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If you’re looking to sell your house and save on realtor commission fees in Des Moines, Iowa, you may want to consider a low commission realtor. A good discount realtor provides the same general services and support as a conventional agent, but charges $4,837 less than most realtors in Des Moines.
We identified and ranked 11 discount real estate brokers active in and around Des Moines. These are the 5 best low commission brands in Des Moines right now, according to the data.
⚡ Find top discount brokers near you. Take this 1-minute quiz to compare local realtors who offer 1.5% listing fees through our platform.
- Stick with companies that offer in-person representation and "full service" (including an on-site comparative market analysis and professional photography). Avoid brands that only provide "remote" or "virtual" broker support.
- We recommend brands with success-based fees (you only pay at closing) and transparent pricing models. Watch out for upfront, nonrefundable fees and high minimums — some companies don’t make these easy to spot.
- Don't just rely on the advertised commission rate. Calculate your actual estimated commission fee based on your estimated home value. This is especially important for companies with flat fee models or high minimum fees to avoid paying more than advertised.
- Customer ratings are generally more important than small differences in pricing models. Look for companies with high average ratings based on large numbers of reviews.
- Be sure to interview the specific agent you'll be working with and evaluate them based on the same criteria you'd use to choose a conventional realtor.
Our Team spends hundreds of hours each month researching discount real estate brokerages and agents across the country so you don’t have to. We look at a wide range of factors to calculate our rankings including:
- Customer ratings: Do past clients recommend the company? Are recent reviews positive and consistent?
- Pricing & fees: How much does the service cost relative to other brokers? Are there rebates or discounts?
- Service scope: Does the company offer the same level of service as a traditional agent? Any extras?
- Track record: How long has the company been active, and how steady is their review activity over time?
We continually refresh existing data, add new companies to our library, and look for new ways to make our pages more useful. See our full methodology.
At a glance: Low-fee real estate companies we recommend in Des Moines
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Best Overall
Clever Real Estate
Discount Real Estate Broker⚡ Compare Agents More detailsListing fee: 1.5%
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Runner Up
1 Percent Lists Evolution
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1%
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Also Good
PROmetro Realty
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1% + $895
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Also Good
Flat Fee Group
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1%
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Also Good
Better Homes Realty
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1%
Our take: Most home sellers should try an Agent Marketplace like Clever before reaching out to individual discount brokerages. Clever’s free platform lets you compare multiple agents from different brokerages — discount and conventional, like RE/MAX and Compass — and you pay a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee at closing, regardless of who you choose. That’s up to 50% of the agents’ typical rates.
- Why this matters: Thanks to the wider selection of agents and pre-negotiated low rates, you can focus on hiring the best agent for the job without worrying about the price tag. It’s faster, easier, and safer than reaching out to individual discount brokers yourself. Plus it’s free with no obligation.
Top 5 low commission real estate companies in Des Moines
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Best Overall
Nationwide⚡ Compare AgentsDiscount Real Estate Broker
Clever Real Estate
Claimed ✔Listing fee*1.5%Agent network*19,000+Active since2017SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoClever Real Estate is our Top Pick 🥇 for Des Moines home sellers looking for a great realtor and commission savings. Clever is a discount real estate marketplace you can use to hire vetted, local agents and get special low rates. It connects you with 19,000+ local realtors across the country from top regional brokerages and major brands like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Compass — and when you go through Clever, you pay just a 1.5% listing fee at closing instead of their typical 2.5-3%. Clever is currently the top-rated real estate company on Trustpilot with 3,500+ 5-star reviews. Requesting agent matches is fast, easy, and free. Read the full Clever Real Estate review.
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Runner Up
Select cities in IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
1 Percent Lists Evolution
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,686Savings*$8,293SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany Info1 Percent Lists Evolution is a local discount real estate broker based in Clive, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It advertises a very good 1% of the final sale price at closing. There's no minimum fee so you'll pay the advertised percentage rate no matter the final sale price. Its plan includes all expected services and support, plus non-standard services like digital marketing, social media advertising, and open house hosting. It’s been in business since at least 2016. Read the full 1 Percent Lists Evolution review.
