Question 1

What is a flat fee MLS listing?

Accepted Answer

A flat fee MLS listing lets you list your home on the Multiple Listing Service for a one-time flat fee — instead of paying a 3% listing commission. With 713FlatFeeMLS, packages start at $399. Your home gets full exposure on Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, Trulia, Homes.com, and HAR.com.

Question 2

How does flat fee MLS work in Houston?

Accepted Answer

You sign up online, submit property photos and details, complete the Texas Seller Disclosure, and pay your flat fee. We submit your listing to HAR (Houston Association of Realtors) MLS. It goes live within 24 hours and syndicates to all major portals.

Question 3

Is flat fee MLS worth it?

Accepted Answer

For most Houston sellers, yes. The average seller saves $11,000+ compared to paying a 3% listing commission. You maintain full control over showings and negotiations, with full MLS exposure identical to a traditional listing.

Question 4

What's the difference between flat fee MLS and a traditional real estate agent?

Accepted Answer

A traditional listing agent typically charges 3% of the sale price (about $12,000 on a $400K home) to list and represent you. With flat fee MLS, you pay $399-$799 for the same MLS exposure — and handle showings and negotiations yourself, with our agent support.

Question 5

What does a flat fee MLS listing include?

Accepted Answer

All packages include: MLS listing on HAR, syndication to Zillow/Redfin/Realtor.com/Trulia/Homes.com, AI pricing engine, seller dashboard, and Texas Seller Disclosure form. Higher packages add professional photos, yard sign, lockbox, and dedicated agent support.

Question 6

How quickly will my listing go live?

Accepted Answer

Your listing goes live on the Houston MLS within 24 hours of submitting complete photos, details, and the Texas Seller Disclosure. It typically syndicates to Zillow and Redfin within another 24-48 hours.

Question 7

Is flat fee MLS safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 713FlatFeeMLS is operated by Ty Anderson, a licensed Texas real estate agent. Your listing follows all HAR MLS rules. You receive the same legal protections as any MLS-listed property. We are bound by the NAR Code of Ethics.

Question 8

Can I make changes to my listing after it's live?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standard plan includes 1 free change (additional changes $25 each). Booster includes 3 free changes. Premium includes unlimited changes.

Question 9

How much commission does a realtor charge in Houston?

Accepted Answer

Traditional Houston listing agents charge 2.5-3% of the sale price. On a $400,000 home, that's $10,000-$12,000 just for the listing agent. Buyers also typically bring their own agent charging another 2.5-3%, for a total of 5-6% ($20,000-$24,000).

Question 10

What is the realtor commission in Houston TX?

Accepted Answer

The standard realtor commission in Houston is 5-6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent (2.5-3%) and buyer's agent (2.5-3%). Since 2024 NAR settlement changes, commissions are negotiable — but most buyers still come with an agent expecting compensation.

Question 11

How much does it cost to list on MLS in Houston?

Accepted Answer

With 713FlatFeeMLS, it costs $399 (Standard), $599 (Booster), or $799 (Premium) to list on the Houston MLS. You also choose a buyer's agent commission (typically 2.5-3%) to offer in the MLS — this is paid only at closing if a buyer's agent brings the buyer.

Question 12

Do I still pay buyer's agent commission with flat fee MLS?

Accepted Answer

You choose what buyer's agent commission to offer. Offering 2.5-3% is standard and ensures buyer's agents show your home. You can offer less, but it may reduce showings. The commission is only paid at closing if a buyer's agent brings the buyer.

Question 13

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. Your flat fee covers the full listing term. The only additional cost is the buyer's agent commission you choose to offer (paid at closing from proceeds). We don't charge transaction fees, success fees, or cancellation fees.

Question 14

How much can I save with flat fee MLS vs. a traditional agent?

Accepted Answer

On a $400,000 Houston home, a traditional listing agent costs about $12,000 (3%). Our Booster plan costs $599 — a savings of $11,401. Your only other selling cost is the buyer's agent commission you offer, which you'd also pay with a traditional agent.

Question 15

Can I sell my house without a realtor in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Texas, there is no law requiring you to use a real estate agent to sell your home. You can sell FSBO (For Sale By Owner) entirely on your own, or use a flat fee MLS service like 713FlatFeeMLS to get MLS access with minimal agent involvement.

Question 16

Can I list on MLS without an agent in Texas?

Accepted Answer

You cannot list directly on the MLS as a private individual — MLS access requires a licensed agent. However, you can list via a flat fee MLS service like 713FlatFeeMLS, where our licensed agent submits your listing to HAR on your behalf for a flat fee starting at $399.

Question 17

Do I need a realtor to sell my house in Texas?

