Low commission realtors are a good option if you want to save money while getting an agent’s expertise. They reduce your commission by charging less than the average listing fee of 2.83%.
This guide breaks down the top low commission real estate agencies. You'll learn how much they cost, their pros and cons, and which markets they work in. (Not all of these brands will be available in your area.)
⚡ Looking for low commission real estate agents near you? Answer these five simple questions to get matched with local agents who work for a 1.5% listing fee. Compare realtors from top discount companies and major brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX.
Where to find the best low commission realtors in 2024
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Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking for an agent. The company matches you with multiple experienced, full-service agents so you can find the right fit, and it offers a low 1.5% listing fee no matter which agent you choose.
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Redfin is a reputable discount real estate brokerage that offers significant savings, particularly if you buy and sell with the brokerage. But watch out for high minimum fees, which vary by market and can be high in some areas. Redfin's agents also work with a lot of clients, and they don’t always have time to provide as much hands-on service as you may need.
Read the full Redfin review.
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At a Glance
Ideal Agent is a solid option if you’re looking for a top agent. The company vets its realtors thoroughly, so you’ll likely get a quality agent. But you won't save as much on realtor fees as you could with other companies.
Read the full Ideal Agent review.
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If you're looking to save money on realtor fees, Houwzer is a great option. Its 1% listing fee could save you thousands compared to the 3% that traditional realtors charge. Agents are required to demonstrate expertise in their local market and undergo additional training to sign with the brand. That said, Houwzer's agent network is small (51-200 realtors total), so you may not find an agent close enough to sell your home.
Read the full Houwzer review.
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Prevu is a solid option if you're buying an expensive property. You can receive up to 2% of the home's purchase price as a rebate; the full 2% is only available on properties over $1.25 million. Sellers will pay a 1.5% listing fee (about half the traditional rate). But watch out for minimum fees that vary by market and can be high, limiting your actual savings.
Read the full Prevu review.
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SimpleShowing offers significant savings, especially for sellers whose properties sell for more than $500,000. Its agents and customer service are also excellent. However, high minimum fees mean properties worth under $500,000 won’t enjoy maximum savings. Plus, you’ll get limited ability to choose your real estate agent thanks to the company’s small team size.
Read the full SimpleShowing review.
Is a low commission realtor right for me?
A low commission realtor is best for sellers who want to save money on real estate fees while still getting full service and support with their home sale.
With a low commission realtor, you'll typically pay a 1-1.5% listing fee instead of the standard 2.5-3% that traditional realtors charge. But you'll still get all the essential services you need for a successful sale.
A low commission realtor might not be for you if you have real estate experience and want to handle more of the sale process on your own. Limited-service brokerages or flat fee MLS companies charge even lower fees and make sense for very straightforward sales, like if you're selling a turnkey home in a hot market.
For most sellers, a full-service low commission realtor strikes a good balance between savings and service. You'll save a lot of money without having to sacrifice on support and guidance.
What is a low commission realtor?
While the typical real estate agent charges a 2.5–3% listing fee, a low commission realtor will list and sell your house for a discounted rate. The best low-cost realtors offer the same service as a full-commission realtor for as little as 1.5%, saving you thousands on real estate fees. Often, realtors offer lower commissions as a way to gain new clients.
What's the average real estate agent commission?
The average real estate commission rate is 5.49%, although it varies from in different parts of the U.S. Commissions are divided between the listing agent (2.83%) and the buyer's agent (2.66%).
» Jump to: Average realtor commission by state and city
How much can I save with low commission realtors?
You can save 0.5–1.5% of the final sale price of your home with low commission realtors.
Low commission realtors typically charge a 1-2% listing fee instead of the average listing fee of 2.83%. On a $400,000 home sale, that translates to commission savings of $3,320–7,320.
Here's how much you can expect to save at different price points if you work with a low commission realtor that charges a 1.5% listing fee (like Clever):
Note: Results from our calculator are for estimation purposes only. They should not be considered 100% accurate or a final guarantee of what you'll pay a real estate agent in your transaction.
