A 1% commission realtor is any agent who lists your home and charges just 1% of its sale price in commissions. That's a huge discount compared to the 2.76% listing fee average. On a $500,000 sale, this means paying just $5,000 instead of over $13,800.
The commission savings are legit. If there is a catch, it's that some discount brokerages hand you off to newer agents or to a larger team once you've signed, which can negatively impact your service quality. That’s why we’ve ranked and reviewed the top 1% commission realtors that help you cut down on fees while still providing great service.
Want to just see what you'd save? Fill out a short form, and we'll match you with up to three vetted full-service agents charging 1.5% in your area.
Best 1% commission realtors
Note: All of these companies set a minimum commission, and below a certain sale price, that minimum (not the percentage) is what you actually pay. A $5,000 minimum makes a "1%" fee 1.67% on a $300,000 home, for example. See how minimums affect your rate.
🏅 Our top picks, reviewed
1. Clever Real Estate: Best overall service
- Listing fee: 1.5% ($3,000 minimum)
- Coverage: 50 states
- Rating: 4.9/5 (5,106 reviews)
Clever Real Estate is a discount real estate brokerage that connects sellers with pre-vetted agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway who’ve agreed to list your home for a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum). It’s not a traditional brokerage. Your agent works at their own firm, and Clever takes a referral fee from the agent’s commission at closing.
Why it ranks high: Nationwide coverage across all 50 states, a 4.9/5 rating across 5,106 verified reviews, and the ability to compare multiple agent matches before committing. Clever has facilitated over 200,000 customer transactions and reports $220+ million in consumer savings to date.
Drawbacks: Clever’s 1.5% rate isn't a true 1% listing fee. That half-percent difference costs an extra $2,000 on a $400,000 sale. And agent quality can vary. You’re trusting the vetting process rather than working with a company’s own salaried team. Some third-party reviews note aggressive follow-up calls after initial sign-up.
Best for: Sellers who want full-service agent representation with meaningful savings and the flexibility to interview multiple agents.
Not ideal for: Sellers laser-focused on the lowest possible listing fee, or those who prefer a single dedicated team model.
- Pricing strategy
- Staging advice
- Photography
- MLS listing
- Marketing
- Open houses
- Showings
- Negotiation
- Paperwork
- Closing support
How Clever works
Clever is a discount real estate broker that has helped 38,000+ sellers save on commission, with 4,500+ 5-star Trustpilot reviews. Choose your own top-rated local agent, get 100% full service, and sell your home for a 1.5% listing fee.
- #1 Tell us about your home. Answer a few quick questions and Clever’s Concierge Team introduces you to top-rated agents in your area. Free, with no obligation.
- #2 Choose your own agent. You compare top-rated local agents and choose the one that’s the best fit. Clever’s agents are top performers from every major brand and top local brokerage, they all offer full service, and they have already agreed to list for 1.5%.
- #3 List for 1.5%, with full service. Get everything a traditional brokerage offers (pricing, marketing, showings, negotiation, and closing) for a 1.5% listing fee instead of the 2.76% national average, saving you thousands.
Learn more: How others like you used Clever
2. 1 Percent Lists: Best for the lowest listing fee
- Listing fee: 1% (~$3,000 minimum, varies by franchise)
- Coverage: 24 states
- Rating: 5.0/5 (2,769 reviews)
1 Percent Lists is a franchise-based brokerage that charges a true 1% listing fee. Owners Kelly and Grant Clayton opened the company at the end of 2015 and began franchising in fall 2020. It now lists 37 locations across 24 states.[1]
Why it ranks high: It’s one of the few companies that actually delivers on a 1% listing fee with full-service representation, including MLS listing, professional photos, showings, and negotiation support. Customer reviews are strong: 5.0/5 across 2,769 verified reviews.
Drawback: Because it’s a franchise model, service quality and agent experience vary significantly by location. The $15,000 franchise fee and 5% to 6% royalty structure means franchisees have overhead pressure that could incentivize higher volume over personalized attention. Coverage is still regional, so you may not find an office in your market.
Best for: Sellers in covered markets who want the absolute lowest listing fee from a dedicated agent.
Not ideal for: Sellers in markets without a local franchise, or those who want to compare multiple agents before choosing.
