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Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Illinois (2024 Updates)

Illinois

✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.

If you are selling your home in Illinois, the service of a Flat Fee MLS company is your best choice for maximum saving and exposure.

An Illinois Realtor will charge you a 5%- 6% commission fee at closing. Say, your home costs around $500,000. A cool $25,000 will end up in the agent’s pocket. Whether selling a vintage home in Chicago or a condo in Springfield, you can save on hefty agent commissions with Flat Fee Listing companies in the Prairie State.

Benefits of Flat Fee MLS Services

  1. Save Thousands of Dollars: Start your listing journey at just $349 and save on Realtor commission costs.
  2. Cancel Anytime: With a traditional Realtor, you must sign a year-long contract. You are stuck with them even if you end up despising their work ethics.
  3. No Hidden Costs: The traditional real estate market is stained with high hidden costs. A genuine Flat Fee platform like Houzeo will disclose all costs upfront.
  4. Quick Listing: A Flat Fee MLS service can get you listed in 24-48 hours. Tech-Sites like Houzeo give you 100% online services, saving precious time and energy!

As the seller, you must pay both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent commission. This is a whopping 6% of your home sale price. With Flat Fee services even a first-time seller can list their home within 48 hours, save on agent fees, and complete the listing online!

Rankings: 7 Best Illinois Flat Fee MLS Listing Services

Flat Fee MLS ServicePriceAdditional Costs100% OnlineOffer ManagementShowing Management5-star ReviewsMobile App
1. Houzeo$229-$449None
2. Mentor Listing Realtor $299-$399None
3. Flat Fee Realty $199None
4. Beycome $99-$499( +0.1% commission) None
5. Prello Realty $295-$795None
6. Flat Fee GroupVaries State Wise Varies
7. Homecoin$95$100+

Reviews: Top 7 Illinois Flat Fee Companies

1. Houzeo

Company Logo
4.9/5
(5,465 reviews)
Queen's Take

Houzeo offers the best combination of maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, and listing exposure.

Houzeo offers 4 comprehensive Flat Fee MLS listing plans.

  • Bronze – $379+: In this basic plan, you get a 6-month listing term with 24 photos. You get unlimited listing changes and open houses.
  • Silver – $399+: In the silver plan, you can list 24 photos for 6 months. You also get a yard sign and unlimited listing changes.
  • Gold – $379+: Gold is Houzeo’s signature MLS package with tech features like Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
  • Platinum – $349+: This is the ultimate flat fee plan with a 1-year listing term and virtual full-service from a licensed broker.

👉 Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is America’s #1 MLS listing service!

Houzeo has the best tech available for a Flat Fee MLS platform. Check out Houzeo Reviews.

  • Maximum Savings: With Houzeo you save at least 3% on listing agent commission. All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees.
  • Advanced Tech: Houzeo’s tech is stellar. You get an intuitive seller’s dashboard, free mobile app, and 100% online paperwork.
  • Maximum Exposure: Your home is listed on 100+ real estate websites like Zillow and Trulia. This ensures maximum eyeballs on your property.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo covers 47 states and DC.

👉 Houzeo Customer Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating by 5,000+ home sellers on Google reviews and Trustpilot.

In our research, we found no major red flags with Houzeo. Customers have consistently given positive reviews about their experience.

» Houzeo Complaints: Find out what sellers said about Houzeo.

Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 5,000+ customers on Google and Trustpilot.

» Houzeo Reviews: Over 5,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo as “Excellent.”

📌Houzeo Illinois Pricing: In Illinois, Houzeo’s Bronze package costs $299, the Silver package costs $379, and the Gold package costs $379+0.5%. The full-service Platinum package costs $349+1% at closing.

2. Mentor Listing Realtor

Company Logo
/5
( reviews)
Queen's Take

Mentor Listing Realty Inc offers three Flat Fee MLS Packages.

