Assist-2-Sell is a discount brokerage known for advertising lower fees on real estate services for home buyers and sellers.
While the company has positive reviews on the whole, the savings and service quality can vary widely by location — and the listing fees aren't transparent on their website.
Assist-2-Sell may be a good option if you have a highly-rated franchise nearby and are comfortable vetting the agent yourself.
However, given the growing number of low commission real estate options available, we recommend comparing Assist-2-Sell with a few other competitors before making a decision.
💰 Get a better agent at a better rate: Compare agents from leading local brokerages who offer exclusive savings through the Clever Real Estate network. View agent profiles side-by-side to choose the best fit, and sell your house for just 1.5% — with no added fees or obligation to move forward.
Assist-2-Sell at a glance
🏢 Company type | Discount brokerage |
🏴 Active since | 1987 |
💲Listing fee | Varies by location |
💰 Buyer savings | None |
⭐ Average customer rating | 4.7 ⭐ (1,882 reviews) |
📍Availability | US: AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY Canada: ON, NB, NS |
Who Assist-2-Sell works best for
Assist-2-Sell is known for offering an affordable alternative to a traditional real estate brokerage, but it may not be the best fit for everyone.
Assist-2-Sell operates on a franchise model, meaning each office is independently owned and operated. Fees, services, and customer ratings vary by location. While some locations have excellent customer reviews, others receive poor ratings from past customers. And there are no guaranteed savings across the brand, so you'll need to contact your local office to verify their commission rate.
While there are other low commission brokers we'd recommend first, Assist-2-Sell may still be worth trying if your local franchise has particularly high customer ratings or you don’t have access to other discount brokers in your area.
Assist-2-Sell vs. competitors
Although Assist-2-Sell may be cheaper than traditional realtor fees, Assist-2-Sell doesn’t make those fees clear on its website — so you may need to sit through an agent's sales pitch before finding out their rate.
Depending on your location, you may find another company in your area offering more transparent savings and better service quality.
Companies like Clever Offers offer pre-negotiated commissions savings of up to 50% with top-rated agents across the country. Agents come from well-known real estate brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, as well as leading independent brokerages in your market. Ideal Agent and UpNest are also highly-rated companies that offer pre-negotiated savings for home sellers.
We recommend comparing several options to ensure you're getting the best combination of savings and expertise before making a decision.
Assist-2-Sell customer reviews
Site | Rating |
---|---|
Zillow | 5.0/5 (450 reviews) |
Yelp | 4/5 (23 reviews) |
Google (aggregate across ~200 franchises) | 4.7/5 (1,409 reviews) |
Weighted average | 4.7 (1,882 reviews) |
🟢 Primary positive themes
| 🟡 Areas for improvement:
|
Most customers were highly satisfied with their Assist-2-Sell experience.
Customers commonly mentioned the quality of their agents, indicating that agents are helpful, communicate well, and make selling or buying a home easy.
A few negative reviews focus on bad experiences with particular agents.
🔎 Methodology: How we write our reviews
When evaluating real estate companies, our process includes gathering all verifiable customer reviews from 3rd party sites such as BBB, Google, Consumer Affairs, TrustPilot, and Yelp.
In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we use AI to analyze customer sentiment across a total of 20 positive and negative themes related agent quality, service, communication, savings, integrity, and more.
🟢 Positive Themes | 🟡 Negative Themes |
---|---|
Sells Fast | Struggles to Sell |
Easy Process | Misrepresented Services |
Hands-on Support | Poor Communication |
Prompt Communication | Poor Marketing |
Market Expertise | Poor Pricing Advice |
Professional Service | Unprofessional Service |
Quality Marketing | Technical Issues |
Negotiation Skills | No Refunds |
Significant Savings | Misleading Pricing |
Integrity | Lack of Integrity |
To ensure an accurate depiction of the customer experience, we run every review through AI to check for mentions of each positive and negative theme. We then tally the mentions to calculate the percentage of all reviews that reflect a given theme. The positive and negative themes with the highest percentages of mentions are displayed, along with representative quotes pulled from actual customer reviews.
Themes that are mentioned in less than 2% of reviews are not considered representative of the typical customer experience and are automatically excluded. Therefore, companies with overwhelmingly positive reviews may not have any negative themes displayed, and vice-versa.
🟢 Positive themes from Assist-2-Sell reviews
Hands-on Support (52% of reviews). An impressive number of reviews mention the hands-on service provided by Assist-2-Sell agents. Customers specifically mention that agents are present "every step of the way" and provide support that extends beyond just the basic requirements of buying or selling a home.
- "She was present and supportive through the entire process - every step of the way - and continues to be a wonderful resource with whatever we need, even post-close."
- "Tim went above and beyond to ensure our home sale went exactly as we had hoped… His expertise, constant availability, and exceptional customer service set him apart."
- "Many times I needed help with other things related to the sale and even help with things after settlement and he was always there with the necessary answers."