3. Houwzer: Best for high-value homes
- Listing fee: 1% ($2,500 minimum, $10,000 maximum cap)
- Coverage: 18 states plus D.C.
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,161 reviews)
Houwzer charges a 1% listing fee with a $2,500 minimum and a $10,000 cap. The cap applies only to homes above $1 million. Below that, 1% is already less than $10,000. Houwzer uses salaried agents organized into specialized teams (listing specialists, transaction coordinators, closing managers) rather than the traditional solo-agent model. Title work runs through its in-house Newfound Title.
Houwzer now covers 18 states plus Washington, D.C., including newer markets in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. It reports saving its clients $890 million in commissions.[2]
Drawbacks: With a team model, you'll work with several people during your sale, not one dedicated agent. That's fine for straightforward sales, but it can feel disjointed if complications come up. Coverage is still limited to 18 states, so check its locations page before you plan around it.
Best for: Sellers in covered markets who want a genuine 1% fee, especially on homes above $1 million, where the cap starts saving money.
Not ideal for: Sellers who value a single point-of-contact relationship or live outside Houwzer’s coverage area.
4. Redfin: Decent savings, but weigh the trade-offs
- Listing fee: 2% (drops to 1% if you buy + sell with Redfin in 365 days)
- Coverage: 50 states
- Rating: 3.7/5 (1,988 reviews)
Redfin (now "Redfin Powered by Rocket" after Rocket Companies’ $1.75 billion acquisition in July 2025) charges a 2% listing fee if you only sell with it. If you also buy your next home with Redfin within 365 days, your fee drops to 1%. Redfin still charges 2% at closing, then sends you a check for the 1% difference after you buy.[3]
Drawbacks: Minimum fees vary by market, from $2,000 in most areas up to $9,000 in San Francisco. Your fee also rises by 1% of the sale price if the buyer doesn't have an agent. Redfin's third-party rating of 3.7/5 across 1,988 reviews trails the other companies on this list, with recurring complaints about agent responsiveness and a volume-driven model. Its app and website rate 4.8/5 for home search and market data.
Best for: Sellers in high-priced markets who are also buying with Redfin and want the 1% buy-and-sell rate.
Not ideal for: Sellers who only plan to sell, want hands-on agent attention, or live in markets with high minimums.
5. SimpleShowing: Budget-friendly in select markets
- Listing fee: 1% ($3,500 to $5,000 minimum; varies by market)
- Coverage: FL, GA, TX
- Rating: 4.9/5 (283 reviews)
SimpleShowing charges a 1% listing fee with full-service representation. It’s a small, regional company covering Florida (Miami, Orlando, Tampa), Georgia (Atlanta), and Texas (Dallas).
Drawbacks: Very limited coverage. With 283 reviews, it's a much smaller operation than the other companies here, which can mean fewer agent options for complex sales. SimpleShowing's site says only that minimums depend on the market. In our outreach, the minimum ran as high as $5,000. At $5,000, you pay more than 1% on any home under $500,000, and 2% or more under $250,000.
Best for: Sellers in its Florida, Georgia, or Texas metros with homes priced at $500,000 or more, where the 1% fee actually applies.
Not ideal for: Sellers outside these three states, or those with sub-$300,000 homes where the minimum fee pushes the effective rate higher than competitors’.
Our methodology: how we chose our top picks
A ranking of any kind is only as good as the criteria behind it. Here’s exactly how this list was put together so you can decide whether our weighting matches yours.
What we evaluated. We looked at 12 national and regional discount brokerages operating in the U.S. as of August 2026. Of those, five made the final list because they met three baseline thresholds: a published listing fee at or below 2%, full-service representation (MLS listing, photos, showings, negotiation, closing support), and at least 250 verified third-party reviews.
Four scoring categories. We graded each company across four equally weighted criteria.
- Actual listing fee and minimums. What you really pay, not the headline rate. A 1% fee with a $5,000 minimum is effectively 2.5% on a $200,000 home. We calculated effective rates at $200K, $400K, and $750K price points.
- Service scope. Full-service representation vs. limited support. We confirmed each company’s MLS listing, professional photography, showing coordination, negotiation support, and closing services either through direct outreach to the company’s offices or by reviewing the company’s published listing agreement.
