A 2% commission realtor can save you thousands of dollars on your home sale by charging a 2% listing fee instead of the 2.74% charged nationwide, on average, by listing agents.[1]
Below, we break down the best realtors and brokers that charge a 2% listing fee — or even less. Read on to find out how much each brand costs, what customers think, and where they're available.
Looking to save on realtor fees? Find top-producing agents in your zip code who work for a 1.5% listing fee.
Top 2% commission real estate brokerages
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's Take
Overview
Locations
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking for an agent. The company matches you with multiple full-service agents from local brokerages, including top brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. It offers a low 1.5% listing fee no matter which agent you choose.
Pros
- Get matched with top-producing local agents in minutes.
- Guaranteed 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate).
- Free agent matching service with no obligation to commit to any realtor.
- Large agent network offers great selection compared to similar services.
Cons
- No guarantee you’ll get matched with a specific agent or brokerage.
- Add-ons like professional home staging and drone photography may cost extra.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Overview
Locations
Ideal Agent is a real estate company that matches buyers and sellers with real estate agents.
Compared to similar companies, Ideal Agent has some of the strictest performance criteria for the agents it lets into its network. This vetting process means you're more likely to be matched with a top agent, although it also means there are fewer agents overall to choose from.
The company also offers a discounted listing fee of 2% (min. $3,000) compared to the 2.5–3% that realtors traditionally charge.
While Ideal Agent’s primary service is agent matching, the company also has a cash buyer program. With this program, Ideal Agent solicits multiple cash offers for your home from various investors. While you’re unlikely to make as much as you would selling on the open market, a cash buyer provides the convenience of a fast closing.
Read our full Ideal Agent review
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Overview
Locations
Redfin is a discount real estate brokerage that offers a listing fee of 1.5% — about half of what realtors traditionally charge. If you buy and sell with Redfin, you can get a 0.5% rebate, bringing your listing fee down to 1%.
The company can offer these savings because of its team-based service model. Various members of the Redfin team handle different stages of the transaction, which allows agents to take on a high volume of clients. With this model, Redfin agents tend to provide less one-on-one service than traditional realtors.
Redfin is one of the largest brokers in the country, operating in 100 major cities across the US and Canada. But it has almost no coverage outside of large cities.
Read the full Redfin review.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Overview
Locations
Prevu is a discount brokerage that connects buyers and sellers with agents. The company advertises a buyer rebate of up to 2% and a 1.5% listing fee for sellers. However, minimum fees and other requirements mean many customers won’t qualify for these advertised rates.
Prevu is still a relatively small company with a limited pool of in-house agents. Because there are fewer agents, customers may not be able to change agents.
Like at some other discount brokerages, you may receive less one-on-one support from Prevu than you would with a traditional realtor. Prevu agents take on a lot of clients, which leaves them with less time to provide personalized attention to each buyer and seller.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Editor's take
Overview
Locations
UpNest lets you choose from multiple vetted agents, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a realtor that fits your needs. But it falls short on savings and customer service.
Pros
- Agents are vetted and are usually top performers.
- You get to choose from multiple agents.
- The online dashboard is easy to use.
Cons
- Realtor fees are only slightly lower than traditional rates.
- Customer service is difficult to reach.
- The quality of customer service is spotty.
Clever Real Estate is the top option due to its nationwide availability, low 1.5% listing fee, and excellent customer satisfaction. Clever's model provides full-service support by partnering with experienced agents from major brokerages and provides savings and quality service.
We found that other brokers, like Ideal Agent and Redfin, also offer competitive rates and solid service but come with certain limitations:
- Ideal Agent has a 2% listing fee and a strong vetting process, but it doesn't provide as much savings as Clever.
- Redfin offers a 1.5% fee with significant savings, yet our research has found that its high client load can affect personalized service.
- Prevu and UpNest provide additional options, with Prevu being a good choice for high-end markets and UpNest offering flexible pricing but less consistency in service quality.
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How much can I save with a 2% commission realtor?
