Richr: Does the MLS Service Save You Money?

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By Jon Stubbs Updated February 10, 2023
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Edited by Andrew Whytock

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Editor's note: In March 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) lost an antitrust lawsuit, leading to changes in real estate fees nationwide. As of August 17, 2024, buyer's agent commissions are no longer covered by the seller and must be negotiated separately.

A four-and-a-half-star review of Richr, a MLS listing company in Florida.

Richr, a Florida-based flat fee MLS listing service for FSBO sellers, charges a unique fee of 1% of the sale price at closing, a rate that often totals more than typical upfront flat fees from other MLS services. 

For example, on a $350,000 home, Richr’s fee would be $3,500. This contrasts sharply with other services that charge flat fees ranging from $100 to $1,000, making Richr's cost comparable to traditional real estate agent commissions.

Richr lists your home on the MLS, a crucial online database where buyers and their agents find properties. Additionally, its listings appear on over 750 websites, including major platforms like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com. While starting with Richr is free, the closing cost fee can make it less economical compared to other flat fee MLS companies or traditional realtor services.

For those looking to save on commissions, Real Estate Witch offers a compelling alternative, matching sellers with top local agents for approximately half the typical real estate commission rate. They also provide a free home valuation to help you price your home competitively.

» Get a free home valuation from a top local realtor

JUMP TO: Should I use Richr? | How does Richr compare? | How it works | Costs | Locations | Customer reviews of Richr | FAQs

Should I use Richr?

If saving on real estate costs is your main goal in selling your home, consider alternatives to Richr.

While Richr’s 1% closing fee — which equates to $3,000 on a $300,000 home — includes the title settlement fees, it remains more expensive in the long run compared to most MLS-only services in Florida. These services typically charge a flat fee of about $100–$1,000 upfront, significantly less than Richr's percentage-based fee.

Richr offers some advantages, such as not requiring payment until the home is sold and covering your title settlement fees, which can range from $300–$600. However, these benefits may not offset the higher overall cost compared to other flat fee MLS services.

If delaying payment is a priority, using a 1% commission agent might be a better option since they also defer their fees until the sale is completed, and they offer full-service representation.

While Richr’s fees are lower than those of agents charging 2–3% commissions, they don't compare favorably with the costs of other flat fee MLS listing services. Before deciding, compare the top flat fee MLS listing services in Florida to find the most cost-effective and suitable option for your needs

» COMPARE: The top flat fee MLS listing services in Florida

Should I sell without an agent?

Deciding to sell your home without an agent, also known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), requires careful consideration. FSBO homes typically sell for an average of 5.5% less than homes listed by agents on the MLS, according to research by Collateral Analytics.[1] This could mean a significant financial impact, suggesting that FSBO is best suited for those with some experience in home selling.

As a FSBO seller, you would be responsible for various tasks traditionally handled by a real estate agent, including:

  • Conducting showings and open houses
  • Taking professional-quality photos
  • Writing effective listing descriptions
  • Implementing marketing strategies
  • Setting the right price
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Handling legal paperwork
  • Each of these responsibilities requires time, effort, and a certain level of expertise, which are critical to successfully closing a sale without the support of a real estate professional.

If you're hesitant about taking on these challenges alone but still want to save on commission costs, Real Estate Witch offers an alternative. For the same cost as Richr’s 1% MLS service fee, typically around $3,000, you can engage a full-service agent through Real Estate Witch.

This option provides the expertise and full support of an experienced agent for just 1.5% commission, combining cost savings with professional assistance.

👋 Selling FSBO is hard. We can help.

Don't go it alone. We negotiate with top-performing agents who provide full service for only 1.5% in listing fees. Save thousands today!

Learn More

How does Richr compare to competitors?

Many of the top-rated flat-fee MLS companies in Florida charge $100–1,000 to list your home on the MLS. Examples include Unreal Estate ($0-599) and Beycome ($99-599).

Unlike Richr, you'll have to pay whether the home sells, but it will only cost a few hundred dollars. That's much less than Richr's 1% fee, which would be $3,500 on a $350,000 home.

