Lake Country Flat Fee Review 2025

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By Jared Lindstrom Updated December 3, 2024
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Lake Country Flat Fee is a flat fee broker with over 20 years of operation in Southeast Wisconsin. It offers home sellers full service for a flat $3,995 listing fee.

This model is in contrast to traditional brokerages, which charge a percentage of the sale price (often 2.5–3%). It's also different than flat fee MLS services, which typically charge a few hundred dollars to list a house on the MLS but provide limited services beyond that.

If you have a home over $265,000, Lake Country Flat Fee's service is a good deal. You can save a lot of money on listing fees, especially if you have a higher-priced home. And the company's overwhelmingly positive online reviews suggest it offers high-quality service.

You'll still want to compare realtors from multiple brokers before choosing your agent. Compare commission rates, local market knowledge, and relevant sales experience to find the best fit for you.

Clever Real Estate makes this process easy by matching you with agents from trusted local and national brokerages — for nearly half their typical commission rate. You can start comparing top local agents by answering a few simple questions and getting tailored agent recommendations sent to your inbox.

Our Lake Country Flat Fee rating

Overall score4.8/5 🟢
Service quality5.0/5 🟢
Marketing4.5/5 🟢
Cost4.5/5 🟢
Customer experience5.0/5 🟢
Show more
Learn about our methodology.

Is Lake Country Flat Fee the right choice for you?

Lake Country Flat Fee could be right for you if:

  • You want a full-service realtor without high realtor fees. For only $3,995, Lake Country offers the same services as 3% realtors, like digital photo shoots, MLS syndication, and realtor-led showings.
  • You want to work with a company with a proven track record. With 20+ years of serving Southeast Wisconsin, Lake Country Flat Fee has a selling portfolio of over $2 billion.
  • You like building a relationship with your real estate professional. Lake Country assigns you to one of its proven realtors when you sell through the flat fee broker to help you make the most on your home.

Lake Country Flat Fee might not be the right fit for you if:

  • You want to sell your home independently. Working with a flat fee broker will save you money, but you can spend even less by choosing a FSBO option and selling on your own.
  • Your home needs significant repairs. If you don’t have the budget or timeline to repair your home before the sale, selecting an as-is option (like a cash buyer company) might work better for you.
  • You live outside of the Lake Country Flat Fee service area. While the flat fee broker can sell homes throughout Wisconsin, you may receive better service if you live closer to the Milwaukee metro.

Lake Country Flat Fee alternatives

Lake Country Flat Fee's main selling point is that it can help you save money on listing fees by charging a flat rate instead of a percentage. But there are other ways to save, and we recommend comparing all your options before choosing a particular company or realtor.

Lake Country Flat Fee vs. top discount brokers

Company
Customer Rating
Best for
Listing Fee
5.0
3,100+ reviews
Comparing multiple top agents
1.5%
Min. $3,000
Find Agents
On listwithclever.com
Good agents, but limited choice
4.7
7,000+ reviews
Connecting with one top agent
2%
Min. $3,000
Read Review
On listwithclever.com
Good for comparing options, but no guaranteed savings
4.6
6,900+ reviews
No data
Varies
Avg. 2.2%
Read Review
On listwithclever.com

Discount real estate brokers list and sell your home for less than the typical 2.5–3% most realtors charge. Many discount brokers offer full-service real estate listings for a 1–2% listing fee.

While Lake Country Flat Fee’s $3,995 will save you thousands on commission rates compared to a typical realtor, some competitors may be more suitable in certain situations.

For example, Clever Real Estate negotiates a 1.5% commission with a minimum $3,000 fee. This structure could save you nearly $1,000 on homes priced at $200,000 compared to Lake Country’s flat fee.

» See our full list of the top discount brokers in Wisconsin.

Lake Country Flat Fee vs. flat fee MLS companies

Company
Customer Rating
Best for
Listing Fee
Easy listing process
4.5
Our rating
Easy listing process
$299–399
Learn More
On listwithclever.com
Wide range of service offerings
3.5
Our rating
Wide range of service offerings
$399 - $999+
Learn More
On listwithclever.com
Additional marketing tools
4.0
Our rating
Additional marketing tools
$95+
Learn More
On listwithclever.com

Flat fee MLS companies offer for-sale-by-owner listings on the multiple listing service (MLS) with limited customer support.

