Brokerless vs We Buy Ugly Houses | Which Is Right for You?

Compare flat fee MLS with Brokerless vs selling to a cash buyer like We Buy Ugly Houses. Learn the pros, cons, and which option nets you more money.

đź“‹ Two Very Different Models

Brokerless: You pay a one-time flat fee to get listed on the MLS. Your home appears on Realtor.com, Zillow, and agent IDX websites. You stay in control of pricing, showings, negotiations, and direct buyer contact.

We Buy Ugly Houses: A national cash buyer franchise (HomeVestors) that purchases homes “as is.” They pay below market, flip or rent the property, and profit from the spread. You sell quickly, but often at a steep discount.

⚖️ Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Brokerless Flat Fee MLS We Buy Ugly Houses
Sale Price Market value (multiple buyers compete) Discounted below market for investor profit
Control Seller controls pricing, showings, and negotiations Company makes a “take it or leave it” cash offer
Repairs Negotiated between buyer and seller Bought “as is” — seller makes no repairs
Speed 24–48 hours to go live on MLS; close per buyer’s financing Often 1–2 weeks from offer to closing
Fees One-time flat fee + optional buyer agent commission No commissions, but lower sale price reduces net

🏆 Why FSBO Sellers Choose Brokerless

  • Keep more equity: No 6% commissions and no steep investor discounts
  • Nationwide MLS reach: Over 350 MLS systems across all 50 states
  • Maximum exposure: Your listing auto-syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and IDX sites
  • Direct buyer contact: Inquiries go to you, not an agent middleman
  • Trusted since 2006: See our track record

âť“ Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is selling to a cash buyer faster? Yes, but you’ll almost always net less than listing on the MLS.
  • Do I have to make repairs with Brokerless? No — buyers may request repairs, but you can sell “as is” with disclosures.
  • Do investors still see MLS listings? Yes — cash buyers also browse the MLS, so you may attract investor offers anyway.