- Agent quality and model. Whether agents are in-house and salaried (Houwzer, Redfin) or independent contractors (Clever, 1 Percent Lists), the company’s vetting standards, average agent experience level, and whether sellers can interview multiple agents before committing.
- Customer reviews. Aggregated from Trustpilot, Google, Better Business Bureau, and Zillow as of August 2026. We weighted volume and consistency. A 5.0 average across 50 reviews carries less weight than a 4.9 across 4,000.
Outreach and verification. Our team contacted each of the five companies above between February and May 2026 to confirm current pricing, coverage, minimums, and service inclusions.
Three findings from that outreach made it into the rankings: SimpleShowing’s $5,000 effective minimum on lower-priced homes (which the company doesn’t lead with on its homepage), Houwzer’s coverage limited to roughly 18 states + DC despite its national branding, and Redfin’s market-by-market minimum fee variance from $2,000 to $9,000.
Limitations and disclosures. Three things worth flagging.
First, we did not include companies that lacked sufficient verified third-party reviews for evaluation (REX shut down in 2022; smaller regional flat-fee MLS services are reviewed in our flat-fee MLS guide instead).
Second, Clever Real Estate is owned by the same company that publishes this article. We disclose that in the rankings section above and apply identical scoring criteria to Clever that we apply to competitors. Where competitors outperform Clever (Houwzer’s lower fee, 1 Percent Lists’ higher customer rating), we say so.
Third, we update this ranking quarterly. The most recent refresh was August 2026.
What is a 1% commission realtor?
A 1% commission realtor is a listing agent who charges 1% of your home's sale price as their fee, instead of the 2.5% to 3% most agents charge.
Keep in mind that the 1% commission isn't your total commission, as it covers only the seller's agent. Many sellers still cover the buyer's agent's commission (another 2.5-3% commission) to keep their listing competitive and attract a wider pool of buyers.
Here's what the listing side costs at different sale prices:
| Sale price | 1% listing fee | 2.76% | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $8,280 | $5,280 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $11,040 | $7,040 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $13,800 | $8,800 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $16,560 | $10,560 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $20,700 | $13,200 |
This table assumes no minimum commission applies, and many 1% commission agents do charge minimum fees (view our tool below for more details).
On a $500,000 sale, adding a 2.5% buyer's agent fee ($12,500) brings your total to $17,500 with a 1% listing agent, or $26,300 with an average-rate agent. The buyer's agent fee is the same either way, so your savings remain as shown in the table: $5,280 to $13,200, depending on your sale price.
How minimum fees impact your commission
Why a 1% listing fee is not always 1%
Drag the slider to your expected sale price and watch how each broker's minimum fee changes the rate you would actually pay. Weigh it against the services and support each broker offers.
1% of $300,000 is $3,000. That covers Houwzer's $2,500 minimum, so you'll pay the full 1%.
1% of $300,000 is $3,000. That's below SimpleShowing's $5,000 minimum, so you'll actually pay 1.67%.
2% of $300,000 is $6,000. That covers Redfin's $6,000 minimum, so you'll pay the full 2%.
Before you choose a discount broker, divide its minimum fee by your expected sale price. If that number is higher than the advertised rate, the minimum is what you will actually pay.
Nearly every brokerage advertising "1% commission" or close to it actually has a minimum commission amount that could raise your effective commission rate.
For example, SimpleShowing charges a 1% listing fee, but its minimum commission is $5,000. A $300,000 home sale would actually raise your effective listing rate to 1.67%. Use our tool above to run your own numbers.
Are commission rates going up or down?
Commission rates have barely moved, and not nearly enough to close the gap with a 1% listing fee.
In our August 2026 survey of 434 real estate agents, the average listing commission was 2.76%, close to 2.74% in 2024 and 2.83% in 2023.[4] On a $429,100 home, the national median in August, that's $11,843 to the listing agent. A 1% fee on the same home is $4,291.
