in profit than FSBO sellers.² Data from the National Association of Realtors paints a similar picture. In 2023, FSBO homes sold for around $100,000 less on average than agent-assisted sales.³

If you “save” 3% on real estate agent commission but sell your home for 10% below its true value, you’ll lose out on a lot of money, especially considering how much time and effort it takes to sell a house yourself.

That said, it might make sense to sell FSBO on Zillow if:

You’re selling in a red-hot sellers market
You have experience selling homes and know the process well
You’re a skilled negotiator

But even for experienced sellers, there are often safer and more profitable alternatives — like working with a low-commission real estate agent. This option allows you to get an agent’s expertise without the hefty price tag, so you can reduce risks and potentially boost your sale price.

» MORE: Top alternatives to selling FSBO on Zillow

Zillow rental listing fees

Zillow Rentals Network is a free platform where landlords can post listings and manage rental properties across Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads. Together, these sites get over 30 million visits per month and provide a lot of visibility for vacancy announcements.

The platform equips landlords with built-in screening features like background checks and income verification for prospective tenants. Owners can also create leases for e-signature and collect rent payments via direct deposit.

Basic rental listings are free. Zillow also offers premium ad packages for a one-time fee of $29.99 to further boost a listing’s visibility.

Pros and cons of selling FSBO on Zillow

Pros

It’s free to list for sale by owner on Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular home-buying website, with 60 million monthly visitors.
Zillow offers a free app for creating virtual home tours.

Cons

Zillow doesn’t automatically post your home on the MLS.
FSBO homes are harder for buyers to find on Zillow.
Zillow actively encourages buyers to use agents, so you may pay the buyer’s agent fee.
Your potential savings may not be worth the time and hassle. Most people who attempt selling FSBO end up listing with an agent or accepting less money for their home.

Zillow doesn’t give you MLS access

Listing your home FSBO on Zillow has some major drawbacks. Perhaps the biggest one is that your listing won’t automatically appear on the MLS, which means buyers and their agents will have a harder time finding it. Keep in mind that 86% of sellers list their homes on the MLS.¹

If you’re selling FSBO and don’t have a buyer yet, consider using a flat fee MLS listing service. These services charge a fixed fee to have a broker list your home on the MLS, increasing your listing’s visibility to potential buyers.

» What to know about flat fee MLS services

FSBO listings are hard for buyers to find

Zillow’s setup places FSBO sellers at a notable disadvantage.

When buyers search for homes on the site, the map’s default view only shows properties represented by real estate agents. To see FSBO properties, buyers must select the “By owner & other” filter. The button is easy to overlook, and many buyers don’t know it exists.

This reduced visibility can cause your FSBO listing to get less interest from buyers. That means your home may spend more time on the market, which could make it harder to get top dollar.

Zillow nudges buyers into using agents

When you list for sale by owner (FSBO) on Zillow, you may still need to pay the buyer’s agent commission.

While recent NAR settlement changes mean commissions are now negotiable between buyers and their agents before even listing a property for sale¹, sellers are still covering the buyer’s agent fee in many markets nationwide. Zillow also encourages buyers to work with agents by prominently featuring a “Contact Agent” button on each listing page.

To find your contact information, buyers must scroll to the bottom of the Overview section and click “Property Owner.” This link opens a form where the buyer can email you directly, but the link isn’t immediately noticeable.

Zillow’s design choices are tied to its revenue model. While listing FSBO on Zillow is free for you, Zillow earns money when it connects realtors with customers through the site.

Every time a potential buyer clicks “Contact Agent” on your listing, Zillow earns a fee. However, if a buyer contacts you directly, Zillow doesn’t profit.

How to list FSBO on Zillow

Price your listing | Edit your listing | Extend your listing | Cancel your listing

To learn how to list FSBO on Zillow, click “Get Started” for a visual guide or follow the written steps below:

Search for your home on Zillow.
In the Home value section, click “Unlock owner dashboard.” This opens the “Your home” page. If you recently bought your home, you may not see the “Unlock owner dashboard” option. Instead, click on the “More” button in the top right. From the drop-down menu, click “Claim ownership.”
Near the top of the page, click on the “LIST HOME” drop-down menu, and click “List for sale by owner.”
Create your FSBO listing by setting a price, entering contact information and details about your property, writing a listing description, adding photos and a 3D virtual tour, and scheduling one or more open houses.
Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click “Post for sale by owner” to submit your Zillow listing for review.
Zillow takes up to 72 hours to verify your listing. After verification, your listing will appear under the “Other listings” tab in the search results.

