The best MLS services | FAQ | Alternatives
Whether you're selling a beach house on Hilton Head Island or a townhouse in downtown Greenville, paying 6% in realtor fees is a lot.
That’s why some sellers use a flat-fee MLS company to list their home on the MLS — the main place where realtors find homes to show their clients — in exchange for a small one-time fee.
What’s the catch?
- Less support: You manage your own sale — without a full-service agent to handle pricing, photography, paperwork, and negotiations.
- You still pay a buyer’s agent fee: 88% of buyers work with an agent — who still needs to get paid. In South Carolina, you’re on the hook for 2.66%-3.06% of the final sale price.
If you want to save on fees but aren’t ready for a “Do-It-Yourself” experience, Clever can match you with full-service agents who work for a low flat fee or 1%. Find a low fee agent near you.
If you’re still interested in finding flat-fee MLS listing options in South Carolina, read on! We’ve reviewed the best (and worst!) services in the The Palmetto State.
The 5 best South Carolina flat-fee MLS companies*
Carolina Realty Solutions | iSave Realty | South Carolina Flat Fee MLS | United Brokers LTD | List With Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price range | $399-549 | $299-399 | $99-149 | $99-875 | $89-295 |
Money-back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Unlimited listing updates | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Downloadable forms | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
For sale sign | ✅ | 💰 | ❌ | 💰 | ❌ |
Lockbox | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | 💰 | ❌ |
* 💰 indicates extra fee or premium purchase required | |||||
Carolina Realty Solutions
Carolina Realty SolutionsBest For
Sellers willing to pay for the convenience of an all-in package
Price Range
$375-475
Pros:
- Includes access to Showingtime, an app Realtors use to schedule showings. Many flat-fee MLS companies either don't offer or charge extra for this service.
- You can extend your listing for up to two years without paying an extra listing fee.
- You'll get both a yard sign and a key lockbox — even with the cheapest package.
Cons:
- Carolina Realty Solutions doesn't currently offer flat fee MLS services to Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Cleveland counties.
iSave Realty
iSave RealtyBest For
Sellers looking for a no-frills flat fee MLS listing
Price Range
$299-399
Pros:
- The base package comes with a 12-month listing term. This could be helpful if you think your home could take some time to sell.
- The gold package includes a lot of input from the broker like contract reviews, advertising assistance, and help with sales contracts.
Cons:
- It's unclear if iSave Realty charges you to make changes to your MLS listing.
South Carolina Flat Fee MLS
South Carolina Flat Fee MLSBest For
Cash-strapped sellers looking for the cheapest option possible
Price Range
$99-149
Pros:
- Even though the packages are cheap, you still get the same basic services (like a six month listing, six photos, and all the state-required forms) that other, more expensive companies offer.
- If you go with the upgraded package, you can get an upgraded listing with a virtual tour on Realtor.com.
Cons:
- Free changes only include the status, not the listing information or pictures.
United Brokers LTD
United Brokers LTDBest For
Budget-conscious sellers who need an affordable basic listing
Price Range
$99-875
Pros:
- You can get the basic bundle for cheaper than many other companies if you don't need much additional support from the broker.
- For an extra fee, you can add a virtual tour to your MLS listing.
Cons:
- If you buy the basic package, any changes to your listing cost $10 each, but free changes to your price, status, and description are included in the Standard, Enhanced, and Full-Service bundles.
- You can e-sign forms only if you sign up for the Full-Service bundle ($875).
List With Freedom
List With FreedomBest For
Experienced sellers who know what services they do and don't need
Price Range
$89-295
Pros:
- If you know exactly what you need, you can go with a cheaper package and buy the extras on their own.
- There's no cancellation fee for live listings.
- You can pay a little more for showing and open house assistance.
Cons:
- There's only one photo included in the base package.
- List With Freedom offers no built-in pricing support or home valuation.
Flat-Fee MLS Companies in South Carolina by City
In South Carolina, you'll also find some smaller flat-fee MLS companies that specialize in particular cities. These uber-local companies are more likely to offer flexible service packages and to bring more area expertise than the big guys.
Every South Carolina flat-fee MLS service is different. Always make sure to read the fine print when evaluating offerings to make sure you're getting a fair deal.