These companies charge only hundreds to list your home on the MLS vs. thousands to list with a realtor. But they typically only cover posting on the MLS, with no showing or sales assistance.

You may save money by opting for a listing-only company, but Lake Country Flat Fee is worth the extra payout if you have limited real estate experience.

Selecting a full-service realtor means you have more support when negotiating price, navigating paperwork, and finalizing your home’s closing as you prepare to move.

» See our full list of the top flat fee MLS companies in Wisconsin.

Our in-depth Lake Country Flat Fee review

Service quality

📊 Our rating: 5/5

  • Lake Country Flat Fee offers full-service real estate listings at a low cost.
  • The company has a proven track record with over $2 billion in sales.
  • It typically doesn't offer open house services.

According to its website, Lake Country Flat Fee offers the same services as a traditional listing agent at a fraction of the price.1

The company has a proven track record, with over $2 billion in sales and an A+ BBB rating.2 And Lake Country Flat Fee reviews highlight consistently high-quality service from its agents.

Here's how the process works if you want to sell your home:

  1. Contact Lake Country Flat Fee via phone, email, or an online form.
  2. The company will connect you with one of its 10 full-time, licensed realtors.
  3. If you decide to list with the agent, you'll sign a listing agreement. Lake Country Flat Fee listings are for six months but can be shortened or extended as needed. The company will list any price property.
  4. Your dedicated agent will represent you throughout your home sale.

You can expect these services from your listing agent:

  • A comparative market analysis to help price your home
  • Full MLS-listing syndicated across major real estate sites
  • A digital photo shoot and professional yard sign
  • Access to Lake Country’s MLS showing app
  • Realtor-led showings, negotiation, and coordination services
  • Ongoing realtor assistance and support

The company usually doesn't coordinate open houses.

Buyers can also get standard full service from a Lake Country buyer's agent. You can search Lake Country Flat Fee homes for sale on the company website.

Marketing

📊 Our rating: 4.5/5

  • You get an MLS listing with free changes included.
  • The company also uses local networking and yard signs.
  • You may not get social media marketing.

Lake Country Flat Fee competes with traditional realtors by offering full-service MLS listings with syndication across leading real estate sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. Every listing includes the ability to make free changes as needed and full realtor support.

The flat fee brokerage’s realtors also have deep market knowledge of Eastern Wisconsin and can market your home with their network of local realtors.

Lake Country Flat Fee real estate listings are also featured across its social channels when requested, but it’s not automatically included, according to our contact.

Cost

📊 Our rating: 4.5/5

  • The company offers better value than the traditional agent commission structure.
  • It costs more than other discount real estate brokers at certain price points.

Lake Country Flat Fee real estate offers significant savings compared to traditional agents, with a $3,995 listing fee vs. the average agent commission of 2.5–3%.

This flat-fee structure is exceptional for homeowners with more expensive properties. However, selling lower-priced properties with Lake Country may cost you more compared to a discount broker.

Here’s a breakdown of what selling a $200,000 home and a $600,000 home looks like through Lake Country Flat Fee, a discount broker, and a traditional agent.

$200,000 home sale

Lake Country Flat FeeDiscount brokerTraditional broker
Listing fee$3,995$3,000$6,000
Buyer's agent fee$5,000$5,000$5,000
Total cost$8,995$8,000$11,000
Savings$2,005$3,000$0
Show more
Assuming a 1.5% listing fee for discount brokers, a 3% listing fee for traditional brokers, and a 2.5% buyer's agent fee.

$600,000 home sale

Lake Country Flat FeeDiscount brokerTraditional broker
Listing fee$3,995$9,000$18,000
Buyer's agent fee$15,000$15,000$15,000
Total cost$18,995$24,000$33,000
Savings$14,005$9,000$0
Show more
Assuming a 1.5% listing fee for discount brokers, a 3% listing fee for traditional brokers, and a 2.5% buyer's agent fee.

Buyer savings

Buyers can also get a break on commission when they enter into a buyer agency agreement with Lake Country Flat Fee, according to a representative we contacted via email.

