Flat Fee MLS FAQ – Everything You Need to Know Before You List

A Flat Fee MLS listing service allows For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers to list their homes on the MLS without paying a 5–6% Realtor commission, helping you save thousands in real estate fees while maximizing your home’s online exposure.

• For a low, one-time flat fee, your property is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) — the same database used by licensed Realtors® — and is automatically syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, Homes.com, and hundreds of local real estate agent and brokerage websites. This ensures your home is seen by millions of active buyers, investors, and buyer’s agents nationwide, giving you the same marketing power as traditional agents at a fraction of the cost.
• With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you stay in control:
• Set your own buyer’s agent commission (0%–3%)
• Manage showings and negotiate directly with buyers or agents
• Keep more of your equity while enjoying the same nationwide exposure as homes listed by full-service agents

Whether you’re selling a single-family home, condo, townhouse, multi-family property, or land, a Flat Fee MLS service is the most cost-effective way to get maximum visibility and sell faster without sacrificing your profit.

All Flat Fee MLS listings are automatically syndicated to the most popular real estate websites — including Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Redfin, Homes.com, and hundreds of local brokerage websites powered by your MLS. By listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), your property instantly appears on the same online platforms used by licensed Realtors® nationwide, ensuring maximum visibility and nationwide exposure for your For Sale By Owner (FSBO) property.

This broad online syndication means your home is marketed directly to millions of active buyers, investors, and buyer’s agents across the country. Whether someone is searching on Zillow, browsing Realtor.com, or checking listings on their local agent’s website, your property will always be front and center, dramatically increasing your chances of selling faster and for top dollar — all while avoiding traditional 5–6% Realtor® commissions.

With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you get the same online exposure as full-service listings at a fraction of the cost, giving you complete control of your FSBO sale while keeping more equity in your pocket.

If you find your own buyer — whether through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, yard signs, referrals, or word-of-mouth — you pay $0 in buyer’s agent commission with a Flat Fee MLS listing. You stay fully in control of your FSBO sale, handling negotiations directly with your buyer while avoiding costly Realtor® fees.

Even though you’re selling on your own, we provide everything you need to sell your home legally and compliantly, including:

• State-specific purchase contract templates
• Required disclosures and forms to protect you
• MLS compliance support to keep your listing accurate and penalty-free
• This means you get the same MLS exposure and professional resources without giving up thousands of dollars in unnecessary commissions.

If your property is being sold using an Assignment of Contract (AIF), Power of Attorney (POA), or a Novation Agreement, we charge an additional $150 upfront + minimum 1% success fee at closing, regardless of who brings the buyer. These types of deals require extra compliance. Please contact our office for your state-specific rules and documentation requirements.

DIYFlatFee.com operates under an Exclusive Agency Agreement, not an Exclusive Right-to-Sell Agreement.

What This Means for You

• You retain the right to sell your property on your own without owing any commission to a buyer’s agent or our brokerage if you independently secure the buyer.
• You are only responsible for paying a commission if you choose to offer one to a buyer’s agent or if a licensed buyer’s agent represents the buyer.
• You maintain full control over the commission amount you offer — typically zero to three percent, based on your pricing strategy and local market conditions.

When a Buyer’s Agent Is Involved

Under state real estate license laws, real estate commission regulations, and local MLS rules, DIYFlatFee.com is legally required to provide full transactional assistance whenever a licensed buyer’s agent participates in your transaction.

Our role includes:

• Ensuring compliance with Fair Housing laws, state disclosures, and MLS reporting
• Preparing, reviewing, and coordinating all contracts, addenda, and disclosures
• Matching documentation with the buyer’s agent to meet MLS and state requirements
• Overseeing inspections, appraisals, contingencies, deadlines, and closing procedures
• Coordinating directly with the closing attorney, title company, lender, buyer’s agent, and MLS to ensure accuracy and compliance. 

Because of these additional compliance and coordination requirements, a broker administrative fee of $695 will apply only when a licensed buyer’s agent is involved.This fee covers the administrative, regulatory, and legal work required to manage, document, and properly close your file.

Minimum Service States & Broker Compliance Fee

In certain states or under specific affiliate broker policies, an additional broker compliance fee, typically ranging from zero up to one percent may apply when a licensed buyer’s agent participates in your transaction.

State-mandated in minimum-service states, where laws require the broker to provide specific services; or

Broker-mandated, where the affiliate broker handling your listing requires this fee for full transaction management and compliance.

DIYFlatFee.com does not control when this fee applies. It is determined by state law or affiliate broker requirements.

If applicable, the fee will be fully disclosed in the Affiliate Broker’s Listing Agreement and itemized on your ALTA Settlement Statement at closing.

If you find your own buyer and no licensed buyer’s agent is involved, no Broker Compliance Fee applies, unless otherwise required by your state.

If you elect to cancel your MLS listing within seven (7) calendar days of purchase and prior to your property being activated on the MLS, we will refund your listing fee minus a non-refundable $50.00 processing fee.

After seven (7) days, or once your property has been listed and activated on the MLS, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances. By proceeding with your listing, you acknowledge and agree that our services are deemed fully performed and rendered upon MLS activation, regardless of:

• Whether your property sells,
• The duration your property remains active on the MLS, or
• Any changes to your selling plans or intentions.

Broker’s Right to Terminate

The listing broker expressly reserves the right, at their sole and absolute discretion, to terminate the listing agreement at any time and for any reason by providing the seller with forty-eight (48) hours’ written notice. Grounds for termination include, but are not limited to:

• Irreconcilable differences of opinion,
• Persistent breakdowns in communication,
• Seller’s refusal to comply with brokerage policies, MLS rules, or applicable state/federal regulations,
• Misrepresentation of property details, or
• Any other circumstance that, in the broker’s sole judgment, renders continuation of the listing relationship impractical, unproductive, or detrimental.
• In the event the broker elects to terminate the listing agreement pursuant to this provision, the seller shall be entitled to a full refund of the upfront listing fee, and the agreement shall be deemed null, void, and of no further force or effect.

Limitation of Liability

By proceeding with this agreement, the seller acknowledges and agrees that DIYFlatFee.com, its broker, agents, affiliates, employees, and representatives shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from, relating to, or resulting from:

• The broker’s decision to terminate this agreement;
• The removal or withdrawal of the listing from the MLS;
• Missed opportunities, lost profits, or any claimed damages tied to the termination; or
• Any perceived reputational, financial, or transactional impact resulting from the broker’s exercise of rights under this policy.

Under all circumstances, the broker’s total cumulative liability to the seller shall not exceed the total amount of listing fees paid by the seller under this agreement.