- National average
View chart data
| Year | Total | Listing | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5.49% | 2.83% | 2.66% |
| 2024 | 5.32% | 2.74% | 2.58% |
| 2025 | 5.57% | 2.82% | 2.75% |
| 2026 | 5.46% | 2.76% | 2.70% |
We gather our commission rate data from a semi-annual survey of our partner agents and other real estate agents. The survey asks about standard local rates for both listing and buying agents.
Agents say they're more willing to bargain than before the NAR settlement, but not by much. 42% of agents told us they're more open to negotiating commission than they were before the settlement, and 7% said they're less open. Only 28% said commissions in their market have actually come down.[5]
When agents do lower their rate, the most common cut is half a percentage point (41%), and another 28% come down just a quarter point. Only 22% cut a full point.[5]
Traditional agents are feeling the pressure. "Sellers aren't wanting to pay 3%, and there are a lot of discount agents we have to compete against," says Diana Servedio of The Martis Team in North Georgia.
A low fee shouldn't be your only filter, though. One of the most common seller mistakes is "choosing an agent based only on commission or the highest suggested listing price," says Londi Sutton of Sutton Homes Realty in Southern Oregon. Get a quote from a discount broker before your listing appointment, then hold every agent you interview to the same service checklist.
Average listing commission by state
| State | 2024 | 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 3.31% | 2.87% | −0.44 pts | Total and buyer rates for Wisconsin |
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| New York | 2.72% | 2.41% | −0.31 pts | Total and buyer rates for New York |
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| Illinois | 2.64% | 2.41% | −0.23 pts | Total and buyer rates for Illinois |
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| Minnesota | 3.15% | 3.03% | −0.12 pts | Total and buyer rates for Minnesota |
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| Texas | 2.87% | 2.75% | −0.12 pts | Total and buyer rates for Texas |
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| Michigan | 2.93% | 2.82% | −0.11 pts | Total and buyer rates for Michigan |
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| North Carolina | 2.90% | 2.79% | −0.11 pts | Total and buyer rates for North Carolina |
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| Missouri | 2.97% | 2.87% | −0.10 pts | Total and buyer rates for Missouri |
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| Tennessee | 2.91% | 2.81% | −0.10 pts | Total and buyer rates for Tennessee |
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| Connecticut (shared regional sample) | 2.68% | 2.59% | −0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for Connecticut |
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| Maine (shared regional sample) | 2.68% | 2.59% | −0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for Maine |
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| New Hampshire (shared regional sample) | 2.68% | 2.59% | −0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for New Hampshire |
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| Rhode Island (shared regional sample) | 2.68% | 2.59% | −0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for Rhode Island |
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| Vermont (shared regional sample) | 2.68% | 2.59% | −0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for Vermont |
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| New Mexico (shared regional sample) | 2.85% | 2.77% | −0.08 pts | Total and buyer rates for New Mexico |
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| Oklahoma (shared regional sample) | 2.85% | 2.77% | −0.08 pts | Total and buyer rates for Oklahoma |
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| Iowa (shared regional sample) | 2.91% | 2.87% | −0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for Iowa |
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| Kansas (shared regional sample) | 2.91% | 2.87% | −0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for Kansas |
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| Nebraska (shared regional sample) | 2.91% | 2.87% | −0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for Nebraska |
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| North Dakota (shared regional sample) | 2.91% | 2.87% | −0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for North Dakota |
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| South Dakota (shared regional sample) | 2.91% | 2.87% | −0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for South Dakota |
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| Georgia | 2.91% | 2.89% | −0.02 pts | Total and buyer rates for Georgia |
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| Alabama | 2.81% | 2.81% | 0.00 pts | Total and buyer rates for Alabama |
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| Florida | 2.63% | 2.64% | +0.01 pts | Total and buyer rates for Florida |
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| California | 2.54% | 2.57% | +0.03 pts | Total and buyer rates for California |
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| Indiana | 2.81% | 2.85% | +0.04 pts | Total and buyer rates for Indiana |
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| Washington | 2.62% | 2.67% | +0.05 pts | Total and buyer rates for Washington |
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| Arkansas (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for Arkansas |
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| Delaware (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for Delaware |
