Beware of Unlicensed Flat Fee MLS 'Companies'

At DIY Flat Fee, we want to ensure you're aware of a growing concern in the industry, so you can stay safe while searching for services similar to ours, especially since sellers love using a service where they can list their home without paying a 6% commission. When done professionally and legally, you can save thousands of dollars while reaching millions of people.

However, with this incredible service, there is a risk of encountering unprofessional and unlicensed "flat-fee brokers" who aren't licensed real estate brokers in your state, or flat-fee MLS scams. Our flat-fee MLS warning: If you see online ads offering MLS listings for $89 or "nationwide exposure" with no broker involvement, stop and verify before you pay.

Only a state-licensed real estate broker can list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and that license makes all the difference since it ensures:

• MLS listing compliance with state real estate laws and MLS regulations
• Oversight by a state real estate commission or board
• Protection of your earnest money, contracts, and disclosures
• Accountability for advertising accuracy and escrow procedures

Unlicensed operators often violate these laws by posing as "marketing companies" or "listing services" that claim to post your home on the MLS, but in reality, they either:

• Piggyback off another broker's login without consent
• Post to third-party sites not connected to your local MLS
• Misrepresent the exposure your listing actually receives

When that happens, the operator fails to list your property on the MLS honestly, and worse, the state may hold you responsible for violating MLS and state rules.

Before signing up, do these quick checks:

1. Look up the broker's license number in your state's Real Estate Commission database. If they can't clearly show you their license, walk away.
2. Check that the broker's name matches the company's name as listed on its public website and marketing materials.
3. Ask what MLS board they post to, such as Bluegrass Realtors Central KY, RASK Bowling Green, KY, GLAR Louisville, KY, or MyStateMLS & RealTracs.
4. Verify that your listing is syndicated to Zillow, Realtor®.com, and Redfin through a licensed MLS feed.
5. Avoid services that use terms like "marketing only," "MLS exposure," or "nationwide syndication" without naming a licensed broker of record.
6. Look through flat-fee MLS reviews. If the reviews have been coming in for a while and are generally positive, and you verified with the other steps, they're likely legitimate.

Engaging an unlicensed MLS "middleman" can lead to:

• Fake or limited MLS exposure, where your property never appears in agent databases
• Fines or penalties from state real estate boards
• Voided purchase contracts due to non-compliance
• Lost buyer leads, or worse, misrepresentation of your property online

Bottom line: If it sounds too cheap to be true, it usually is.

When you choose a state-licensed flat-fee broker like DIY Flat Fee Realty, you're working with a professional who is accountable under state law. At DIYFlatFee.com, our brokers are licensed and compliant in multiple states, including AL, GA, FL, KY, IL, TN, and VA, with expansion underway nationwide.

We guarantee:

• Real MLS access — no gimmicks
• State-approved paperwork
• Broker support and compliance oversight
• Transparent, upfront pricing

Before you pay any company to list your home on the MLS, verify that they hold a license in your state. It takes 30 seconds to check, and could save you from weeks of frustration or a failed sale.

Protect your listing. Protect your equity. Always confirm that your flat-fee MLS broker is licensed.