  • Basic Package – $299: It includes 1 photo and a six-month listing term. The package offers unlimited open house listings, state disclosure forms, and contracts. A broker is also available to assist you.
  • Standard Package – $349: Includes all of the items in the Basic Package, plus 6 photos.
  • Premium Package – $399: This package includes 25 photos and the same services as the other two.

👉 Full Representation Service: This is an additional service that you can add to your package for $499. It includes all negotiations with buyer’s agents.

The standout offerings of Mentor Listing Realty are:

  • Unlimited Open House Listings: To help sell your home, you can hold as many open houses as you like.
  • Professional Broker Support: You can sell your house with the aid of a qualified broker. All packages include this assistance, although it is only available by phone and email.
  • All Important Paperwork Provided: You will receive all contracts and state disclosure forms from Mentor Listing Realty. They will also assist you in filling out the paperwork required to sell your house.

Mentor Listing Realty’s cost-effective packages have the following shortcomings:

  • Only 1 Photo for Basic Package: The standard flat price MLS package only comes with one photo, despite the services being the same as those in the other packages. Therefore, it is difficult for a buyer to imagine your home.
  • Mentor Listing Realty is Not 100% Online: The IT stack of Mentor Listing Realty is modest. Form filling is one of the many processes that will take place offline. As a result, the listing process gets delayed.
  • Additional Cost for a Market Survey Report: The MSR has additional costs of $175 from Mentor Listing Realty, which raises the overall cost significantly.

We recommended that you choose the Premium $399 package since it allows you to upload 25 photos.

3. Flat Fee Realty

Company Logo
0/5
(No credible reviews)
Queen's Take

Flat Fee Realty is a licensed real estate company in Connecticut. A flat fee is required to list a property on the MLS in any of the 50 states. It provides a single MLS package with varying costs by state.

Flat Fee Realty provides a single MLS package with varying costs as per the state.

  • Common Features: A listing term of 6 months with 6 photos is service included in the flat fee package. Your properties get syndicated to Realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow. Free listing enhancements and state disclosures come as well.

👉 Additional Costs: Any changes you wish to make to your listing photos must be purchased separately. For $50, you can add up to 25 photos.

» What is Flat Fee Realty? Read this blog to know more about them.

Flat Fee Realty is a great flat fee MLS substitute where it provides direct services.

  • Changes Made Simple: You can freely adjust your status and price with Flat Fee Realty. They enable correcting any minor problems found after the listing becomes live.
  • Market Exposure: Real estate listings appear on Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. You can advertise your home on all the major websites you choose to reach the ideal purchasers.
  • Free Disclosures: Similar to taxes, documentation is a crucial selling point. For all states, Flat Fee Realty provides free disclosures.

» Pros and Cons of Flat Fee Realty: Read the in-depth analysis of Flat Fee Realty before choosing them.

In our analysis, Flat Fee Realty has some significant red flags.

  • Non-customizable Packages: The listing bundle offered by Flat Fee Realty does not allow any modification. The package’s one-size-fits-all design restricts the possibilities you can choose from.
  • 0.25% Commission at Closing: At closing, Flat Fee Realty takes a commission of 0.25%. They claim the buyer agent is responsible for paying this, but the seller pays the entire commission. 

Flat Fee Realty is an excellent choice if having a budget-friendly strategy is important to you. They do, however, charge more for optional enhancements like extra photographs.

» Flat Fee Realty Reviews: Read the customer review on Flat Fee Realty.

4. Beycome

Company Logo
4.5/5
(558 reviews)
Queen's Take

Beycome has a user-friendly interface and cost-saving potential. However, their customer reviews paint a mixed picture, with both positive and negative experiences.

Beycome offers 3 FSBO packages. Prices may vary state-wise.

  • Basic Package – $99: This is a basic listing service for experienced sellers. You get services like a local MLS listing, unlimited updates, an open house scheduler, etc.
  • Enhanced Package – $399: You get to upload 25 professional HDR pictures. This plan also includes customizable flyers and brochures, promotional items, personalized yard signs, etc.
  • Concierge Service – $599+ 1%: This plan is essentially a virtual full-service package. Services include negotiation and paperwork assistance and full marketing support.

