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If you’re looking to sell your house and save on realtor commission fees in Columbia, South Carolina, 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 $7,780 less than most realtors in Columbia.
We identified and ranked 9 discount real estate brokers active in and around Columbia. These are the 5 best low commission brands in Columbia right now, according to the data.
⚡ Find top low commission realtors near you. Take this 1-minute quiz to compare local realtors who offer 1.5% listing fees through our platform.
- Stick with discount real estate 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" support.
- We recommend discount realtors 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 low commission realtors 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 Research Team spends hundreds of hours each month researching discount real estate brokers and low commission 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: Discount real estate brokers we recommend in Columbia
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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
CapCenter
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1%
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Sell & Buy
Redfin South Carolina
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1.5%
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Budget Pick
Charlotte Home Zone
Discount Real Estate BrokerMore DetailsListing fee: 1%
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Also Good
1 Percent Lists CSRA
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 realtors. 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 low commission realtors yourself. Plus, it’s free with no obligation.
Top 5 low commission realtors in Columbia
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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 Columbia 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
Statewide in VA, SC, NC, MD, DCRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
CapCenter
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,579Savings*$8,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoCapCenter is a regional discount real estate brokerage based in Glen Allen, VA with agents operating in Columbia. It charges 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. CapCenter reduces the listing fee to 0.5% if you buy and sell with them. Its plan includes most expected services and support, plus some non-standard services like digital marketing, and staging assistance. It’s been active for at least 17 years. Read the full CapCenter review.
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Sell & Buy
Statewide in SCRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
Redfin South Carolina
Listing fee*1.5%Actual cost*$6,868Savings*$6,318SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoRedfin South Carolina is a local discount real estate brokerage that’s based in Seattle, WA, but available statewide in South Carolina. It advertises a very good 1.5% of the final sale price at closing with a $3,500 minimum fee. Homes below $233,333 will pay more than the advertised 1.5% rate. Redfin South Carolina 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. It’s been in business since at least 2020. Read the full Redfin review.
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Budget Pick
Select cities in NC & SCRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
Charlotte Home Zone
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,579Savings*$8,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoCharlotte Home Zone is a regional low commission real estate brokerage based in Charlotte, NC with agents operating in Columbia. It costs 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 transaction coordination, virtual tours, print marketing, and open house hosting. It’s been active for at least 7 years. Read the full Charlotte Home Zone review.
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Also Good
Columbia & Augusta, SCRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate Broker
1 Percent Lists CSRA
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,579Savings*$8,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany Info1 Percent Lists CSRA is a local discount real estate broker based in North Augusta, SC with agents operating in Columbia. It charges 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. We were unable to verify services information for 1 Percent Lists CSRA. It’s been in business since at least 2021. Read the full 1 Percent Lists CSRA review.
What to know about discount real estate brokers in Columbia
- Columbia 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 Columbia realtor, you’ll typically pay a listing commission fee of about 2.91%.
- Discount realtors typically deliver savings by charging lower listing fees at closing. The average listing fee among discount brokerages in Columbia is 1% as of February 2026.
- That’s an average savings premium of $7,780 based on the median home sale price in Columbia ($401,600), according to the latest available data (February 2026).
- Consider a discount real estate broker 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.
- Low commission 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 realtor service models and customer experiences vary widely, which is why thoroughly interviewing and vetting any agent is so important.
To find low commission realtors in Columbia:
- Use an agent-matching service like Clever to compare pre-vetted real estate agents from reputable brokerages.
- Search for local discount real estate brokers (like the ones ranked on this page) and request quotes.
- Try to negotiate a lower commission rate with a conventional realtor yourself (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.
The best approach combines comparison shopping with vetting: interview 2–3 discount realtors, compare their fees AND track records, and choose based on value — not just price.
Pros
- Low commission realtors save sellers in Columbia $7,780.
- You get expertise from a licensed agent who knows the Columbia market.
- Some discount real estate agents offer full service, so you can get everything you'd expect for less.
Cons
- Some Columbia discount real estate brokers only provided limited service, and may charge extra fees for "add-ons" like professional photography.
- Discount real estate companies sometimes charge upfront fees, so you'll have to pay out-of-pocket before your house sells.
If a low commission realtor doesn't sound like the right fit for you, here are the most common alternatives and when each makes sense:
- If you want full-service but don't want to sacrifice agent quality: Use an agent-matching platform like Clever Real Estate to compare discount brokers and conventional agents side by side.
- If you're comfortable managing the sale yourself: A flat fee MLS service in Columbia lets you list on the MLS and sell by owner in South Carolina without hiring a full-service agent. Basic plans (around $150) just get your listing on the local MLS, while premium plans ($1,000+) include services like professional photography.
- If speed or condition is your main concern: A cash home buyer company in Columbia will purchase almost any home in as-is condition. With this approach, you typically don't have to pay realtor commissions and many cash buyers will actually cover your closing costs.
The Columbia housing market is a mild buyer's market, scoring 40/100 on the Clever Market Heat Index (March 2026) — meaning conditions slightly favor buyers, so pricing competitively is key for sellers.
- Columbia currently has 5 month(s) of supply — above the 10-year historical average of 4.1 months. This is a roughly balanced supply level between buyers and sellers.
