If you're selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Montana, 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 Treasure State is approximately 3%. Based on the median sale price for Montana homes, as of November 2019, that translates to about $8,470.
In contrast, typical rates for flat-fee MLS companies in Montana are in the $99 to $400 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 Montana 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 Montana.
Top Montana Flat-Fee MLS Companies in 2020
Congress Realty
Congress RealtyPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
Listing Term
6 months
- Congress Realty is a licensed brokerage in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington that specializes in flat-fee MLS listing services
- Free comparative market analysis (upon request)
- You set buyer’s commission (Congress Realty recommends 3%)
- Listings typically go live in 1 business day
- Free, unlimited changes
- Your phone number displayed on the MLS listing
$299
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 4 photos
- Downloadable contracts, addendums, and disclosure forms
- ShowingTime showing scheduling and feedback service
A-la-carte services include: more photos, open house advertisements, listing renewals, professional photography, yard signs, lockbox, and more.
Pros
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find the buyer
- Free, unlimited changes
- Wide variety of a-la-carte services
- Home buyer rebates if you buy with Congress Realty (in states where available)
Cons
- May not cover every part of your state
- Fewer photos than other comparable flat-fee MLS services
As of August 4, 2020, Congress Realty has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 30 reviews across Yelp and Zillow.
Montana Flat Fee MLS
Montana Flat Fee MLSPrice Range
$279-359
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6 months
- Montana Flat Fee MLS is a local affiliate of Brokerless, a nationwide, flat-fee referral service that connects sellers with local brokers
- Listings typical go live 24 to 48 hours after paperwork is received
- You choose the buyer’s agent commission (pay no commission if you find an unrepresented buyer)
- Free status changes
- Your phone number included in the MLS listing
$279 - Basic Package
| $359 - Premium Package
|
Pros
- Free status changes
- State required forms and disclosures included
- Your phone number in the MLS listing
Cons
- No refunds once home is listed on MLS
- Doesn’t cover all of Montana
- No packages for longer than 6 months
N/A — As of August 17th, 2020, no third-party review information was available for Montana Flat Fee MLS. We will update when this information becomes available.
National Flat-Fee MLS Services & Brokers Operating in Montana
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with Montana brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission
- MLS photo upgrade available for $50
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
$299 - MLS Listing package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
MLS photo upgrade available for $50
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Free state disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
- Limited coverage in rural areas
As of August 11, 2020, no third-party reviews exist for Flat Fee Realty. We will update when this information becomes available.
FSBO.com
FSBO.comPrice Range
$399.95
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- FSBO.com is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with licensed brokerage MLSmart Realty, LLC. MLSmart Realty then refers you to a regional Montana broker who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (FSBO.com recommends 2-3%)
- Edit or cancel anytime (may include an additional fee)
$399.95 - Montana Flat Fee MLS
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 20 MLS photos
- FSBO.com Listing
- Unlimited photos on FSBO.com
- Video Upload on FSBO.com
A-la-carte options (purchased directly from the local broker) include: yard sign, lockbox, extra photos, and Realtor.com Showcase listing
Pros
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
- A-la-carte options available
Cons
- Only one package to choose from
- No home valuation included
As of August 12, 2020, FSBO.com has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 26 reviews on Zillow and an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau.
Note: As a referral service, the reviews and service quality of your local FSBO.com broker may vary. Be sure to research your broker before signing a listing agreement.
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$99-399
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3-6 Months
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Montana 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
$99 - 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 price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 7, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
Alternatives to Flat-Fee MLS in Montana
The Montana real estate market is steadily rising. According to Zillow, the median home value rose 5.4% over the past year and is expected to see an increase of 4.6% 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