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Working with a real estate agent who charges a 1% listing fee (or close to it) is one of the best ways to save money when you sell your home.
But where can you find an agent willing to sell your house for a reduced fee, and how do you know they’re legit?
How to find the best 1% commission realtors
The best way to get a lower listing fee is to work with a brokerage that offers reduced rates. Most traditional realtors charge set fees of 2.5–3%, and chances are you won’t be able to negotiate more than a slight reduction on your own.
Only a handful of discount real estate brokers offer true 1% listing fees, and these brokerages often have limited geographic availability. You may also encounter trade-offs in service quality, like working with an agent who’s juggling lots of clients at a time.
The best discount brokerages we found charge rates around 1.5% and have strict screening criteria for their agents. They provide outstanding customer experience while still offering major savings.
For example, sellers who work with Clever Real Estate get matched with top realtors from well-known brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — and pay a low listing fee of just 1.5%. On a $500,000 home sale, you’d save about $7,500 in commission.
💰 SAVE: Get matched with top local agents, save thousands on realtor fees!
Keep reading for an in-depth look at our top 1% commission recommendations!
The best companies with low commission realtors
| Company | Average rating |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Clever Real Estate | 4.9 (1,995 reviews) |
| 🥈 Redfin | 3.7 (301 reviews) |
| 🥉 SimpleShowing | 4.9 (335 reviews) |
Looking for real estate agents in your area that provide high-quality services at a discount? Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching low commissions real estate agents to help you find the right fit for your needs and budget.
🏆 1. Clever Real Estate
National
- Listing fee: 1.5% (min. $3,000)
- Available Nationwide
- Full Service, Zero Tradeoffs
Sellers save an average of $5,625 when they list with Clever, compared to a traditional 3% listing fee.*
*Average savings based on listing fees at four common price points: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000.
Clever has a 4.9 out of 5 rating (1,995 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
Clever is available to sellers and buyers nationwide.
For most home sellers, the best company for connecting with a low commission real estate agent is Clever Real Estate. We think Clever is the best overall value because of its competitive 1.5% listing fee, nationwide availability, and average 4.9/5 customer rating.
The key difference between Clever and other discount options is the quality of real estate agents in its network. Clever matches you with highly rated local realtors from top regional and national brokerages like Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, and Century 21.
When you find your real estate agent through Clever, you get the service and expertise you’d expect from a top agent — at about half the typical commission rate. With Clever’s free service, you can request multiple agent matches until you find the right fit, or walk away at any time. There’s no obligation or pressure to commit. Learn more and start comparing agents.
2. Redfin
National
- Listing Fee: 1.5% (min. fees vary)
- Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
- Listings Featured on Redfin App
Sellers save an average of $5,541 when they list with Redfin, compared to a traditional 3% listing fee.*
*Average savings based on listing fees at four common price points: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000.
*Accounts for Redfin’s average minimum fee across all U.S. markets.
Redfin has a 3.7 out of 5 rating (301 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Consumer Affairs.
Redfin is available in 80+ U.S. markets, giving it near-nationwide coverage.
Redfin is best known for its home search website and app, but its core business is helping people buy and sell homes at reduced commission rates. Redfin’s base listing rate is 1.5% of the sales price. But it also has high minimum fees that vary by market (up to $8,500!). Depending on your home’s value, a minimum fee could result in you paying more than the advertised 1.5%.
Redfin hires its own salaried agents and creates savings by having those agents handle more customers at once than a typical realtor.
Redfin provides better service than other discount companies that offer less hands-on support. That said, its customer service approach could increase the risk that you’ll face mistakes, delays, and other issues — especially if your selling situation is complicated.
Overall, Redfin is worth considering if you’re selling and buying within the company’s service area. But we think many sellers will find better overall value by selling with our top pick, Clever Real Estate.