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Also Good
Select cities in IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
PROmetro Realty
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,686Savings*$8,293SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoPROmetro Realty is a local discount real estate broker based in Urbandale, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It advertises a nonrefundable $895 upfront fee, plus an additional 1% of the final sale price due at closing. We recommend avoiding upfront fees when you can to minimize risk and out-of-pocket costs. Its plan includes all expected services and support, plus non-standard services like digital marketing, social media advertising, virtual tours, drone photography, floorplans, print marketing, and open house hosting. It’s been in business since at least 2013. Read the full PROmetro Realty review.
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Also Good
NationwideRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
Flat Fee Group
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,686Savings*$8,293SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoFlat Fee Group is a regional discount real estate broker. It advertises a very good 1% of the final sale price at closing with a $2,000 minimum fee. Homes below $200,000 will pay more than the advertised 1% rate. We were unable to verify services information for Flat Fee Group. We’re still working to verify how many years this company has been in business. Read the full Flat Fee Group review.
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Also Good
NationwideDiscount Real Estate Broker
Better Homes Realty
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,686Savings*$8,293SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoBetter Homes Realty is a nationwide discount real estate broker that’s based in Hazlet, NJ. It advertises a competitive 1% of the final sale price at closing. There's no minimum fee so you'll pay the advertised percentage rate no matter the final sale price. Better Homes Realty may be missing some key services and support, including in-person representation and pricing assistance. It’s been active for at least 6 years.
What to know about discount real estate agents in Des Moines
- Des Moines discount real estate brokers offer a similar range of services and support as conventional realtors for a lower price.
- If you work with a conventional Des Moines realtor, you’ll typically pay a listing commission fee of about 2.9%.
- Discount realtors typically deliver savings by charging lower listing fees at closing. The average listing fee among discount brokerages in Des Moines is 1% as of September 2025.
- That’s an average savings premium of $4,837 based on the median home sale price in Des Moines ($254,700), according to the latest available data (September 2025).
- Consider a discount realtor if saving on real estate commission fees is a top priority, but you still want a real estate agent to guide and support you through the process.
- Discount realtors sometimes handle more customers at once to offset their lower rates. Some sellers say this can lead to less hands-on, personalized service compared to a conventional realtor.
- We recommend sellers with more complicated properties or circumstances stick with conventional realtors with experience that fits their needs. (Try Clever: list with top full-service realtors, get up to 50% off their typical rate.)
- That being said, discount brokerage service models and customer experiences vary widely, which is why thoroughly interviewing and vetting any agent is so important.
Pros
- Discount real estate agents save sellers in Des Moines $4,837, on average.
- You get expertise from a licensed agent who knows the Des Moines market.
- Some discount real estate agents offer full service, so you can get everything you'd expect for less.
Cons
- Some Des Moines discount real estate agents only provided limited service, and may charge extra fees for "add-ons" like professional photography.
- Discount real estate brokers sometimes charge upfront fees, so you'll have to pay out-of-pocket before your house sells.
- Clever Real Estate gets you special discounted rates from top, conventional realtors representing major brokerages like RE/MAX, Century 21, and Compass. Get personalized agent recommendations and save up to 50% on listing fees.
- You can try to negotiate a lower commission rate with a conventional realtor yourself, but this can be difficult to do (only about 22% of sellers who try to negotiate are successful). Negotiating is easier if you have a pricier home, are selling in a particularly hot market, or already have a buyer lined up.
- If you're selling for sale by owner in Iowa and just want a marketing boost, a Des Moines flat fee MLS service may be a better fit. Basic flat fee MLS plans get your listing on the local MLS for around $150. Premium plans include more services, like pro photography, but can cost well over $1,000.