You can save 0.5-1% of your home's final sale price with a 2% commission realtor and even more with a 1% commission realtor.
Typically, these realtors charge a 2% listing fee instead of the average 2.74%. For example, on a $400,000 home, this translates to savings of $3,320. Remember that sellers may still need to pay the buyer's agent commission, which averages 2.58% nationwide, and lifts average total commission rates to 5.32%.
Here's a breakdown of potential savings at different price points with a 2% listing fee:
| Home price | Savings |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,660 |
| $400,000 | $3,320 |
| $600,000 | $4,980 |
| $800,000 | $6,640 |
As shown in the table, the savings from using a 2% commission realtor compared to the average 2.74% listing fee increases as your home sale price rises.
To maximize these savings, consider using a free agent-finding tool like Clever Real Estate, which matches you with full-service realtors charging a 1.5% listing fee. On average, Clever customers save $7,000 in real estate commissions.
🏛️ Realtor commissions update: NAR settlement
Realtor commissions are changing as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has settled litigation over broker commission practices, agreeing to pay $418 million over four years.[2] This settlement addresses concerns that high commissions have financially burdened sellers.
Key changes under the settlement include:
- New MLS rule. Broker compensation offers must no longer be listed on the multiple listing service (MLS), promoting off-MLS negotiations. This aligns with the transparent fee structures of 2% commission realtors.
- Written agreements required. NAR now requires MLS participants working with buyers to enter written agreements outlining services and fees, which increases transparency.
- Financial relief for sellers. Eligible sellers may qualify for settlement payments, providing additional financial benefits.
NAR denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. The agreement aims to maintain consumer choice, support the real estate industry, and protect property ownership rights.
For more information on the settlement and to see if you qualify, visit the Real Estate Commission Litigation website.
Why would an agent work for only 2%?
As a former real estate agent, I understand that accepting a 2% commission can be smart in certain situations, though it may not always be the ideal choice for all agents.
First, it's important to know that agents typically operate on commission in real estate, getting paid only when a sale closes. Statistics show that 35% of agents work with a fixed commission split, 20% use a graduated commission structure tied to productivity, and another 20% have a capped commission structure.[3] This commission setup creates an incentive for agents to sell homes quickly.
However, also remember that agents don't retain the full commission as they incur various expenses, and share earnings with their brokerage.
For example, on a $500,000 sale at a 2% commission, the listing agent appears to earn $10,000. However, they may take home significantly less after deducting total non-brokerage expenses—averaging $8,450 annually in 2023. This financial reality contributes to the median gross income for agents being $55,800 in 2023, slightly down from $56,400 in 2022.[3]
Yet, some scenarios still make sense for a listing agent to agree to a lower commission.
Hot markets
In markets with high demand and low inventory, properties sell quickly. For example, homes in Hartford, CT have been selling at a median of 8 days from listing.[4]
Despite lower home prices averaging under $200,000 in Hartford, this rapid turnover translates to quick earnings for local agents, even when accepting reduced commissions on lower sales prices.[5] The efficiency of these transactions can justify the lower commission rate.
This trend is also evident in my hometown market of Charleston, SC, where homes typically go pending in about 11 days on average. With prices rising by 9% annually, agents stand to earn increased profits, which could make them more willing to reduce rates.[6]
Luxury properties
Selling luxury properties, such as high-value homes, can still be highly profitable with a 2% commission, despite potentially taking longer to sell and higher marketing expenses associated with these properties.
For example, a 2% commission on a $5 million home generates a $100,000 payout. Even after splitting half of that with their brokerage and covering expenses, the agent may still earn $50,000. The total commission from the sale price can compensate for the lower percentage.
» LEARN: How much commission a realtor makes on a $1 million sale
Referrals
This is a significant source of business for realtors. Consider the following industry statistics:
- 42% of an agent's business may come from referrals and repeat clients.
- 88% of buyers and 82% of sellers would use or recommend their agent again.
