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Written by Hannah Warrick
If you’re looking to sell a house and save on realtor commission fees in Chicago, Illinois, we recommend hiring a discount real estate brokerage. A good discount real estate broker provides the same general services and support as a traditional real estate agent but for a fraction of the price.
| Company | Our Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏅 Best overall
Clever Real Estate |
Excellent
|
1.5% ($3,000 min.)
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
Redfin Chicago |
Very good
|
1.5% ($4,000 min.)
|
Multi-state
|
Learn More |
Lucid Realty |
Very good
|
1–2.5%
|
Local
|
Learn More |
Lincoln-Way Realty |
Very good
|
$2,500
|
Multi-state
|
Learn More |
Chicagoland Top Discount Real Estate Brokers |
Very good
|
1% ($3,328 min.)
|
Local
|
Learn More |
The Real Estate Witch Team evaluated 26 discount real estate brokers in the Chicago, Illinois, area based on a variety of key factors, including fee structures, customer reviews, sales performance, and more. Our guide will help you choose the right brand to fit your budget and desired level of service.
⚡️ In a hurry? Find top discount realtors near you now.
Top full-service discount real estate brokers in Chicago, IL
Upfront Fee
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Our take: Clever is our top pick in Chicago, IL, for home sellers looking to save on realtor commission without sacrificing service.
What we like: Clever gets you discounted rates (up to 50%) from non-discount realtors. Plus Clever’s matching service is highly rated and free to use with no obligation.
How it works: Clever matches you with top local realtors from major brokerages like RE/MAX and Compass. You compare options to find the best fit and get the special 1.5% listing fee (same as Redfin) no matter who you choose.
Pros
- Sell with a traditional agent from a name-brand brokerage (not a discount agent)
- Agents work for up to 50% off their typical rate when you go through Clever
- Most agent selection by far — choose from several top Chicago-area realtors
Cons
- No guarantee you’ll be able to work with a specific agent or brokerage you have in mind
- Add-ons like professional staging, drone photos, and 3D tours may cost extra (agents will break down what’s included during their listing presentation)
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 min.) at closing
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
Total reviews nationwide:
| Weighted avg. | 5.0 | 3,055 |
| Trustpilot | 5.0 | 2,755 |
| 4.8 | 300 |
Total reviews from Illinois:
| Weighted avg. | 4.9 | 138 |
| Trustpilot | 4.9 | 136 |
| 5.0 | 2 |
Website: listwithclever.com
Phone: 1-833-225-3837
Hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. CST, 7 days a week
Address: 4625 Lindell Blvd, 2nd FL, St. Louis, MO 63108
Upfront Fee
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
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Pricing
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Contact
Our take: Redfin’s discount real estate service offers a decent value overall for most home sellers in Chicago.
What we like: Redfin’s 1.5% listing fees can net you solid savings, and you can get an additional 0.5% listing fee savings if you sell and buy with Redfin within 12 months. Redfin is also a large, well-established brand with more discount realtors to choose from than other local discount real estate brokers.
Things to watch out for: Redfin’s tech-centric and team-based approach to selling isn’t for everyone. Redfin conducts most of the process remotely, and you work with a Lead Agent and a back-office team. Redfin also has a minimum $4,000 fee in Chicago. So if your home is below $265,000, you’ll pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Solid listing fee savings
- Established brand and decent agent selection
- Tech-forward approach may appeal to some sellers
Cons
- Higher minimum fee vs. other Chicago options
- High-volume, team-centric approach may not be for everyone
- Less agent selection than Clever
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($4,000 min. in Chicago) at closing
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
- 0.5% listing fee refund if you also buy with Redfin within 12 months
*Not enough data available at this time
Website: redfin.com
Phone: 1-844-759-7732
Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. CST, 7 days a week
Address: 112 S. Sangamon, #400, Chicago, IL 60607
Areas served: Avondale, Bridgeport, Bucktown, Chicago, Far North Side, Glenbrook Countryside, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, North Side, Northwest Side, North Wheaton, Pilsen, Roscoe Village, South Loop, South Side, Southwest Side, West Loop, West Side, West Town, and more
Upfront Fee
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Our take: Lucid Realty offers discounted realtor commissions for Chicago sellers, but its fee structure is more favorable sellers with higher-priced homes.
What we like: This discount real estate broker’s 1–2.5% listing commission gives Chicago residents a chance to save significantly on listing fees. The broker has over 15 years of experience working in the area and advertises realtor-led open houses, HD photography, and email marketing.
Things to watch out for: Lucid Realty’s pricing structure benefits sellers with more expensive properties — luxury homes receive the lowest listing fee (1%) while moderately-priced homes sell at a 2.5% rate. To learn if your home qualifies for the 1% rate, you should contact the broker directly.
Pros
- Save on listing fees with a 1-2.5% selling commission.
