Assist-2-Sell Reviews (2024)

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  Written by Jessica Johansen

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  Edited by Ashley Simon

Main takeaway: Assist-2-Sell is a discount brokerage known for advertising lower real estate fees. But its locally-owned franchise locations don’t always offer great savings, and the company lacks transparency around services and pricing. For these reasons, it isn’t one of our top low-commission real estate companies.

We docked Assist-2-Sell over its inconsistent savings and lack of pricing transparency. But we also acknowledged its mostly positive customer reviews and full-service offerings.

In this review, we cover Assist-2-Sell’s savings, process for buyers and sellers, and customer reviews. We also compare Assist-2-Sell against top competitors, so you can see if you can get a better agent and bigger savings elsewhere.

Savings | Services | Customer reviews | Assist-2-Sell vs. the competition | How Assist-2-Sell works | News | Bottom line: Should you use Assist-2-Sell?

How much can I save with Assist-2-Sell?

Each local office sets its own listing fee. After reviewing several franchise locations, we determined that most offices charge 1–2.5%.

Some customers were happy with their savings through Assist-2-Sell:

Assist to Sell saved us a great deal of money and they did all the work. I would highly recommend using them.”

— Heidi S., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★

Very pleased with the service we received from Assist2Sell. [The agents] saved us a ton of money and were extremely helpful.”

— Anthony T., Feb. 2024, Google, ★★★★★

But we also noticed a few red flags as we researched the company’s pricing:

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.

The company isn’t transparent about pricing, and it sometimes makes deliberately misleading claims about savings. Most of the websites we analyzed made it difficult to find pricing information. Many Assist-2-Sell locations advertise that they’ll sell your home for as low as $2,995 — but this is likely a minimum fee, meaning most sellers will pay a percentage-based fee closer to market value.

Some advertised savings require forgoing the buyer’s agent commission (which is only apparent when reading the fine print). Offering a competitive buyer’s agent commission is how buyer’s agents are incentivized to show your home to potential buyers. Forgoing this fee can cause your home to sit on the market or sell for less than market value. Note: It’s currently standard practice for sellers to pay buyer’s agent fees, but this may be changing soon. Read more about the NAR lawsuit.

If you’re looking for savings, you’re probably better off with a company that has transparent, consistent pricing.

💰 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.

Service breakdown

Exact services vary by location, but you can generally expect the following services:

• 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

If there’s something specific you want — like open house hosting or a 3D house tour — verify in advance that your agent provides that service. It’s also important to review your local agent’s customer reviews to ensure that past customers received support and guidance throughout the transaction.

Assist-2-Sell reviews: What customers are saying

Most customers were satisfied with their Assist-2-Sell experience.

The company has an average rating of 4.8/5 from over 10,000 reviews. Assist-2-Sell is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.

We looked at reviews for Assist-2-Sell offices across the country, specifically reviews within the last year.

Customers commonly mentioned the quality of their agent. They said their agent was helpful, communicated well, and made the process of selling or buying a home easy.

Most negative reviews focus on bad experiences with particular agents. Some customers went so far as to say the discounts weren’t worth it and their agent’s irresponsibility cost them a lot of money.

Here’s a breakdown of the positive and negative themes, along with some actual customer reviews.

✅ Potential realtor commission savings

Many sellers list with Assist-2-Sell for its low fees. Although pricing varies between franchise locations, a consistent theme among positive Assist-2-Sell reviews is that the potential savings are genuine.

These reviewers mentioned saving thousands of dollars through Assist-2-Sell:

[My agents] were great to work with and saved me over 7,700.“

— Sandra F., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★

Assist 2 Sell was recommended to me by a friend to sell my parents condo in Greenfield. Our family could not be happier with our experience. [My agents] were wonderful to work with, responded immediately to all of our questions and went above and beyond in making the process easy. The condo sold for the asking price, we went from listing to closing in less than 30 days and their very reasonable fee saved us thousands of dollars.“

— Walt, Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★

✅ Smooth, easy transactions

Customers often mentioned transactions that went smoothly because of their agent’s dedicated support.

Some offices may not provide a single dedicated agent, but many reviewers talked about having one or two agents who helped them through the entire process.

[My Assist-2-Sell agent] made the entire process of selling my mom’s condo so easy. He handled everything and answered all of my many, many questions. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

— Barbara H., Jan. 2024, Google, ★★★★★

I Normally don’t do reviews but had to say the [agent] from the first time I met him to the end of the selling process went so smoothly and had no hiccups in between this process. Had someone else offer but with [my Assist-2-Sell agent], explained to me completely how it works and even adjusted contract to make it better for us. … Was a great experience working with this company!!”

—Rich A., Mar. 2024, Google, ★★★★★

✅ Good communication

We came across many reviews that highlight good communication from Assist-2-Sell agents.

Prompt communication is an essential part of a real estate transaction. Delayed responses from an agent can cause you to lose out on great offers and homes.

A good real estate agent is available by phone during business hours, replies to texts and emails within 1–2 hours, and proactively updates you on next steps and what you need to do.