Your FSBO listing will remain active on Zillow for 90 days unless you cancel it. If your home doesn’t sell within 90 days, you can extend the listing from your owner dashboard.

How to price your property

Setting the right price is crucial when selling your home FSBO, but it can be tricky. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors found that sellers most want help with pricing and marketing from an agent.¹

If you set the price too low, you might lose out on potential profit. If you price too high, you may deter otherwise interested buyers.

Start by researching your local market to find recently sold homes like yours. Then consider whether your home has any unique features or issues that could affect its value.

Even if you’re leaning toward selling FSBO, it can be beneficial to consult with a few real estate agents for advice on pricing. Experienced realtors know the local market and can give you an objective assessment of what buyers might pay for a home like yours.

Most agents offer a comparative market analysis (CMA) for free. This analysis can be a valuable tool in setting your price, whether or not you choose to list with an agent.

» Find a top local realtor for a CMA

⚠️ Don’t rely on Zillow’s Zestimate

You should never price your home based only on the Zestimate (Zillow’s estimate of what your home is worth). Based on Zillow’s data, Zestimates for off-market homes have a median error rate of over 7%. On a $500,000 home, that’s a difference of more than $35,000!

That said, you still want your Zestimate to be as accurate as possible. Buyers can see your property’s listing price and Zestimate side by side. They may feel your home is overpriced if the listing price is a lot higher than the Zestimate.

» LEARN: How to update your Zestimate in 5 steps

How to edit your Zillow FSBO listing

To update your Zillow FSBO listing:

Log in to Zillow, and select your profile icon at the top-right corner of the homepage.
Select “Your home,” then “Edit listing.”
Make changes to your listing. You can edit the listing price, photos, videos, number of bedrooms, size, and more. If you want to add a 3D home tour, select “Add 3D home.”
Save your changes by selecting “Update For Sale By Owner” at the bottom of the page.

When you make changes via your Zillow dashboard, they appear almost immediately. However, if you make updates on the MLS, they can take up to 72 hours to show up on Zillow.

Avoid frequently changing your listing price, since it can deter potential buyers.

How to extend your Zillow FSBO listing

Zillow FSBO listings automatically remain active for 90 days. You can extend your listing for free for another 90 days by following these steps:

Log in to Zillow.
Click your profile icon at the top-right corner of the homepage.
Select “Your home.”
Select “More,” then choose “Extend listing.”
A prompt appears to confirm that you want to extend your listing. Click “Extend listing.”

You’ll receive a confirmation with a new expiration date. You can extend your listing as many times as you want.

How to cancel your Zillow FSBO listing

You can cancel your FSBO listing on Zillow anytime by following these steps:

Log in to Zillow.
Click your profile icon at the top-right corner of the homepage.
Select “Your home.”
Select “More,” then choose “Cancel listing.”
A prompt asks if you’re canceling the listing because your house has sold or because you no longer wish to sell it. Choose the appropriate response.
Select “Update Status” to confirm the cancellation of your listing.

Zillow reviews from FSBO sellers

Generally, FSBO sellers and other customers give Zillow poor reviews. On the review site Consumer Affairs, Zillow has a cumulative average of 1.1 out of 5 stars across 700+ reviews. On Trustpilot, Zillow has a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars across 300+ reviews.

After analyzing the reviews, we found these themes:

✅ Helpful features on the site: “Zillow presents a logical and statistical approach to posting real estate options. … The market trends, pricing and property descriptions offered by Zillow are superior to any I have reviewed in the past and would be invaluable to anyone looking to buy!” —Thomas, Consumer Affairs

❌ Incorrect information in the listing: “Zillow is not allowing us to edit the listing, and is showing inaccurate descriptions of our home. … I have tried emailing, calling for weeks now with no response. I even tried deleting our posting and paying for a brand new listing, but instead they just reposted the old, inaccurate details again.” —Laura, Consumer Affairs

❌ Inaccurate Zestimates: “Zillow’s estimate of my property is so far off the mark, it’s absurd. All they will say is ‘our computer does it and we leave it.’ They don’t investigate the hard information to see if their computer is completely wrong.” —Marci R., Trustpilot

❌ Pushy sales tactics: “Upon listing on Zillow, I was bombarded by realtors wanting to ‘help’ me or list the home. After getting over 300 calls, texts, and emails in only 12 days, I de-listed it.” —Sharron R., Trustpilot