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| Kentucky (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for Kentucky |
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| Louisiana (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for Louisiana |
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| Mississippi (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for Mississippi |
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| New Jersey | 2.55% | 2.61% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for New Jersey |
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| South Carolina | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for South Carolina |
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| West Virginia (shared regional sample) | 2.75% | 2.81% | +0.06 pts | Total and buyer rates for West Virginia |
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| Ohio | 2.92% | 3.00% | +0.08 pts | Total and buyer rates for Ohio |
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| Oregon | 2.58% | 2.67% | +0.09 pts | Total and buyer rates for Oregon |
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| Alaska (shared regional sample) | 2.57% | 2.67% | +0.10 pts | Total and buyer rates for Alaska |
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| Arizona | 2.78% | 2.88% | +0.10 pts | Total and buyer rates for Arizona |
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| Hawaii (shared regional sample) | 2.57% | 2.67% | +0.10 pts | Total and buyer rates for Hawaii |
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| Colorado | 2.67% | 2.78% | +0.11 pts | Total and buyer rates for Colorado |
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| Pennsylvania | 2.75% | 2.88% | +0.13 pts | Total and buyer rates for Pennsylvania |
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| Massachusetts | 2.44% | 2.59% | +0.15 pts | Total and buyer rates for Massachusetts |
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| Maryland | 2.75% | 2.94% | +0.19 pts | Total and buyer rates for Maryland |
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| Idaho (shared regional sample) | 2.38% | 2.78% | +0.40 pts | Total and buyer rates for Idaho |
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| Montana (shared regional sample) | 2.38% | 2.78% | +0.40 pts | Total and buyer rates for Montana |
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| Utah (shared regional sample) | 2.38% | 2.78% | +0.40 pts | Total and buyer rates for Utah |
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| Wyoming (shared regional sample) | 2.38% | 2.78% | +0.40 pts | Total and buyer rates for Wyoming |
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| Virginia | 2.62% | 3.08% | +0.46 pts | Total and buyer rates for Virginia |
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| Nevada (small 2024 sample) | 1.85% | 2.78% | +0.93 pts | Total and buyer rates for Nevada |
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Rates shown are the listing agent's share only. *These states share a regional sample in our agent survey, so their figures are identical. †Nevada's 2024 figure comes from a small sample, so its change may be overstated. Rates are from Clever's semi-annual agent surveys; 2026 figures are from our August 2026 survey of 434 agents.
Since the NAR real estate lawsuit settlement took effect in August 2024, average listing commissions fell in 22 states, rose in 27, and held steady in one.
Virginia now has the highest average listing fee at 3.08%. New York and Illinois are tied for the lowest at 2.41%. On a $429,100 home, a 1% listing fee saves you about $8,925 in Virginia and about $6,050 in New York or Illinois. [4]
Key risks of working with a 1% realtor
Low-commission services can deliver excellent results, but go in with your eyes open about these potential trade-offs.
Reduced marketing investment
At 1%, agents earn less per transaction, which can mean fewer resources for professional photography, staging consultations, targeted digital advertising, and premium MLS enhancements. Ask specifically what marketing services are included and what costs extra.
Outsourcing and the “team” handoff
This one trips up the most sellers. The agent who pitches you may not be the one who actually handles your transaction.
Christina Rordam, a 21-year top-producing realtor with Florida Realty Investments in Orlando, has repeatedly seen this pattern.
“A lot of times, somebody’s offering a discounted rate and they sell 50, 100 plus homes. But in order to do that sort of volume, a lot of it is outsourced. Maybe it’s outsourced to a VA in another country. Maybe it’s outsourced to AI. Maybe you meet with one agent who’s the face of the team, and then you have a junior agent that just got their license six months ago that’s handling the negotiations of your contract.”
Her advice: ask the agent directly whether they will personally handle the listing or pass it off to someone else once the contract is signed.
Dual agency risk
Some discount brokerages encourage dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) to capture both sides of the commission. This is legal in most states but creates a conflict of interest, since one agent can’t fully advocate for both parties. Ask upfront whether the company practices dual agency and whether you can opt out.
Experience and specialization gaps
Not all discount agents have deep experience in your local market or property type. Ask about their recent transaction history in your area, average days on market for their listings, and list-to-sale price ratio.
Are 1% realtors worth it?
- 69% of sellers who used a discount broker believed their home sold for the same price or more.
