If you're getting ready to sell your home in California, you've probably come across two common options: listing with a full-service real estate agent or using a flat fee MLS service like ListLean.
Both have their place—but the real question is:
What’s the difference, and which one is right for you?
Let’s break it down in plain English, without the sales fluff.
Option 1: Full-Service Realtor
A full-service agent handles everything for you—pricing, staging advice, marketing, negotiations, showings, paperwork, and more. In return, they charge a commission, typically:
- 2.5%–3% to list your home
- Plus 2%–2.5% offered to the buyer’s agent
💡 On a $750,000 home, that’s $37,500 in total commissions.
A chunk of change, right?
Option 2: Flat Fee MLS (aka the Smart FSBO Route)
A flat fee MLS service lets you pay a licensed California broker a one-time fee to get your home listed on the MLS—the same database realtors use.
That means your listing shows up on Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and 500+ sites, just like every other home on the market. But you manage the rest (showings, offers, paperwork) yourself—or choose a plan with added support.
At ListLean, flat fee MLS listings in California start at just $95.
📊 Head-to-Head Comparison
Who Is Flat Fee MLS Best For?
Flat fee MLS is ideal if:
- You're comfortable handling showings and conversations
- You want to save tens of thousands in commission
- You’ve sold a home before—or want guidance, not hand-holding
- You’re in a hot market like SoCal, Bay Area, or Inland Empire where homes move fast
- You value control and transparency
And with California real estate prices being what they are, a small fee upfront can lead to massive savings.
Who Might Prefer a Full-Service Agent?
Hiring a full-service agent might still be right if:
- You’re relocating and can’t be present
- You’re overwhelmed by paperwork
- You have a unique property that needs hands-on marketing
- You simply prefer someone else to handle the process from A to Z
But even then—you’re paying a premium. And that premium often eats into your equity.
Real Talk: What Are Sellers Actually Choosing?
With more digital tools and transparent data available today, more sellers than ever are skipping the full-service route.
According to the National Association of Realtors, FSBO homes made up about 10% of all home sales, and that number continues to grow—especially in places like California where commissions can get steep, fast.
Sellers are asking:
Why should I pay $25,000 to list a home when I can get on the MLS for under $100?
Spoiler: most of the time, there's no good reason.
Want to Dig Deeper?
If you're still deciding which route fits your situation, check out this related post:
👉 What Are the Pros and Cons of FSBO?
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the difference between flat fee MLS and full-service realtors comes down to cost, control, and confidence.
If you want to save big, stay in control, and still get your home listed everywhere buyers are looking, ListLean makes it simple. Whether you're in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, or Riverside—we’ve got you covered.
👉 See Flat Fee MLS Plans for California Sellers
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