The Best Flat Fee Listing Services in Florida

Table of Contents:

Introduction to MLS Listings

So, you live in Florida and have decided to list your house on the market but are having difficulty seeing the value in a traditional real estate agent. This is understandable, as the internet has revolutionized home selling. With listing services at the fingertips of anyone who searches Google, the need for realtors to find buyers is declining. Today, many home sellers opt to sell their homes independently, otherwise known as FSBO or ‘For Sale By Owner.’ In going this route, there are some components of the home selling process in which a real estate agent of some kind is needed.

Many FSBO sellers use online realtors for these agent services to support them in the home selling process.

One of the most significant benefits of using a realtor with online FSBO services is how they charge customers. FSBO services charge a flat fee versus a percentage fee charged by a traditional real estate agent. Additionally, they will list the property for sale through the MLS platform on behalf of the seller. Once the property gets entered into MLS, it is sent to several listing websites. You must be a licensed agent in order to list a property on MLS, so the FSBO seller will always need an agent for this service.

Traditional Agent versus Flat Fee Agent

Traditional Agent

Traditional agents receive up to six percent commission based on the sale price of a house. With the skyrocketing home prices today, seller’s agents are doing very well. Home prices across the United States are expected to increase by 10 percent in 2022, nearly double the average home price growth of 4.6 percent posted since 1989!

Traditional agents do, however, offer several services. Here is what sellers should expect from an agent.

● Dedicated agent to facilitate negotiations, typically spending at least an hour per day on the sale. Sellers will have to answer questions if they take on the listing themselves- but answering questions can save them $10,000, so it may be worth a few hours on the phone.

● They are marketing the property through realtor events, advertising, and other marketing activities.

● Agents will pay for photography, a cost between $200 to $300 for a local photographer.

● Staging of the house with furniture is included. Only some agents will stage the home for a higher fee. Keeping the house clean and decluttered will negate this expense.

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Flat Fee Real Estate Agents

Flat rate agents charge a flat fee per home sale transaction. Several brokerages offer flat rates and online realtor services together. In addition to listing the house on MLS, some other benefits include paperwork assistance and concierge support. All the while, sellers retain control over the sale.

MLS Explained

You may be asking, what is the big deal about MLS? To explain its importance, MLS stands for “multiple listing services” and is the primary listing website realtors use to list properties for sale.

It is a centralized database for all realtors to see new inventory as it enters the market. However, only realtors can list new properties. The general public cannot see all of the details or list a house without paying a fee on the property listing website.

As mentioned previously, there are several listing websites for real estate. The most common of these is Zillow.com. Zillow and other similar websites use an Application Programming Interface (API) Exchange to receive data from the MLS website.

The hub of almost all real estate listing data is initially inputted into the MLS website. Then, the other listing sites such as Zillow, realtor.com, and trulia.com retrieve the listing information from MLS to showcase directly onto their property websites. In total, the data is sent to over 750 websites. This also includes updates to a home’s information, such as price changes.

The data about the house is updated in almost real-time when updated on the MLS website.

If you want your house to go ‘on the market’ and be seen by buyers, sellers, or realtors searching for homes, it must be listed on MLS.

Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in Florida

If you decide to list your house as FSBO, you will need to research your area’s top MLS listing services to put your home on the market. A flat fee MLS listing company like Richr will list your home on MLS for free. The company will receive an agreed-upon flat fee. Doing so allows for potential funds to be returned to sellers after the sale, unlike the traditional percentage fee-based model where the realtor receives a full commission.

Best Flat Fee Listing Services in Florida

Florida home prices have increased by 25 percent to an average of $330,000 in 2022.

The market is on fire! Therefore, finding the best flat fee listing service is highly recommended to fully take advantage of the market and receive a top selling price.

Here are the best overall flat fee listing services in Florida.

Richr

Richr focuses on rewarding FSBO customers with stellar financial outcomes and expert service as a top flat fee real estate broker in Florida. Richr services several markets, including Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando. Benefits of working with Richr include:

● Richr offers a one-stop-shop experience with connections to insurance, title settlement and lenders.

