Houzeo vs. Flat Fee Michigan: Direct Local MLS Broker Comparison
Houzeo & National Referral Sites vs. Flat Fee Michigan: Why Listing With a Direct Michigan MLS Broker Matters
Many websites ranking on Google for “Michigan Flat Fee MLS” are out-of-state tech platforms and referral middlemen — not Michigan real estate brokers. They collect your money up front, tack on steep closing percentages, and hand your listing off to a third party. At Flat Fee Michigan (Kermath Realty LLC), you list directly with the licensed Michigan broker who is a member of Realcomp, MichRIC, NGLRMLS & UPMLS.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Flat Fee Michigan vs. Houzeo & National Referral Sites
| Feature / What to Watch For | ★ Flat Fee Michigan / Kermath Realty LLC (Direct Local Broker) | Houzeo & National Referral / Middleman Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Who Actually Inputs Your Listing? | ✓ Jeff Kermath, Licensed Michigan Broker since 2005 (Direct member of Realcomp, MichRIC, NGLRMLS & UPMLS) | ✗ Assigned out to a third-party partner broker after you pay; you cannot interview the broker beforehand |
| Up-Front Flat Fee MLS Entry | ✓ $299 (Bronze) • $399 (Silver) • $998 (Full-Service Gold) | $249–$399 up front + 0.5% to 1.25% platform/closing fees on top |
| Cost on a $450,000 Sale (Listing Side) | ✓ Flat Fee ($299 Bronze / $399 Silver / $998 Gold) | Up to $2,649–$5,900+ once 0.5%–1.25% platform closing fees are added |
| Direct Unrepresented Buyer Inquiries | ✓ Forwarded straight to you — pay $0 buyer-agent commission when you sell to your own buyer | Often routed through platform call centers or partner buyer agents |
| Who Do You Call With an Urgent Offer Question? | ✓ Call or text Broker Jeff Kermath directly at (734) 649-4903 | Out-of-state support ticket system or offshore chat queue |
| Michigan Track Record & BBB Rating | ✓ BBB A+ Accredited Michigan Brokerage • 6,654+ Michigan Listings Since 2005 | Out-of-state software aggregator |
3 Red Flags to Watch Out For When Comparing “Flat Fee MLS” Sites in Michigan
- They Won’t Name the Michigan Broker Before You Pay: If a website does not clearly display the name, Michigan LARA broker license, and direct phone number of the Michigan broker who will list your home, it is a lead-generation or referral site. At Flat Fee Michigan, Jeff Kermath (Kermath Realty LLC) is your direct broker from day one.
- They Put Your Home on the Wrong (Out-of-Area) MLS: Michigan does not have a single statewide MLS. If a discount broker puts a Detroit or Ann Arbor home on an out-of-area board instead of Realcomp, or puts a Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo home on an eastern board instead of MichRIC, local buyer agents won’t see it in their daily searches. We are direct members of Realcomp, MichRIC, NGLRMLS, and UPMLS.
- Hidden Add-On Fees for Every Price Change or Open House: Some national platforms charge $25–$50 every time you change your price, update remarks, or hold an open house. We keep our plans straightforward and transparent.
Over 6,654 Michigan Properties Listed & Sold Since 2005
Flat Fee Michigan / Kermath Realty LLC is a direct, local Michigan real estate brokerage — never an out-of-state referral middleman. Read our verified seller reviews on the Better Business Bureau and our testimonials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flat Fee Michigan a direct Michigan MLS broker or a referral site?
Flat Fee Michigan (Kermath Realty LLC) is a licensed Michigan real estate brokerage founded in 2005 by Broker/Owner Jeff Kermath. Unlike national tech platforms such as Houzeo, Homecoin, or Congress Realty that collect your fee and refer or assign your listing to a third-party broker, Jeff Kermath is a direct member of Michigan’s MLS boards (Realcomp, MichRIC, NGLRMLS, and UPMLS) and inputs and supports your listing directly.
Do I have to pay a 0.5% to 1.25% platform fee at closing with Flat Fee Michigan?
With our Bronze ($299) and Silver ($399) plans, or our Full-Service Gold ($998) plan, you never pay a 1% or 1.25% third-party referral platform fee. Plus, if you find your own unrepresented buyer directly, you pay $0 buyer-agent commission.
Can I talk directly to the Michigan broker before and after I list?
Yes! You can call or text Broker Jeff Kermath directly at (734) 649-4903 before you order, while your listing is active, and when offers come in. You are never routed to an offshore call center or automated ticket queue.