Video Guide
Do Flat Fee MLS Listings Actually Sell?
We've helped over 4,000 sellers succeed. Discover the 5 real factors that cause a home to sell, and why the type of listing agreement isn't one of them.
Watch VideoFlat Fee MLS Listings in Illinois
Sell Your Chicago / Suburbs Home for a Flat Fee. Save Thousands.
The trusted local alternative to national services. Official Direct Member of MRED MLS. No 6% listing commissions.
Proudly based in the Chicago suburbs, not a distant call center.Results That Speak for Themselves
We don't just list homes. We sell them. From $100k condos to $3M estates.
$1.49B+
Total Real Estate Sold
$37M+
Client Equity Saved
4,200+
Happy Sellers
252
Cities Served
Market and Sell Your Home in 4 Simple Steps
Skip the listing appointment. Skip the 6% commission. Get on the market in 24-48 hours.
1
Sign Up Online
Choose your package and fill out the simple property questionnaire. It takes about 15-30 minutes—no printer required.
2
We Activate Your MLS Listing
Our local team enters your data, sends you a preview and once approved, activates your listing on the MRED MLS, syndicating to Zillow, Redfin, Homes.com, Realtor.com and all the brokers sites.
3
Show & Receive Offers
Buyers and their brokers reach out to you directly to set up showings. All offers are sent to you via email.
4
Close & Save
Accept an offer and close with a local title company.
MLStown Advantage
Why sellers choose MLStown (and keep more of their equity)
Watch the quick overview, then explore the details of what you get with MLStown — local experience, real support, and a streamlined online sign-up.
The Local Advantage
Real Estate is local and we are Chicago-based experts dedicated to your success.
Direct MRED MLS Access
We are direct, dues-paying members of Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED). National services often rely on third-party referral networks which can delay your listing or post it with errors.
We Know Chicago & Suburbs
National algorithms don't understand the paperwork required for City of Chicago versus Naperville. We make sure you get what is required when you need it so your deal does not get delayed.
Real Humans, Local Phone
When you have a question, you don't want a generic support ticket. You can call or email us directly. This is crucial when you need negotiation advice.
What Our Clients Say
Real feedback from Chicago and suburban sellers and who used our flat fee MLS service. See how MLStown helped them keep more equity in their pocket.
Chicago, IL (Lincoln Park)
★★★★★
"Very happy with my decision to sell 'by owner' and list with Berg Properties/MLStown. Highly professional staff
that is helpful and supportive, responding immediately if you email/call them within their business hours."
Natalia Vasilyeva
Lisle, IL
★★★★★
"I've been working with Berg Properties to sell and rent my properties for 20 years. Colleen and her team are
always on top of things and very responsive. If you haven't already I highly recommend you try them out."
Marcus Mosthof
Roselle, IL
★★★★★
"Colleen and her staff went above and beyond to assist us listing our property on the MLS. We will definitely use
you guys in the future with our other properties. They make listing your home easy and can save you money."
Joe L.
Our Recent Chicago Area Listings Sold for Top Dollar
Sold in 7 Days
1720 W Lemoyne St, Unit 101
Wicker Park, Chicago, IL
Sold Price
$800,000
Seller Saved
$20,000
Sold Full Price
1233 Ashbury
Libertyville, IL
Sold Price
$1,395,000
Seller Saved
$34,875
Sold $40,000 Over Asking price
2060 Carolyn Rd.
Aurora, IL
Sold Price
$440,000
Seller Saved
$11,000
Seller Resources & Video Guides
Get straightforward answers to your biggest questions about selling a home in Chicagoland. Watch our quick video breakdowns to learn how to maximize your equity. Check out our MLStown YouTube channel for a full list of videos.
Coming Soon
How to Price Your Flat Fee Listing
A data-driven approach to finding the sweet spot for your property so you don't leave money on the table or sit on the market too long.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Managing Showings Like a Pro
Tips and tricks for handling buyer agents, scheduling tours, and securing feedback without a traditional agent acting as the middleman.
Coming Soon
Family Owned & Operated
"We aren't a tech startup. We are local Chicago Realtors."
Hi, I'm Colleen Berg. When you list with MLStown, you aren't sending your information to a call center in Texas. You are working with Berg Properties, a family-owned brokerage right here in Oak Park.
My husband Scott and I founded this business in 2004 with a simple mission: Give Chicago sellers the power of the MLS without the high commission cost.
Twenty years later, we still personally review every listing to ensure it meets MRED standards and looks perfect for buyers.
Colleen Berg
Designated Managing Broker & Founder
Serving Since
2004
See How MLStown Compares
A quick side-by-side of what you’d pay with a traditional 2.5%–3% listing agent versus our $295 flat-fee MLS option, plus a possible closing fee. Same MLS exposure. Same major portals. Very different cost.
Read Full Guide: Flat Fee MLS vs Traditional Realtor
Get the deeper breakdown: cost, who does what, and how to choose the best model for your sale.
