When it comes to selling your home, one of the first and biggest questions you’ll face is…
Should I hire a traditional real estate agent, or try to sell it myself and save the commission?
For many homeowners, it’s a real dilemma. On one hand, hiring a full-service realtor sounds convenient they handle the pricing, marketing, showings, and paperwork for you. On the other hand, that convenience comes with a hefty price tag often 5% to 6% of your home’s sale price, which can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in commission.
Now more than ever, sellers are wondering:
Is all that commission really necessary?
Is there a smarter, more cost-effective way to sell?
That’s where the idea of a flat fee MLS listing comes in — a solution that gives you access to the same powerful MLS that realtors use, but for a simple, affordable flat fee instead of a percentage of your sale.
If you’re feeling torn about which path to take, you’re not alone and you’re smart to weigh your options carefully. Let’s break down the difference between a flat fee MLS and a full-service realtor, so you can decide what’s right for you.
What Is a Full-Service Realtor?
A full-service realtor is the traditional approach most homeowners know.
When you work with a full-service agent, they typically handle everything:
Helping you price your home competitively
Arranging for professional photography and staging
Listing your home on the MLS
Hosting open houses and private showings
Handling buyer inquiries and negotiations
Managing all the paperwork through to closing
It’s a hands-off experience for the seller, and for some, that peace of mind feels worth it.
But here’s the tradeoff: full-service realtors don’t work for free. They earn a commission — usually around 5% to 6% of the final sale price.
For example, if you sell your home for $400,000, you could pay around $24,000 in commission fees — money that comes directly out of your proceeds at closing.
If you’re selling a higher-priced home, that number can get even bigger, fast.
What Is a Flat Fee MLS Listing?
A flat fee MLS listing is a modern, streamlined way to sell your home while keeping control — and keeping more of your money.
Instead of paying a commission, you pay a one-time flat fee — often a few hundred dollars — to get your home listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). The MLS is what real estate agents use to find homes for their buyers, and it feeds into all the big public websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.
With a flat fee MLS listing, you take on the role of the seller yourself. You’ll manage things like:
Responding to showing requests
Negotiating with buyers (or their agents)
Handling paperwork and closing tasks
But you’re not alone. Many flat fee MLS services (like ours) offer extra tools and support if you want them — like access to forms, guidance on pricing, and tips for managing offers.
The key point:
You get the same powerful exposure that full-service agents use — without giving up a large percentage of your sale price in commission fees.
How to Choose What’s Right for You
You might be a great fit for a flat fee MLS if:
You’re confident handling some of the process (or are willing to learn).
You want to keep more of your equity instead of handing it over in commissions.
You like having full control over your sale — from pricing to negotiations.
You prefer to pay a low, predictable fee rather than a large percentage of your home’s value.
On the other hand, a full-service realtor might be right for you if:
You prefer a hands-off approach and want an agent to manage everything.
You don’t mind giving up a portion of your proceeds for that convenience.
You feel more comfortable having someone guide you through every step personally.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on how involved you want to be, how much you want to save, and what feels right for your comfort level.
Why More Sellers Are Choosing Flat Fee MLS
Many homeowners are realizing they don’t have to sacrifice results to save money.
With a flat fee MLS listing, you still get:
MLS exposure — the key to getting your home seen by thousands of buyers.
Access to top real estate sites — like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and more.
A simple, affordable way to list and sell without paying thousands in commission.
You’re in control of the process — but you’re not alone. Services like List With Freedom are designed to make it simple, straightforward, and effective.
Ready to Sell Smarter and Save More?
Selling your home doesn’t have to mean giving up a big slice of your equity. If you’re ready to keep more of what you’ve earned and take charge of your sale, contact us today.
At List With Freedom, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. With over 20 years in business, we’ve helped more than 100,000 FSBO sellers successfully sell their homes, saving them up to $30,000 or more in commission fees.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. We’re here to make the process simple, affordable, and designed to keep you in control.
List with Freedom. Save thousands. Stay in control.
