Selling your home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’re preparing to relocate, cash in on equity, or simply downsize, the way you choose to sell can greatly affect how much money stays in your pocket. As sellers evaluate their options, the landscape is full of traditional pathways like using a full-service agent, going For Sale By Owner (FSBO), or choosing alternatives like flat fee MLS services. However, before homeowners move forward, many also ask broader estate planning questions such as, “how do I put my house in a trust?”
That process can protect your asset long-term, but right now, let’s focus on how best to sell it. In today’s dynamic real estate environment, understanding the distinctions between these sales methods is essential — and one route, in particular, is steadily gaining popularity for its efficiency, cost savings, and reach. Let’s dive deeper into these home-selling approaches, what they offer, and how a flat fee MLS service — specifically beycome — is redefining the modern self-guided selling experience.
Exploring Home Selling Options: Choosing the Right Path
The traditional real estate sale has evolved far beyond the conventional listing with a full-service agent. Thanks to the digital boom and innovation in property platforms, sellers now have multiple avenues. Those evaluating how to sell a home often start by identifying what they want to prioritize: convenience, control, or cost savings. Some homeowners gravitate toward FSBO solutions for autonomy. Others entertain the idea of discount brokers or limited-service agents. But flat fee MLS services offer a strategic middle ground — a professional-grade marketing boost without the overhead of a standard commission.
Regardless of direction, understanding each path’s mechanics, benefits, trade-offs, and financial implications empowers sellers to make informed choices. For those also asking bigger estate planning questions like “how do I put my house in a trust,” it helps to organize priorities: sell your home efficiently now, then protect your assets moving forward.
Full-Service Agent: The Traditional Route Still Holds Value
Partnering with a full-service realtor has historically been the standard way to sell a house. Agents handle every step — pricing the property, scheduling showings, negotiating offers, and managing paperwork. For those unfamiliar with the process or who prefer a hands-off approach, this can be appealing. However, traditional agents usually charge a 5% to 6% commission split between the buyer and seller agent — translating to thousands of dollars off the final sale price. For a $400,000 home, that’s an average of $24,000 in fees. While agents provide experience and a network, many sellers are having second thoughts. With tools now available to support most administrative steps, an increasing number of homeowners are questioning whether full-service commissions are yielding full-service value.
FSBO: Control, but Limited Exposure
Choosing a For Sale By Owner route allows homeowners to oversee the entire transaction. Sellers find satisfaction in controlling pricing strategy, marketing, open houses, and negotiations. However, the trade-off is exposure. Without placement on the MLS — the national database for real estate listings — FSBO sellers often resort to advertising via websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and social platforms. This limited distribution can reduce buyer activity and, consequently, perceived value. Additionally, many FSBO sellers underestimate the knowledge required for legal disclosures, contracts, and navigating closing protocols — areas where a misstep may lead to delays or lost deals. While FSBOs keep commission savings in their pocket, the offset could come in selling price, listing time, or both.
Discount Agents: Lower Commissions, But at What Cost?
Discount real estate brokers offer some of the same services as full-service agents but at reduced commission rates — sometimes 1% to 2%. In exchange, sellers might receive leaner service menus: fewer in-person consultations, less aggressive marketing, or limited availability outside business hours. It’s tempting for homeowners looking to retain as much value as possible. Yet cost control shouldn’t come at the expense of successful negotiations or transaction accuracy. Review the offering closely. Often, the lower the commission, the greater the need for proactive participation on the seller’s part. It’s not so much a shortcut as it is a trade-off — one that may or may not make sense depending on local market conditions, your experience, and comfort level with managing details.
Flat Fee MLS: A Smarter Way to Sell
Flat fee MLS services have emerged as a compelling hybrid between FSBO independence and professional support. Sellers pay a one-time fee to have their property listed on the Multiple Listing Service — the same network used by buyer’s agents and real estate websites. With beycome, for example, that exposure lands your home on hundreds of high-traffic platforms, putting you squarely in front of qualified buyers while skipping the 6% commission. beycome helps homeowners retain control of their pricing, messaging, showing schedule, and negotiations, while backing them with critical tools like offer templates, disclosures, and contract guidance. With over 18,000 homes sold and more than $213 million in commissions saved, beycome is not simply a service provider; it’s a performance-first platform that empowers sellers to take charge while keeping maximum value. In fact, beycome sellers save an average of $13,185 — and a successful beycome home sale closes every 30 minutes.
Advantages of Using a Flat Fee MLS with beycome
Unlike FSBO paths that rely on improvised marketing, or discount agents with limited offerings, beycome combines professional-grade tools with user-driven flexibility. Listings are optimized with high-visibility placement, high-resolution photo galleries, and automated scheduling. Sellers can adjust their listings in real time and communicate directly with interested buyers. Additionally, tools like beycome’s home value calculator give sellers a clear grasp of market positioning without relying solely on agent intuition. Want help crafting your listing? No problem. Looking to field your own showings and negotiations? You’re free to. This duality — structure paired with flexibility — is what makes beycome such a compelling choice among flat fee MLS offerings.
So, How Do I Put My House in a Trust? And Why Should I Do It After Selling?
That’s a smart next step, especially for those considering long-term estate planning. To put a house in a trust, you’ll typically create a living trust document, transfer the title from your name to your trust’s name, and officially record this with your county. This process can protect your property from probate, simplify inheritance, and provide legal benefits depending on your state. However, financing considerations and legal timing should be addressed carefully — especially if you’re planning to sell soon. Generally, it’s advisable to complete your sale first before moving the house into a trust unless advised otherwise by a legal professional. This ensures fewer hiccups during the title work and a cleaner transaction process. Once you’re through with your sale, you can focus on how to put your house in a trust and secure your assets efficiently.
Sell Smart, Save Big — Why You Should Choose beycome
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to selling a home. But when cost savings, high exposure, and total seller control matter most, beycome offers a distinct advantage. It’s not just about skipping unnecessary commissions — it’s about aligning with a platform that has fine-tuned the process across thousands of successful transactions. With beycome, you can take ownership of your home sale and keep the commissions you would have otherwise paid away. Whether you’re trying to sell fast to fund a new home purchase or simply trying to start fresh before placing your home in a trust, beycome delivers speed, accuracy, and support. Ready to do it your way? Get started with confidence today, knowing you’re choosing the smart real estate solution.