Can you list on the MLS without a realtor?

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling a house, one of the most common resources you’ll use is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS is the most accurate and up-to-date collection of homes on the market, allowing anyone to browse online to find available listings near them. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reports that 80% of all sold homes were on the MLS.

If you’re trying to sell your home, getting on the MLS is an important step. However, the MLS is reserved for professionally-represented listings, which makes it difficult to access for those who choose to sell without a realtor. For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes can get on the MLS, but it will take a little work.

What is the MLS?

Not to be confused with Major League Soccer, the MLS is the core network of real estate transactions and listings. There are nearly 600 MLS databases in the US, broadcasting local listings to buyers and realtors, many of which are aggregated by major homebuying websites like Zillow and Redfin. Basically, it’s the easiest place to go if you want to see information about homes for sale in any given neighborhood in the US.

The MLS is a great place for homebuyers to look for homes, and the inverse is also true. It’s a crucial place for home sellers to list their homes. More than 80% of sellers use the MLS, but just 5% of those in 2023 were from FSBO sellers, which can impact interest and sale price. The lack of MLS access is just one reason why FSBO sellers sold homes for an average of $95,000 less than agent-assisted homes in 2023.

Basically, if you’re selling a home, you really want it on the MLS.

Who can access the MLS?

The MLS is designed to protect sensitive information about sellers and buyers, including personal information, security codes, and showing schedules. Therefore, MLS access is only available to licensed real estate agents and brokers who pay membership fees to cover admin expenses.

How to get MLS access without a realtor

Although access to specific details is reserved for real estate professionals, you can still list your home on the MLS without a realtor. There are a few ways to do it.

1. Use a flat fee MLS listing service

A flat fee MLS listing service is the most cost-effective strategy for most FSBO sellers to get their properties on the local MLS. These services are offered by licensed brokerage companies, allowing you to use their access to list your home on the MLS for a fraction of what you would pay in a real estate agent’s commission. Some services charge as little as $100 for a listing, with additional charges for bonus services. Given that a typical agent’s commission is 3% of the total sale price, you’re likely to save thousands.

2. Hire a discount broker

Discount brokers and limited listing agents are almost like diet real estate agents. These real estate professionals handle just some parts of your property sale, like handling listing on the MLS, for a reduced percentage of the home’s sale price. They’ll leave the scheduling and negotiating to you, but will help you with an MLS listing in exchange for a reduced 1-2% commission.

3. Use per-day pricing

Some MLS sites allow FSBO access in exchange for a daily fee to list your property. Basically, every day you pay the fee, you’ll be able to access:

• The MLS
• Market data
• Sales comparisons
• A yard box and lockbox
• Marketing flyers

Some services offer more than others, or may allow you to pay more per day to get extra services. You might even be able to pay to get assistance from a licensed real estate agent without getting on the hook for a commission. The tradeoff, of course, is that if it takes a long time for your home to sell, per-day pricing can really add up.

Pros and cons of listing on MLS on your own

It’s not common for people to sell their homes without a realtor. That’s because the cons tend to outweigh the pros, however, some people may find that their situation makes sense to go the FSBO route.

Pros

• Control: The main pro of selling without a realtor is that you’ll have complete control of the process, from when and who you show the house to, your listing price, how to stage the home, and every other aspect of the sale.
• Lower closing costs: Real estate agents typically take 3% from the home seller, which would be $12,000 on a $400,000 house. You may not want to cut into your profit that much, making FSBO a more attractive option, even if you’re getting a lower sale price.
• Efficiency: This one comes with a caveat because it’s usually faster to sell with an agent than it is to sell without one. That said, if your home is in a hot market and in good condition, it may be pretty easy to find a buyer.

Cons

• Reduced sale price: As we mentioned before, NAR data has found that FSBO homes sell for an average of $95,000 less than realtor-represted homes. FSBO homes also rarely go for more than asking price.
• Professional guidance: An experienced real estate agent has been around the block a few times and knows a few people. Not only can they help make your MLS listing look great, but they can also stage your house for showings and work their network to find potential buyers.
• Convenience: One of the nicest things about real estate agents is that it’s their job to find a buyer for your house. Sometimes, that’s not easy, which is why it’s very handy to have someone in your life who won’t get paid until they sell your house. 
• Process: If you’ve never sold a home before, or have only sold one or two, you may not be an expert on the legal, transactional process. NAR research found that 12% of FSBO sellers reported that paperwork and helping buyers find financing were the most challenging aspects of selling without an agent.

Check out more FSBO stats here.