❌ Hidden FSBO listings: “Zillow changed their format so the average person cannot find For Sale By Owners. You have to know to click on the ‘other listing’ box or you never see them. I can’t find anyplace easy to inform you of that. If you don’t want to list them just do away with the service, don’t make people feel like they are using a useful service.” —Mike C., Trustpilot

❌ Poor customer service: “Recently listed my home, which was priced by an experienced real estate agent. Zillow’s Zesitmate was over 100k less than the listing price, and I contacted them to address the issue. It’s been over two days, and still nobody has gotten back to me. I sent it again today, and still no response.” —Don C., Trustpilot

If you sell FSBO on Zillow, you can expect an easy listing process. But be prepared for numerous calls and emails from agents trying to steer you toward listing with them instead of selling on your own. This happens because Zillow sells data on FSBO sellers to its agents.

Some customers also complained about customer service and the fact that Zillow makes it harder for potential buyers to find FSBO listings.

Alternatives to selling FSBO on Zillow

Sell to a cash buyer

You might want to consider cash offers if you:

Have a home that requires extensive repairs
Have an inherited home in poor or outdated condition
Care more about selling quickly than getting the highest price

Cash buyers can make nearly instant offers and close within 7–14 days. They pay the full amount upfront, eliminating the need for financing. This process can significantly reduce your costs. However, cash buyers typically only pay up to 70% of a home’s value.

To get fair offers, try a free service like Clever Offers. You’ll get cash offers to compare from local and national investors, and a concierge will help you understand other options like seller financing. You’ll also get a professional home valuation, so you can compare the cash offers to your home’s market value.

Use a flat fee MLS company

Using a flat fee MLS service is the only way to list your home on the MLS without a real estate agent.

The MLS is the main database of homes for sale. Real estate agents use it to find homes for their clients, and it’s where many listings on Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and other sites come from.

Getting on the MLS is crucial for attracting buyers. Once on the MLS, your listing is included in Zillow’s main search results instead of the “hidden” FSBO section. This makes your property easier for buyers and agents to find.

Flat fee MLS companies vary in cost and level of service. Some post your listing for as little as $100, while others charge a higher fee for add-ons like lockboxes and agent consultations.

One catch is that your contact information won’t appear publicly. Instead, inquiries go to the listing broker. Before hiring a flat fee MLS company, ask how the broker will forward buyer inquiries to you. This detail can significantly impact your success with the listing.

» MORE: Everything you need to know about flat fee MLS services

List with a discount broker

Working with a discount real estate broker is often less risky than using a flat fee MLS service. These agents typically offer the same services as traditional realtors but at a significantly lower commission rate. They list your home on the MLS and provide comprehensive support throughout the selling process.

You can connect with discount agents through reputable, nationwide companies like Clever Real Estate.

FAQ

Can FSBO sellers list on Zillow?

Yes, FSBO sellers can list on Zillow. However, if you don’t have a realtor, your listing won't be displayed with agent listings. Instead, it’ll be in a section of Zillow that's harder to find. You’ll likely get far fewer potential buyers than if you list with an agent.

If you use a flat fee MLS listing service, your house appears on Zillow automatically.

How does Zillow make money?

Zillow primarily earns money by charging property management companies, realtors, and brokerages for ads on listings. It also makes money when buyers connect with Zillow-affiliated agents. This setup makes direct connections between FSBO sellers and buyers challenging.

Many agents also pay to be in Zillow’s Premier Network to gain more visibility and leads. These agents receive user data from Zillow, then approach FSBO sellers to encourage them to use an agent. While FSBO sellers don't pay Zillow directly, their listings still contribute to Zillow's revenue.

Is selling on Zillow worth it?

It’s beneficial to advertise your home on Zillow whether you're selling FSBO or with an agent. Zillow exposes your listing to many potential buyers. However, selling a house involves more than just a Zillow listing. If you decide FSBO isn't right for you, consider working with a real estate agent who offers discounted listing fees.

How long does it take Zillow to post my FSBO listing?

When you create a FSBO listing manually, it takes Zillow up to 72 hours to verify that you're the property owner and post it. If you list your house on the MLS, it should appear on Zillow quickly (24–48 hours max). Find other websites that let you list your house for sale by owner.

Zillow For Sale By Owner Fees: Full Breakdown (2024 Update)