- The median home sale price in Columbia was $303,529 last month, stable compared to the recent 3-month trend average of $302,156 — suggesting prices have held steady in this market.
- There were 2,472 active listings in Columbia last month, and 15.4% of them saw a price reduction — a moderate rate typical of a balanced market.
- Once listed, Columbia homes go pending in a median of 62 days — slower than the recent 3-month trend of 49 days, suggesting buyers are taking more time to commit and sellers should plan accordingly.
- 64.2% of active listings in Columbia are currently under contract — a high share that signals strong buyer demand and a competitive market for sellers.
- The average Columbia home sold for 97.3% of its list price last month — below the market's 10-year historical average of 98.0%, meaning sellers are typically accepting some discount from their asking price.
- The bulk of home seller costs is made up of realtor listing fees and closing costs.
- Listing fee: South Carolina home sellers pay their agents an average listing fee of 2.9%. That's 299.1% more than the average discount listing fee of 1% in Columbia.
How do 1% and 2% realtors in Columbia compare?
The total average real estate commission in Columbia is 5.88%. This includes the buyer's agent (2.97%) and listing agent fee (2.91%).
1% commission realtors are typically agents who charge a 1% listing agent fee. 1% agents offer maximum savings, but may provide fewer services.
2% real estate commission realtors typically offer a more full-service experience, and some may even offer premium services like 3D tours and drone photography.
What are flat fee realtors in Columbia?
Some full-service discount real estate agents charge flat fees instead of percentage-based fees at closing. For example, a flat fee realtor may charge a $4,000 listing fee, and that amount doesn’t change based on your property’s final sale price.
If you’re selling a more expensive home, working with a flat fee realtor can save you a lot of money on commission fees! However, be wary of flat fee agents who charge nonrefundable, upfront fees.
More low commission real estate companies in Columbia (4)
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 Columbia charges a 1% listing fee and has a 5.0 out of 5 customer rating, 63 verified reviews, and at least 8 years of verified activity. These can be useful baseline criteria to help guide your search.
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NationwideRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate BrokerBetter Homes Realty
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,579Savings*$8,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoBetter Homes Realty is a nationwide low commission real estate brokerage 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 a dedicated agent and in-person representation. It’s been in business since at least 2019. Read the full Better Homes Realty review.
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Fort Mill, SCDiscount Real Estate BrokerAssist-2-Sell Buyers & Sellers 1st Choice
Listing fee*N/AActual cost*N/ASavings*N/ASummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoAssist-2-Sell Buyers & Sellers 1st Choice is a local discount real estate brokerage. We were unable to verify pricing information for Assist-2-Sell Buyers & Sellers 1st Choice. We were unable to verify services information for Assist-2-Sell Buyers & Sellers 1st Choice. It’s been in business since at least 2018.
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Statewide in SCDiscount Real Estate BrokerBest Choice Flat Fee
Listing fee*$1,398Actual cost*$1,398Savings*$11,788SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoBest Choice Flat Fee is a local discount real estate brokerage that’s available statewide in South Carolina. It charges a $499 upfront fee, plus an additional $899 due at closing. Remember that the upfront portion is nonrefundable, so you lose that money even if things don’t work out. 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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Statewide in SCRead ReviewDiscount Real Estate BrokerTrelora South Carolina
Listing fee*1%Actual cost*$4,579Savings*$8,608SummaryPros & ConsReviewsCompany InfoTrelora South Carolina is a local discount real estate broker that’s based in Charleston, SC, and available statewide in South Carolina. It charges a very good 1% of the final sale price at closing with a $3,000 minimum fee. Homes below $300,000 will pay more than the advertised 1% rate. Its plan includes most expected services and support, plus some non-standard services like digital marketing, and social media advertising. We’re still working to verify how many years this company has been in business. Read the full Trelora review.
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Related guides and resources for Columbia home sellers
How we research and rank discount real estate brokers
Data sources
Our Research Team identified and ranked 9 full-service, low commission real estate companies available in Columbia. We compiled and analyzed 599 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 Columbia.
We sourced Columbia market data from two Clever proprietary datasets: the Clever Market Pulse and the Clever Market Heat Index. The Clever Market Pulse tracks current local market conditions — including home prices, days on market, inventory levels, and sale-to-list ratios — updated monthly at the national, state, metro, and zip code level. The Clever Market Heat Index is a composite scoring system that rates housing markets on a 0–100 scale based on supply, demand, and pricing dynamics, and classifies each market on a spectrum from strong buyer's market to strong seller's market.
Methodology
Our team used public business directories to identify 9 discount real estate services in Columbia. 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 low commission realtors. 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 Columbia.
🏢 Do you own or operate a discount real estate brokerage in South Carolina? Claim or add your business profile here.
About the author - Jamie Ayers
Jamie Ayers leads content product at Clever Real Estate and specializes in evaluating discount real estate brokerages and agent matching services. His research helps home sellers navigate commission savings options and make informed decisions when choosing a real estate professional.
Jamie has managed digital publications across multiple industries, including real estate technology, commercial development, and financial services, bringing a data-driven approach to real estate company reviews. His analysis and expert advice on real estate services have been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and BiggerPockets.