- If you want to sell your house fast in Des Moines or sell your house in as-is condition, consider using a Des Moines cash home buyer company. Cash home buyers will purchase almost any home in any condition. You typically don't have to pay realtor commissions and many will actually cover your closing costs. And because they pay cash, they can usually close in a matter of days.
The Des Moines housing market has cooled since this time last year, according to the latest data (August 2025).
- Des Moines is currently in a neutral market, with an equal amount of buyer demand and inventory. Last month, there were 3,482 active listings, (up 26.3% year over year).
- The median home sale price in Iowa last month was $254,700, up 4.2% from $244,332 last year.
- In the past month, Des Moines properties spent a median of 65 days on the market — that’s 4 days slower than this time last year.
- The average Iowa home sold for 97.74% of its original list price in the past month, down 0.2% year over year.
- Des Moines houses are experiencing more price drops compared to last year. 1,386 of properties dropped their price last month. That's a 27.16% increase compared to this time last year.
The average cost of selling a home in Iowa is $28,528, 15.4% less than the nationwide average of $33,702.
- The bulk of home seller costs is made up of realtor listing fees and closing costs.
- Listing fee: Iowa home sellers pay their agents an average listing fee of 2.9%. That's 289.7% more than the average discount listing fee of 1% in Des Moines.
In Des Moines, Iowa the average real estate commission is 5.7%. 6% real estate commission (split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent) is becoming less common, especially as buyer's agent commissions trend lower.
| Typical realtor commissions in Des Moines, Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|
| % | $ | |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.8% | $7,132 |
| Listing agent commission | 2.9% | $7,386 |
| Total | 5.7% | $14,518 |
Realtors who offer 1% real estate commission are typically focused on saving you the most possible money when you're selling your home, but these savings sometimes come with limited services and support. 2% real estate commission companies offer less potential for savings, but they usually have a more full-service approach to listing your home and some even offer premium services like 3D tours and drone photography.
Real estate agents in Des Moines, Iowa who advertise 4% or 5% commission are usually advertising a total commission rate, not their listing commission. For example, 5% realtors may actually charge a 2.5% listing commission, with the other 2.5% being charged by the buyer's agent. These fees are taken from the proceeds of your home sale.
Since the recent NAR lawsuit, listing agents are now prohibited from advertising the buyer's agent commission since this is supposed to be negotiated between the buyer and their agent. However, as the industry catches up to new regulations, you may still see realtors in Des Moines advertising a fixed total commission that includes the buyer's agent fee.
More low commission real estate companies in Des Moines (6)
What it is: Low commission realtors charge lower listing fees than conventional realtors but provide the same general range of services and support.
Who this is for: Any home seller interested in saving money on realtor fees but still wants a skilled agent to help guide them through the process.
How to choose: The average low commission real estate company in Des Moines charges a 1% listing fee and has a 4.8 out of 5 customer rating, 45 verified reviews, and at least 10 years of verified activity. These can be useful baseline criteria to help guide your search.
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Des Moines, IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate BrokerSpace Simply
Listing fee*$2,495Actual cost*$2,495Savings*$10,484SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoSpace Simply is a local discount real estate brokerage based in Urbandale, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It charges an excellent flat $2,495 fee due at closing. Sellers with homes at or above $249,500 stand to get the best value. Space Simply may be missing some key services and support, including a dedicated agent and in-person representation. It’s been active for at least 9 years. Read the full Space Simply review.
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Des Moines, IADiscount Real Estate BrokerNext Generation Realty
Listing fee*$7,990Actual cost*$7,990Savings*$4,989SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoNext Generation Realty is a local discount real estate brokerage based in Des Moines, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It advertises a tiered pricing model ranging from $3,990 - $9,990 depending on your home’s final sale price. Next Generation Realty may be missing some key services and support, including pricing assistance and professional photography. It’s been active for at least 9 years.
