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Edited by Andrew Whytock
Written by Jon Stubbs
Edited by Andrew Whytock
Is HomeLister legit? | How does HomeLister compare? | How it works | Costs | Locations | Customer reviews of HomeLister | FAQ
HomeLister can help market your home when you sell without an agent. For a flat fee, HomeLister will post your home on the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the main database of property listings that realtors use to find homes for buyers. It’s also a source for listings on websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
Only agents can list homes on the MLS. So if you’re planning on selling “for sale by owner,” it’s essential to find some way to list your home on the MLS, such as a flat fee MLS service.
However, HomeLister’s price of $599–2,999 is much more expensive than other companies offering similar services, which typically cost around $200–400.
Before choosing a flat fee MLS company, consider that selling a home yourself is a TON of work. So even if you pay for the option with some agent support, you’ll still have a lot to do on your own.
Fortunately, Clever Real Estate can help match you with a full-service agent for a 1.5% listing commission. This way, you can save and still receive all the benefits of a traditional agent. You’ll get the same services as HomeLister’s most expensive package and much more.
Why do you need to list on the MLS?
The MLS is the first place most homebuyers check when shopping for homes. It’s essential to list your home on the MLS when selling – otherwise, no one will see it. People pay services like Homelister to get on the MLS because only someone with a real estate license can list homes on it.
Is HomeLister Legit?
Yes. HomeLister is a legitimate flat fee MLS company that helps homeowners sell without the help of an agent. The company was founded in 2015 in Santa Monica, CA by CEO Lindsey McLean and and attorney and broker Jennifer Stein.
So far, HomeLister has helped to sell over 3,750 homes worth $1.9 billion. It claims to have saved its clients an estimated $77.5 million.
🔎 HomeLister, at a glance
| 1 | 2 |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.8 across 189 reviews |
| Price range | $599-2,999 |
| Locations | CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, MD, MA, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, TX, WA, DC, WI |
| Listing terms | 6 months |
| A la carte services? | Yes |
Is HomeLister worth it?
HomeLister presents itself as a game-changer, but many other flat fee MLS companies have been providing essentially the same services for a much lower cost long before HomeLister came along.
HomeLister’s service will definitely cost less than agent commission, especially if your home sells for over $300,000, but so will other companies who price their basic package at $99 compared to HomeLister’s $599 cost.
There are other signs that the company isn’t really interested in helping you save money. For example, in its a la carte offerings, HomeLister will sell you a combination lockbox for $49, but the exact same model costs $21.99 on Amazon.
How does HomeLister compare to competitors?
HomeLister is more expensive than many other flat fee MLS companies.
If saving money is your top priority, you’d be better off using a company like Flat Fee Realty or Beycome, with plans that start at $99–179.
If you need some extra help, these companies also have more expensive plans that top out at $400–500 and provide similar services as HomeLister’s most expensive plans.
| Company | Price Range | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| HomeLister | $599-2,999 | CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, MD, MA, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, TX, WA, DC, WI |
| Beycome | $99-499 + 1% | AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, MN, NC, SC |
| Flat Fee Realty | $75-1,499 | Nationwide |
| ISoldMyHouse.com | $299-399 | Nationwide |
Beycome: Best for saving money
Beycome
- Competitively priced
- Only available in select states
- Best for true DIYers
With competitively priced, no-frills plans, Beycome is a good choice for DIYers who have plenty of experience selling homes and live in a hot market.
Pros
- Competitively priced, no-frills MLS plans
- Good refund policy
- Cash back program for buyers
Cons
- Higher-priced plans aren’t good value for money
- Only available in select states
- Customer service is lacking
If you want to sell your home on your own as much as possible to save money, Beycome has a $99 package that includes many of the same things as HomeLister’s $599 basic package.
The more expensive Concierge package includes support for negotiation and paperwork, a few things that even the most committed DIY sellers could benefit from.
Beycome is only available in select states, and its more expensive packages are only available in an even smaller number of states.
Flat Fee Realty: widely available
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee Realty
- Service varies by location
- Available nationwide
- Prices are comparable to the competition
Flat Fee Realty offers an MLS listing for a flat fee that is comparable to many competitors.
But prices and service vary a lot depending on location. In many states, other options offer better value for money.
Pros
- Available in most states
- Competitively priced in some places
Cons
- Prices and service vary a lot between states
- Few add-ons and limited service
Another less expensive option is Flat Fee Realty, which is available nationwide.
Flat Fee Realty has a standard package for all states except Alaska. It also includes a premium option for sellers in Connecticut. Prices range from $159–349 depending on the state, but most plans are under $200.
Services vary by state. If disclosure forms and free changes are offered with the plan in your state, it’s worth considering. If not, you should shop around for a plan that does include these things.
ISoldMyHouse.com: Standard pricing nationwide
ISoldMyHouse.com
ISoldMyHouse.com
- Expensive
- Few add-ons
- Lots of free learning materials
ISoldMyHouse.com offers little more than an MLS listing, but at a higher price than much of the competition. Most sellers can find a better deal elsewhere.
