Deciding to sell your home is a significant moment. Before putting your property on the market, it’s essential to weigh your options carefully. In today’s real estate market, many homeowners ask: is now a good time to sell a house? While timing is certainly a factor, the method you choose to sell often has an even greater impact on your outcome. From traditional full-service agents to selling on your own, the approach can determine how much you save, how quickly you close, and how smoothly the process goes.
This guide offers a complete look into the top home-selling methods. We’ll compare traditional agents, discount brokers, for sale by owner (FSBO), and Flat Fee MLS services. For homeowners looking for flexibility, control, and real savings, flat fee MLS services stand apart—especially with a leader like beycome. Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or seizing an investment opportunity, understanding your selling options helps you make smart, confident decisions.
Understanding Your Home Selling Options in Today’s Market
If you’re evaluating whether now is a good time to sell a house, step one is understanding how to list it. There are more selling options today than ever before. From high-commission agents to innovative self-directed platforms, each route offers distinct advantages—but also notable trade-offs. Knowing what each offers helps you choose the best path aligned with your financial and personal goals.
The four primary ways to sell a home are using a traditional real estate agent, hiring a discount broker, listing FSBO, or leveraging a flat fee MLS service. Each method varies in cost, exposure, complexity, and control. Selling your home isn’t just about speed; it’s also about optimizing value, minimizing risks, and reducing fees. Some strategies tip the scales in your favor more than others.
Timing also plays a crucial role. Ask yourself: is now a good time to sell a house in your neighborhood? Factors like local demand, mortgage rates, and inventory levels shape timing. Once you’ve assessed your market and intentions, selecting the right method to sell becomes the next critical step.
What follows is a detailed breakdown of each option available to homeowners thinking about selling. From full-service listings to self-managed alternatives, this guide drills down into how it all works, helping you chart a course toward an efficient sale.
Traditional Real Estate Agents: Comfort Comes with a Cost
Most sellers still default to a full-service real estate agent. Working with a licensed professional may feel like the safest bet, especially for first-time sellers. These agents manage everything—from pricing strategy and marketing to negotiating offers and closing logistics. It’s a hands-off experience for most sellers.
However, this convenience comes at a premium. Traditional agents typically charge 5% to 6% in commission, split between the listing and buyer’s agent. On a $400,000 home, that equals up to $24,000 in total commissions—directly out of your profit. That high cost is prompting many sellers to reassess their options.
Another consideration is control. With a full-service agent, sellers relinquish direct involvement in decisions like scheduling showings, writing property descriptions, or coordinating inspections. For some, that’s ideal. For others, it feels restrictive. More tech-savvy or financially conscious homeowners see value in reclaiming that control—while trimming thousands in commission fees.
So, while full-service agents bring reliability and convenience, they’re no longer the only or best answer. For many homeowners, lower-cost alternatives offer similar professional exposure with far better margins.
Discount Brokers: A Middle Ground with Trade-offs
Discount brokerages promise to bridge the gap between FSBO and full-service agents. They often promote listings at commission rates between 2% and 4%. These firms typically offer scaled-back or à la carte services—such as professional photography, basic marketing, or contract assistance—for a flat fee or reduced rate.
At first glance, this seems like an attractive compromise. Sellers get some expert help while avoiding full REALTOR® commissions. Yet, the savings are usually modest. And more significantly, many discount brokers offer limited MLS exposure, and some do not include buyer agent commission, which can impact buyer interest.
Additionally, service quality often correlates directly with cost. Discount agents may handle more transactions simultaneously, which can translate into slower response times and less personalized support. Sellers expecting hands-on guidance might find themselves frustrated with the watered-down experience.
Ultimately, discount brokers work best for homeowners needing limited help. However, they don’t match the value and independence provided by flat fee MLS services—especially ones powered by digital-first tools and streamlined platforms.
For Sale By Owner (FSBO): Maximum Control, Maximum Responsibility
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the boldest choice. It means selling your house without any professional agent involvement. You handle everything—pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations, and closing coordination. Homeowners looking to avoid all agent fees and maintain full control are often drawn to FSBO.
However, while the autonomy is appealing, FSBO sellers need to be ready and resourceful. Understanding legal paperwork, marketing tactics, real estate disclosures, and real-time negotiations are no small tasks. Without MLS exposure or professional representation, the selling process can feel overwhelming and isolating.
FSBO listings also risk being underpriced or overpriced. Without access to competitive market data, many sellers either leave money on the table or struggle for buyer attention. Exposure is limited, too. Sites like Zillow or REALTOR.com may allow FSBO listings, but they often bury them or limit features available to agents using the MLS.
Sellers choosing FSBO should consider supplementing their visibility with tools like an MLS listing. That’s where a modern flat fee MLS service—such as beycome—reimagines the FSBO process, offering that same control with better exposure and support.
Flat Fee MLS Services: Maximum Exposure, Minimum Cost
Homeowners searching cost-effective ways to sell often arrive at a smart tipping point: flat fee MLS. This increasingly popular option allows sellers to list their home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a low, one-time fee—giving them access to the same visibility as agents, but without full commissions.
With a flat fee MLS, sellers keep control of their listing and direct communication with buyers or buyer agents. They manage the pricing, showing schedules, negotiations, and most of the paperwork, while benefiting from the reach of MLS-powered sites such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia.
Beycome sits at the forefront of this model. Unlike traditional or discount agents, beycome helps sellers access professional tools while saving thousands. With pricing starting under $100, users unlock MLS listings, property photos, contract templates, and messaging systems—while keeping the profit where it belongs: with the seller.
Importantly, beycome sellers average $13,185 in savings. With over $213 million saved in commissions and more than 18,000 homes closed, beycome combines user autonomy with proven results. A flat fee MLS listing through beycome sells a home, on average, every 30 minutes.
Is Now a Good Time to Sell a House Using Flat Fee MLS?
Market conditions in 2024 continue to favor sellers in many regions. Limited inventory and resilient demand give sellers negotiating power. That said, the method of sale shapes your net gain far more than the market alone. For those still asking, is now a good time to sell a house, the answer depends on your strategy.
Combining strong buyer demand with low listing costs creates exceptional selling conditions. Flat fee MLS services make this possible. By spending less on fees and maximizing market exposure, sellers drive competition and preserve thousands in equity.
Sellers who add MLS access to a FSBO approach gain wide visibility at a fraction of the cost of a full-service agent. That synergy allows savvy homeowners to work smart, not just hard. It’s a rare chance to win from both sides: high exposure and low commissions.
In this landscape, selling with a flat fee MLS service like beycome becomes even more compelling. Sellers no longer need to choose between full control and full reliance—they get both flexibility and support where needed.
Simplify the Process—and Maximize Results—with Beycome
Choosing a home-selling strategy isn’t just about saving money—it’s about achieving the best outcome for your specific goals. If you’re wondering is now a good time to sell a house, remember that the right method transforms timing into opportunity. By using beycome’s Flat Fee MLS service, you take control of the process, increase exposure, and unlock significant savings.
Only beycome lets sellers bridge traditional real estate exposure with modern flexibility. With over $213 million saved in commissions and thousands of five-star reviews, we’ve helped over 18,000 sellers close on their homes. And homes listed with beycome sell fast—one every 30 minutes, on average.
Whether you’re downsizing, investing, or relocating, there’s no need to sacrifice equity to make the sale. Discover how easy selling can be with the industry leader in Flat Fee MLS listings. Ready to get started? List smarter, sell faster, and keep more of your home’s value where it belongs—with you.