● They offer a free MLS listing.

● The service includes unlimited photos and changes to your listing at no cost.

● Richr provides all real estate documents with unlimited concierge support.

● Richr’s pricing is simple. They charge 1% at closing which includes title settlement fees.

● Sellers do not pay fees until the property sells.

● The MLS listing offers exposure to more than 750 MLS websites, including the big names Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com, for up to 12 months.

● There is unlimited concierge support.

● Sellers can cancel at any time.

● The company provides real estate documents.

● Sellers have access to competitively priced homeowners’ insurance policies.

Houzeo

Houzeo offers packages for sale by owner customers ranging from $199 up to $999+ with limited virtual support and requires payment upfront. Not all businesses need payment upfront, such as Richr. Here are some expectations when working with these types of flat-fee real estate companies:

● They offer access to information through a user-friendly dashboard and have your home listed on popular websites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.

● They do not offer marketing, title services, insurance, or lender support.

● The real estate forms are only included in their $999 tier.

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List With Freedom

This company has a good record in Florida and offers several packages for FSBO customers.

Basic packages start at $89 and include one listing for six months. Additional services range in cost from $20 to $40 per service. This is a beneficial service for sellers familiar with real estate who do not need much support. A few things to keep in mind about this business include:

● There is a $295 listing fee upfront.

● The listing goes live within 48 hours.

● In addition, there is a .10 % hidden fee.

Flat Fee MLS Realty

Flat Fee MLS Realty is known for its fast service and affordability. The service offers advanced support for inexperienced customers and sometimes runs seasonal specials. However, they do not support all areas of Florida. Here are some additional highlights.

• There is a listing fee of $99 to $499.
• A $750 hidden fee includes a $400 buyer’s agent commission and $350 if the customer does not use their title company.
• The listing goes live within 48 hours.

Listingly

Listingly is located in Boca Raton, Florida.

• They offer a free listing upfront.
• They provide the standard realtor forms and contracts for free.
• They receive $99 in commission when the home sells.

Homecoin

• Request a $95 listing fee upfront.
• List the house within 24 hours.
• There are $450 hidden fees.

XFlatFeeMLS

• Ask for a listing fee upfront ranging from $59 to $149.
• They are not highly focused on technology.
• They will list a house within 24 hours.

Best Flat Fee MLS Services by Florida Market

Miami, Florida

1. Richr
2. Houzeo
3. Premier Flat Fee
4. Beycome
5. Jack Keller Inc Realtors

Jacksonville, Florida

1. Richr
2. Houzeo
3. Sweet Tea Realty
4. Jack Keller Inc Realtors
5. Landfall Properties

Tampa, Florida

1. Richr
2. Houzeo
3. Wendy Smith Real Estate
4. Jack Keller Inc Realtors
5. Flat Fee Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Reliable?

The degree of service and quality will vary between MLS flat fee listing services.

Based on reviews, the biggest complaints are centered around issues of deceptive business practices, lack of response, and overall poor experience. Most well-known and quality businesses, such as Richr, have positive and negative reviews, with Richr taking the lead on empowering homeowners financially.

How Do Real Estate Agents Benefit From Flat Fees?

Creating a flat fee model responds to sellers opting for the FSBO option instead of using a traditional real estate agent. Agents do not want to miss out on working with clients even if they are selling their homes independently, so many flat fee brokerages have been formed to provide some support services to this clientele. Ideally, the brokerages offset any reduced income by an increased number of FSBO clients versus traditional clients. Richr has a profitable model with a vision of supporting homeowners by building trust and practical options for buyers and sellers.

Summary

Choosing to use a traditional real estate agent versus a flat fee MLS listing service depends on each seller’s circumstances. With so many options and resources currently available for FSBO sellers, many are educated on selling their homes independently. Most FSBO sellers will need support services to complete the home sale process. The rise of flat fee service businesses continues to grow around the country.

Home sellers should research to find the best fit for their needs. Richr is the top MLS listing service in the state for those in the Florida market.