Updated November 2026. A flat rate commission is simple until the house doesn’t sell. Competitor terms come from each company’s own pages, read October 20, 2026.
Usually yes. Most flat fee listings are paid up front and aren’t refunded once the home is on the MLS, whether it sells or not. A traditional commission works the other way, as our guide on whether realtors get paid if the deal falls through explains. As of November 2026, Beycome’s fee is from $99 in most states, earned when the listing is published, with no cancellation fee* and nothing more owed at closing. A percentage commission normally works the other way.
Jump to: 💲 What you owe · 📄 Refund terms · ⚖️ Flat vs percentage · ⏳ If it expires · 🔧 If it’s stuck · ❓ FAQ
The short version
- A flat fee pays for the listing, not for the sale. That’s why it’s cheap and usually final.
- Refunds, where they exist, nearly always end the moment the listing hits the MLS.
- “Cancel anytime” means no penalty for leaving. It doesn’t mean your money comes back.
- A long listing term matters more than a refund, because time is what sells most homes.
Here’s the honest trade. With a percentage commission, the agent generally takes on the risk that your home won’t sell. With a flat rate, you take that risk and pay far less for it. Neither one is wrong. You just want to know which deal you’ve made before you sign. If you’re weighing the bigger question, our piece on flat fee brokerage vs commission broker covers how each one works.
What do you owe if a flat fee listing doesn’t sell?
Normally nothing beyond what you’ve already paid. Plans with a back-end fee are the exception, and those are charged at closing, so no closing means no back-end fee.
| Pricing model | When you pay | If the home doesn’t sell |
|---|---|---|
| Flat fee, paid up front | When you buy the package | The fee is spent |
| Small up-front fee plus a closing fee | Part now, part at closing | Closing part is never due |
| Percentage commission | Typically from sale proceeds | Generally nothing, but read the agreement |
That last row deserves a careful look. NAR’s consumer guide says what you owe depends on the type of agreement. Under an exclusive right-to-sell listing, you owe the agent no matter who finds the buyer. Some agreements add a withdrawal fee or a tail period, so read the fine print on protection periods before you sign anything.
Do flat fee companies give refunds?
Before the listing goes live, sometimes. After, rarely. Here’s what several companies publish.
| Company | Published refund term | Read |
|---|---|---|
| List With Freedom | “No refunds will be provided once your property has been listed in the MLS.” | Oct 20, 2026 |
| HomeZu | No refunds after MLS listing, unless it refers you to a full-service agent who sells the home | Oct 20, 2026 |
| List Now Realty | Refund only if the listing never went Active, minus processing fees | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Florida Flat Fee Homes | No refund after MLS entry; a money-back offer if the home doesn’t sell during the term, terms apply | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Beycome | No fee to cancel*, and the fee is not refunded once your listing is live | Nov 9, 2026 |
*Georgia MLS requires a $25 cancellation fee. Listings under contract can’t be canceled.
We put our own line in the table on purpose. Our flat fee is earned when the listing is published on the MLS, so if you’re not ready to go live, don’t go live yet. Terms change, so read the current page of any company you’re considering. Our flat rate listing agent checklist lists what else to ask.
Is a flat rate better than a percentage if a home might not sell?
It depends how likely a sale is, and how much the fee would be. Let’s put numbers on it, using the U.S. median price of $417,500 from September 2026 (NAR).
| Example at $417,500 | If it sells | If it doesn’t sell |
|---|---|---|
| Beycome Basic, $99 flat fee | $99 to Beycome | $99 to Beycome |
| Beycome Concierge, $1,399 flat fee | $1,399 to Beycome | $1,399 to Beycome |
| 3% listing commission (example only) | $12,525 | Generally $0 |
The 3% line is an example, not a typical or required rate. Commissions are not set by law or NAR rules and are negotiable. Sellers choose whether to offer buyer-agent compensation, and offers haven’t been shown on the MLS since August 17, 2024. Each column above leaves out taxes and title costs, and any buyer-agent pay you agree to.
So the flat fee costs more only in one narrow case: the home never sells at all. Even then you’ve lost $99. That’s usually a risk worth taking, though a full-service agent is a fair choice too if you want someone carrying the work and the risk.
What happens when a flat fee listing expires?