3. SimpleShowing
Regional
- Listing Fee: 1% (min. $3,500)
- Limited Service Area
- Full Service, Few Tradeoffs
Sellers save an average of $6,375 when they list with SimpleShowing, compared to a traditional 3% listing fee.*
*Average savings based on listing fees at four common price points: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000.
SimpleShowing has a 4.9 out of 5 rating (335 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
SimpleShowing is available in the following areas: FL, GA, TX.
SimpleShowing is a discount real estate broker that advertises 1% listing fees in a handful of markets in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. But watch out: SimpleShowing also has a $5,000 minimum fee, which means if your home sells for less than $500,000, you’ll pay more than 1% at closing.
SimpleShowing hires its own in-house real estate agents, just like Redfin. It offsets its discounted commission fees by requiring agents to handle roughly five times as many customers as the average realtor.
This approach allows SimpleShowing to sell more homes with a smaller team of agents. But handling so many different sales at once could limit how much personalized service and support your agents can give you.
Receiving less agent support isn’t necessarily a deal breaker if you’re selling a desirable home in a hot market. But it could lead to issues if you need immediate assistance and your agent is overextended.
4. Houwzer
Regional
- Listing Fee: $5,000
- Limited Service Area
- Premium Marketing
Sellers save an average of $7,000 when they list with Houwzer, compared to a traditional 3% listing fee.*
*Average savings based on listing fees at four common price points: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000.
Houwzer has a 4.8 out of 5 rating (1,400 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
Houwzer is available in the following areas: FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA, DC.
Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage available in five states on the East Coast. It charges a flat $5,000 listing fee, regardless of your home price.
This pricing model could mean big savings on higher-priced homes. If your house sells above $500,000, you’ll essentially pay a 1% listing fee — or less!
At lower price points, Houwzer’s flat $5,000 listing fee offers less overall value. On a $250,000 house, selling with Houwzer costs 2% of the sale price, making it less affordable than other discount companies on this list.
There are also potential trade-offs in service quality to consider when you sell with Houwzer. Some Houwzer reviews warn that agents provide less hands-on support than traditional realtors, which could be frustrating if you’re expecting a conventional selling experience.
5. Redefy
Regional
- Listing Fee: $3,500 or 1%
- Upfront Fees
- No Open Houses
Sellers save an average of $8,500 when they list with Redefy, compared to a traditional 3% listing fee.*
*Average savings based on listing fees at four common price points: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000.
Redefy has a 4.6 out of 5 rating (300 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
Redefy is available in the following areas: CO, FL, GA, IL, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA.
Redefy charges a 1% commission on homes above $1 million, but it also offers a flat $3,500 listing fee for lower-priced properties. This means that depending on your home’s value, you may actually pay less than 1%.
Despite the potential for great savings, Redefy has some major drawbacks. When you sign your listing agreement, you’ll have to pay an up-front, nonrefundable $500 commission deposit.
A nonrefundable deposit isn’t a standard practice in the industry. Real estate agents typically don’t charge you anything until your house sells.
Redefy’s team-based approach to customer service could also limit the personalized attention you receive, making a complicated process even more stressful. And while the company mostly offers the same services as a traditional real estate agent, it doesn’t host open houses.
Overall, these trade-offs make Redefy a riskier option than other 1% commission real estate companies, so weigh your options carefully to see if another service offers better value in your area.
Low commission real estate brokers to avoid
Our top picks for discount brokerages offer low rates without compromising much on service quality. Unfortunately, some 1% real estate commission brands couple their attractive fees with substandard service and support. Based on our research and customer reviews, we recommend steering clear of these companies:
🚫 Trelora
Trelora Real Estate is a discount real estate brokerage that advertises low commission rates. It recently upped its fee from a low flat rate to 1.5%.
Trelora’s savings may look comparable to other brands on paper, but it offers considerably less hands-on service and support than other low options like Clever and Redfin.
🚫 REX
REX Real Estate claims it charges the lowest commission rates of any discount brokerage. In reality, REX charges a 2.5% listing fee but says it will help you avoid paying buyer’s agent commission.
