Discount real estate brokers offer a way to sell your home at a reduced commission rate, with most charging 1-1.5% compared to the standard 2.74% listing fee. That means more money in your pocket—potentially saving you thousands on realtor fees.
However, not all discount real estate agents offer the same level of service or value. Some focus on maximizing savings, while others balance lower fees with high-quality, full-service support. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right option for your needs.
I’ve compiled a list of top discount real estate brokers, chosen based on my years of experience in the real estate market and in-depth research of customer feedback. These recommendations focus on delivering both savings and reliable service.
⚡ Want to see discounted rates from agents near you? Get custom proposals sent straight to your inbox from local agents charging a 1.5% listing fee, including agents from top brands like Compass and Century 21.
Top 5 discount real estate brokers of 2025
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's Take
Pros & cons
Overview
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking for an agent. The company matches you with multiple experienced, full-service agents so you can find the right fit, and it offers a low 1.5% listing fee no matter which agent you choose.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's take
Pros & cons
At a Glance
1 Percent Lists offers a solid combination of savings and full service. If you're located in one of its service areas, read customer reviews and check Zillow transaction data to ensure you don't end up with an inexperienced real estate agent.
Read the full 1 Percent Lists review.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's Take
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Overview
Redfin is a reputable discount real estate brokerage that offers significant savings, particularly if you buy and sell with the brokerage. But watch out for high minimum fees, which vary by market and can be high in some areas. Redfin's agents also work with a lot of clients, and they don’t always have time to provide as much hands-on service as you may need.
Read the full Redfin review.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's Take
Pros & cons
At a Glance
Ideal Agent is a solid option if you’re looking for a top agent. The company vets its realtors thoroughly, so you’ll likely get a quality agent. But you won't save as much on realtor fees as you could with other companies.
Read the full Ideal Agent review.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's Take
Pros & cons
Overview
Prevu is a solid option if you're buying an expensive property. You can receive up to 2% of the home's purchase price as a rebate; the full 2% is only available on properties over $1.25 million. Sellers will pay a 1.5% listing fee (about half the traditional rate). But watch out for minimum fees that vary by market and can be high, limiting your actual savings.
Read the full Prevu review.
How we ranked these discount brokers
🏆 Top pick: Clever Real Estate
Our top choice, Clever stands out for its reliable 1.5% listing fee across the U.S. and its approach of matching sellers with multiple experienced, full-service agents.
Sellers enjoy substantial savings and receive the full support of seasoned agents. Clever's high customer rating also further increases its credibility and customer trust.
🥈 Runner-up: Redfin
Offering a competitive 1.5% listing fee, Redfin provides excellent value, especially for clients buying and selling through them.
However, in some markets, higher minimum fees apply. Our analysis of Redfin's online reviews also discovered the potential for less hands-on service due to agents handling many clients simultaneously.
🏅 Other strong options
Known for its network of highly-rated agents, Ideal Agent charges a 2% listing fee and delivers excellent service quality. Still, the savings aren't as significant as with Clever or Redfin, making it ideal for sellers prioritizing top-tier agents over cost savings.
1 Percent Lists and Prevu are strong contenders with unique advantages in specific markets, but their limited availability and variable fees affected their overall rankings.
🔬 About our research process
My recommendations are based on my years of experience as a real estate agent and thorough research, including customer insights. I evaluated nationwide discount real estate brokerages based on fee structure, overall savings, services offered, customer reviews, and brokerage reputation.
My approach includes interviewing actual customers, analyzing thousands of customer reviews, mystery shopping local offices to verify marketing claims, and uncovering details not listed on company websites. I regularly update our rankings to ensure you get the best and most accurate information about low-cost real estate agents available online.
Clever's mission is to help you make smarter real estate decisions and save money. We aim to provide objective, practical advice for sellers of all experience levels and homes in various locations and price ranges.
Selling a house is one of the biggest financial transactions you'll ever make. We strive to give you the information you need for the best possible outcome, even if it means choosing one of Clever's competitors.
Find a discount real estate brokerage near you
Sometimes, your best option is a local discount broker who offers lower commission rates in your area.
We've compiled comprehensive discount brokerage guides for all U.S. states (except Mississippi, North Dakota, and Wyoming, which are coming soon.) Use the table below to navigate your state and find the perfect discount broker.
What is a discount real estate broker?
A discount real estate broker is a licensed realtor who charges lower commissions than traditional agents, passing savings on to buyers and sellers.
According to NAR's 2024 data, FSBO sales are at a record low of just 6%.[1] The vast majority of sellers still seek the expertise of real estate professionals but increasingly look for lower-cost alternatives, such as discount brokers.
How much do traditional vs. discount broker fees cost?
Our research shows that the national average real estate commission is around 5.32%, typically divided between the listing agent's commission (2.74%) and the buyer’s agent (2.58%). A recent Redfin analysis also noted a drop in the average buyer’s agent commission, decreasing from 2.62% at the beginning of the year to 2.55%.[2]
Sellers usually cover this full cost, which on a $500,000 sales price could amount to over $19,000 in fees.
However, discount brokers like Clever Real Estate and Redfin offer a more affordable option, charging listing fees as low as 1.5%. This reduced rate can save you approximately $6,650 on a $500,000 home sale compared to traditional commission rates.
