The real estate company that actually charges the lowest commission depends on your home price, zip code, and the fine print.
The average U.S. listing fee is 2.88%.[1] The lowest rates offered by low commission realtors start at 1% to 1.5%, which on a $400,000 home saves about $7,500 at 1% and $5,500 at 1.5%. However, the advertised rate is often not the fee you actually pay, as minimum fees raise the effective rate on lower-priced homes.
Below are the fees each low-commission company charges, their fee floors, how much you can save on your home sale price, and where each one operates.
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Which real estate company has the lowest commission?
Houwzer and SimpleShowing advertise the lowest headline listing fee at 1%.[2][3]
However, SimpleShowing also applies a $5,000 minimum, so its effective rate is higher than 1% on any home under $500,000. For example, a $250,000 home sale with a $5,000 minimum is an effective rate of 2%.
Clever Real Estate charges 1.5%, but that extra .50% in cost gets you an established, top-rated local agent that provides excellent service. It also carries a $3,000 minimum, the lowest published floor on this list, so you might end up paying less than Houwzer and SimpleShowing in the end.
Redfin charges 2% if you only sell, but that drops to 1% if you also buy with Redfin, in markets where that rate is offered.[4]
Coverage can be spotty for some companies, however. Houwzer operates in 18 states and Washington, D.C.[5] SimpleShowing operates in three: Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Clever, Ideal Agent, and UpNest are the only companies here available in all 50 states, so for most sellers the practical answer is whichever of those posts the lowest effective rate at their home’s price.
Pro tip: Focus on quality over price
The lowest rate and the lowest total cost aren't always the same, and neither one tells you which agent will actually get you the most money for your home, so focus on choosing the best agent above all else.
What counts as "low commission"?
A low commission is a listing fee below the going rate for a full-service agent. The U.S. average listing fee is 2.88% and traditional agents typically quote 2.5% to 3%, so anything under that is a discount, and the lowest full-service rates in the market run 1% to 1.5%.
Note: Rates advertised below 1% almost always describe a limited-service or flat-fee MLS package rather than full representation. Minimum fees matter as much as the headline rate: a 1% fee with a $5,000 floor is an effective 2.5% on a $200,000 home, which is close to what a traditional agent charges anyway.
Are low commission realtors worth it? Pros and cons
For most sellers, it's a good option, as long as the discount comes from a full-service brokerage and the minimum fee does not erase the savings.
Pros
- Lower fees. A 1% to 1.5% listing fee against a 2.88% average keeps $5,520 to $7,520 in your pocket at the median home price, and more above it.
- Full service is still the norm. Most of the companies on this list assign a licensed local agent who handles pricing, photos, MLS listing, showings, negotiation, and closing, the same scope a traditional agent covers.
- The discount is not coming out of your marketing budget. Discount brokerages typically cut their own client-acquisition costs rather than the work that sells your house, which is why service ratings hold up.
Cons
- Minimum fees can eat the discount. A $5,000 floor on a 1% fee is 2.5% at $200,000. Always ask what the minimum is, not just what the rate is.
- Service levels vary between companies and between agents. Some brokerages run high-volume models where parts of the transaction are handled by a support team rather than your agent.
- Coverage is uneven. The two cheapest options on this list are unavailable to most of the country, and the buyer’s agent fee is a separate negotiation your listing discount does not touch.
In our July 2026 survey of 500 recent home sellers, 82% of the respondents who sold with a discount or low-commission brokerage said the service was as good as or better than a traditional agent, and 69% felt their home sold for the same or more than it otherwise would have.
The math works against you in two situations: a home priced low enough that a minimum fee pushes the effective rate above what a traditional agent would negotiate, and a sale complicated enough (a hard-to-price property, a tight timeline, a thin market) that you need an agent’s full attention rather than a volume model.
Who should think twice
If your property has unusual features that may make it harder to sell, it is distressed, or located in a market with very few comparable sales, you should weigh the savings against how much hands-on attention you're likely to need. And if you have prior real estate experience and plan to sell entirely on your own, a flat-fee MLS package will cost less than any percentage-based listing fee.
How much can I save?
| Home price | 1% fee | 1.5% fee | U.S. avg. 2.88% | Save at 1% | Save at 1.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,760 | $3,760 | $2,760 |
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $8,640 | $5,640 | $4,140 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 | $11,520 | $7,520 | $5,520 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $14,400 | $9,400 | $6,900 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $11,250 | $21,600 | $14,100 | $10,350 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $28,800 | $18,800 | $13,800 |
Listing fee only. Savings compare a 1% and a 1.5% listing fee against the 2.88% U.S. average at each price. The buyer's agent fee, which averages 2.82% nationally, is negotiated separately. Minimum fees raise the effective rate below $500,000: at $200,000, a $5,000 minimum is 2.5%, not 1%. Average listing fee from Clever's February 2026 survey of 533 partner agents.
