Realty ONE Group Review: Should You Use This International Brokerage?

Realty ONE Group is an international real estate brokerage with offices primarily in the U.S. It offers a full array of traditional services to support home buying and selling.

The firm has offices in over 450 locations, which means you'll likely get an agent who has the needed local expertise for your transaction. The company is also well established. Since its founding in 2005, it has completed over $300 billion in transactions and won Entrepreneur awards for being a top national, global, and fast-growing franchise.

However, customer reviews are more mixed than those of other traditional brokerages. And your agent will likely charge the traditional commission rate of 2.5–3%. Selling a $500,000 home at a 3% rate would cost $15,000, but some top agents charge half that — which would save you $7,500.

If you want to save money when you sell, Clever Real Estate can help you connect with top local agents from established brokerages. They provide the same full-service support you’d expect from traditional realtors for a low 1.5% listing fee, saving sellers an average of $7,000. Find top-rated agents who can sell your home for half the traditional commission rate.

Realty ONE Group overview

• 🧭
  How it works: Agents provide traditional full service to home buyers and sellers
• 💵
  Commission rate: Standard 2.5–3% of the home sale price per agent
• ⭐
  Customer rating: 3.5/5 across 417 reviews
• 📍
  Locations: 450+ offices across the U.S.
• ✅
  Benefits: Internationally recognized brokerage, large agent network, one stop for buying and selling
• ⚠️
  Downsides: No discounted commission rates, inconsistent service quality across franchises

Services

Realty ONE Group agents provide full service and are actively involved in your home sale or purchase.

Listing agent duties include:

• Comparative market analysis to price your home competitively
• Staging advice or arranging professional staging
• Marketing materials, including professional photography
• Listing on the multiple listing service (MLS) and major real estate websites
• Conducting open houses and private showings
• Screening offers and helping with negotiations and counteroffers
• Handling paperwork like contracts and disclosures
• Providing support during inspections, appraisals, and closing

Buyer’s agent responsibilities include:

• Conducting a personalized home search
• Getting you access to MLS listings
• Showing properties
• Making and negotiating offers and counteroffers
• Coordinating with third parties like lenders, inspectors, and title and escrow agents
• Guiding you through inspections and appraisals
• Reviewing paperwork and assisting with closing

Commission rate

Agents from traditional brokerages like Realty ONE Group typically charge traditional commission rates: 2.5–3%. Nationwide, the average listing fee is 2.82%, and the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.75%.

Until recently, sellers set the commission rate for the buyer’s agent and advertised it in their MLS listings. That changed after a high-profile antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors. Buyers now negotiate rates directly with their agents. However, sellers are still covering the buyer's agent fee, now via a concession at closing instead of upfront.

Sellers who want to save while working with Realty One Group can attempt to negotiate down realtor commission fees. But this isn’t always easy, and sellers should be prepared for agents to play hardball. The state of the market can significantly affect an agent's willingness to accept lower rates.

Negotiating matters less when you can hire a top agent at a deeply discounted rate through Clever Real Estate. Clever’s free service matches you with top-rated local agents who work for a low 1.5% listing fee. It partners only with experienced, high-performing agents — each with at least five years of experience and a track record in the top 5% of their market.

Realty ONE Group agents

Realty ONE Group has more than 20,000 agents working out of hundreds of independently owned offices across the country. With such a broad footprint, you'll likely find an experienced agent on Realty ONE’s website who's familiar with your neighborhood.

The company invests in the development of its agents through coaching and mentoring programs, and customer reviews indicate that agents are generally professional and supportive.

However, your experience ultimately depends on the individual agent you work with, not the brand. Before choosing an agent, it’s best to interview at least 2–3 candidates. Look for someone with proven local expertise, clear communication, strong client reviews, and a good track record of helping people buy or sell homes similar to yours.

Realty ONE Group reviews from customers

Realty ONE Group reviews are mostly positive (though more mixed than competitors) with a 3.5/5 rating across over 400 reviews.

Satisfied clients frequently praised their agents’ professionalism, expertise, and attentive support throughout the real estate transaction. Negative reviews often cited unprofessional behavior or poor communication.

The variation in feedback is likely due to Realty ONE Group’s franchise model. With hundreds of independently owned offices and thousands of agents nationwide, Realty ONE Group results and service quality can differ widely from one location or realtor to another. Overall, customer experiences depend heavily on the individual agent you work with.

✅ Agents go above and beyond

Several reviewers highlighted Realty ONE Group agents who consistently exceeded expectations.

✅ Client-focused service

Many buyers said Realty ONE Group agents took the time to understand their goals and guide them with care.

⚠️ Complaints about agent professionalism and communication

Some Realty ONE Group reviews described troubling experiences with certain agents, highlighting poor communication, hidden fees, and unethical behavior that created stress and delays during closing.

⚠️ Inconsistent service behind the strong branding

In some cases, reviewers said Realty ONE Group’s polished image didn't always match their experience, with a few describing interactions that felt impersonal or lacking in care.

Credibility: Is Realty ONE Group legit?

Realty ONE Group is a legitimate and well-established real estate franchise. Founded in 2005 by Kuba Jewgieniew,[5] the company has closed more than 800,000 transactions and done over $300 billion in sales, reflecting its strong presence in the housing market.[6]

The brokerage has also been recognized for its growth and franchise success. Entrepreneur named it a Top National and Global Franchise and one of the Fastest-Growing Franchises, while Inc. 500 ranked it among the nation’s fastest-growing companies.[7]

Like other major brokerages, Realty ONE Group has faced industry lawsuits over commission practices. It settled cases brought by home sellers in 2024[8] and is now part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit by home buyers.[9]

Because it operates as a franchise, licensing is handled at the state level. You can verify an agent’s license through your state’s Department of Real Estate website.

Bottom line: Is Realty ONE Group right for you?

Realty ONE Group is a large, established franchise with a strong national presence and tens of thousands of agents.

While reviews vary by Realty ONE Group office and agent, many clients reported positive experiences with knowledgeable, full-service agents who helped guide them through buying or selling a home. There’s little downside to interviewing a Realty ONE Group agent and seeing if they’re the right fit for your goals.

Still, it’s wise to shop around before choosing an agent. Some companies, like Clever Real Estate, connect you with top-rated local agents who offer the same full-service experience for half the cost.

When working with Clever’s partner agents, sellers pay a low 1.5% listing fee instead of the traditional 3%, saving an average of $7,000. That means you can get quality representation and keep more of your proceeds when your home sells.

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