Published
-
Written by
-
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Top 4.5% commission companies | How a 4.5% real estate commission works | How much can I save? | Find 4.5% commission realtors near me
One of the biggest costs of selling your home is the real estate commission, which is usually 6% of your final sale price. The good news is that there are more ways than ever to save on realtor fees. Finding an agent who charges a 4.5% real estate commission (or less!) is one of the best ways to keep more money in your pocket.
A 4.5% commission rate might not seem like a huge discount, but the savings add up quickly. If your home sells for $500,000, you’d walk away from the closing table with an extra $7,500!
The best 4.5% commission real estate brokerages offer low rates without any service tradeoffs. They’re a great fit for home sellers who want to save on realtor fees without sacrificing the hands-on support of a traditional agent. Keep reading for an in-depth look at our top picks.
👉 More sections: Companies to avoid | 4.5% commission calculator | FAQs | Methodology
The best 4.5% commission companies
| 4.5% commission company | Average rating |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Clever Real Estate | 4.9 (1,995 reviews) |
| 🥈 Redfin | 3.7 (301 reviews) |
| 🥉 SimpleShowing | 4.9 (335 reviews) |
Choosing the best 4.5% commission real estate company for you means finding one with experienced agents, excellent service, and, of course, low rates. We researched dozens of discount brokerages to help you find the right fit for your home sale.
🏆 1. Clever Real Estate
National
- Listing Fee: 1.5%
- 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 nationwide.
The best low commission real estate company for most home sellers is Clever Real Estate. It offers a full-service, top-of-the-line sale experience for a total commission of 4.5% — or even lower — depending on your home’s final sale price and the average buyer’s agent commission in your area.
Clever offers a free nationwide service that connects you with top-rated realtors in your local market, including agents at trusted brokerages like Keller Williams and Century 21. Clever also pre-negotiates a low 1.5% listing fee for you — compared to the 2.5-3% rate that most agents charge.
Finding an agent with Clever is a win-win; you get to work with a top-selling agent with a proven track record and save thousands in commission fees. Contact our friends at Clever to get started!
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 $5,550 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.
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 100+ U.S. markets, giving it near-nationwide coverage.
Redfin is one of the biggest discount real estate brokerages in the U.S. It advertises a low 1.5% listing commission, which drops to 1% if you also buy with the company. You’ll still be advised to offer the typical 3% buyer’s agent commission, which brings your total commission on the sale to about 4.5%.
How does Redfin do it? It uses a team-based service model where you’ll work with a variety of specialists throughout your selling experience.
This is a big change from the traditional model of one agent who shepherds a sale from start to finish. Redfin’s model works out great for many sellers, but negative customer reviews say it lacks a human element.
Redfin’s service model can also lead to some hiccups, particularly if you have a complicated selling situation. The most common complaint from Redfin sellers is a lack of communication. Put simply, the more people you have handling your sale, the more opportunities there are for mistakes and oversights.
3. SimpleShowing
Regional
- Listing fee: 1% (min. $3,500)
- Limited service area
- Full service, few trade-offs
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 regional discount real estate brokerage available to home buyers and sellers in select Florida, Georgia, and Texas markets.
This company offers a 1% listing fee for sellers, with a minimum fee of $3,500. That means your total commission should be around 4% if you offer a typical buyer’s agent commission.
While their 1% listing fee is competitive, SimpleShowing agents handle up to 5x as many customers as a typical realtor, and your choice of agents is limited. If hands-on service is a priority, we recommend comparing SimpleShowing with other 4.5% commission agents in your area to find the best fit for your individual situation.
4. Reali
California Only
- Listing Fee: 1% (min. $5,000)
- Limited Agent Selection
- Premium Marketing
Sellers save an average of $6,375 when they list with Reali, 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.
Reali has a 4.6 out of 5 rating (678 reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Trustpilot, and Zillow.
Reali is currently only available in California markets.
Reali is a California-based discount real estate company that offers several different home selling packages, with listing fees as low as 1%.
Sellers pay a total commission between 4% and 5.5%, depending on what package they choose.
Unfortunately, Reali isn’t currently available outside California. And, its pricing structure means you’ll have to do some math to figure out if you’re getting a good deal.
For example, if you’re selling a lower-priced home, Reali’s $5,000 minimum fee simply doesn’t represent much of a discount over the standard listing fees most conventional agents charge.
5. Prevu
Regional
- Listing fee: 1.5% (min. fees vary)
- Regional coverage
- Premium services
Sellers save an average of $2,450 when they list with Prevu, 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.
Prevu has a 5.0 out of 5 rating (449 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google and Yelp.
Prevu is available in the following areas: CA, CT, MA, NY, PA.
Prevu is a 4.5% real estate commission company that offers savings for home sellers and buyers in a few major cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Unlike many of its competitors, Prevu focuses more on creating value for buyers rather than sellers. Buyers who work with Prevu can qualify for a very substantial rebate of up to 2% of the purchase price.
Prevu does offer reduced listing commission for sellers, too — 1.5% for qualifying sellers. This puts it in line with larger competitors like Redfin.
Dig a little deeper, though, and there are some drawbacks.
Prevu’s minimum fees are a lot higher than most of the other 4.5% commission companies on this list. This means the advertised savings only kick in if you’re buying or selling a high-priced home.
6. Ideal Agent
National
- Listing Fee: 2% (min. $3,000)
- One Agent Match
- Great Agents, Less Savings
Sellers save an average of $3,750 when they list with Ideal Agent, 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.