- "Her team is terrific, helping us find, schedule and even negotiate with vendors needed for house upgrades."
- "If that wasn't enough, he did several repairs on our new home out of his own pocket."
Professional service (34% of reviews). The professionalism of Assist-2-Sell agents also stands out among reviewers. Reviews frequently highlight agents' friendliness, reliability, and ability to maintain professional composure while still being personable and approachable. There's particular emphasis on the combination of professional expertise with a patient, non-pushy approach that made clients feel comfortable throughout their transactions.
- "Not pushy, professional in every sense, detail oriented, and beyond courteous and prompt."
- "Marty has a great demeanor, he is not aggressive, and instead of trying to impose his will upon us, he presented us with ideas and options and let us choose the path we were most comfortable with."
- "She patiently, competently, and professionally led us through the initial stages of preparing the house for sale."
- "He was calm and professional, and didn't make the process feel frantic or pushy like some agents we had met before."
- "Lori's commitment to going above and beyond exceeded all expectations. What makes Lori stand out is not just her professionalism, but how truly kind she is."
- "Ed coffin was unbelievable patient never panicked we had ups and downs and he maintained himself as a constant professional"
Market expertise (33% of reviews). Customers also frequently praise Assist-2-Sell agents for their understanding of local markets, their ability to price homes correctly, and their capacity to provide valuable advice based on their experience. Reviews emphasize how this expertise translates to tangible benefits like better selling prices or finding the right home.
- "Her knowledge of the area and market is exceptional. She does her homework and will present you with comps that suggest the best price to sell your home."
- "Due to his hard work, knowledge and experience, we sold our home for tens of thousands more than we could have anticipated."
- "Reg and Craig have an unparalleled amount of knowledge of the real estate, development, and the governing laws in the mountain counties."
- "Within a day he provided a comprehensive sales analysis and potential savings upon sale of the house."
- "Her expertise of the real estate market and knowing how to quickly determine home values…helped to make our selling experience successful."
Prompt communication (32% of reviews). Prompt communication is another theme frequently mentioned in Assist-2-Sell reviews. Customers specifically highlight agents' proactive updates throughout the process and prompt responses to questions and concerns.
- "Every time I called or texted she responded immediately. She treats us with incredible respect and courtesy and is an EXCELLENT communicator."
- "She was super responsive even when she was busy! I'm pretty sure we emailed back and forth at 10:30 at night!"
- "They answer their phones in a timely manner - they actually pick up there phones at all hours. even on vacation."
- "She responded to all of our questions quickly and thoroughly - she always followed up when she said she would, kept us updated, and addressed things we didn't even know to ask."
- "Communication was always a priority and I knew as a seller I was in very good hands. Francine was exceptional with her communication through the sale of our home. From the start through the finish she responded immediately to any of my questions."
Easy process (27% of reviews). Customers also praise Assist-2-Sell for making what is typically a complex and stressful transaction feel simple and manageable. There's a strong emphasis on agents guiding customers from start to finish, handling any complications that arise, and making the buying and selling "easy," "seamless," and "stress-free."
- "We have sold three homes in our lives in three states and this was the easiest, most professional sale we've ever done."
- "She anticipated any potential road blocks in the process and helped us prepare for and eliminate them before they occurred."
- "Lisa worked tirelessly on my behalf, communicated every step of the way, and was proactive in getting ahead of issues to make the negotiation and close as seamless as possible."
- "Never sold a home before and she made life easy."
- "Buying or selling can be stressful at times but they are professional and keep things fun."
🟡 Assist-2-Sell complaints and areas for improvement
Unprofessional service (4% of reviews). A small subset of Assist-2-Sell customers raised concerns around a lack of professionalism from particular agents. The complaints center around rude behavior, poor communication, a lack of integrity, and condescending treatment.
- "The seller verbally abused us on multiple occasions and the agent did nothing to stop her."
- "They were incredibly rude and snarky on the phone."
- "They want to work the price up not to take care of the customers, but to take care of the agent."
- "Extremely unprofessional! Condescending, lacks integrity and has no ethics whatsoever."
- "She cancelled our introductory appointment TWICE! I guess you get what you pay for."
- "Failed to disclose a faulty septic system that was disclosed to her by a plumbing company
- "These are the rudest, most unprofessional people that I have ever come in contact with."
It's important to note that since Assist-2-Sell franchises are locally owned, inconsistent service isn’t entirely the company’s fault. Each franchise operates independently, so agent quality may vary depending on the location.
How Assist-2-Sell works
Assist-2-Sell offers full-service representation and brokerage services for buyers and sellers. However, because Assist-2-Sell offices operate as independent franchises, it’s important to review your local agent’s customer reviews to ensure that past customers received the level of support and guidance your desire throughout the transaction.
What to expect as a seller
Service offerings vary between locations. The main Assist-2-Sell website mentions the following listing packages, but it’s unclear how many offices offer them. Contact your local Assist-2-Sell office to verify the services it provides.
