When selling your home, you’ll likely choose between a full-service broker and a discount broker. Full-service agents handle everything from pricing and marketing to negotiations and closing support—giving you hands-on guidance.
Traditionally, full-service realtors at brokerages like RE/MAX or Keller Williams charge a 2.5–3% listing fee, which adds up to thousands of dollars. However, discount brokers have become popular by offering similar services for far less, potentially saving sellers significantly.
The catch? Some discount brokers provide the same support as traditional agents, while others cut corners—leaving sellers with less personalized help or limited marketing.
This guide breaks down the difference between full-service and discount brokers so you can weigh the trade-offs, compare costs, and find the best value.
Most agents charge 2.5–3%, but Clever Real Estate gets you a full-service agent for just 1.5%. Take our quick quiz to match with top local agents and start saving thousands!
Full-service brokers vs. discount brokers: A summary
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What is a full-service realtor?
A full-service realtor is a real estate agent who handles your home sale from start to finish. Most traditional brokerages, including nationwide brands like Century 21, Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and RE/Max, are considered full-service.
What full-service realtors do for home sellers
When you sell your property with a full-service realtor, they'll guide you through your entire sale, from before you list your house on the market to the day you sign your closing papers.
Along the way, they'll provide all of the services you need to sell your home, including:
- Accurate home valuation to set the right asking price via a CMA report
- Staging advice to make your property more appealing
- Professional listing photos that attract buyer attention
- MLS and website marketing on platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com
- Open house and showing management to generate interest
- Offer negotiation to secure the best price and terms
- Paperwork and contract support to avoid costly mistakes
These services (and more) attract more positive attention from buyers, which increases the likelihood that your home will sell quickly and for top dollar.
How much does a full-service realtor cost?
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Listing agent commission | 2.5–3% |
| Buyer’s agent commission | 2.5–3% |
| Total commission fees | 5–6% |
Selling with a full-service realtor from a traditional brokerage typically costs 5–6% of the sale price, which comprises commission fees for both the seller's agent and buyer's agent.
However, average real estate commission rates vary by location and have begun declining in recent years. Factors like rising home prices and competition from full-service discount brokerages are making rates more affordable than ever.
What is a discount realtor?
A discount realtor is any real estate agent who charges less than the typical 2.5% to 3% commission that traditional brokerages usually charge. Discount real estate companies come at a variety of different price points and offer varying levels of service:
Full-service discount realtors provide the same range of services and support as traditional agents but charge lower rates.
Limited-service realtors charge low fees but provide much less support than a full-service agent.
Full-service discount realtors
Full-service discount realtors offer a similar range of services and support as agents at traditional brokerages but charge less than you'd typically pay a full-service agent.
How much do full-service discount realtors cost?
Full-service discount real estate companies come at a range of different price points. Most nationwide and regional discount realtors charge a 1–2% commission. That’s substantially lower than the standard 2.5–3% listing fee that traditional brokerages usually charge.
Getting a discounted listing fee could net you huge savings. For example, on a $400,000 home, selling with a 1.5% commission realtor could help you keep an extra $8,000 in your pocket!
| Home value | 1% commission savings* |
|---|---|
| $300,000 | $6,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 |
| $750,000 | $15,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 |
| *Compared with a standard 3% listing fee | |
What full-service discount realtors do for home sellers
Full-service discount realtors provide the same basic services you would expect from a full-service traditional realtor, including:
A professional home valuation
High-quality photography
Advertising on the MLS, Zillow, and other real estate websites
Open houses and showings as needed
Negotiation support
Paperwork assistance
Depending on the discount brand, they may also provide premium services like virtual home tours and paid digital marketing.
How full-service discount realtors create savings
Discount real estate brands provide full service for low commission rates by finding ways to make the home selling process more efficient.
For example, Clever Real Estate helps top-rated agents at traditional brokerages save on marketing expenses. Even the most experienced agents spend a TON of money finding new customers.
Clever connects traditional agents with home sellers at no upfront cost. Your agent can pass part of the savings to you by charging a fraction of their standard listing fee.
» SAVE: Sell with a top local agent for a 1.5% listing fee
Other low-fee real estate companies are trying to reinvent the entire home-selling model. Discount brands like Redfin and Houwzer hire their own in-house agents and attempt to compete directly with traditional brokerages.
These discount companies provide the same basic services as traditional brokerages like Century 21 and RE/MAX, but the experience may feel a bit different than working with a conventional realtor. For instance, you may have different team members manage different stages of your sale, rather than working with a single, dedicated agent from start to finish.
Limited-service discount realtors
Limited-service discount realtors offer some, but not all, of the standard services traditional brokerages provide.
How much do limited-service agents cost?
Limited-service realtors are available at various price points, but they're rarely a good value for the average home seller.
Many limited-service brands charge à la carte fees for individual services, such as listing your house on the MLS and providing paperwork assistance. The individual costs may look cheap, but they add up quickly — and you have to pay them up front. Depending on how much support you actually need, you may not end up saving much working with them compared with a full-service agent.