These reviewers appreciated that their agent responded promptly and kept them in the loop.

We’ve been looking for over a year for the perfect place and have dealt with many real estate agents. We met [our agent] and right off the bat we knew she was a reliable and friendly realtor. Not only did she find us our new home but she made everything easy! She always got back to us when we texted or called with any questions and did it in a friendly manner! Moving is stressful for so many reasons but she honestly did her part to make it easier. We highly recommend this company and her!”

—Lisa P., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★

[My agent] was a pleasure to work with when purchasing our home. He was very knowledgeable and provided insight regarding things we could have overlooked. He was also very honest and straightforward with us. He has great communication and kept us up to date every step of the way. It all went seamlessly and couldn’t have been any easier.”

—Scooper020, Mar. 2024, Zillow, ★★★★★

✅ Helpful agents

Assist-2-Sell’s business model relies on agents handling a high volume of clients, so some of its realtors may be overextended. But many agents are still able to provide full-service support throughout the process.

Positive reviews frequently name specific realtors. They mention their hard work, patience, market knowledge, and the ways they went above and beyond to ensure a good outcome.

[This agent] is absolutely awesome! We checked out another realtor before we chose [our agent]. We made the right decision when we picked [him]. We moved to NC when the home was listed, and he helped us find people in the area to fix some minor things before the sale. He even took care of some things himself. Can’t say enough good things about him. … He’s passionate about what he does, and he’s extremely dedicated to the people he lists for. We couldn’t have had a better realtor! I’d give 10 stars if I could.”

— Diana C., Aug. 2023, Google, ★★★★★

[My agent] is the ONLY Realtor I will use! [She] has been an agent for my wife and I for the sale of two homes and the purchase of another. 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. I trust her to sell any home I will ever list. My wife and I are very grateful for her roles she has played in our selling and purchasing experiences.”

— Craig W., Mar. 2024, Google, ★★★★★

❌ Some poor-quality agents

Assist-2-Sell has relatively few negative reviews, but a lot of the negative ones mention bad realtors.

Worst realtor I have ever seen in action. He will not have your back as a seller. Not worth any discount you might get, and you will get taken advantage of. Look you right in the eyes and lie, telling you anything you want to hear so he can get your business. He cares about money in his pocket and does not care who he takes advantage of.”

— Eighmy D., Spring 2023, Google, ★

[This agent] is extremely judgmental and disrespectful. Do not do business with them.”

— Sydney F., Spring 2023, Google, ★

Absolute circus dealing with the agent. Screwed up counter offers, didn’t share signed docs, cost tens of thousands in miscommunication and put me in a very bad position several times. Run from this agent!

— Jon S., Sept. 2023, Google, ★

The company doesn’t seem to have any vetting standards for agents besides requiring them to have an active real estate license and NAR (National Association of Realtors) membership.

If you’re considering hiring an Assist-2-Sell realtor, we recommend vetting the agent yourself before signing a contract. Search for the agent on Zillow and Google, and check for recent transactions in your area and customer reviews.

» MORE: How to find the right agent

Some discount brokers, like Clever and Ideal Agent, screen agents for you. Every Clever agent has five or more years of experience and high customer ratings. And Ideal Agent only works with agents who are in the top 1% of their local market in terms of transaction volume.

Assist-2-Sell vs. the competition

Assist-2-Sell may be cheaper than a traditional realtor, but its fees are relatively middle-of-the-pack compared to other low-commission real estate companies.

Depending on your situation and priorities, you may find another company in your area that offers a better combination of savings and service quality.

How Assist-2-Sell works

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 Less^TM: 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),^ℹThe MLS is a database where realtors advertise the properties they’re selling. and a dedicated agent oversees your entire transaction.

• Direct to Buyer^TM: Assist-2-Sell attempts to find you a buyer who doesn’t have a realtor. That way, you won’t have to offer buyer’s agent commission (BAC), saving you an additional 2.5–3%. But refusing to offer BAC can shrink your buyer pool by as much as 90%,¹ which can make it harder to sell quickly and for the best price.

• Paperwork Only: You find a buyer, 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

Assist-2-Sell news and history

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.

Related articles

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.

Methodology

The Real Estate Witch team evaluated Assist-2-Sell on a variety of 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.

Sources

1. National Association of Realtors, “Quick Real Estate Statistics,” Mar. 21, 2024. ↩︎
2. Help-U-Sell, “About Help-U-Sell Real Estate,” accessed Mar. 28, 2024. ↩︎
3. Assist-2-Sell, “Our Story,” accessed Mar. 28, 2024. ↩︎
4. Naples Daily News (FL), “Helping hands: Discount real estate firms boast of lower commissions or flat fees for their services,” Jan. 16, 2005. ↩︎
5. Stefan Swanepoel, Swanepoel Trends Report 2007: Top 10 Real Estate Trends, 2006, p. 115. ↩︎
6. Entrepreneur, “Assist-2-Sell,” accessed Mar. 28, 2024. ↩︎