- 82% of sellers who used a discount broker say the service was as good as or better than a traditional agent.
Recent customers rate discount brokers well. In our survey of recent home sellers, 82% of those who used a discount brokerage charging 1% to 1.5% said the service matched or beat a traditional agent. 69% said their home didn't sell for less. That's a small group of 45 sellers, so treat it as directional. [6]
We think 1% commission realtors are worth it for most sellers, as long as you choose a company and an agent that provides excellent service along with the low fee.
The savings are large and easy to check. On a $500,000 sale, a 1% listing fee costs $5,000 instead of $13,800 at the 2.76% national average. That's roughly $8,800 back at closing.
How to choose a 1% commission realtor
| If you... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Want the lowest possible listing fee | 1 Percent Lists or Houwzer (both 1%). |
| Want to compare multiple agents | Clever Real Estate. You’ll get matched with several agents to interview. |
| Have a home worth $750K+ | Houwzer. The $10,000 fee cap makes it the best value for high-end homes. |
| Are buying and selling simultaneously | Redfin. Buying your next home with Redfin within 365 days drops its 2% listing fee to 1%. |
| Want a single dedicated agent (not a team) | Clever or 1 Percent Lists. Both pair you with an individual full-service agent. |
| Value a proven, salaried team model | Houwzer or Redfin. Both employ agents directly on salary. |
Regardless of which company you choose, interview your agent before signing a listing agreement.
Never sign a listing agreement over the phone. Rordam's advice is to put a discount agent through the same interview you'd give a full-price one, and to press hardest on who actually does the work.
Here are Rordam's top questions you should ask:
- Will you personally handle my transaction, or will parts of it be handled by someone else? If it's a team, ask who negotiates your contract and how long they've held a license.
- What do you bring beyond the lower commission? Experience, skill, and local track record.
- Can I speak with two recent sellers? Verifiable references, not screenshots.
- What's your list-to-sale price ratio and average days on market in my area?
- What marketing is included at this fee, and what costs extra?
- Do you practice dual agency, and can I opt out?
Rordam puts the most weight on the first one. "Will they be the person handling your transaction, or is that going to be outsourced to somebody who may or may not have the same level of skill?"
A lower fee should come with clear expectations about scope. Rene Perez Jr., broker-owner of ContextRE in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers both flat-fee and percentage pricing. He puts it this way:
"The issue is expectations," he says. "How much agency is involved in the deal? Is the agent only helping draft the contract? If so the lower fee is simply fair."
1. Look at pricing
With most 1% commission brokerages, whether you'll actually pay 1% depends on your home price. Pay close attention to minimum fees to ensure you're getting the advertised rate.
For example, if your agent has a $5,000 minimum fee (see SimpleShowing) and your house sells for $250,000, you'd essentially pay a 2% commission rate — not the 1% listing fee the company advertises.
You should also avoid discount companies that charge up-front fees. You may come across brokerages that advertise 1% listing fees but pad their bottom line by charging additional fees — often $300–500 — when they list your house for sale.
Most listing agents — traditional and discount alike — only get paid after you successfully sell your home. Paying your agent up front gives them less incentive to deliver stellar customer service, and you won't get that money back if you change your mind about selling or have a bad experience with your agent. None of the companies we recommend charge up-front fees.
2. Compare service models
Most home sellers should work with a discount real estate brokerage that offers a similar experience to selling with a conventional real estate agent.
Clever Real Estate is a great option for sellers because it pre-negotiates lower rates with traditional agents from established brokerages. The customer experience should be familiar to anyone who's ever sold a home with a traditional realtor from a brand like Berkshire Hathaway or Century 21.
Redfin and other discount brands offer a home selling process that's less familiar. These companies aim to make the process more efficient so agents can handle more customers at once. They usually do this by moving more of the process online and involving more team members in your sale. This non-traditional approach is typically best for people with desirable homes and straightforward selling situations.
Avoid companies that offset their low rates by providing fewer services and little or no in-person support. This approach increases the risk of costly mistakes like mispricing your home. The savings aren't worth the trade-offs — especially since other discount brands offer better service for the same price (or less).
3. Consider brand and agent reputation
Look for established real estate brands with strong customer service ratings and plenty of reviews (both old and recent). Read customer reviews thoroughly to learn more about what other sellers liked — and disliked — about their experience.