👑 The Queen’s Take: Beycome has a user-friendly interface and cost-saving potential. However, their customer reviews paint a mixed picture, with both positive and negative experiences.

👉 Beycome Pros and Cons: Beycome’s pros and cons unveiled!

Beycome is a decent choice for the few states it covers.

  • Affordable Basic Package: Beycome offers all basic services and state-required forms for just $99. This is a decent option for experienced sellers who need just a simple listing service.
  • Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make any number of changes to your listing at no additional cost.
  • Market Exposure: Beycome will list your home on sites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Coldwell Banker.

 

Beycome has a few drawbacks that you should be aware of.

  • Expensive Add-Ons: A $99 listing is almost always too good to be true. Many costs add up during the closing stage which can completely derail a successful sale.
  • Limited Tech: Beycome.com has a basic website. You have to manage leads, inspections, appraisals, etc offline.
  • Upselling Title Service: Beycome is known to spam customers to upsell their Title service.
  • Limited Coverage: Beycome does not offer nationwide coverage. Currently, Beycome is available only in 10 states.

Beycome has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 500+ reviews on Google Reviews.

» Beycome Reviews: Know what customers have to say about Beycome.

5. Prello Realty

Company Logo
/5
( reviews)
Queen's Take

Prello Realty provides three flat-fee MLS packages.

  • MLS Basic Package – $295: It includes syndication on websites like Zillow and Trulia and listing on the local MLS. There is a six-month listing period.
  • MLS Plus Package – $495: Everything from the Basic Package is included, along with expert photography of your property. There is a nine-month listing duration.
  • MLS Pro Package – $795: Everything from the above packages comes in this bundle. You also have access to showing appointment scheduling and combination lockbox benefits.

» What is Prello Realty? Read the blog to learn more about them.

The positive standout points of Prello Realty are:

  • 25 Photos for Every Package: All the packages by Prello Realty allows up to 25 photos. 
  • Professionally Designed Yard Sign: Every package includes a yard sign.
  • Free Listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing on the local MLS for no additional charge.

» Pros of Prello Realty: Here are the pros of Prello Realty.

Prello Realty has the following drawbacks:

  • Limited Add-Ons: Package customization options are limited.
  • Covers Only Select Counties in Illinois: Among the counties covered by Prello Realty in Illinois are Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

Our recommendation is the $495 MLS Plus Package. There is no additional charge for any services included in this flat fee listing package.

» Prello Realty ReviewsIs Prello Realty Legit? Read the blog to find out.

6. Flat Fee Group

Company Logo
0/5
(No credible reviews)
Queen's Take

Flat Fee Group™ is a national association of the best flat fee brokers and REALTORS®. All brokers have been real estate agents for many years having closes thousands of deals. Click on your state and interview one of our independent brokers.  

Flat Fee Group provides 3-4 packages that vary as per state.

Common Services: Your listing gets activated within 48 hrs with a listing term of 6 to 12 months. In the full-service package, you get broker assistance which is expensive.

 

» Flat Fee Group Reviews: Do consider reading these reviews before choosing Flat Fee Group.

Flat Fee Group is available in all the states.

  • Package Customization: You can get your package customized for a small additional fee.
  • State Disclosures: You get all the necessary contracts, forms, disclosures, and addenda you need from Flat Fee Group.
  • Great Exposure: Flat Fee Group will list your home on sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.

» Pros and Cons of Flat Fee Group: Read the blog for an in-depth analysis of Flat Fee Group.

 

Flat Fee Group has certain red flags which can make your experience terrible.

  • Not 100% Online: Flat Fee Group is not fully online. Therefore, the process becomes manual and time-consuming. You’ll be on your own to provide tours and interact with potential buyers.
  • Extra Fees: The closing costs can vary significantly as per your state and the listing package you choose. You will have to budget for these costs if you do not want to be caught off-guard.