Savings depend on your home price and which rate you qualify for. Two things impact your final realized savings.
The first is minimum fees. At $200,000, SimpleShowing’s $5,000 minimum works out to 2.5% rather than 1%, so most of the advertised discount is gone. Clever’s $3,000 minimum works out to 1.5% at that price, the same rate it charges everywhere else. Above roughly $500,000, minimums stop mattering for every company on this list.
The second is the buyer’s agent fee, which is negotiated separately. It averages 2.82% nationally, and discounting your listing fee does not reduce it. Many sellers offer to pay it to attract buyers, so budget for a total commission somewhere between 3.5% and 4.5% if you list at a discounted rate.
What home sellers think about low commission realtors
We surveyed 500 recent home sellers in July 2026. The clearest finding is that the barrier to using a discount brokerage is awareness.
- Most sellers never knew the option existed. 68% had little or no awareness of low-commission brokerages before they sold, and only 25% considered using one.
- The ones who used them were satisfied. Among the 9% who sold with a discount or low-commission brokerage, 82% said the service was as good as or better than a traditional agent.
- Everyone else was still open to it. 72% said they would trust an agent charging a 1.5% listing fee to do as good a job as one charging 3%.
- Asking works, and almost nobody asks. 33% of sellers tried to negotiate their agent's rate, and 93% of those who tried got a reduction, typically 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points. Yet 65% interviewed just one agent before hiring.
Full results, including what sellers actually paid and which negotiating tactics worked, are in our 2026 commission survey.
Popular low commission realtor options
Ideal Agent
Ideal Agent is worth a look if you want a vetted top producer and you're willing to pay more for it. The company negotiates a 2% listing fee, which is $8,000 on a $400,000 sale.[6] Its screening is genuinely selective, and its 5.0 out of 5 customer rating is the highest on this list. The downsides: You get one agent match, not a choice, and 2% is the smallest discount here. Houwzer and SimpleShowing both advertise 1%. Before you sign, ask what the minimum fee is. Ideal Agent doesn't publish one, and on a home under $200,000 a floor can quietly push your effective rate well past 2%.
Prevu
Prevu is built for buyers more than sellers. Its Smart Buyer rebate returns up to 1% of the purchase price, though the full 1% only kicks in above $1.25 million. It operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
It's also no longer independent. reAlpha Tech Corp. acquired Prevu in November 2025, and Prevu's brokerage entities now run as reAlpha affiliates alongside reAlpha Realty.[7][8] Prevu does not currently publish a seller-side listing fee, so confirm your rate in writing before you list. Acquisitions frequently change fee structures before marketing pages catch up.
Clever Real Estate
Clever's pitch is full service at a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee with a $3,000 minimum. On a $400,000 sale, that's $6,000 instead of the $11,520 you'd pay at the 2.88% average. Agents come from name-brand and top-rated local brokerages, buyers can qualify for $250 to $500 cash back, and it's available in all 50 states and D.C. Its rating is 4.9/5 across 4,908 reviews.
Clever isn't the cheapest headline rate on our list (Houwzer's 1% beats it on paper). What Clever has is the group's lowest published minimum, and that $3,000 floor is what matters most under $200,000. And, the company works with top-performing agents nationwide, so you won't have to worry about sacrificing service for cost.
Houwzer
Houwzer offers the lowest straightforward rate here: a flat 1% listing fee with no published minimum, which is $4,000 on a $400,000 sale. It operates in 19 states and Washington, D.C.[5] The tradeoff is network size. Houwzer employs roughly 51-200 agents in total, so even inside its service area you may not find an agent who works your specific market closely enough to price it well.
SimpleShowing
SimpleShowing charges 1% with a $5,000 minimum, so the advertised rate only applies at $500,000 and above.[3] A seller at $400,000 pays an effective 1.25%, and a seller at $200,000 pays an effective 2.5%. Buyers can receive a refund of up to 1%. It operates in Florida, Georgia, and Texas only, and its review volume is the smallest here at 281 reviews, which makes its 4.9 rating less informative than a larger sample would be.
UpNest
UpNest isn't a brokerage, rather, it's a marketplace. You submit your home details and local agents compete for the listing with their own proposals, which average around 2.5%. On paper, that's the weakest discount on this list. It's still useful for a specific seller. It's available nationwide, and the competitive format is the fastest way to get several full-service agents bidding against each other instead of accepting one pre-negotiated rate. Service quality is entirely down to which agent you pick, so treat the proposals as a starting point and interview at least two of them.