If you decide to move forward with a particular company, make sure it lets you interview and choose your own agent.
At the end of the day, you'll sell your house with an individual agent — not a brand. You don't have to work with an agent just because they're from a good brand or offer a discounted listing fee. Interview a few agents so you can compare your options and find the right fit.
Alternatives to 1% realtors
Negotiate a lower rate
Aside from selling with a low-commission real estate brokerage, you can try to negotiate a lower commission with a traditional agent directly.
However, most sellers never even try. In a 2026 Clever survey of 500 U.S. home sellers, only 33% of those who hired an agent attempted to negotiate their commission, and 35% didn't know it was negotiable in the first place. [7]
But the ones who ask usually win: 93% of sellers who tried to negotiate got at least some reduction.[7]
Nothing on the closing statement is truly off-limits. Michael Perna, who has sold more than 8,000 homes over 24 years leading The Perna Team in Metro Detroit, puts it this way.
"Every fee is negotiable: The commission, who pays the commission, who pays for the title policy, the transfer tax," he says. "Every area has fees "commonly paid by" the seller or buyer. But commonly isn't law. Everything's a negotiation."
Sell without a realtor
Another option is to bypass traditional realtor fees by using a flat fee MLS service to list your home.
While this can eliminate listing fees, keep in mind that homes sold through realtors typically sell for nearly $50,000 more on average than those sold by owners (FSBO).[8] This difference could outweigh any potential savings from avoiding commission.
Additionally, FSBO sales now account for just 5% of all transactions — the lowest level ever recorded — indicating that most people still prefer expert assistance when selling a home.[9]
Sell to a cash buyer
If your priority is to sell your house fast rather than maximize the sale price, consider options like a cash home buyer or an iBuyer. This option has become more common as mortgage rates have remained elevated and all-cash purchases have increased.[10]
These can facilitate a sale within one to two weeks. However, these companies typically won't pay as much for your home as you'd get on the open market, reflecting the trade-off between speed and price.
» COMPARE: Best companies that buy houses for cash
🛡️ Why you should trust us
This guide was built from three sources: hands-on real estate experience inside the Clever editorial team, primary research from independent academic and government economists, and direct interviews with two practicing top-producing realtors who work outside the Clever network.
Practicing realtors interviewed for this guide
Both realtors we spoke with were interviewed in April 2026 specifically for this piece. Neither is affiliated with Clever Real Estate. Their feedback shaped the "Key risks" section, the holding-cost math under "Why would a realtor work for just 1%?", and the post-NAR-settlement reality check in the settlement section.
Christina Rordam, REALTOR (CSP, CNE, CDPE), Florida Realty Investments, Orlando, FL. Christina is a 21-year top-producing Orlando agent who has been licensed since 2005. Her family has been selling Florida real estate for roughly 40 years and operated a flat-fee brokerage in Florida in the late 1980s and early 1990s, giving her an unusually long view of how discount-commission models actually perform in practice. She holds three industry designations: Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE), and Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).
David Baca, REALTOR, Life Realty District, Henderson, NV (Las Vegas metro). David runs a full-service team and a 30,000-contact database in the Las Vegas metro, with a real estate background he describes as "in my blood": his parents have been in the business for more than 30 years.
Additional commentary came from licensed brokers interviewed in July 2026, none affiliated with Clever: Chuck Vander Stelt (broker, Quadwalls Real Estate, Northwest Indiana; Indiana license #RB17001490), Ashley Oshinsky (broker/owner, Higher Living Real Estate, Metro Detroit), Michael Perna (founder, The Perna Team, Metro Detroit; 24 years, 8,000+ homes sold), and Rene Perez Jr. (broker/owner, ContextRE, San Francisco Bay Area; California DRE #02115618).
The Clever editorial team
Steve Nicastro (author). Steve is a former licensed real estate agent in Charleston, SC (2019 to 2022) with $6M in closed transactions and personal experience buying and selling 30+ homes as an agent, investor, and homeowner. He’s Managing Editor at Clever Real Estate and was previously a personal finance writer at NerdWallet for 6+ years, with work published in USA Today, the Associated Press, U.S. News, and the New York Times.