Flat Fee Group operates on the agent referral system. There are several flat-fee brokerages that it works with, and no two sellers will have the same experience.

» Flat Fee Group Reviews: Read the reviews on Flat Fee Group and choose accordingly.

7. Homecoin

Company Logo
4.6/5
(50+ reviews)
Queen's Take

Homecoin offers a single MLS listing package, priced at $95. You can avail of their rental lockbox, professional real estate photographs, or signposts at additional costs.

Homecoin offers a single Flat Fee plan which requires many upgrades.

  • Flat Fee MLS Listing – $95: This is a basic MLS listing plan with a 12-month listing term.

Additional Services

  • Listing Changes: $5 per change
  • Lockbox: $125
  • Photography: Varies
  • Sign Post: $99
  • FSBO Listing: Free

👉 What Is Homecoin: Read to find out more about the company.

Homecoin can be useful for experienced home sellers.

  • Affordable Package: Experienced home sellers who don’t require any broker assistance can opt for Homecoin’s $95 listing plan.
  • Online Paperwork: You can complete all the required paperwork online for a quick listing.

» Advantages of Using HomecoinRead this blog to find out.

Homecoin has several shortcomings!

  • Expensive Add-Ons: The $95 plan may seem affordable. However, it is only a minimal listing option. For everything else, you must pay extra!
  • Limited Tech: Although Homecoin claims to be 100% online, the tech is pretty basic. The dashboard is clunky and does not auto-populate your listing data.
  • Limited Coverage: Homecoin is present only in 22 states in America. So, home sellers living outside their coverage area cannot avail of their services.
  • Limited Listing Changes: Homecoin provides only 10 MLS listing changes. Every additional change costs $5. This might be an issue if your home does not sell quickly.

Homecoin.com has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 50+ sellers on Google.

» Homecoin Reviews: Read this to find out more about Homecoin.

Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service Illinois Near Me

There are over 500 small and regional Multiple Listing Sites in the USA. Here are a few in IL for FSBO home sellers.  

  • Flat Fee MLS Chicago: The Flat Fee MLS listing rates in Illinois are between $99 to $795. If you are selling a home in Chicago, opt for a flat fee service to save thousands in agent commission fees!
  • Flat Fee MLS Peoria: Peoria is known for its affordable housing market. As a seller, you can save on hefty agent commissions with a Flat Fee MLS listing company!

Be careful, Local IL Flat Fee MLS services have high hidden costs and sub-par technology! This can ruin your experience if you are a new FSBO seller.

How to List Without a Realtor in Illinois?

Technically, only licensed real estate agents can list a property on the MLS. But with today’s technology, selling a house is easier than ever! To sell without a realtor you can opt for a Flat Fee MLS service and skip the heavy agent commissions.

List with a tech-backed Flat Fee Platform like Houzeo in 4 easy steps.

  • Visit Houzeo to Register
  • Enter your property info
  • Purchase your preferred listing plan 
  • Complete the listing paperwork 

👉 Houzeo is 100% online! Watch the video for more details.

How Much Do Illinois MLS Listings Cost?

On average, you can expect to pay $200-$800 for a Flat Fee MLS listing service in IL.

Flat Fee MLS Listing services allow FSBO sellers to list their property without paying the listing agent commission. You also have the option to choose from an à la carte menu of services as per your needs. 

We have listed a few upgrades most FFM Sites provide for an additional fee.

  • Yard Sign: $49- $150
  • Additional Photos: $50
  • Lockbox: $50- $250
  • Broker Assistance: 0.25%- 0.75% at closing

IL Seller Closing Costs and Seller Disclosure 

Closing Costs: The average seller closing costs for Illinois is 8% to 10% of the final sale price of your home. The median home price in Illinois is $267,321. So you will have to pay around $21,000 to $26,000 as closing costs.