- 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than other forms of advertising.[7]
Satisfied clients are more likely to refer their agents, potentially leading to more transactions or even higher rates in the future. Working at a lower commission can build a strong client base and generate valuable word-of-mouth marketing.
Reputation boost
Establishing a reputation for exceptional service at a competitive commission rate can be pivotal for real estate agents.
Here's why: Positive client experiences and glowing reviews lead to more short-term business and can bolster long-term success. By consistently delivering value and exceeding expectations, agents can create a reputation that attracts a steady stream of clients and secures future listings.
This approach builds trust and positions agents as preferred professionals in their local market, which may be worth the reduced paychecks.
Find average real estate commission rates near me
Interested to know the average real estate commission rate in your area? Find your region in the table below to learn what realtors charge in your state or city:
| Region | States | Key cities |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Connecticut | Delaware | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | Washington, DC | New York City |
| Midwest | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin | Minneapolis, MN |
| South | Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | West Virginia | Atlanta, GA | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Virginia Beach, VA |
| West | Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Denver, CO |
Alternatives to 2% commission realtors
Besides discount brokerages, there are a few other ways you can reduce your real estate commission rate:
1. Try negotiating realtor fees directly. Consider negotiating directly with your realtor to potentially lower their fee to 2%, the typical minimum listing rate for traditional agents.
Be aware, though, that this approach can be time-consuming, requiring careful preparation of strong negotiation points. Research also indicates that negotiating lower rates is challenging; only about 22% of recent home sellers who discussed commission rates with their agent successfully negotiated a reduced fee.[8]
2. Work with a limited-service agent. Some agents provide limited service for a commission as low as 1%. This option can work well for experienced sellers in hot markets, but you'll need to handle more selling responsibilities yourself.
3. Use a flat fee MLS listing service. Pay an up-front flat fee of $100–400 for your home to be listed on the MLS. You'll handle showings, paperwork, negotiations, and the rest of the process. This is the cheapest option, but it's also the most time-intensive, akin to selling a house for sale by owner.
4. Sell to a company that buys houses for cash. If you're hurrying to sell, this option is a good choice. These companies purchase properties as-is, typically offering 70-75% of the home's value after repairs.
While you may not receive top dollar, comparing multiple offers—whether independently, through an agent, or via a free service like Clever Offers—can help maximize your sale price.
5. Sell to an iBuyer, like Opendoor or Offerpad. iBuyers are also a good option if you're trying to sell fast. They typically make higher offers than cash buyers but generally look for homes in good condition.
Next steps
If you want to connect with vetted 2% commission agents in your area, Clever Real Estate makes it fast and easy.
Clever's free platform instantly connects you with full-service, top-rated realtors from major national and local brokerages like Century 21, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker. You can compare as many options as you'd like, or you can walk away at any time — there's no obligation to move forward with an agent.
Our dedicated Concierges are fully licensed real estate agents, and they can provide you with advice on how to get the best outcome for your sale or purchase. Fill out the short form below to start reviewing recommendations!
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FAQ
Is 2% a good commission to pay?
A 2% real estate commission is below the national average of 2.74%, but it may be a fair rate for most situations. It depends on the price of your home, market conditions, and what services you expect from your agent. Traditional realtors charge a 2–3% listing fee, and not all real estate agents are willing to lower their commission. If you want a 2% commission realtor, look for a company that advertises 2% commission rates (or less!). Research our top picks here.
What percent do realtors usually charge on a home sale?
Our research on average commission rates has found that listing agents charge an average of 2.74% nationwide, and the buyer's agent charges 2.58%. However, these percentages vary widely by market and are influenced by property type, location, and agent experience.
What are the best 2% commission realtors?
Our top picks among 2% commission (or less) real estate companies are Clever Real Estate, Ideal Agent, and Redfin. These companies offer the best combination of rates, service, agent selection, and overall value to sellers — and they also have offices nationwide. Other companies, like SimpleShowing or Prevu, might be a good option for sellers in certain regions — but they may have a more limited agent selection.