Are there any risks of using low commission realtors?
Some low commission realtors are riskier to work with because their brokerage:
- Uses a team-based service model
- Charges high minimum fees
- Doesn't offer full service
With a team-based model, different people at the brokerage handle different aspects of your sale. This approach can lead to less personalized service from your real estate agent and increase the chance of miscommunication and mistakes.
Some low commission realtors work with brokers that charge high minimum fees, sometimes up to $8,500 in certain areas. If you’re selling a home at a lower price point, these minimum fees could negate any potential savings.
Other low commission real estate agents work for a lower fee by offering fewer services, which could leave you without the support you need.
Alternatives to low commission realtors
Not sure whether a low commission realtor is the right choice for you? Here are some other options.
- Sell to a flat fee MLS listing service if you want to sell without a realtor and are looking for the cheapest way to get your home listed on the MLS. Plans start at $95 and can cost as much (or more) than a traditional realtor depending on the level of support you choose.
- Sell to a cash buyer or iBuyer if you're in a rush to sell and don't mind accepting a lower offer. These companies pay around 70% of a property's after-repair market value and can get you to the closing table in 1-2 weeks.
- Try negotiating realtor fees with an agent directly. This approach can work if you're selling a move-in ready home in a hot local market.
How to choose the best low commission real estate agent
To determine if a particular low commission real estate agent is right for you, start by reviewing the specific services they offer. Look for key things like whether the agent will do in-person consultations, provide pricing guidance (such as a CMA), help with staging and showings, and assist with negotiations and paperwork.
Once you've narrowed down your search to a few agents, we recommend looking them up on Google or Zillow to get a sense of other sellers' experiences. Has this agent sold several houses recently in your price range and market? Do reviews mention any red flags, like lack of agent responsiveness or sellers feeling like they had to do a lot of legwork themselves?
We recommend interviewing 2-3 prospective agents before making a decision. Finding a good personality fit is important. A good agent will make you feel comfortable, take the time to understand your individual needs, and provide a clear plan for how they'll help you achieve your goals.
If you're weighing your options for buying or selling a house, Clever can help!
Our fully licensed concierge team can answer your questions and provide objective advice on getting the best outcome with your sale or purchase.
When you enter your info below, we'll ask you a few questions about your situation via a short form. Then our concierge team will be in touch shortly to help.
This service is free, and there’s never any obligation to move forward with us.
Find average real estate commission rates near me
Want to know what the average real estate commission rate is in your area? Find your region in the table below to learn what realtors charge near you:
Region | States | Key cities |
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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 |
FAQs about real estate commission
Questions about low cost realtorsWant to learn more about low commission real estate agents? We've compiled answers to common seller questions below. |
How does selling with a low cost realtor work?
Selling with a low cost real estate agent is typically similar to working with a traditional agent, assuming you hire a discount brand that offers genuine full service.
The top full-service discount companies provide the same services and support as conventional brokerages, including in-person pricing consultations, access to the multiple listing service (MLS), full representation during negotiations, and dedicated support throughout the home selling process.
Discount brokers can provide the same services as traditional agents but charge lower rates because they've found ways to reduce overhead and operate more efficiently, with little (or no) impact on the average customer's experience.
What company has the lowest real estate commission fees?
Companies like Clever Real Estate, SimpleShowing, and Redfin offer the lowest commission fees for most home sellers. That said, the cheapest option for your situation depends on your home price, location, and desired level of service.
What are the best low commission real estate brokers?
For most home sellers, the best low commission real estate brokers include Clever, Redfin, and Ideal Agent. These nationwide brands offer full service throughout the selling process, which means your experience should feel similar to selling with a traditional agent. Clever is one of the most affordable nationwide real estate companies, but it's a good idea to compare your options to find the right agent for your unique priorities and budget.
Other questions about real estate commissionWe answer questions on how real estate commission works, how much it costs, and how you can save when you sell your home. |
How can I avoid paying realtor fees?