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Des Moines, IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker3% Realty Equity
Listing fee*0.33%Actual cost*$1,546Savings*$11,433SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany Info3% Realty Equity is a local discount real estate broker based in Ankeny, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It advertises a total commission fee of 3%, which includes both the listing and buyer's agent fees. Based on average buyer’s agent fee rates, that’s roughly a 0.33% effective listing fee. 3% Realty Equity may be missing some key services and support, including house showing coordination and a for sale sign. We’re still working to verify how many years this company has been in business. Read the full 3% Realty Equity review.
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Des Moines, IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate BrokerRuby Realty
Listing fee*$3,995Actual cost*$3,995Savings*$8,984SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoRuby Realty is a local discount real estate brokerage based in West Des Moines, IA with agents operating in Des Moines. It charges a nonrefundable $3,995 fee upfront. Upfront fees aren’t always a deal breaker, but companies with success-based fees (due at closing) are less risky. Ruby Realty may be missing some key services and support, including a dedicated agent and in-person representation. It’s been in business since at least 2017. Read the full Ruby Realty review.
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Des Moines, IARead ReviewDiscount Real Estate BrokerRedfin Des Moines
Listing fee*2%Actual cost*$9,371Savings*$3,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoRedfin Des Moines is a local discount real estate brokerage based in Seattle, WA with agents operating in Des Moines. It advertises a mediocre 2% of the final sale price at closing with a $2,500 minimum fee. Homes below $125,000 will pay more than the advertised 2% rate. Redfin Des Moines reduces the listing fee to 1% if you buy and sell with them. If you’re only buying, you can get a 25% rebate on the buyer’s agent commission at closing. Its plan gets you all the expected services and support, including a dedicated agent, in-person representation, MLS syndication. We’re still working to verify how many years this company has been in business. Read the full Redfin review.
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Statewide in IADiscount Real Estate BrokerBest Choice Flat Fee
Listing fee*$1,995Actual cost*$1,995Savings*$10,984SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoBest Choice Flat Fee is a local discount real estate brokerage that’s available statewide in Iowa. It costs a nonrefundable $1,995 fee upfront. Upfront fees aren’t always a deal breaker, but companies with success-based fees (due at closing) are less risky. Its plan gets you all expected services and support — like a dedicated agent and in-person representation — plus virtual tours, which isn’t standard. We’re still working to verify how many years this company has been in business.
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How we research and rank discount real estate brokers
Data sources
Our research team identified and ranked 11 full-service, low commission real estate brokerages available in Des Moines. We compiled and analyzed 42,886 publicly available data points tied to customer reviews, pricing models, services, and track record to assess each company, determine our rankings, and choose our top picks in Des Moines.
Methodology
Our team used public business directories to identify 11 discount real estate services in Des Moines. We then manually verified pricing and services details for every company, categorizing them as either “full-service” or “limited-service.”
We did our best to ensure that only brands and product offerings that meet our minimum full-service criteria made it onto these pages. Limited-service brokers appear in our Flat-fee MLS Services Guides.
We fed pricing, services, customer ratings, and credibility data for each verified low commission real estate brokerage into our localized ranking methodology. We evaluated each company across four core areas, including:
- Customer Experience (35%): We measured how customers feel about their experiences and outcomes with the company over time. This score is primarily powered by average customer ratings across reputable, third-party review platforms. We weighted our customer scores to account for sample size and recency.
- Pricing & Fees (30%): We measured the company’s fee structure and price point relative to other discount real estate brokerages. We determined each company's effective listing commission rate, average cost, and average savings (when compared to the national average commission rate). We also checked for special discounts, such as sell-and-buy deals and buyer rebates.
- Services & Support (20%): We measured the level of services and support that each discount real estate broker provides and compared that to what a traditional broker offers. We also checked for bonus services, such as virtual tours and social media marketing.
- Track Record (15%): We measured how long a company has been active in the market by looking at recent reviews. We also determined how consistent their activity level is over time.
We combined these individual scores into a single Overall Rating, which determined our top picks and general company rankings in Des Moines.
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