Redfin
Redfin charges a 2% listing fee if you only sell. That drops to 1% if you also buy a home through Redfin within 365 days of closing on your listing, and the 1% rate is not offered in every market.[4] If you list at 2% expecting to buy later, Redfin charges the full 2% up front and refunds the difference after your next purchase closes.
Two other terms are worth reading first: Redfin adds 1% of the sale price to the listing fee if your buyer is unrepresented, and its minimum listing fee varies by market and isn't published centrally. Redfin’s own agents close high transaction volume, which is where its savings come from and also where most of its service complaints originate. Its customer rating is the lowest on this list at 2.6 out of 5. Redfin is no longer an independent brokerage; Rocket Companies acquired it in July 2025 for $1.75 billion.
Alternatives to low commission realtors
Are you unsure whether a low-commission realtor is the right choice for you? Here are some other options.
1. Consider flat fee MLS companies.
These are best if you want to sell without a realtor and seek the cheapest way to get your home listed on the MLS. Plans with flat-fee MLS companies start as low as $95, but if you add extra support services, they can cost as much as a traditional realtor.
This option can be a good fit for sellers who are comfortable managing most aspects of the sale themselves — a group that includes the small, but consistent 5% of sellers who go the FSBO route.[9]
2. Sell to a cash home buyer.
Also known as a "We Buy Houses for Cash" company, these work best if you're in a rush to sell and don't mind accepting a lower offer than what you'd likely get on the open market.
Interest in cash transactions remains strong. According to the National Association of Realtors, 29% of home buyers paid all cash in October 2025, up from 27% a year earlier, highlighting how common cash deals have become in today’s market.[10]
More than half (55%) of homeowners say they'd consider selling to a cash buyer to avoid the stress of traditional selling, especially the top concern of making costly repairs.[11] But this route often means sacrificing price for convenience.
These companies pay around 65-70% of a property's after-repair market value and can get you to the closing table in 1-2 weeks. However, if you want to compare multiple offers and potentially get up to 100% of your home's fair market value, Clever Offers is a top choice. The free service connects you with vetted investors, iBuyers, and local buyers, helping you find the best possible price with zero obligation.
Cash buyers can close in as little as 1–2 weeks, making them ideal for sellers facing urgent timelines due to job relocation, financial hardship, or inherited property sales.
3. Try negotiating realtor fees with an agent directly.
Negotiating works far more often than most sellers expect. In our 2026 survey, 93% of sellers who asked their agent for a lower commission got at least some reduction. The realistic part: the typical cut was modest, with most successful negotiators shaving between 0.5 and 1.5 percentage points off the rate.[12]
The bigger issue is that most sellers never ask. Only 33% of sellers who hired an agent tried to negotiate, and among those who didn't, the top reasons were that the rate already seemed fair (37%) and, tellingly, that they didn't know they could (35%).[12]
What actually moved the needle for sellers who succeeded? Simply asking directly was the most common answer (50%), followed by having a home that was expected to sell easily (39%), a higher-value home (27%), and bundling a purchase with the sale using the same agent (25%).[12] This route works best if you're selling a move-in-ready home in a hot market, where the agent expects a quick, easy sale.
Still, a half-point or full-point cut off a traditional rate rarely beats what you'd save by hiring a full-service agent at 1.5% from the start. Negotiating is worth a direct ask, but for most sellers a low-commission agent locks in bigger savings without the back-and-forth.
How to choose the best low commission real estate agent
Finding the right low commission realtor can make a significant difference in your home-selling experience.
Agents need to be more focused on the value they bring, rather than what they charge, says Dustin Parker, founder of The Parker Group, a Delaware-based brokerage with over $1 billion in residential transactions. He recommends shifting the focus away from commission rate alone.
“The question [for agents] isn’t just, ‘How much commission can I charge?’ It’s, ‘How do I deliver so much value that I become indispensable—and still earn a healthy margin?’ That’s the shift the industry is going through," he says.
1. Identify your needs
Start by outlining what services are most important to you. With 90% of home sellers working with an agent, according to NAR data, it’s clear that many sellers find value in professional support for various stages of the sale.[13] Do you need:
- Pricing expertise: Assistance with setting the optimal listing price through a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?
- Marketing support: Professional photos, online listings, and advertising strategies?
- Home preparation: Guidance on staging and making your home show-ready?
- Negotiation skills: Experience in handling offers and counteroffers effectively?
- Paperwork assistance: Help with contracts, disclosures, and closing documents? Given that more than one-third (36%) of sellers acknowledge making legal mistakes due to the absence of an agent, this is a big one.[14]
With many discount brokers limiting commissions, agents may not be able to provide the level of service you would expect from a traditional realtor. Some discount real estate brokers may charge minimum fees that wipe out potential savings or have a limited network of agents that may not be experienced in your local market.