To avoid real estate agent fees altogether, you'll need to list your home for sale by owner and find a buyer who isn't using a buyer's agent (or convince them to pay the buyer's agent commission out of pocket). But that's incredibly hard to do — and it means sacrificing the support of an expert real estate agent during your sale. If you simply want to save on realtor fees, hiring a low commission agent will likely have a better outcome.
Are realtor fees included in closing costs of homes?
Yes, realtor fees are generally included in closing costs and taken out of the seller's proceeds at closing. Real estate agent commission is one of the most expensive closing costs sellers face, so it pays to shop around and find a listing agent who will sell your house for less.
What is the lowest commission a realtor will take?
The lowest commission a realtor will take varies between brokerages and even individual agents. Several top discount real estate brokers offer listing fees as low as 1.5%, which reduces your total commission rate to 4–4.5% (including the typical buyer's agent commission).
Agents at traditional brokerages typically won't accept less than a 2% listing commission, if they're willing to negotiate their standard 2.5–3% rates at all.
How can I get a lower real estate commission rate?
The best way to get a lower commission rate is to hire a full-service real estate agent who offers a discounted listing fee. On a $500,000 home sale, hiring a 1.5% commission realtor could save you $7,500!
Other options include negotiating a lower rate with your agent, selling to an iBuyer like Opendoor, listing your house without a realtor, or using a flat fee MLS company. Learn more about how to save on realtor fees.
Can real estate agents lower their commission?
Yes, real estate commission is negotiable. Although some agents may not be able to lower their fees without permission from their broker. You'll have the most success negotiating a lower commission rate if you're selling a desirable home in a hot market. But you'll likely save more cash by hiring a low commission agent rather than trying to talk your listing agent down from their standard fee.
How can I find low commission real estate agents near me?
Several companies, like Clever Real Estate, pre-negotiate rates with local realtors. These companies also help you find an agent in your local area.
Methodology
The Clever Team filtered and ranked the top low commission real estate brokerages based on the following criteria:
- Service level: We only ranked full-service discount real estate brokerages, since they're the best option for most home sellers. These brokerages deliver the same essential services a traditional realtor provides, including in-person representation, showing assistance, and closing support.
- Pricing: We reviewed the fee structures of each company, cross-referencing current commission rates and home values to determine what companies offer the best overall value. We also identified hidden fees, high minimums, and up-front fees that could detract from overall seller savings.
- Customer reviews: Verifiable customer reviews were integral to our evaluation. We considered various factors, including the total volume of reviews, average customer ratings, key positive and negative themes, and the relevance of these reviews to prospective customers making decisions today.
- Sales activity: We examined available data regarding past transactions to gauge sales performance and activity levels in the market. We looked at the number of transactions and their recency to confirm each brokerage was still active.
✍️ Editor’s note: We don’t disqualify a company based on limited or missing data, but we do lower the company’s overall ranking. We base our rankings on objective measurements and continuously strive to source missing data in order to update our rankings. |
🔬 Our research process
Clever has helped thousands of home sellers find great low commission real estate agents and save on realtor fees. Our Editorial Team also spends hundreds of hours each year researching other discount brands and crafting in-depth reviews to help home sellers compare their options and find the right fit for their needs and price range, whether that's Clever or another service.
Our rigorous research process involves reading thousands of customer reviews, mystery shopping local offices to fact-check marketing claims and uncover details not listed on the company's website, and updating our rankings regularly to ensure we give consumers the best — and most accurate — information about low cost real estate agents available on the web.
Our primary goal is to empower you to make smarter real estate decisions, achieve your goals, and, ideally, save some money while you're at it. To that end, we strive to deliver highly objective, helpful guides that offer practical advice to sellers with different experience levels and with homes in different locations and price ranges.
Selling a house is one of the biggest financial transactions you'll ever make. We want to provide you with the information you need to have the best possible outcome, even if that means you ultimately choose to work with one of Clever's competitors.