Pros:
- Lots of free learning materials for new FSBO sellers
- Available nationwide
Cons:
- Overpriced
- Few add-ons
- Limited support
ISoldMyHouse.com is a bit pricier than other competitors, but it’s still much cheaper than HomeLister.
The company is available nationwide and offers two plans: $299 for the basic package, or $399 to add unlimited photos. The company doesn’t offer many other add-ons, however.
Alternatives to flat fee MLS services
If you’re comfortable with selling your home yourself, a flat fee MLS service could possibly save you thousands of dollars in listing commission.
However, studies have shown that For Sale By Owner homes sell for an average of 5.5% less than homes that are listed with an agent.
Plus, all of the staging, marketing, and negotiation that goes into selling a home is a ton of work — almost like having a part-time job.
Fortunately, it’s possible to get all of the benefits of having an agent without paying a ton in commission. Our friends at Clever Real Estate can match you with a full-service agent who will list your home for just 1.5%.
How does HomeLister work?
To get started with HomeLister, you’ll need to create a free account on homelister.com.
1. Enter your home details. You’ll answer some questions about your home’s features and enter your asking price.
2. Choose your package. Select the service package that fits your needs. You can also add a la carte services like 3D virtual tours and drone photography.
3. List your home. Your home will be listed on the local MLS, as well as websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
4. Show your home. Set up open houses and showings by directly communicating with buyers and their agents.
5. Sell the home. Once you start receiving offers, you can accept or send counteroffers.
6. Schedule closing. Coordinate the closing date with the buyer and their agent. You can sign all documents digitally.
While the higher-priced tiers offer some assistance with pricing the home, making counteroffers, and reviewing paperwork, you’re largely on your own for the entire selling process.
How much does HomeLister cost?
Like most flat fee MLS companies, HomeLister has a few different service tiers available.
One benefit of HomeLister over other flat fee MLS companies is that you can wait until closing to pay—at least for the basic $599 package.
The basic package includes access to ShowingTime, an app that helps schedule showings. Besides this, the basic package has pretty much the same services that competitors offer for $100–300.
The premium package includes paperwork management and offer and counteroffer advice, which would be helpful for those who don’t have a lot of experience selling without an agent. Beycome, one of HomeLister’s competitors, offers these services in its $599 package.
HomeLister’s platinum package has some valuable features, such as a competitive market analysis (CMA), which tells you what other homes in your area are selling for. But for the cost of this package, you could be matched with an agent by our friends at Clever Real Estate that can provide a CMA and all of the other perks that come with a full-service agent.
HomeLister costs
| Basic | Premium | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| $599 (due at closing, no money down) | $1,699 ($599 upfront / $1,100 at Closing) | $2,999 ($699 upfront / $2,300 due at closing) |
| All Basic features, plus:
| All Basic & Premium features, plus:
|
Where is HomeLister available?
HomeLister is available in 16 states and Washington, D.C. It plans on expanding its services to six additional states by 2023.
HomeLister states
| 1 |
|---|
| California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin |
Customer reviews of HomeLister
Overall, customers are very pleased with the services they received from HomeLister. The company has an average of 4.8 across 189 reviews. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and only has one registered complaint in the last three years.
HomeLister reviews
| 1 | 2 |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.8 across 181 reviews |
| BBB | 4.5 across 8 reviews |
| Avg. customer rating | 4.8 across 189 reviews |
Save on commission (supposedly)
In many reviews, customers mentioned how delighted they were with all of the money they saved on commission.
Homelister advertises an average savings of $21,000 and many customers claimed in their reviews they saved much more than this by not having to pay an agent.
However, you have to consider how much work you’ll need to do on your own, such as staging and showing your home, as well as negotiating offers and completing the closing paperwork. You might save money, but you’ll certainly have to invest time in to selling your home on your own.
Fast closing
Many customers stated in their reviews that they closed on their home within a few weeks to a month after listing.
How quickly you close on your home depends on current market conditions, but according to these reviewers, they didn’t take any longer to close than they would have using an agent.
Helpful support
While many reviewers acknowledged they had to do a lot of work on their own, customers were pleased with the level of support they received from HomeLister.
Specifically, customers were happy that HomeLister was available to answer any questions they had quickly and that the company provided required disclosure forms when sellers needed them.
Frequently asked questions
Is HomeLister legit?
Yes, HomeLister is a legitimate company that offers MLS listing services for homeowners who want to sell their home without the help of an agent. There are many other companies who offer the same services, but HomeLister is more expensive than most other MLS services. Find out how HomeLister works.
How much does HomeLister cost?
HomeLister's prices start at $599 for the basic package and go up to $2,999 for the Platinum package. These packages may be less expensive than hiring an agent, but they are more expensive than typical MLS-only services. See what HomeLister's packages include.
Recommended reading
Flat Fee MLS Listing Companies | Everything You Need to Know: Find out if you can really save money by using a flat fee MLS company to help sell your home without an agent.
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