Other limited-service brokerages charge flat commission rates — often 1–2% of the sale price — for listing packages that may include additional services such as remote support from a licensed agent. However, plenty of discount brands offer genuine full service for similar rates (or less), so most sellers will find better dollar-for-dollar value elsewhere.
What limited-service agents do (and don't do) for home sellers
Limited-service brokerages vary widely in what services and support they provide. At a minimum, most of these discount companies offer an MLS listing, along with any other services that are required by law.
Depending on the company, it may add additional services like a professional home valuation, contract assistance, and marketing materials such as flyers or a "for sale" sign. In general, the more services the company provides, the more it will cost you.
Limited-service brokerages rarely provide you with a dedicated agent to oversee your sale from start to finish. If you have access to an agent at all, it will likely be via a customer support line — you'll typically never meet them face-to-face.
» MORE: What to know about limited-service realtors
Are discount realtors worth it?
Discount realtors can be a great option for budget-conscious home sellers, but the value depends on the company, their services, and the potential cost savings.
Working with a full-service discount realtor is the right fit for most people. The top full-service brands offer commission savings without sacrificing the services and support you need to sell your house for the best price possible.
Listing with a limited-service brokerage is too risky for most sellers. These companies advertise cheap rates — but almost always at the expense of services that can directly affect your ability to find a buyer quickly and negotiate an attractive offer. The potential savings likely aren't worth the trade-offs unless you're an experienced home seller in a hot real estate market.
The best discount real estate companies
The best discount real estate companies offer huge savings with few (if any) trade-offs compared with traditional, full-service brokerages.
Best for most sellers: Clever Real Estate
Listing Fee
Availability
Overview
Reviews
Clever Real Estate offers a lower commission without sacrificing quality. Through its free service, you can find top-rated agents in your area and sell for just a 1.5% listing fee (much lower than the average realtor commission rate).
How it works: You take a short online quiz (five questions) to help Clever understand your situation and preferences. Then Clever matches you with vetted agents in your market who are a good fit. If you don’t like the agents Clever recommends, you can request more matches until you find the right fit — or simply walk away.
Why it’s great: You can use Clever to compare top-producing local realtors from major brands like Compass, Century 21, and Coldwell Banker. Each realtor in Clever’s network has agreed to offer lower commission rates, which lets you focus on choosing the best agent instead of worrying about the price. You get the same savings no matter what.
The best discount real estate company for most home sellers is Clever Real Estate. With listing fees of just 1.5%, it offers the most affordable rates of any full-service brand available nationwide.
Clever's free, no-obligation service connects you with top agents from trusted full-service brokerages like Berkshire Hathaway and Coldwell Banker. And since Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf, you'll get the traditional agent experience, for a third of the price!
Best for $1 million homes: Houwzer
Listing Fee
Availability
Overview
Reviews
What it is: Houwzer is a regional discount brokerage that charges a 1% listing fee compared to the traditional 3%.
How it works: When you work with a Houwzer agent, you'll receive pricing guidance, an MLS listing, photography, a 3D house tour, and guidance during closing, due diligence, and negotiations. Buyers can also use a Houwzer agent to find a home.
Average customer rating: 4.9/5 (1,404 reviews)
Locations: Houwzer is available in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Since purchasing Trelora, it is available under the Trelora brand name in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington.
Houwzer is a great option if you're selling an expensive home and savings are a top priority. Houwzer charges a flat 1% listing fee, no matter what your home is worth. That pricing structure translates into huge savings on homes worth $1 million or more, though it offers less value on lower-priced homes.
Unlike Clever, Houwzer hires its own in-house agents, instead of matching you with realtors from traditional brokerages. All of Houwzer's agents provide the same basic services as conventional realtors, but you may encounter minor trade-offs — and you'll have extremely limited options when picking your agent.
Other nationwide, full-service discount companies
Redfin
Redfin is a popular home search tool and full-service discount real estate brokerage. It's a well-established brand with a solid track record overall, but its 1.5% listing fee is less competitive than other low commission companies.
Ideal Agent
Ideal Agent pre-negotiates 2% listing fees with realtors at conventional brokerages. It's a great way to find a qualified agent and save on commission, but Clever offers a similar service for roughly half the price.
What type of realtor is right for me?
Working with a full-service realtor is the right fit for most home sellers. It's the best way to guarantee that you have all the service and support you need to have a successful sale.
Previously, getting full service typically meant working with a traditional brokerage and paying a standard 2.5–3% listing fee. But today, top discount brands offer full service for as little as 1.5%.
Choosing an agent is incredibly personal, so it pays to shop around! Interview agents from multiple brokerages to find the best realtor for your priorities and budget.
If you're weighing your options for buying or selling a house, Clever can help!
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FAQs
What are the best full-service discount realtors?
The top discount real estate brands include Clever Real Estate, Redfin, and SimpleShowing. These companies offer incredible discounts on realtor commissions with few (or no!) service quality compromises.
Should I sell with a discount realtor?
A full-service discount realtor is an excellent option for most home sellers because they offer lower fees while still matching or exceeding the service and support you'd expect from traditional realtors. That said, not all discount brands are created equal — some limited-service brokerages offset their low rates by gutting crucial services like face-to-face support from your agent. Find the top discount real estate brokerages here.