Ideal Agent has a 4.9 out of 5 rating (5,842 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google and Trustpilot.
Ideal Agent is available to sellers nationwide.
Ideal Agent is a free, nationwide service that introduces home sellers to experienced realtors at traditional brokerages. Like Clever, it creates savings by negotiating discounted listing fees with local agents.
Ideal Agent charges a 2% listing fee, so it’s a bit less affordable than the other companies on this list. Altogether, selling with Ideal Agent will cost you 4.5–5%, depending on how much you offer the buyer’s agent.
4.5% commission brokerages to avoid
Our top discount brokerage picks offer low rates with few, if any, service quality tradeoffs. Unfortunately, some 4.5% real estate commission companies compensate for their lower rates by compromising on hands-on service and personalized support. Based on our research and customer reviews, we recommend avoiding the companies below.
🚫 Door.com
Door.com is a Texas company that trades a 4.5% real estate commission for an entirely online home selling experience. While your agent (and various support specialists) will be available via phone, text, email, and Door’s online portal, you’ll never actually meet them face-to-face. All of the discount companies on our top picks list above offer better service than Door.com for lower rates.
🚫 Faira Real Estate
Faira Real Estate promises a home selling experience that’s as easy as listing your old tennis shoes on eBay. However, customer reviews warn that hidden service fees and a complicated listing platform make Faira a poor option for sellers looking to save on commission.
How can I find 4.5% commission realtors near me?
Want to find all the low commission brokerages near you? Select your state in the table below to see what companies in your area charge a 4.5% real estate commission (or less!). Click on a company name to read our in-depth review and see what real customers have to say!
| Company | Avg. Savings | |
|---|---|---|
| Clever Real Estate | $5,625 | 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 | $5,550 | 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 | $6,375 | Florida, Georgia, Texas |
| Reali | $6,375 | California |
| Prevu | $2,450 | California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania |
| Ideal Agent | $3,750 | 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 |
How does a 4.5% real estate commission work?
Companies that offer a 4.5% real estate commission rate typically get there by cutting the listing agent’s fee in half.
| 4.5% Commission | Fee |
|---|---|
| Listing Agent Commission | 1.5% |
| Buyer's Agent Commission | 3% |
| Total Commission | 4.5% |
In a conventional real estate transaction, your listing agent and the buyer’s agent split a commission that’s equivalent to about 6% of your home’s final selling price.
Your listing agent makes that 3% for the heavy lifting they do to sell your home. This includes everything from home staging to marketing to negotiating a final price.
You also offer a 3% commission to the buyer’s agent as a kind of financial bounty for bringing their clients to your home. Buyer’s agents don’t typically earn a salary — their earnings come from these commissions.
If you reduce or eliminate that 3% buyer’s commission, odds are that most buyer’s agents will simply steer their clients away from your property.
How much can I save with a 4.5% commission?
| Price Point | 4.5% Commission | Savings* |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $4,500 | $1,500 |
| $250,000 | $11,250 | $3,750 |
| $500,000 | $22,500 | $7,500 |
| $750,000 | $33,750 | $12,250 |
The difference between a 6% and 4.5% commission sounds small. But as the table above shows, it may translate to thousands — even tens of thousands — of dollars in savings.
To see how much you can save, enter your home’s estimated sale price into the 4.5% real estate commission calculator below.
4.5% real estate commission calculator
Ready to sell your home for less?
When it comes down to it, the best commission rate — whether it’s 4.5% or 6% — is one that provides maximum benefits to all the parties involved.
That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what a “fair” commission is. Each sale is unique, and each seller has different needs.
That being said, we think it’s hard to beat the Clever Real Estate package: a low listing fee of 1.5%, which will save you thousands compared to the 2.5-3% listing fee that most realtors charge.
You’ll also work with a pre-vetted agent who provides a full-service experience at a fraction of the cost. Interested in learning more? Contact Clever today to get started!
FAQs about 4.5% commission agents and companies
What are the best 4.5% commission real estate companies?
The best 4.5% commission real estate companies include Clever Real Estate, SimpleShowing, and Redfin. These discount services offer the hands-on service and support you expect from a traditional realtor, but charge a total commission rate of just 4.5% — or less! See the full list of the top 4.5% commission brokerages!
Are there any 4.5% commission realtors near me?
Yes! Several 4.5% commission companies, including Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent, have agents available nationwide. Depending on where you're located, you may have even more options. Click here to find 4.5% commission realtors near you!
Methodology
Since most companies charge minimum commission fees on homes below a certain price point, we calculated average savings based on what you’d pay across four common price points — $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
Ready to learn everything there is to know about real estate commissions? Read these articles that answer many frequently-asked questions about the process.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? When you’re looking to save on commission, it pays to shop around. We’ve ranked and reviewed all the best low commission real estate companies so you can find what service offers the cheapest rates — and best dollar-for-dollar value — in your area.
The Best Discount Real Estate Broker for Every Budget: You’ve probably heard the expression, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Does that apply to discount brokers offering huge discounts, or is there some truth to their claims? Read on for a straight answer.
1% Listing Fees — Huge Savings, or a Huge Scam? A 1% listing fee sounds impossibly low, but it’s not — if you understand the math of how they get to that 1%. We explain what you should know in this article — and provide a complete list of the best 1% commission real estate companies.
How to Negotiate Your Real Estate Commission and Save Big: Negotiating with a professional negotiator is a big ask, but it can be done. This definitive guide tells you exactly how to come away from the negotiating table as a big winner.
Leave a Reply