How to Get a For Sale By Owner MLS Listing in 2024

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  Written by Steve Nicastro

What is an MLS? | Benefits of using the MLS | How to chose a flat fee MLS service | How to get on the MLS for free

Are you looking to sell your house without a realtor? Featuring it on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is essential. Though not mandatory, an MLS listing dramatically increases visibility to serious buyers working with agents. 

One industry study by the National Association of Realtors shows that about 90% of all sellers use the MLS, making it the top choice for listing exposure.

MLS access often requires working with licensed real estate agents, but for those choosing the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route, there’s a workaround. Utilizing a flat fee MLS listing service offers an affordable entry point. It enhances your home’s visibility in the market without needing a traditional realtor.

But, selling isn’t just about listing. It involves pricing, marketing, negotiations, inspections, and paperwork, with no guarantees of hitting your price or timeline. Notably, FSBO’s popularity is waning, with sales dropping from 10% to 7% last year and fetching nearly $100,000 less than those using an agent to sell.

Enter Real Estate Witch: We combine the reach of the MLS with expert guidance for a low 1.5% commission, way below the 2.83% national average. With no upfront costs and the option to change your mind anytime, we offer a flexible, risk-free approach to selling your home. Get connected to a local agent today! 

What is the MLS?

The MLS is a comprehensive database of homes for sale, updated regularly by realtors. 

While it might seem redundant with online listings easily accessible on platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com, there’s a key difference. These popular websites compile data from over 800 local MLS databases nationwide, creating a single, vast searchable resource.

The MLS stands out for its precision and timely updates, including the current status of listings. It’s more than a listing tool. The MLS functions as a network through which real estate agents and brokers list and sell homes across various regional systems.

Its reliability and accuracy make it a critical resource, with an industry study showing that nine out of 10 sellers turn to the MLS to market their properties, underlining its vital role in the real estate market.

Maximizing visibility and appeal on the MLS

Skipping the MLS when selling your home is like your website missing from top search engine results. Visibility and traffic get reduced drastically. 

But, being on the MLS isn’t enough to catch a buyer’s eye. Your listing must stand out, requiring high-quality photos and a compelling description to draw potential buyers. The initial online listing is often the first and last chance to impress a buyer, making the presentation of your home crucial.

This is where the advantage of partnering with a real estate agent becomes clear. An agent can provide the professional touch needed for your listing, from stunning photographs to captivating descriptions.

Real Estate Witch offers a solution by connecting you with full-service agents adept at making MLS listings shine. These agents are experienced in attracting serious buyers and offer their services at a competitive commission rate of 1.5%, well below the national average.  

» Get connected to a full-service agent 

MLS benefits

The MLS offers significant advantages for home sellers. Once a listing gets on the MLS, it’s shared with local buyer’s agents and broadcast across major real estate websites like Zillow and Realtor.com. 

Getting posted on these websites is crucial in today’s market. One study found that every home buyer begins their search online, making the visibility provided by the MLS invaluable.

For sellers, this widespread exposure results in a quicker and more profitable sale, as the listing reaches a vast audience immediately. Buyers benefit too, gaining access to the most current property listings. They can even receive new listings via email the moment they’re posted on the MLS, often before these properties appear on popular websites.

This feature is especially vital in a strong seller’s market, where properties sell fast, giving buyers an essential edge in finding their perfect home.

How to get an FSBO MLS listing

Navigating the world of selling without a realtor can seem daunting, especially when you learn you can’t pay the MLS to showcase your property, nor can you list a home on the MLS without a realtor’s license or partnering with a real estate broker. 

The solution? Flat fee MLS listing services. These services are your gateway to placing your home on the MLS, ensuring it gets the attention it deserves from a wide audience. 

For a one-time fee ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending on the level of service you choose, these companies will list your home on the MLS on your behalf. Opting for more expensive packages generally means accessing a broader range of services. The most basic options start at around $100.

Flat fee MLS services offer a cost-effective strategy for FSBO sellers to gain the visibility needed to attract serious buyers.