If that sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is. REX’s approach involves marketing directly to buyers instead of listing on the MLS. If that strategy fails — and it often does — you may have to offer a buyer’s agent fee anyway, on top of what you pay your listing agent.
If you need to pay a buyer’s agent commission, you’ll be stuck paying upward of 5.5% in total commission fees — not much of a discount compared to selling with a traditional realtor.
🚫 Assist-2-Sell
Assist-2-Sell is one of the oldest discount real estate franchises in the U.S. Each location sets its own rates, and some offices offer 1% listing fees.
Although Assist-2-Sell once ranked as a solid option for home sellers looking to save on commission, the vast majority of its offices have closed over the past 15 years. This suggests its competitors offer better overall value.
🚫 Faira Real Estate
Faira Real Estate advertises a 1% listing fee and promises an easy home selling experience. Both of those claims are misleading.
Due to hidden fees, Faira actually costs more than its advertised rates. And the company’s convoluted listing platform makes your home selling experience anything but simple.
How can I find low commission realtors near me?
Looking for a 1 percent commission realtor in your area? Select your state in the table below to find out what discount brokerages near you offer low listing fees. Click on a company name to to learn more and find customer reviews from real buyers and sellers.
| Company | Avg. rate* | |
|---|---|---|
| Clever Real Estate | 1.8% | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C., Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Redfin | 2% | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C., Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| SimpleShowing | 2.2% | Florida, Georgia, Texas |
| Houwzer | 2.1% | Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. |
How does a low real estate commission work?
When you work with a traditional real estate agent, the total commission costs around 5–6% of the sale price. It’s common for the listing and buyer’s agents to split the commission 50/50, with each realtor earning around 2.5–3%. Commission fees are deducted from your sale proceeds at closing.
When you sell with a low commission company, you’ll pay your listing agent a lower listing fee. This reduces your total commission costs. For example, a 1.5% listing fee would likely net you a 4–4.5% total commission, depending on how much you and your agent decide to offer for the buyer’s agent.
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Listing agent commission | 1.5% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.5–3% |
| Total commission | 4–4.5% |
Why do real estate agents work for lower listing fees?
Today, the real estate industry is more competitive than ever. Commission rates are falling across the board as agents compete for listings, making the standard 3% realtor fee a thing of the past.
Discount brands have also found ways to make the home selling process more efficient, allowing them to charge lower rates. The best low commission companies offer listing fees as low as 1–1.5% without compromising on customer service or support.
For example, our top recommendation — Clever Real Estate — helps traditional real estate agents reduce their marketing expenses. These agents can pass their savings on to you.
However, while top discount brokers offer a home selling experience that’s comparable to working with traditional realtors, others come with major tradeoffs. Companies like REX and Trelora cut their fees in risky ways that could cost you money on your sale. Always compare your options to find a local agent who offers the right combination of savings and hands-on service for your home sale.
To learn more, check out our list of top picks and companies to avoid.
Can I offer the buyer’s agent a low commission too?
As the seller, you’re free to offer the buyer’s agent whatever commission rate you want (or even none at all). However, advertising a lower buyer’s agent commission than other sellers in your area could put you at a competitive disadvantage.
The buyer’s agent fee incentivizes buyer’s agents to show your home to their clients. If you’re offering a smaller fee than the seller down the street, which house do you think realtors will show to their buyers first?
» MORE: Find the average commission rate in your area
Watch out for minimum fees
When comparing low commission companies, pay close attention to minimum fees.
If you’re selling a lower-priced home, these fees could limit — or even eliminate — your commission savings.
For example, if you sell a $250,000 home with a brokerage that charges a $5,000 minimum fee, your listing commission will actually cost 2% — even if the company advertises a 1.5% rate.
How to get a lower listing fee
1. Work with a low commission realtor
The easiest way to get a lower listing fee when you sell your home is to work with a low commission real estate company. The top discount brands — like our low commission brokerage recommendations — offer huge savings as well as full support that matches what you’d get from a traditional agent.