The listing comes off the MLS, and you pick what’s next: renew, relist or stop. Term length decides how soon you face that.
Sell smarter
List your home on the MLS from $99
A flat fee instead of a percentage, and $0 to Beycome at closing. You stay in control of your sale.
Sell your home →Buy smarter
Get up to 2% back at closing
On homes listed by other agents, Beycome credits you up to 2% of the price at closing (1% kept, $1,499 minimum; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers).
Buy a home →Our listings run for the maximum the state and MLS allow, which is 24 months (12 in Maryland and Pennsylvania). That’s a long runway. Median time on market was 33 days in September 2026 (NAR), and many homes need longer than that when price or condition is off. Some plans sold at similar prices run only six months, and then charge to renew, so compare term as closely as you compare price.
What should you do if your flat fee listing isn’t selling?
Change something a buyer can see. Start with the least expensive fix, and give each change a couple of weeks to work.
- Check showings against what’s normal for your market.
- Look at the price. Our guide on how much to lower your price gives you a way to decide.
- Upgrade your photos. Basic lets you upload the most the MLS allows, and a professional shoot is available as an option.
- Rewrite the description, since listing updates are unlimited and free.
- Bring in help. Concierge pairs you with an expert 7 days a week, and you keep every decision.
Every Beycome package includes ShowingTime where the MLS offers it, e-sign, and an 844 line that forwards calls and messages to you. And sellers do get there this way: on Beycome, it’s a home sold every 30 minutes (Beycome internal data, October 2026).
See the packages and terms for your state before you pay anything. Basic is from $99 in most states ($129 in California and Illinois), with $0 to Beycome at closing.
Related reading and resources: National Association of Realtors, NAR settlement FAQs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Nolo.
Flat fee questions when a home doesn’t sell
Do you get your money back if a flat fee listing doesn’t sell?
Usually not. Most companies stop refunds once the listing is on the MLS. A few advertise money-back terms with conditions, so read them first.
Do realtors get paid if the house doesn’t sell?
Under a typical commission agreement, generally not. Some agreements include withdrawal fees or expenses, so check what yours says.
Is a flat rate commission paid up front or at closing?
Most are paid up front. Some companies charge a smaller up-front fee plus a percentage or fee at closing.
Can I cancel a flat fee MLS listing?
On Beycome, yes, at no charge, with two limits: Georgia MLS charges $25, and listings under contract can’t be canceled. The fee isn’t refunded once live.
What happens when my listing term ends?
The listing leaves the MLS unless it’s renewed. Beycome listings run up to 24 months, or 12 in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Do I owe a commission if I find the buyer myself?
On a Beycome listing, nothing more is owed to Beycome. Under other agreements it depends on the type, so read yours before you sign.
Prices as of November 2026 and subject to change. Basic from $99 in most states ($129 in California and Illinois), Enhanced $399, Concierge $1,399. “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; taxes, title, escrow and any buyer-agent compensation you agree to still apply. Listing term is the maximum the state and MLS allow.
Competitor terms were read on each company’s own pages on October 20, 2026 and may have changed. General information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Beycome, listing package features and refund FAQ, read November 9, 2026.
- NAR, Consumer Guide: Listing Agreements, read November 9, 2026.
- NAR, existing-home sales for September 2026, read November 9, 2026.
- List With Freedom, HomeZu, List Now Realty and Florida Flat Fee Homes, published terms, read October 20, 2026 (Beycome’s dated captures).
Disclosure & Disclaimer
Beycome provides real estate services through affiliated licensed brokerages and has a commercial interest in the services and business models discussed on this blog. Content reflects Beycome’s perspective and may promote our services; it should not be treated as independent or neutral reporting.
Articles are provided for general informational and educational purposes only, not as financial, tax, legal, or investment advice or a recommendation for your particular situation. Reading this blog does not create a brokerage, advisory, or other professional relationship.
Information, opinions, pricing, service descriptions, and comparisons reflect the sources and information available when an article was published or last updated and may change. Although we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee that all content is complete, current, or applicable to your circumstances. Laws, market conditions, and service availability vary by location. Examples and estimated savings are illustrative, depend on stated assumptions, and do not guarantee individual results.
Verify relevant information directly and consult qualified professionals before making decisions. Beycome services are subject to applicable agreements, eligibility requirements, and state-specific terms.