» COMPARE: The best flat fee MLS listing services

Flat fee MLS listings: Pros and cons

Pros

Opting for a flat fee MLS listing can lead to big cost savings when compared to the standard listing agent commission of 2.83%. With fees for basic listings starting under $100, sellers have a cheaper option at their disposal. 

Beyond financial benefits, this method offers sellers greater control over the sale process. It’s particularly helpful for those who already have a buyer lined up or prefer to oversee their sale, allowing for a more hands-on approach to selling their home.

Cons

Despite its advantages, the flat fee MLS listing approach requires sellers to manage most selling tasks, which can be challenging without the full suite of services provided by a real estate agent. This might result in the property selling for less than it could with professional assistance. 

According to a study by Clever Real Estate, homes sold with an agent often secure $50,000 more than FSBO sales.

The National Association of Realtors further highlights this disparity, with FSBO homes selling for a median of $310,000 in 2023, less than the $405,000 median for agent-assisted sales. 

Additionally, while sellers save on the front end by not paying traditional real estate agent commission fees, they often still need to compensate the buyer’s agent, which averages 2.66% nationwide and can diminish savings.

How to choose a flat fee MLS service

Here’s how to find and compare flat fee MLS services to pick the best one for your situation. 

Find a local service. Since MLS databases are regional, search for a flat-fee MLS service operating in your area. This ensures your listing gets in front of local buyers and real estate agents.

Check service offerings. Different services offer varying levels of support during the selling process. It’s crucial to understand what’s available, as some may provide extensive help, making the process smoother.

Consider extra features. Many flat fee MLS services offer extra features to enhance your listing, including:

• Professional photography and 3D tours to showcase your home.
• Comparative market analysis for accurate pricing.
• “For Sale” signs for yard placement.
• Automated services for scheduling showings, minimizing disruptions.
• Marketing help for broader exposure on social media and other home-search websites.
• Negotiation help and help with reviewing legal paperwork upon receiving offers

Keep in mind, that while these features can benefit your selling process, they often come at an extra cost beyond the basic listing fee.

Analyze packages. Review the packages offered by various flat fee MLS services to determine what’s included. Assess your needs carefully. If you opt out of additional services like professional photography or negotiation help, be prepared to handle these aspects yourself.

Weigh the costs. Extra services like professional photography, 3D tours, and targeted marketing can enhance your listing’s appeal but also add to your expenses. As these costs accumulate, the gap between using a flat fee service and hiring a full-service agent may diminish.

This is where a platform like Real Estate Witch comes into play. By offering connections to full-service agents at a discounted commission rate, Real Estate Witch presents a compelling alternative. The value of such a service extends beyond mere savings, providing comprehensive support and expertise that can be crucial for navigating the complexities of selling a home. 

For those set on selling FSBO, exploring top-rated flat fee MLS services of 2024 in your state or area is a good starting point. This research can help you find a service that balances cost savings with the level of support you’re comfortable with. 

How to get free MLS listing access

Gaining free MLS listing access involves a few strategic steps.

Contact a realtor or broker. Direct and free access to MLS listings often requires reaching out to a realtor or broker. These professionals can grant you access, which is especially useful for buyers who want to view the most up-to-date properties and sellers who need help pricing their home. 

Real Estate Witch can be a valuable resource here. The platform connects users with top local agents who can provide MLS access and offer free home valuations, all without a strict commitment. 

Understand buyer and seller agreements. For buyers, obtaining MLS access may or may not require signing a buyer’s agency agreement, depending on local practices and the broker’s policies. The agreement could bind you to use the agent’s services for your property search. 

Sellers might negotiate access to the MLS by being transparent about their intention to sell FSBO while remaining open to the idea of professional representation if circumstances change.

Related reading

How to sell your house without a realtor. Our guide offers strategies and tips for homeowners looking to sell their property independently, bypassing traditional realtor channels to potentially save on commission fees.

Zillow for sale by owner fees. An overview of the costs associated with listing a property as FSBO on Zillow, detailing any fees, the benefits of using the platform, and how it compares to other selling methods.

Best FSBO websites ranked. A comparison and ranking of top websites catering to For Sale By Owner listings, highlighting features, user experience, and how each platform can maximize exposure for sellers going the FSBO route.