Flat-fee MLS companies in Greenville
We found that flat fee MLS companies in Greenville vary widely — both in price and services. You can find packages from $250 to $2,000 with a lot of a la carte options to make sure you have everything you need to sell your property.
» EXPLORE: The Best Greenville Flat-Fee MLS Companies
Flat-fee MLS companies to avoid
Some companies claim to offer flat-rate MLS services but charge "hidden" fees at closing. These predatory practices could cost you thousands of dollars when you expect to pay only a few hundred.
Always make sure to read the fine print for any service. Look out for "closing fees" or "closing costs" that you'll owe the broker in addition to an up-front flat fee.
We've even seen some companies that claim to offer a "free" MLS listing only to charge you a percentage of the sale price.
Paying a percentage of the sale price kills any benefits of using a flat-fee MLS company. At that cost, you'll be better off using a flat-fee broker like Clever for more service and transparent pricing.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flat-fee MLS services cost in South Carolina?
Typically, you should expect to pay about $100-400 for a flat-fee MLS listing in South Carolina. However, we've seen basic plans for as low as $89 and more comprehensive services that charge as much as $875.
Some flat-fee MLS companies offer services such as photography, paperwork help, and signage a la carte. However, watch out. These add-on services can add up! At that point, you might be better off using a full-service agent who charges a flat or discounted fee to handle everything for you.
» FIND: Full-service agents who don't charge an arm and a leg
Do I still need to pay the buyer's agent commission?
Although you'll save some money by not having to pay commission to a listing agent (typically 2.74%-3.14% of the sale price), we strongly recommend offering a commission to the buyer's agent. This will incentivize agents to bring their clients to your home.
How much to offer a buyer's agent is up to you, but most selling agent commissions in South Carolina range from 2.66%-3.06%.
» READ: Average Real Estate Commission in South Carolina
How do I sell by owner in South Carolina?
South Carolina real estate laws require sellers to disclose all important information about their property, including:
- Water supply and sewer systems
- Structure details and changes
- Mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling)
- Present insect infestations or past infestation damage that hasn't been repaired
- Zoning and land-use restrictions
- Environmental issues
- If the property is used as a rental property
- Meter conservation charges
The South Carolina Association of REALTORS® uses the Residential Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) to document all this information. You can download the form directly from the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.
» READ: How to Sell a House for Sale by Owner in South Carolina
What are the alternatives to using a flat-fee MLS service in South Carolina?
Discount and flat-fee real estate agents
Discount real estate brokers will list your property for as little as 1% — keeping in mind that you usually still have to pay a 2.6–3% buyer’s agent fee.
We’ve reviewed six national and regional discount brokers that operate in South Carolina.
Clever offers the lowest rates, with an added advantage: Clever lets you compare multiple agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX. However, if you’re selling a particularly pricey home, the flat fees charged by Trelora could offer significant savings.
Your Clever Agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but save hours of effort by not having to do it all yourself.
Clever is a referral service that can match you with a pre-vetted full-service agent for a flat fee of only $3,000 (or 1% if your home is priced above $350,000), plus the typical buyer's agent commission.
Your full-service agent will handle everything for you, from helping you accurately price your home to high-quality photography to negotiating with prospective buyers and filling out the paperwork. You'll pay only a little more than you'd pay a flat-fee MLS service but save hours of effort by not having to do it all yourself.
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Selling without an MLS listing
It's always possible to try selling your house by owner without listing on the MLS. But this makes sense only if you already have a potential buyer lined up.
That's because not listing on your local MLS means not getting the most effective exposure for your property. MLS listings are posted to every major real estate website. Plus, real estate agents access MLS listings to find properties for their clients.
If you don't secure an MLS listing, you'll be limited to sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and relying on a yard sign.
iBuyers
iBuyers are companies that buy homes for cash outright at what they claim are market prices. When you sell to an iBuyer, you could have a preliminary offer in as little as 24 hours.
The major downside of selling to an iBuyer is that these companies make money by charging steep service fees — typically 5-14% of the purchase price. So they're a good alternative only for sellers more concerned with convenience and speed than costs.
There is currently only one iBuyer operating in South Carolina. Click below to learn more.
iBuyer | South Carolina Market | Fees | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
Offerpad | Charlotte | 6-10% |