← Swipe table left & right to view →
| Feature | Traditional Agent | Smart Choice MLStown |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | 2.5% - 3.0% | $295 Flat Fee |
| Fee at Closing | Included in commission above | Up to $399 Often $0 — see how it works |
| MRED MLS Exposure |
Included
|
Included
|
| Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin |
Included
|
Included
|
| Listing Term | 6 Month Contract | Up to a Year - Cancel anytime |
| Retain Right to Sell FSBO |
No
|
Yes (Pay 0%)
|
| Cost on $500k Home | $15,000 | $694 or less |
Figures above are listing-side costs only. In either column, a seller who wants buyer's agents to bring buyers typically also offers compensation to the buyer's broker. Traditional agent figure assumes a 3% listing-side commission on a $500,000 sale. Our figure assumes the $295 listing fee plus the maximum $399 closing fee — which is often $0.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Pay one low flat fee to get on the MLS, plus a possible closing fee we explain in full below. Add extra services only if you need them.
12 Month Listing on MRED MLS
Syndication to Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com
Up to 25 Photos (You Provide)
Unlimited Price Changes
Unlimited Open House Postings
Buyer Leads Forwarded Directly to You
Required State Disclosures Provided
Cancel Anytime for Free
Optional A La Carte Add-Ons
Customize your listing with these optional extras.
Professional Photography
20 photos taken by our contracted professional real estate photographer.
$200
Yard Sign 24x30"
Double-sided professional sign on a post. Installation and removal is included.
$75
Electronic Lockbox Rental
Secure box that tracks access. Rent one for the duration of your listing for $200.
$200
Negotiation Support
We answer your questions and help you facilitate offer communications as needed
Free
Automated Showing Scheduling
ShowingTime access will allow brokers to schedule showings directly on the MLS and allows you additional control on setting up a showing schedule as well as providing feedback capabilities.
$75
Additional Photos, Floor Plan generation and more!
Get more professional photography, floor plans, 3D tours, and drone photo options in our shopping carte. Click "Get Started" to find out more!
$??
Where We List and Sell Homes
We list and sell homes across the Chicago metro area on MRED MLS — from city neighborhoods to Oak Park, Naperville, Evanston, Orland Park and dozens of other Illinois communities. Your property gets the same powerful MLS exposure without a traditional 6% listing fee.
Chicago metro flat fee MLS coverage powered by MLStown on MRED MLS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flat Fee MLS listing legal in Illinois?
Yes, absolutely. It is a federally recognized practice protected by consumer laws. You are simply paying for a specific service (listing entry) rather than bundling it with services you don't need (like open houses). Berg Properties is a fully licensed Illinois brokerage and direct member of MRED MLS.
Will real estate agents actually show my home?
Yes! This is a common myth. Agents want to sell homes to their buyers. Because we list you on the official local MLS, your listing looks exactly the same as any other. As long as you offer a competitive commission to the buyer's agent (typically 2.5%), they are eager to show and sell your property.
What areas of Chicago do you cover?
We serve the entire Chicago metro area covered by MRED. This includes Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Grundy, McHenry and Kane counties. From downtown loop condos to single-family homes in Naperville, Evanston, or Orland Park—we have you covered.
Do I have to handle all the paperwork myself?
Not necessarily. With our Basic plan, we provide the state-required disclosures. Your attorney can prepare the closing documents along with the title company. If you need an attorney, we can recommend one.
How is this different from "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO)?
FSBO sites only put you on one website. We put you on The MLS. This syndicates your home to thousands of sites including Realtor.com, Redfin, Zillow, and every local brokerage site (like @properties or Baird & Warner). You get the exposure of a listed home with the savings of a FSBO.
Closing Fee
The complete version. No fine print.
No closing — no fee
If your home does not close, there is no fee. If you cancel your listing or your listing expires, there is no fee.
No buyer's broker — no fee
If there is no buyer's broker involved in the sale, there is no fee.
Even then, we can try to get it to $0
When an offer arrives from a buyer working with a broker, we can present a counteroffer asking that the $399 be taken out of the buyer broker's compensation rather than yours. If their broker agrees, your cost is $0.
If they decline, the $399 comes out of your proceeds at closing. We can't promise the outcome — only that we'll work with you to try to eliminate it.
Why this fee exists
Real work happens between accepted offer and closing. We generate the commission statement for the attorneys and title company, assist in getting cancellation documents signed when needed, respond to and forward inspection and appraisal requests, and assist with FHA documents when they apply.
Beyond that, Illinois has a Minimum Service Law. Even on a flat-fee listing, the listing broker is legally required to assist with negotiating the sale — receiving contracts, responding to questions about offers, and communicating counteroffers to the buyer's agent. That obligation can't be waived, and it's real work performed after your listing goes under contract. The closing fee covers it. It's why most flat-fee brokerages in Illinois have a version of this fee. The right advice at the right moment can save you thousands.
How we compare
Many flat-fee brokers have similar fees but don't disclose them on their website. We do. We'd encourage you to check BBB, Yelp, and Google reviews for anyone you're evaluating, so you get a complete picture of both service and cost before you commit.
What you pay us: $295 to list, plus up to $399 at closing —
$694 maximum in fees to us, and less than that whenever one of the
conditions above applies. Optional add-ons are a la carte and entirely your choice.
We never take a percentage of your sale price.
We never take a percentage of your sale price.