Ben Mizes (reviewer). This article was reviewed for factual accuracy by Ben Mizes, Co-Founder and President of Clever Real Estate. Ben is a licensed agent and active investor with 22 rental units in St. Louis. Under his leadership, Clever has helped customers save over $220 million in commission fees and earned a 4.9-star average rating across 4,400+ verified reviews.
Katy Baker (editor). Katy is an experienced real estate writer focusing on non-traditional home sales and commission trends. Her work has been published on MSN, MediaFeed, Real Estate Witch, and Home Bay.
FAQ
Will my home sell for less with a 1% agent?
Usually not because of the fee itself. In a 2026 Clever survey of 500 U.S. home sellers, 69% of those who used a low-commission agent felt their home sold for the same price or more than it would have with a traditional agent (a directional finding from a subset of 45 sellers). Your sale price depends far more on pricing and negotiation than on the commission rate — so vet the agent's track record and who actually handles your sale.[7]
Is a 1% commission realtor worth it?
For most sellers, yes. A 1% listing fee saves you roughly $6,000 to $8,000 on a $400,000 home compared to the average listing rate (as of early 2026).[6] The key is confirming that your agent offers full-service representation (MLS listing, professional photos, showing coordination, and negotiation support) and that the agent who pitches you is the one who will actually handle your transaction. If the service scope matches a traditional agent’s, the savings are straightforward.
What’s the difference between 1% and 1.5% listing fee services?
On a $400,000 home, a 1% listing fee costs $4,000 and a 1.5% fee costs $6,000, a $2,000 difference. Companies like 1 Percent Lists and Houwzer charge a true 1%. Clever Real Estate charges 1.5%, while Redfin charges 2% (though Redfin drops to 1% if you buy and sell together). Both tiers offer full-service representation, so the decision largely comes down to coverage, agent quality, and whether you prefer to interview multiple agents before signing.
What is a 1% commission realtor?
A 1% commission realtor is a real estate agent who lists and sells your home for a fee of just 1-1.5% of the final sale price (compared to the 2.5–3% most realtors charge). This reduced rate can yield significant savings. On a $500,000 home, reducing your listing fee to 1.5% (instead of the nationwide average of 2.76%) would save you approximately $6,300.
However, you must carefully evaluate the services offered by agents or companies that promote a 1% listing fee. Some may compromise on essential services, support, or expertise to offset lower fees, which could ultimately lead to higher costs in the long run.
For example, choosing a less experienced and overextended 1% commission agent could lead to poor pricing and negotiation strategies. If your home sells for $50,000 less than it might have with a more seasoned agent, the additional loss would far exceed the savings from reduced realtor fees.
How can 1% commission agents charge such low rates?
Most 1% commission agents achieve savings by modifying the traditional brokerage model. For instance, Clever Partner Agents offer full service at a lower commission because Clever provides them with more business at no upfront cost. Other low-commission brokers, like Redfin, utilize technology and a team-based service model, allowing agents to manage more clients efficiently.
Realtors might also accept a 1% commission in hot seller's markets, for high-value properties, or when there are prospects for referrals and dual transactions. However, this model may not be suitable for homes requiring extensive repairs, those priced above market value, or properties in less desirable locations.
How much can you save with a 1% commission realtor?
A 1.5% listing agent can save you about $5,400 on a median-priced home. The median existing-home price was $429,100 in August 2026.[11]
At that price, you'd pay about $18,000 in total commission with a 1.5% listing agent and a 2.70% buyer's agent fee. At the national averages of 2.76% for the listing agent and 2.70% for the buyer's agent, you'd pay about $23,400.[4]
With a 1% listing agent, you'd save about $7,500. All of the savings come from the listing fee, since you may still offer a competitive buyer's agent fee.
Do I still need to pay the buyer’s agent?
Since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, seller-funded buyer’s agent compensation is no longer advertised on the MLS. However, most sellers still offer it (typically 2.5% to 2.8%) to attract the widest pool of buyers. You’re not legally required to pay the buyer’s agent, but declining to offer compensation may reduce buyer interest, especially in competitive markets. This is a conversation to have with your listing agent based on your local market conditions.
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