Accepted Answer

No. Texas law does not require a licensed agent for property sales. However, using a flat fee MLS service gives you licensed agent representation for the MLS listing itself, while you handle the FSBO aspects (showings, negotiations, etc.).

Question 18

What disclosures are required when selling a house in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Texas requires sellers to complete the Texas Seller's Disclosure Notice (TREC form OP-H), which discloses known defects, flood history, previous repairs, and other material facts. This must be provided to buyers prior to contract execution. We provide this form with every listing.

Question 19

Can I sell my house as-is in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Texas law allows as-is sales. You must still complete the Texas Seller Disclosure Notice honestly. As-is means the buyer accepts the property in its current condition, but they can still conduct inspections and negotiate repairs or price reductions.

Question 20

How to list on Zillow by owner in Texas?

Accepted Answer

You can list FSBO directly on Zillow for free via Zillow's 'List By Owner' option. However, this does NOT put you on the MLS, so buyer's agents won't see your listing in their search. For full MLS + Zillow exposure, use 713FlatFeeMLS's flat fee service.

Question 21

How do cash home buyers work?

Accepted Answer

Cash home buyers purchase properties without mortgage financing, allowing faster, more certain closings. They typically make offers below market value in exchange for speed and convenience — no repairs, no showings, no financing contingencies. 713FlatFeeMLS connects sellers to vetted cash buyers.

Question 22

Are cash home buyers legit in Houston?

Accepted Answer

Yes, reputable cash home buyers are legitimate businesses. 713FlatFeeMLS works only with vetted, licensed buyers. Always verify that any cash buyer provides proof of funds and uses a licensed title company for closing. Be wary of buyers who charge upfront fees.

Question 23

What is a fair cash offer for my house?

Accepted Answer

A fair cash offer typically ranges from 70-85% of market value, reflecting the buyer's speed, certainty, and as-is purchase. Our AI pricing engine helps you understand your home's market value so you can evaluate whether a cash offer is reasonable for your situation.

Question 24

How much less is a cash offer vs. market value?

Accepted Answer

Cash offers typically come in 10-30% below full market value, depending on condition and demand. On a $400,000 Houston home, a cash offer might be $300,000-$360,000. For context, a flat fee MLS listing could net you $385,000+ (after $399 flat fee + 3% buyer agent = ~$12,399 total selling costs).

Question 25

How do I get multiple cash offers?

Accepted Answer

Submit your property on our Request Cash Offer page. We share your details with multiple vetted Houston cash buyers to generate competing offers. More offers = more negotiating power = fairer price for you.

Question 26

Should I take a cash offer or list on MLS?

Accepted Answer

List on MLS if: you want maximum price, your home is in good condition, you can wait 30-60 days. Take cash if: you need fast closure, home needs significant repairs, facing foreclosure or divorce, relocating urgently. See our full comparison at /mls-vs-cash-offer-houston.

Question 27

How quickly can I close on a cash sale?

Accepted Answer

Cash sales can close as fast as 7 days after acceptance. The typical cash closing timeline is 7-21 days, compared to 30-45 days for a financed sale. You choose the closing date that works for your schedule.

Question 28

What types of properties do you buy for cash?

Accepted Answer

We accept all residential property types: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, inherited homes, rentals, and properties in any condition including flood damage, foundation issues, fire damage, or deferred maintenance. Any area in Greater Houston.

Question 29

What is the AI pricing engine?

Accepted Answer

The 713FlatFeeMLS AI Pricing Engine analyzes 11 live data layers to recommend an optimal list price for your Houston home. Data includes: recent comparable sales, active listings, days-on-market trends, neighborhood appreciation rates, seasonal demand patterns, and more.

Question 30

How does the AI price my home?

Accepted Answer

Our engine ingests real-time MLS data, public records, tax assessments, Zillow estimates, neighborhood demand scores, and local economic indicators. It applies machine learning models trained on Houston sales data to produce a confidence-weighted price range with a recommended list price.

Question 31

How accurate is AI home pricing vs. a CMA?

Accepted Answer

Our AI pricing typically lands within 2-4% of the final sale price for properly maintained Houston homes in stable neighborhoods. A traditional CMA done by a local agent can be comparable — but ours is available instantly, 24/7, with no sales pitch attached.

Question 32

What is the seller dashboard?

Accepted Answer

The 713FlatFeeMLS Seller Dashboard is a real-time portal where you track your listing's performance: page views, saves/favorites, showing requests, market position vs. comparable active listings, and offer submissions. Available to all plan levels at no additional cost.

Houston Flat Fee MLS — Frequently Asked Questions

Flat Fee MLS Basics

Pricing & Fees

Texas FSBO & Legal

Cash Offers

AI Pricing & Tools

Still Have Questions? Talk to a Licensed Texas Real Estate Agent.

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