Typical Seller’s Closing Costs in Illinois include some of the following:-

  • Attorney’s Fee: $150-$400 per hour
  • Escrow Fee: Spilt between buyer and seller
  • Home Inspection Fee: $350
  • Real Estate Broker Commission- 4%-6% Listing Agent Fee + 2%-3% Buyer’s Agent Fee

Seller’s Disclosure: A Illinois home seller is required by law to disclose any defects and restrictions pertaining to their property. This includes everything from pest infestation to pending legal matters. You must disclose these issues before the closing to avoid disputes with your buyer.

Typical Seller’s Disclosure in Illinois includes some of the following:-

  • Lead Paint Disclosure
  • Home Owner’s Association Disclosure
  • Illinois Radon Gas Disclosure
  • Property Tax Disclosure

Careful, Hidden Fees Ahead!

It is not all rainbows and unicorns with a flat fee MLS listing platform. Some of these services list the price as low as $99. This usually means you will be bombarded with hidden costs (not mentioned on the pricing page) during your closing process. 

👉 Houzeo Illinois Listing: Houzeo discloses all prices upfront so there are no surprises at closing!

Alternatives To Illinois Flat Fee MLS Companies

We recommend flat fee services that offer a full-service upgrade for most Illinois home sellers. But if you like keeping your options open, here are a few alternatives to Flat Rate MLS companies. 

  • Discount Realtors in Illinois: Illinois discount real estate brokers offer all the services of a traditional broker for a discounted commission. Typically, low-commission real estate agents will charge anywhere between 0.5% to 2% commission to list and sell your home.
  • Cash Home Buyers: Companies that buy houses for cash in Illinois pay you upfront within 24- 48 hours. However, most cash buyers pay an average of 12% less than your expected home sale price.
  • Sell to iBuyers: iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad, buy hundreds of homes in Chicago and other Illinois markets. This can be a good option if you are trying to sell your home fast in Illinois.
  • Realtors in Illinois: Illinois Realtors will charge around 5% – 6% commission from the seller. However, if you are new to the real estate market it is likely you will need the guidance of a licensed real estate agent.
  • For Sale By Owner: FSBO websites will help you list and sell a house by owner in Illinois and save thousands in listing agent commissions. Many For Sale By Owner websites will also list you on the MLS and help you with FSBO paperwork.

» Best FSBO Sites in Illinois: We’ve researched and reviewed all the best For Sale By Owner sites. See our rankings!

The Final Verdict

Selling your home will probably be one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. As the seller, you must pay the listing agent and the buyer agent’s commission. A Flat Fee listing agent will help you save thousands in seller commissions.

We recommend Houzeo for most FSBO sellers in Illinois. Houzeo’s user-friendly dashboard, combined with IntelliList Listing Management, will help you easily navigate the tough real estate space.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out what FSBO sellers have to say about listing with Houzeo.com

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in Illinois?

According to customer reviews, Houzeo is the best Flat Fee MLS in Illinois. Houzeo offers affordable Flat Fee MLS Listings starting from $229. The company advertises nationwide coverage and cutting-edge technology.

2. Is Flat Fee MLS legal in Illinois?

Yes. Flat Fee MLS is legal all over the United States, including in Illinois. In fact, the US DOJ just updated their bulletin highlighting the benefits of Flat Fee MLS for For Sale By Owner home sellers.

3. How long will it take for my MLS listing to go live?

The average time to list is 1-2 business days after you’ve completed all your tasks accurately. But for most MLS’ in Illinois, your listing can be up in 4 to 8 business hours (Central Time).

4. How do I get MLS access in Illinois?

Only a licensed real estate agent can access the MLS. But you can opt for a Flat Fee MLS company to skip the agent fees.

5. What is for sale by owner contract?

An FSBO contract is a legally binding document used to buy and sell a house. Generally it is the real estate agent who draws up contract in for sale by owner transaction.

6. How to sell a house in 2023?

If you want to sell your home in 2023, you must follow these steps:
1. List on MLS.
2. Offer a competitive buyer's agent commission
3. Set a competitive pricing for your house.
4. Use professional photography.

Flat Fee Listing Services Near Me

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