If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Maryland, 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 Old Line State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Maryland homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $8,670.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Maryland are in the $69 to $2,499+ 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 Maryland 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 Maryland.
Top Maryland Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Cottage Street
Cottage Street RealtyPrice Range
$299-999
Number of Photos
8-30
Listing Term
6 months up to until sold
- Cottage Street Realty is a flat-fee MLS service operated by Flat Fee Group, a licensed real estate brokerage in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
- Contracts, addendums, and disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Printable color flyer
- A-la-carte services include signs, market analyses, open house announcements, and more
- Unlimited listing changes can be purchased for $45
$299 - Basic package
| $599 - Premium package
|
A-la-carte services include signs, market analyses, open house announcements, and more
Unlimited listing changes can be purchased for $45
Pros
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- 50 photos in base package
Cons
- $45 for unlimited listing changes
- Market analysis not included in base package
As of August 4, 2020, Cottage Street Realty has an average rating of 5/5 based on 10 reviews across Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
DNK Real Estate
DNK Real EstatePrice Range
$249-799
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
12 months
- DNK Real Estate is a licensed real estate brokerage in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- DNK Real Estate offers flat fee MLS listing services, as well as full- and limited-service real estate agents
- The company offers many a-la-carte services with their flat fee packages, but all their services are non-refundable
- A-la-carte services include: Expedited flat fee mls listing, uploading extra photos, virtual tours, yard signs, realtor lock box, and printable flyers
- It typically takes two to three business days to list with DNK Real Estate
- Buyer’s agent commission isn’t required, but if a buyer’s agent brings a buyer you’re expected to pay their commission fee
- Sales comps are available at certain pricing tiers
$249 - Basic
| $499 - Deluxe
| $799 - Premium
|
Pros
- 1% limited service options available for home sellers that need help with contracts
- Lots of a-la-carte options help home sellers customize the service to their needs
Cons
- Upsells on services that are standard for other flat fee MLS services, e.g., $10 for extra photo uploads, $25 to change listing info, etc.
- Other flat fee MLS services charge less and provide more out of the box
- $2000 non-refundable fee to use access 1% limited-service agent
- Need to pay for sales comps in your area
As of August 4, 2020, DNK Real Estate has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 10 reviews across Facebook and Zillow.
Mr. Lister Realty
Mr. Lister RealtyPrice Range
$450-650
Number of Photos
20-30
Listing Term
12 months
- Mr. Lister is a licensed Maryland real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Listings typically go live in 24 hours
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find a buyer
- Your phone number included on MLS listing and buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
- Cancel anytime
$450 - Quick List
| $650 - Sellers Choice
|
Also offers MLS listing packages for rental properties and vacant land. See website for pricing details
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Cancel any time
- Home buyer rebate if you also buy a home with Mr. Lister
Cons
- No free changes with the Quick List package and only 2 with the Sellers Choice
- No built-in home valuation service
As of August 17, 2020, Mr. Lister Realty has an average rating of 4.34/5 based on 10 reviews across Google and Yelp.
Net Realty Now
Net Realty NowPrice Range
$299-1,299
Number of Photos
50-150
Listing Term
6 months
- Net Realty Now is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (Net Realty Now recommends 2%-2.5%)
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
$299 - Flat Fee MLS Package
| $1299 - Full Support Flat Fee Package
|
Online appointment service through Showingtime can be purchased for $50. Full service representation can be added for 3-4% at closing.
Fees may be incurred for excessive photo editing of submitted pictures.
- Pros:
- 50 photos in base package
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Unlimited text editing of your MLS listing
- Cons
- No built-in home valuation
As of August 17, 2020, Net Realty Now has an average rating of 4.53/5 based on 21 reviews across Yelp and Zillow.
Simple Choice Realty
Simple Choice RealtyPrice Range
$399-$1,399
Number of Photos
50
Listing Term
6 months
- Simple Choice Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in flat-fee MLS services, operating throughout most of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
- Listings typically go live on MLS within one business day
- Cancel anytime with no fee
- Required state disclosures included
- Free listing changes
- Requires buyer’s agent commission of at least 2% (but no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer)
- Additional agent assistance included in premium packages
$399 - MLS Listing Only
| $699 - Contract Review
|
Additional, a-la-carte options include: 12-month listing on MLS, customized sign, combination lockboxes, adding of your contact info on Zillow, Realtor.com Weekly Report, expedited listing (entered on the MLS same business day), listing on multiple MLSs
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Free MLS listing changes
- No buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Additional assistance from a licensed agent (in premium packages)
Cons
- Minimum 2% buyer’s agent commission required
- Does not cover all of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
As of August 11, 2020, Simple Choice Realty has an average rating of 5/5 based on 29 reviews on Zillow, as well as an A rating on Angie's List.
- Zillow: 5/5 (29 reviews)
- Angie's List: A
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Maryland
XFlatFeeMLS
XFlatFeeMLSPrice Range
$69-189+
Number of Photos
Listing Term
1 month up to until house sells
- XFlatFeeMLS is a flat-fee MLS service operated by XRealty.NET LLC, a licensed real estate brokerage in Washington D.C., Maryland, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Virginia
- You set the buyer’s agent commission
- Listings are processed in 24 hours or your listing is free
- Free status updates (Under contract, sold, etc.)
- Wide variety of a-la-carte services
- Money-back guarantee if you decide to sell with a full-service realtor XFlatFeeMLS refers you to
$69
| $99
|
Also offers a-la-carte services like: additional photos, unlimited text changes and open house announcements, listing on a secondary MLS, call forwarding service, centralized showing service, photography, contract prep and review, electronic lockbox rental, and more
Pros
- Work directly with the broker, not a referral service
- Buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you — no dual agency
- Money-back guarantee if you decide to list with a full-service realtor XFlatFeeMLS refers you to
- Listings are processed within 24 hours or your listing is free
Cons
- Free status updates do not include changes to the text of the listing or photos
- Only 6 photos included in all packages
- No pricing or home valuation assistance
As of August 8, 2020, XRealty does not have any third party customer reviews, though agent Norman Domingo has a 3.2/5 rating on Zillow.com. Additionally, it has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Maryland
The Maryland real estate market is increasing rapidly. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 1.4% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 3.4% 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