Listing In MLS Without An Agent

Added March 13, 2009 by Ilyce R. Glink

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Summary: A home seller is selling by owner but having trouble listing the home in the local multiple listing service (MLS). Several for sale by owner companies provide the option to be included in multiple listing services.

Q: We’re interested in selling our home without an agent, but are willing to cooperate with an agent if he or she brings the buyer.

I have researched several companies that offer listings on Realtor.com and in the local multiple listing service (MLS). Their web advertisements indicate they offer the services I want, but when I’ve visited these companies in person, they say I have to hire them as the listing agent to be listed in the MLS.

I think the problem is that I live in a smaller, non-urban county and there is no competition to keep them honest. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can be listed in the local MLS as a part of the marketing plan for selling our home while still represent ourselves in the sale of our home?

A: You should try one of the online for sale by owner (FSBO) companies, like forsalebyowner.com. This website gives you tremendous visibility (it lists 40,000 homes for sale at any one time), as well as the option to be in print (it publishes magazines every three weeks listing homes for sale) and the option to be included in the local multiple listing service in most major markets.

The print and MLS option will cost you a few hundred dollars more, but still well below the standard agent’s commission of 5 to 7 percent of the sales price.

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