By choosing a discount broker, sellers can significantly reduce their real estate costs without compromising the professional support needed for a successful sale.
Clever agents, for example, provide full support and guidance throughout the entire selling process, from pricing and marketing your home to negotiating offers and handling paperwork
⚡ Get the best agents at a better rate. Use our free agent matching tool to find a great agent and take advantage of our 1.5% listing fee. Compare top local realtors from major brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — with no added fees or strings attached.
🏛️ NAR settlement and realtor commissions
After losing a lawsuit over their practices in 2024, the National Association of Realtors agreed to change how real estate professionals do business.
As of August 2024, buyer's agents are required to sign an "agency agreement" before providing services to a buyer. This agreement has to specify what services the agent will provide, and how much they will get paid.
Real estate agents are no longer allowed to split commissions with one another. In the past, it was common for a listing agent to collect a 6% fee from the seller, and then split this fee with a buyer's agent who brought a buyer. Going forward, buyer's agents will have to negotiate their fee directly with the buyer they represent.
Learn more about how the real estate commission changes will impact buyers and sellers.
This settlement is relevant to discount brokers, who already offer transparent, lower commission rates, ensuring sellers can save money while still receiving full service.
Potential savings using a discount broker
Given that the typical homeowner spends over $50,000 to sell their home—primarily on realtor commissions—using a discount broker can lead to substantial savings.
Our research shows that using a traditional agent or a discount broker is also more profitable than selling without a realtor. Sellers who used an agent sold their homes for about $34,000 more than those who didn't, far outweighing the commission savings of going without a realtor.[3]
The amount you can save with a discount realtor depends on three main factors:
- Your home's estimated sale price
- Your discount realtor's listing fee (factoring in any minimum fees)
- Average real estate commission rates in your area
We'll cover the first two points — home price and listing fee — then discuss how savings can vary based on where you live.
This first table breaks down how much you'll save at different price points based on the listing fee charged by your discount realtor. Most discount real estate brands charge a flat fee of 1–2% (for context, the average listing fee nationwide is united_states). That can initially seem like a small discount, but it breaks down into a significant dollar amount, especially at higher price points.
How much you save based on listing fee paid:
| Home price | 2% listing fee | 1.5% listing fee | 1% listing fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,800 | $3,050 | $4,300 |
| $500,000 | $3,600 | $6,100 | $8,600 |
| $750,000 | $5,400 | $9,150 | $12,900 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,200 | $12,200 | $17,200 |
Now, it's important to break it down by location. Average commission rates vary depending on where you're located.
For example, the average listing fee in New York is 3.00%. If you sell your $500,000 home with a realtor who charges a reduced fee of 1.5%, you'd save about $7,500 in realtor fees.
A seller in Utah with the same-priced house would save $4,000 (based on South Dakota's average listing fee of 2.30%).
How to choose a discount broker
When choosing a discount real estate agent, consider what services are important to you and ensure the agent offers the right services to fit your needs.
For example, 23% of recent home sellers said they wanted an agent who could help price their home competitively and effectively market it to buyers.[4]
Other useful services a discount agent may offer include:
- Helping you sell within a specific timeframe
- Advising improvements to make your home more sellable
- Assisting with paperwork, inspections, and negotiations
- Providing photography and video.
If you are still deciding about an agent after an initial interview, talk to a few more candidates. Pay attention to each agent's past sales and customer reviews.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lower commission
- Potential for higher profits
- Full service available
Cons
- Variable service quality
- Limited availability
- Potential added fees
Discount real estate brokers save sellers money by charging lower commission fees (1-1.5%) than traditional brokers without sacrificing sale price or service. Many discount brokers offer comprehensive services like marketing and negotiation support, making them a cost-effective choice for sellers.
However, service quality can vary among discount brokers and individual agents. Availability of discount brokerages may be limited to certain regions, and high minimum fees in some areas can reduce overall savings. Additionally, sellers may still need to offer competitive buyer’s agent fees, which can impact total cost savings.
Discount real estate broker alternatives
If you're on the fence about selling with a discount real estate broker, you may be better off trying one of these alternative sales types.
| Alternative option | Description |
|---|---|
| Sell without a realtor or with a flat fee MLS company. | Save big on realtor fees. Good for people with real estate experience who don't mind a big time commitment. |
| Sell to a cash home buyer. | Sell in as little as a week. Good for homes in poor condition. |
| Sell to an iBuyer. | Sell in as little as a week. Good for homes in move-in ready condition. |
| Negotiate realtor fees yourself. | Pay a lower listing fee with an agent of your choice. May be an option if you're selling an expensive home in a hot market. |
The bottom line
Discount real estate brokers offer significant savings by charging lower commission fees, typically 1-1.5%, compared to traditional brokers. This can result in substantial cost reductions for sellers – without sacrificing service quality.
However, service levels can vary among brokers, and availability may be limited to certain regions. When choosing a discount broker, it's crucial to consider both the potential savings and the level of service.
Clever Real Estate is the top discount broker, offering a 1.5% listing fee nationwide while matching sellers with multiple experienced, full-service agents. This approach ensures that sellers receive personalized service and substantial commission savings.
If you're weighing your options for buying or selling a house, Clever can help!
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