Christina Rordam, a top-producing REALTOR with Florida Realty Investments in Orlando, says the volume model behind some discount brands is itself a risk worth interrogating.
"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," she says.
Rordam recommends asking the agent directly: will you personally handle the listing, or will it be passed to someone else once the contract is signed?
2. Research potential agents
Look for agents who offer the services you need:
- Check their websites and social media: See what services they advertise and any specialties they highlight.
- Read online reviews: Visit platforms like Google, Zillow, Facebook, or Yelp to read about other sellers' experiences.
- Look at recent sales: Find agents who have recently sold homes similar to yours in price range and location.
3. Verify the agent's track record
Ideally, you'll want to work with an agent who has:
- Experience in your market: Ensure the agent has a strong understanding of your local market conditions.
- Success with similar homes: An agent familiar with properties like yours is more likely to attract qualified buyers.
- No red flags: Be cautious of agents whose reviews mention poor communication, lack of responsiveness, or limited support.
4. Interview multiple agents
This is where most sellers fall short. In our 2026 survey, 65% of sellers who used an agent interviewed just one before hiring, and only 8% talked to three or more.[12] That matters for your wallet, not just fit: interviewing and comparing multiple agents was one of the moves sellers credited with helping them negotiate a lower rate.
We recommend meeting with at least 2 to 3 agents before you decide.
5. Evaluate how they operate
Take time to understand each agent's specific service structure and style to ensure it aligns with your expectations:
- Service model: Determine if they offer full-service support or a more limited, discounted approach. Some agents may provide comprehensive assistance, while others may specialize in essential services only.
- Personalization: Ask if they take a team-based or individual approach to client interactions. A team-based model can enhance efficiency but may also lead to a less personal experience.
- Availability: Confirm the agent's availability to handle showings, answer questions, and assist with the transaction. It’s helpful to know if they or a team member will be your main point of contact.
6. Assess local market knowledge
A knowledgeable agent is crucial for effective pricing and strategic marketing, especially in a competitive or fluctuating market:
- Local expertise: Ask about recent market trends and typical buyer behavior in your area. An agent with local expertise can better position your home to attract the right buyers.
- Neighborhood sales experience: Look for agents with a successful track record in your neighborhood or similar neighborhoods.
7. Consider post-sale support
Some agents offer valuable services even after an offer is accepted, which can make the closing process smoother:
- Closing coordination: Confirm if the agent will assist with coordinating inspections, appraisals, and closing timelines.
- Post-sale resources: Inquire if they offer referrals for reputable inspectors, contractors, or moving services, which can make your transition easier.
By following these steps, you’ll be in a stronger position to choose a low commission realtor who meets your needs, provides reliable service, and maximizes your profit.
FAQs about real estate commission
What is the lowest commission a realtor will take?
A realtor's lowest commission 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).
Some agents may also offer flexible options, such as tiered pricing based on service level, flat fees instead of percentages, or combined discounts if you’re buying and selling with the same agent.
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.
To lock in the lowest possible rate without sacrificing service, consider using a platform like Clever Real Estate, which pre-negotiates 1.5% listing fees with full-service agents from major nationwide brands — with no obligation to hire.
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?
Clever Real Estate, Redfin, and SimpleShowing consistently rank among the lowest-cost options for home sellers. Clever stands out for offering full-service agents from top brokerages at a 1.5% listing fee, while Redfin typically charges 1.5–2%, and SimpleShowing offers similar savings in select markets. The best choice for you depends on your home’s price, location, and how much hands-on support you want from your agent.
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. |
Do sellers still pay the buyer’s agent after the NAR settlement?
They’re not required to. Buyers are now expected to negotiate compensation directly with their own agents. However, many sellers still choose to offer a buyer’s agent fee (or a concession toward it) to attract more potential buyers. In markets where seller-paid compensation remains common, listings that don’t offer it may receive fewer showings or lower offers.
Your listing agent can help you decide whether covering part of the buyer’s agent fee makes sense for your local market and selling strategy.
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.
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 close to $7,000.
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 sell 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.
🔬 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.
Three examples of what that work has surfaced:
- SimpleShowing markets a 1% listing fee as its headline number, but our team confirmed through direct outreach that the company enforces a $5,000 minimum, which raises the effective rate to 2% on a $250,000 home.
- Houwzer's website highlights nationwide ambitions, but our calls to local offices confirmed an active agent network of roughly 51 to 200 realtors, suggesting coverage in many metros is thin.
- Prevu's "up to 1%" buyer rebate is widely advertised, but in practice the full 1% only applies on homes priced above $1.25 million, a threshold the company doesn't lead with on its homepage. Findings like these are what shape where each company lands in our rankings.
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.
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