If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Connecticut, hiring a flat-fee MLS service can help you increase your listing's visibility without breaking the bank.
The average commission rate for full-service listing agents in the The Constitution State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Connecticut homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $7,770.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Connecticut are in the $0 to $999+ range. The most basic plans can be as low as $50 to $99, while more comprehensive services range upwards of $1,000 to $3,000.
It's important to remember that every Connecticut flat-fee MLS service is different. When evaluating offerings, be sure to read the fine print: look at things like the length of the listing term (and how much it costs to extend); whether there's a fee to make changes to your listing; how many photos are allowed; the policy on buyer's agent commission; and more.
>> LEARN more about flat-fee MLS services and how to evaluate them.
To help you make the right choice, Clever has picked some of the top flat-fee MLS services across the state of Connecticut.
Top Connecticut Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Entry Only
Entry OnlyPrice Range
$399-999
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- Entry Only is a real estate brokerage licensed in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT that specializes in flat-fee MLS services
- You set the buyers commission (1% minimum) and pay no commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Free cancelation anytime
- Free, unlimited photo edits
- A variety of a-la-carte services like additional photos, longer listing contracts, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
$399 - Basic
| $699 - Enhanced
$999 - Premium
|
Available a-la-carte services include: more photos, longer listing contract, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
Pros
- Work directly with a local broker, not a referral service
- Free cancelation anytime
- 24/7 receptionist
- Double money back guarantee if you decide to sell with a realtor Entry Only refers you to (up to $999)
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or CMA
As of August 5, 2020, Entry Only has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 529 reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and Facebook.
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 (345 reviews)
- Google: 4.9/5 (103 reviews)
- Facebook: 5/5 (81 reviews)
- BBB: A
Landfall Properties, LLC
Landfall PropertiesPrice Range
Free to $499+
Number of Photos
40
Listing Term
2 months up to until sold
- Landfall Properties in a licensed broker in CT, MA, ME, NH, and VT that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Free, unlimited changes
- Listings go live in 24 hours
- Set buyer’s agent commission of 2% (pay nothing if you find the buyer)
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Cancel anytime
Free - Level One
| 1% at closing- Level Three
|
Pros
- Free MLS listing package (+2% buyer’s agent commission)
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free, unlimited changes, including listing/delisting/relisting (Level Two and Three packages)
- Home buyer rebate if you also buy with Landfall Properties
Cons
- No built-in comparative market analysis (CMA) (except with Level Three package)
- Set buyer’s agent commission of 2% (unless you find a buyer)
As of August 12, 2020, Landfall Properties’ principal broker, Paul Marino, has an average rating of 5/5 based on 29 reviews on Zillow.
Realty By Design
Realty By DesignPrice Range
$495-995+
Number of Photos
40
Listing Term
6 months
- Realty By Design is a licensed real estate brokerage that offers flat-fee, full-service, and hybrid real estate services in Connecticut
- You choose the buyer’s commission (minimum of 2%)
- Unrepresented buyers sent directly to you
- Free listing changes
- Cancel anytime with no fee
- Wide variety of a-la-carte services to choose from
$495 - Flat Fee MLS
| $995 + 0.75% at closing - Hybrid Listing
|
Available a la carte services include: premium For Sale sign, electronic lockbox, professional photography, 2D floor plan, CMA, agent email blast, Facebook ads, negotiation, showing, and open house assistance, and more
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free MLS listing changes and no cancellation fee
- No buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- 3D Virtual Tour, online showing system, and social sharing tools included with basic package
Cons
- No built-in comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Longest listing term is 6 months
- No budget, entry-level option
As of August 12, 2020, Realty By Design has an average rating of 5/5 based on 5 reviews on Google, as well as an A+ accreditation on the Better Business Bureau.
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Connecticut
Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee GroupPrice Range
$399-999
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Group is a national network of independent brokers that offer flat-fee MLS services in Connecticut
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Contracts and disclosures included
$399 - Basic
| $699 - Enhanced
|
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or CMA
As of August 7, 2020, Jason Saphire, the Connecticut Flat Fee Group broker, has a 4.8-star-out-of-5-star rating on Zillow (80 reviews).
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$199-399
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3-6 months
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Connecticut brokers and agents who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Draft your listing, upload photos, set your price, and sign MLS contracts via Houzeo’s online dashboard
- Autofills listing details using publicly available info about your home to expedite the listing process
- Home valuation not included in service
- Does not require that you offer buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
$199 - Bronze
| $399 - Gold
|
Pros
- Free cancellation anytime (no refunds)
- Freedom to specify any buyer’s agent commission
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours
Cons
- Limited coverage in rural areas
- “Free changes” only apply to listing’s price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 10, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Connecticut
The Connecticut real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 1.2% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 3.7% in 2020. To realize your home's full value (or ideally more), it's important to weigh all of your options for selling before making a final decision.
- Flat-Fee Real Estate Agents
- Discount Real Estate Agents
- Low-Commission Real Estate Agents
- 1% Commission Real Estate Agents
- Sell to an iBuyer