The multiple listing service (MLS) is a powerful tool. Nearly all property is listed on, and sold through, a local MLS. A licensed real estate broker is the only person allowed to submit a listing directly to the MLS. If you want to FSBO your own home and sell without an agent, but still want to be listed on the MLS, you need to find a local flat fee MLS entry only listing service.

A flat fee MLS entry only listing service is operated by a licensed real estate broker – remember, they’re the only person that can technically get your property listed on the MLS. The “flat fee” denotes that for a one-time flat fee, the licensed broker that operates the entry only MLS listing service will submit your listing on the MLS and not charge you anything further, no additional fees or commission percentage splits. The “entry only” denotes that the listing broker will only enter your property on the MLS, providing limited service to you as a seller after the property is listed on the MLS.

The official MLS that serves Massachusetts is MLS Property Information Network, Inc. Their rules and regulations stipulate that by filing a listing, “the Listing Broker holds a current, valid real estate broker’s license issued by the appropriate state real estate licensing authority, agency or board, or its functional equivalent, in the state in which the Listed Property is located.”

Why is the MLS so popular and powerful?

At the most basic level, the MLS is what it is because it’s the system of record for the real estate industry (namely residential property for sale and rent). Layered on top of that, in order to list a property for sale or rent in the MLS, you need to be a licensed real estate professional – so not just anybody can enter listings in the MLS.

With the MLS serving as the system of record, it’s the source from which property information is syndicated to literally thousands of websites across the Internet, including the most popular real estate websites (Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com). If a property makes its way into the MLS, it automatically gets syndicated (transferred) to thousands of other websites. With, in effect, 100% of buyers starting their property search online, the MLS is the fundamental key to exposure, and responsible for ultimately getting a property in front of a buyer or renter.

Who do Buyers call, the FSBO or the listing company?

Your property is now in the MLS, who gets the calls, the FSBO or the listing company? Good question, it’s really a two part answer.

1. As a licensed listing broker entering a flat fee entry only MLS listing into the MLS, there’s a data field that allows the listing broker to tell other licensed real estate professionals who have direct access to the MLS that they should contact the seller directly for showings and more information – so, the seller’s name and phone number are included in the MLS listing. However, that’s only the first part and only applies to licensed agents who are able to access the MLS system of record directly.
2. When a listing in the MLS is syndicated to the thousands of websites noted earlier, like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com, only the listing brokerage’s contact information is syndicated, not the FSBO seller’s contact information. One subtle thing to note here is that by doing this, from the general public’s perspective, there’s no difference between a flat fee MLS entry only listing and a full commission listing.

At Entry Only New England (https://entryonlynewengland.com), all showing requests and calls are funneled directly to the seller. While most buyers work with a licensed real estate agent, such direct facilitation of communication to a seller increases the possibility a FSBO seller can work with an unrepresented buyer (thus eliminating real estate commission on all sides). When a buyer or buyer’s agent requests more information on a flat fee MLS entry only listing to the listing brokerage directly, the inquiry is passed onto the seller – there’s a good article on who’s contact information is listed on the MLS listing that describes all of this.

Can you List FSBO on the MLS without a Realtor?

In summary, yes, you can. A FSBO who wants to sell their own home without an agent must work through a local flat fee MLS entry only listing service to get their property listed on the MLS for sale or rent. The licensed broker behind the flat fee MLS entry only listing service will enter the listing into the MLS, collect their one-time flat fee, and pass along all calls and inquiries regarding the property directly to the seller.

A recent FSBO versus Realtor study involving the analysis of home sales in Plymouth, MA 02360 shows that For Sale by Owners (FSBOs) using flat fee MLS entry only listings on average sold their homes both faster, and at a price closer to the original asking price, than real estate agents.

Flat Fee MLS in Plymouth MA

The Plymouth MA MLS data established that it takes, on average, 56% longer to sell a home with a traditional real estate agent charging a full commission than as a FSBO with an MLS entry only listing.

And separately, entry only MLS listings in Plymouth achieve both a higher sale price to original asking price ratio, as well as, a higher sale price to listing price ratio.

How to FSBO Plymouth Massachusetts

With the increasing popularity of flat fee entry only MLS listings, and the success in terms of days on market and sales to listing price ratios of this home listing technique against the status quo of a traditional listing broker approach, Massachusetts homeowners are evaluating how to FSBO their own home as an alternative to hiring a traditional agent to list their home for sale (at a full commission).

With the potential to save thousands of dollars in real estate commissions, Boston and Massachusetts property owners are beginning to investigate how to sell by owner. With a for sale by owner (FSBO) approach to selling, Massachusetts homeowners are listing their own homes in the MLS without a Realtor and are eliminating at least half of Boston real estate agent commission fees – more and more sellers are learning how to FSBO Boston Massachusetts!

Selling Your Massachusetts FSBO Tips

Home sellers interested in selling a Massachusetts home without a Realtor must follow a checklist, including:

• For Sale by Owner preparation
• List, market, and promote your home like a pro
• Access and understand Massachusetts real estate paperwork
• Close your Massachusetts FSBO transaction

Massachusetts Flat Fee MLS for FSBOs

The internet enabled multiple listing service (MLS) is the cornerstone of any Massachusetts FSBO. When selling a home without a Realtor, property exposure is key, and the best way to drive FSBO exposure is via a listing in the MLS. A reputable and technologically advanced Massachusetts flat fee MLS listing service can list a FSBO in the MLS for a one-time flat fee.

Here’s an example of the costs involved in listing a home with a flat fee MLS listing service like Entry Only New England versus selling with a traditional real estate listing broker.

This real life example demonstrates a $395,000 home listed for sale with EntryOnlyNewEngland.com versus listing that same home with a traditional real estate brokerage.

Assume that for the entry only listing, you have decided to compensate a Buyer’s Agent (i.e. a licensed real estate agent representing the buyer of your home) 2.5%, and assume that for the traditional real estate brokerage listing you are being charged a 5% commission that the listing brokerage will split in half between themselves and the brokerage representing the buyer.

How to Sell Boston by Owner

In the example above with a $395,000 home, a Massachusetts FSBO would gain an additional $9,580 by selling their home without a Realtor using an entry only listing with EntryOnlyNewEngland.com versus listing for sale with a traditional real estate brokerage.