Most flat-fee MLS companies have 3–4 packages available, with additional features available as you pay more. Richr only has one package, similar in scope to other companies' most expensive package that includes premium services, such as negotiation and pricing support. 

RichrbeycomeFlatFee.comHouzeo
Price Range1% of sale price$99–599$95–175$299–999
Number of photosMax MLS allows*6–Max MLS allows*6–Max MLS allows*6–Max MLS allows*
Pricing assistanceOnly with $999 package
Negotiation supportOnly under $999 package
Includes title settlement costsOnly under $599 package
Show more
*Some MLS may not support more than 24 photos

How Richr works

Richr lists your home on the Florida MLS, which includes over 750 websites, including Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com. It's simple to get started online at home. 

  1. Complete an online questionnaire about your home. This takes about 5 minutes. The form will automatically prepopulate your listing with available public information. You can also upload photos. 
  2. A broker will review the listing. They'll also provide a free comparative market analysis (CMA) that will give you a good idea on how to price your home. 
  3. Schedule home showings and open houses on your own schedule. Agents with potential buyers will contact you directly as your phone number will be attached to your MLS listing. Buyers reaching out from Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, etc. will be sent your contact details. 
  4. Sell the home. At closing, you'll pay Richr's 1% fee. Richr will pay the title settlement fee of about $300–600. 

What does Richr cost?

Richr costs 1% of the home's sale price due at closing. You don't need to pay upfront, and you can cancel anytime without penalty, so you only pay if you sell.  

Here's how much Richr would cost to use for a home that sells for $350,000, compared to other options. We'll compare Richr to a higher-cost premium flat-fee MLS service, since Richr includes premium-level services such as negotiation support.

DescriptionFeesTotal Cost
Richr1%$3,500
Premium Flat-Fee MLS$1,000$1,000
Traditional Realtor in FL2.50%$8,750
Show more

If you're selling on your own, you'll save on listing agent commission, but you should still offer buyer's agent commission to entice agents to bring buyers to your home. The average buyer's agent commission in Florida is currently 2.42%.

» Real estate commission rates in Florida

Where is Richr available?

Richr lists homes in most of Florida, including:

  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Jacksonville
  • Miami
  • Orlando
  • Panama City
  • Tampa

Richr reviews from customers

Richr has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google, averaging 5/5 across 113 reviews. Nearly all of the reviews are 5-star reviews, with no negative reviews. 

While the reviews for Richr are positive, it's important to remember that they are for Richr's services, not the overall For Sale By Owner process. Sellers comfortable with FSBO will get the most out of Richr and similar MLS companies. If you're not prepared to sell a home yourself, even the best MLS listing service won't replace the advice of a full-service agent. 

Provided helpful expertise

One reviewer wrote that Richr was with them every step of the way throughout the process offering help and guidance. Richr reps also walked them through the closing documents and registered the new deed. 

Reps are responsive and knowledgeable

Another reviewer said Richr always responded quickly to questions about the listing, even on nights and weekends. When the buyer agent wanted specific forms used, Richr provided the current Florida forms to complete.  Richr followed up throughout the listing process to see if they needed any other support and helped track the sale to settlement. 

Richr helped sellers save on commission

The reviews for Richr are full of customers happy with the money Richr saved them on commissions. One reviewer mentioned they saved $25,000 on listing commissions. While these savings are easy to calculate after closing, it's difficult to know if the home would have sold for more with the help of an experienced agent.

Frequently asked questions

Is Richr legit?

Yes, Richr is a legitimate company offering MLS listing services for people who want to sell their home without an agent but still list it where potential buyers can find it. Find out more about Richr.

What does Richr cost?

Richr will list your home on the MLS for 1% of the home's sale price. See how this compares to other MLS listing services.

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.

Best Flat-Fee MLS Companies in Florida: Looking for other MLS companies to compare? We've complied a list of the best in Florida.

Selling a House without a Realtor in Florida: Find out if selling a home without a listing agent is the right move for you.

Article Sources

[1] Collateral Analytics – "Saving Real Estate Commissions at Any Price".

Authors & Editorial History

Our experts continually research, evaluate, and monitor real estate companies and industry trends. We update our articles when new information becomes available.

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