The buyer's agent will give a 10% rebate on any commission they earn.3 On homes around $500,000 and up, the rebate can translate to over $1,000 in savings.

Contact the company to make sure you qualify for the rebate.

Customer experience

📊 Our rating: 5/5

  • Customers praise agent responsiveness and a seamless selling process.
  • Lake Country Flat Fee reviews indicate frequent repeat business.
  • There's only one 1-star review in the past five years on Google.

Lake Country Flat Fee reviews are generally positive across nearly 250 online reviews, with a 4.9/5 rating across Google, Zillow, and Yelp.

Positive themes

Customers praise Lake Country Flat Fee for its realtors’ responsiveness, market knowledge, and seamless selling process.4 The flat fee broker also offers outstanding buying agent services for people relocating to Eastern Wisconsin, according to reviewers.5

Several local customers trusted Lake Country Flat Fee realty to both sell their home and locate a new one.6 Many clients are repeat customers who used Lake Country for its flat fee services in the past.7

Negative themes

Negative reviews are few and far between for Lake Country Flat Fee, with only one 1-star Google review in the past five years. The company offered an apology directly through the platform but didn’t indicate steps toward resolution.8

Lake Country Flat Fee locations

Lake Country Flat Fee Oconomowoc, WI, serves all of Eastern Wisconsin. This includes the following counties:

  • Dodge
  • Jefferson
  • Kenosha
  • Milwaukee
  • Ozaukee
  • Racine
  • Walworth
  • Washington
  • Waukesha

A company representative told us that Lake Country Flat Fee will also serve clients outside of the area on a case-by-case basis.

Next step: Compare multiple agents

Before deciding, we recommend comparing the Lake Country Flat Fee agent you'd be working with to other local realtors. Interview each agent (ideally 2–3) to ensure you get the best fit and value. The individual agent you choose is more important than the brand.

You can start comparing top local agents here. These agents are vetted for experience, successful transactions, and customer reviews. They also provide full service for a 1.5% listing fee instead of the typical 3%.

Find the best agent and rate near you
  • Answer 5 simple questions about your sale
  • Get matched with 2 to 3 top local agents in minutes
  • Choose the best fit and save up to 50% on listing fees

Methodology

We evaluate each flat fee broker based on four core criteria:

  • Quality and range of services
  • Brand recognition and marketing methods
  • Cost value
  • Customer reviews and experience

Service quality

Level of service. We examine whether the company offers limited or full service and how it compares with what we'd expect from a traditional real estate agent.

Customer experience. We rely on secret shopping and fact-checking interviews with company representatives to look for indicators that the company is professional, communicative, customer-focused, and ethical in its dealings with customers. We verify this information against customer reviews and interviews with past customers or professionals (realtors, former employees) who have had direct experience working with the brand.

Marketing

Visibility and reach. We assess the effectiveness of each company's marketing strategies beyond the MLS baseline. This includes additional marketing efforts like social media promotion, digital advertising, and the company's own website traffic and visibility.

Cost

Pricing comparison. We carefully examine the total cost of each company’s services, including any hidden fees. By comparing these costs to other brands and national averages, we assess their overall value for money.

Customer experience

Review analysis. We aggregate and analyze customer reviews from various online platforms, creating a weighted average rating. We use a sentiment analysis program to identify prevalent themes and insights.

Company responsiveness. Getting some negative reviews is part of doing business; however, we take note of whether a company is actively involved in resolving customer complaints.

Related reading

Sources

  1. Lake Country Flat Fee, "One Simple Flat Fee Plan," accessed Nov. 25, 2024.  ↩︎
  2. Better Business Bureau, "Lake Country Flat Fee," accessed Nov. 25, 2024. ↩︎
  3. Lake Country Flat Fee, "Buyer Rebate," accessed Nov. 25, 2024. ↩︎
  4. Andrew K., Google, Nov. 23, 2024. ↩︎
  5. Diane L., Google, Oct. 2024. ↩︎
  6. Tim P., Google, Oct. 2024. ↩︎
  7. Kathy P., Google, Nov. 2025. ↩︎
  8. Amy S., Google, Oct. 2024. ↩︎

Authors & Editorial History

Our experts continually research, evaluate, and monitor real estate companies and industry trends. We update our articles when new information becomes available.

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