Deciding to sell your home is a significant milestone, and how you choose to sell can ultimately shape your experience, return, and timeline. As more homeowners become empowered by digital tools and better transparency in real estate, the traditional route of using a full-service real estate agent is no longer the only option. Today, individuals researching how to go about selling a house by owner face several distinct paths—from full control as a FSBO seller, to alternatives like a flat fee MLS service, discount brokerages, or maintaining the status quo with a traditional agent.
Each option offers a mix of pros and cons, influenced by your comfort level with real estate tasks, your home’s value, the time you have available, and—most importantly—your financial goals. If navigating this choice feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Understanding the landscape is the first step toward a smart, confident sale. Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned homeowner, aligning your goals with the best strategy will make all the difference.
This guide offers a comprehensive look at your choices when selling a house on your own, including structure, guidance, real-world insights, and actionable tips. From listing methods to service levels, this breakdown provides the clarity needed to choose wisely. It’s particularly worth examining the rising popularity of the flat fee MLS model—a solution that blends autonomy with high-impact exposure. If saving thousands while reaching qualified buyers is on your checklist, this route could be ideal.
Understanding Your Options When Selling a House by Owner
Selling a home without defaulting to the traditional real estate agent approach is increasingly common. Homeowners want more control, more transparency, and more of their own equity in their pockets. While each option requires a different level of effort, the savings in commission and potential for profit are often worth it.
Most commonly, sellers consider four main paths: going full FSBO (for sale by owner), utilizing a flat fee MLS service, hiring a discount broker, or partnering with a full-service real estate agent. The rise of online platforms and smarter sellers has brought significant innovation and efficiency to these routes. With clear understanding, sellers can choose an approach that maximizes return without sacrificing professionalism.
Among these, a flat fee MLS service—especially with a leader like beycome—offers an ideal combination of essential services and cost-effective pricing. Sellers get MLS exposure, retain control, and don’t forfeit large commissions in the process. But to appreciate the value, we must unpack each option in detail.
For Sale by Owner (FSBO): Full Control, Full Responsibility
Selecting a for sale by owner approach puts you entirely in the driver’s seat. You write the listing, take the photos (or hire someone), manage showings, handle negotiations, and guide the legal closing process. Proponents choose FSBO to retain control and avoid paying listing agent commissions, which can average 3 percent.
However, the downside is evident: marketing reach is often limited, particularly when sellers do not list their property on the MLS. Major platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia pull only from the MLS. Without MLS access, your visibility suffers.
Additionally, unfamiliarity with contracts, disclosures, and negotiations can lead to costly missteps. Time investment is also substantial. FSBO sellers must be available for calls, showings, and serious paperwork. While the cost savings are tempting, the expertise and reach required often exceed what most homeowners are prepared to handle confidently.
Flat Fee MLS: Retain Control with Maximum Exposure
Flat fee MLS services offer sellers the best of both FSBO independence and traditional agent exposure. These programs allow homeowners to list their property on the Multiple Listing Service—the core database used by real estate agents—without hiring a full-service realtor. This means your home appears on high-traffic sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia, putting you directly in front of buyers and agents alike.
With a flat fee MLS model, homeowners maintain control over pricing, showings, offers, and negotiations. beycome, a national leader in this space, empowers homeowners with legal forms, digital tools, and support that simplifies the process. You avoid the traditional 3 percent listing commission, but gain nearly all the exposure and tools necessary for a professional-grade sale.
This approach often works best for motivated sellers who are comfortable responding to buyer inquiries and ready to manage tasks like inspections and disclosures. With beycome’s intuitive interface and extensive resources, however, you are never left guessing what to do next.
Discount Brokerages: A Middle Ground with Mixed Results
Discount brokerages offer a compromise between expensive traditional agents and fully DIY solutions. These companies promise lower commissions—typically around 1 to 2 percent—and fewer frills. Often, they rely heavily on automation and limited human interaction. You may get MLS access, some advice on pricing, and basic coordination of the sale.
However, not all discount brokerages are created equal. Some cut essential services, which leaves sellers with large gaps in support or strategy. Others overpromise digital tools but underdeliver during crucial stages of negotiations or offers. If choosing this path, it’s important to vet the service level thoroughly.
Cost savings from discount brokerages can be marginal compared to the complete elimination of listing commissions with flat fee MLS services. For example, beycome clients save an average of $13,185—more significant than discount models usually achieve. For these reasons, discount brokerages can seem ambiguous or underwhelming when examined closely.
Traditional Full-Service Agents: Expert Help at a Cost
Hiring a traditional agent remains the go-to for many homeowners. These experienced professionals provide full-service support, including MLS listing, staging advice, negotiation expertise, and contract oversight. They handle nearly every aspect of the home sale and draw on market knowledge to guide the pricing strategy.
However, traditional agents come at a cost—typically 5 to 6 percent in total commission, split between buyer and seller agents. On a $400,000 home, that amounts to $24,000. With such fees, many sellers question whether these services truly justify the expense. Sophisticated sellers are discovering that large portions of this work can be completed independently, especially with digital resources.
The full-service route may be ideal for those short on time or uninterested in personal involvement. Yet, if maximizing take-home profit matters, alternative models such as flat fee listings present a competitive, cost-effective advantage. Sellers today want choice, and the industry is providing it.
Making the Right Choice When Selling a House by Owner
Choosing the right method for selling a house by owner depends on your goals, lifestyle, and market knowledge. If maximizing profit and maintaining control are high priorities, a flat fee MLS service like beycome is likely your best fit. Traditional real estate agents offer more handholding, but at the highest price. Discount brokerages serve a niche, but often don’t differentiate enough to matter. FSBO strategies demand the most effort with limited return if done solo.
Beycome’s model equips sellers with top-tier marketing tools and breadth of reach. With exposure on the MLS and coverage on major real estate platforms, your property competes directly with agent-represented listings. Plus, you retain full decision-making power—pricing, scheduling, and vetting buyers—without hidden fees, confusing contracts, or bloated commissions.
If you’re willing to take an active role, the reward is significant: thousands saved and a smooth, transparent sale. Curious to know your home’s value? Use our free property value calculator to establish a competitive asking price and hit the market with confidence.
Why Beycome is the Smarter Way to Sell Your Home
At beycome, we believe in empowering homeowners. Our flat fee MLS platform was designed to give you the control you want and the exposure you need—without forcing you to give up hard-earned equity. With over 18,000 closed properties and more than $213 million in commissions saved, the numbers are in: a beycome home is sold every 30 minutes.
Thousands of five-star reviews affirm what our data already shows. Our clients save an average of $13,185 per sale—all while enjoying access to a full-service-grade toolbox of legal forms, automated scheduling, offer management, and MLS marketing muscle. We deliver everything sellers need at a fraction of the traditional cost.
If you’re comparing selling methods or debating between agents, DIY, and flat fee options, let results guide your decision. Discover how beycome holds up against industry alternatives using our comparison page, or take the next step and get your listing live within 24 hours. Save your equity and sell smarter—start today and tap into the nation’s most trusted flat fee MLS service.