MLS for LessTM: This package offers roughly the same experience as selling with a traditional brokerage — but for a cheaper price. Assist-2-Sell posts your house on the local multiple listing service (MLS), and a dedicated agent oversees your entire transaction. While specifics may vary by location, with a full-service MLS package, you can typically expect the following services from your realtor:
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Pricing guidance
- Staging advice
- Professional photography
- Listing description and MLS listing
- For-sale sign and lockbox for buyer’s agents
- Guidance during due diligence (i.e., inspections, appraisals, financing)
- Help evaluating offers and negotiating terms
- Support through closing
Direct to BuyerTM: Assist-2-Sell attempts to find you a buyer who doesn't have a buyer’s agent. That way, you won't have to pay a buyer's agent commission (BAC), saving you an additional 2–3%. However, refusing to pay BAC can shrink your buyer pool by as much as 90%,[1] making it harder to sell quickly and for the best price.
Paperwork Only: You find a buyer, and then Assist-2-Sell acts as a transaction coordinator. It helps you draft a purchase agreement, complete legal documents, and arrange the pre-closing process. We recommend getting quotes from local real estate attorneys, who may provide the same services for less.
What to expect as a buyer
You can purchase a home with an Assist-2-Sell buyer’s agent, and they’ll provide full service like a traditional agent.
But Assist-2-Sell doesn’t offer any built-in savings for buyers.
In contrast, many of Assist-2-Sell’s competitors offer home buyer rebates. If you qualify, you may receive a portion of the buyer’s agent commission back as a credit or cash. These rebates can help offset closing costs and other up-front expenses you face when buying a home.
» Find out which company offers the best home buyer rebate
How much can I save with Assist-2-Sell?
Assist-2-Sell’s listing fee | 1–3% of home sale price |
Typical listing fee | 2.5–3% of home sale price |
Amount saved with Assist-2-Sell | 0–2% of home sale price |
Each local office sets its own listing fee. After reviewing several franchise locations, we determined that most offices charge 1–2.5%, which is reasonable.
That said, the savings aren’t guaranteed. The best discount real estate brands, like Clever and Redfin, guarantee listing fee savings no matter which agent you work with. With Assist-2-Sell, each agent sets their own commission structure — there’s no universal standard.
💰 Want to pay less in realtor fees? Use our free agent finding tool to connect with local realtors who charge a 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate). Fill out a short form, and compare agent matches from your inbox.
Assist-2-Sell news and updates
Along with longtime competitor Help-U-Sell, Assist-2-Sell pioneered the discount real estate brokerage model.[2] These companies believed that if they advertised low fees, they'd attract enough customers to turn a profit despite earning less money on each sale.[3]
Assist-2-Sell launched in 1987 with a single office.[4] By 2006, it had 630 franchise locations across 46 states and Canada.[5]
However, Assist-2-Sell hemorrhaged locations following the collapse of the US housing market and has struggled to compete with tech-forward discount brands like Redfin.[6]
Bottom line: Should I use Assist-2-Sell?
Most people will find better value with a different discount broker than Assist-2-Sell.
We recommend using Assist-2-Sell only if:
- None of the top national discount brokers are available near you
- Your local Assist-2-Sell agent has up-front pricing, high customer ratings, and a solid track record of home sales in your area
- You already know and like the agent in your area
No matter which broker you choose, we advise comparing multiple agents to ensure you find the best fit.
Methodology
The Real Estate Witch team evaluated Assist-2-Sell on various factors, including savings, customer service, online reviews, agent quality, and how it compares to the competition. Our mission is to empower you to make an informed decision about whether Assist-2-Sell is right for your next real estate transaction.
Our low-commission real estate brokerage rankings are based on three key criteria:
- Cost and savings. We compared Assist-2-Sell’s pricing model to top competitors and average prices across the US, including the average listing fee, minimum fees, and any buyer incentives offered.
- Customer service. We performed an in-depth analysis of Assist-2-Sell’s customer reviews across review sites. We broke down the sentiment of reviews, looking at themes around agent responsiveness, expertise, and meeting customer expectations.
- Ease of use. We evaluated how efficient it is for customers to find, compare, and select an agent through Assist-2-Sell, evaluating their agent network size, technical platforms, communication methods, and post-transaction support.
Related reading
If you’re considering Assist-2-Sell pros and cons, it’s important to compare all of your discount broker options. We recommend reading the following resources to learn about other ways to save.
Discount Real Estate Brokers and Agents: Everything You Need to Know: Curious about how discount brokers like Assist-2-Sell work? Learn more about how these companies create savings, how they’re different from traditional realtors, and how to decide which service is best for you.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? Assist-2-Sell offices typically provide solid savings for home sellers, but other discount services charge even less. Find out which company offers the lowest real estate commission fees.
How to Sell a House Without a Realtor: If you’re an experienced home seller, you can maximize your savings by listing your house "for sale by owner" (FSBO). Want to learn more? Read our comprehensive guide on how to sell a home without a realtor.