However, some discount brokerages offer more value than others. Many low-fee companies offset their cheap rates with serious trade-offs in terms of service quality. Others surprise you with hidden fees and conditions that chip away at your savings.
» MORE: Find the best discount real estate broker for your home sale!
2. Negotiate a lower listing fee with your agent
If you want a reduced real estate commission but also want to sell with a specific agent, you can try to negotiate a discount yourself. But if your preferred agent charges a 2.5–3% listing fee, chances are you’re not going to convince them to drop it down very far.
✍️ Editor’s Note
Companies like Clever can negotiate 1.5% listing fees because they offer their partner agents a steady stream of new business at no up-front cost. As an individual customer, you don’t have that kind of negotiating power. Learn more about how Clever works.
That said, realtor fees are always 100% negotiable, so there’s no harm in asking your agent before you sign your listing agreement. In general, you’ll have more success negotiating a cheaper listing fee when:
- You’re in a seller’s market where homes like yours are selling quickly
- Most homes in your area are selling above their list price
- You’re selling an expensive home
- Your home is in pristine condition or you’re willing to invest in up-front repairs
- You offer to do more of the work yourself (e.g., host your own open house)
- You commit to working with the same agent to buy your new home
- You’re willing to walk away if the agent won’t lower their fee
» LEARN: More tips and tricks for negotiating realtor commission
FAQs
What are the best low commission real estate brokers?
The best 1% commission real estate brands include Clever Real Estate, SimpleShowing, and Redfin. These discount companies offer all the hands-on service and support you’d get from a traditional realtor, but charge listing fees as low as 1%! See our full list of top low commission brokerages.
How can I find a low commission real estate agent near me?
Two low commission companies that we recommend, Clever Real Estate and Redfin, are available in all or most states. Depending on where you're located, you may have even more options. Click here to find all the low commission realtors near you!
Is it fair to get a lower commission rate?
Real estate commissions are negotiable, so a fair listing commission is whatever you and your agent agree is reasonable. Competition in the industry is pushing down commission rates nationwide, so it's easier than ever to find listing agents who are willing to offer full service for less than the traditional 3%. Check out our guide to the top low commission companies.
What does a 1% listing fee mean?
A 1% listing fee is a real estate agent commission equal to 1% of a home's final purchase price. In any real estate transaction, agents make money by charging the home seller a percentage of the sales price as commission. While a traditional real estate agent typically charges 2–3% of the sales price, commissions are negotiable — meaning a realtor can theoretically charge just 1%. Looking to save on your next real estate transaction? Check out the top low commission realtors near you.
Methodology
We spent hundreds of hours researching discount real estate companies to help you find the best combination of savings and service for your home sale. We ranked these discount brands based on their dollar-for-dollar value compared to other brands in categories such as savings, service quality, and overall customer experience.
Since most companies that offer 1% listing fees charge minimum commissions on homes below a certain price point, we calculated average savings based on what you’d pay across four common home values — $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000 — compared to a standard 3% listing agent commission.
Note: Pricing data, locations, and other data points are current as of when this article was last updated.
Related links
Working with a 1% commission realtor is one of the best ways to save on real estate commission, but there are other options worth considering. Check out our other resources to learn more.
The Best Discount Real Estate Brokers for Every Budget: Listing your home with a discount real estate broker is one of the easiest ways to save money. Check out our top picks for low commission brokers, as well as companies to avoid.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? After hundreds of hours of research, we compiled a definitive ranking of the best low commission real estate companies. Compare savings, service quality, and pound-for-pound value to find the right option for you.
How to Negotiate Real Estate Commission: No matter what you’ve heard, real estate commission is always 100% negotiable. Learn proven tips and tricks for persuading your agent to sell your house for less than the typical 3% listing fee.
How to Sell Your House Without a Realtor: Want to sell your house without a realtor? This guide outlines the steps to selling without a realtor, pros and cons, and costs.
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