- Work with a local team that has 15+ years of experience in Chicago
- Benefit from realtor-led open houses, HD photography, and email marketing
Cons
- Only higher-priced homes receive the 1% listing commission (contact the brokerage directly to see if your home qualifies)
Fee structure
- 1–2.5% listing fee at closing
- 2.5% buyer’s agent commission at closing
Website: lucidrealty.com
Phone: 1-877-582-4399
Address: 444 W Lake St, Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
Areas served: Addison, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, and Oak Brook
Upfront Fee
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
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Contact
Our take: Lincoln-Way Realty gives Chicago residents a chance to sell their home for less with a full-service flat fee real estate brokerage, but it isn’t the best choice for investors looking to sell their real estate properties.
What we like: The $2,500 flat fee at Lincoln-Way is significantly lower than most percentage-based listing fees. The broker’s service package includes an in-home consultation, yard signs and lock boxes, and professional photography for the $2,500 listing fee.
Things to watch out for: The flat fee discount only applies to sellers who are listing primary residences. If you’re looking to sell a second home or investment property, you may have to pay traditional broker fees with Lincoln-Way Realty.
Pros
- The $2,500 flat fee could save you thousands of dollars on realtor commissions
- In-home consultations, yard signs, and lock boxes included with listings
- Professional photography provided
Cons
- Flat fee pricing only applies to primary residences
- Fewer discount real estate agents to choose from than larger national brands
Fee structure
- $2,500 listing fee at closing
- 2.5% buyer’s agent commission at closing
Website: lincolnwayrealty.com
Phone: (708) 479-6355
Address: 11104 Front St, Unit 2E, Mokena, IL 60448
Areas served: Chicago Metro and Northwest Indiana
Upfront Fee
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Our take: Chicagoland Top Discount Real Estate Brokers offers great potential for savings with a low 1% listing fee. However, its limited service offerings and lack of transparency could pose a challenge to some sellers.
What we like: The company boasts a low 1% listing fee, which is significantly lower than the industry’s typical 2.5–3% listing commission. Also, since this company is local to the Chicago area, it may have more market knowledge than other discount real estate companies.
Things to watch out for: Aside from an MLS listing and photography package, it’s unclear what other services are included. This could be problematic for sellers who need comprehensive support throughout their selling process.
Pros
- Low 1% listing fee
- Local market understanding of the Chicagoland area
Cons
- Lack of transparency about what’s included in the service
- Limited transaction history and review data in Illinois
Fee structure
- 1% listing fee ($3,328 min.) at closing
- 2% buyer’s agent commission at closing
*Not enough data available at this time
Website: chicagolandtopdiscountrealestatebrokers.com
Phone: (773) 987-8224
Address: 5151 N Harlem Ave, Ste 201, Chicago IL 60656
Areas served: Chicagoland area
Other discount real estate brokerages in Chicago, IL
Assist-2-Sell, a well-established discount real estate franchise and flat fee MLS company, has experienced a decline in recent years. While local offices typically offer full-service and tiered, flat fee pricing options, the specific details may vary. We didn’t include Assist-2-Sell in our Chicago list because we couldn’t find any data about the company in the area. There was no available information regarding pricing, recent transactions, or customer reviews to confirm the company’s current local activity.
Discount Realtor is a real estate referral service that matches you with a discount realtor in the Chicago area. Its real estate agents either offer discount commission or a flat fee listing on the local MLS. We left it off our Chicago list because we couldn’t verify pricing details or find any reviews or transactions for this company.
» MORE: Compare all full-service discount real estate brokers in Illinois.
Limited-service and flat fee MLS Chicago brokers
Sellers who have more experience in real estate may be interested in using limited-service or flat fee MLS companies. These brokerages offer less support but for a lower fee than full-service discount realtors.
| Company | Our Rating | Listing Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best for sellers wanting affordable realtor support
Circle One Realty |
357 reviews
|
$295–645
|
Learn More |
Unreal Estate |
100+ reviews
|
$0–599 upfront + 0.5% at closing
Use code “Clever” to save
|
Learn More |
Prello Realty |
41 reviews
|
$295–795
|
Learn More |
» MORE: Compare all flat fee MLS services in Illinois.
Next steps: Start interviewing real estate agents
Related articles
Average Real Estate Commission in Illinois: Knowing the standard commission rate in your area can help you avoid overpaying for a realtor and accurately estimate costs when you sell your home.
Illinois Seller Closing Costs and More: Read this guide for a complete breakdown of the costs of selling a house in Illinois, including tips on how to save on your sale.
How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Illinois: Selling your home without a realtor means you won’t have to pay a listing commission, but do the positives outweigh the negatives? Read this guide to find out if FSBO in Chicago is right for you.
How to Negotiate Realtor Commissions: Negotiating real estate fees centers on knowing the market and your situation, then using that info while talking to multiple agents.
How to Choose the Right Realtor to Sell Your House: When selling a home in today’s market, choosing the right listing agent is key. Most people hire the first traditional agent they interview — here’s a better approach.
Why trust us
Data sources
Our Research Team gathered 56 discrete pricing and service models to create our initial list of Chicago, IL, discount real estate brokerages. We then compiled and analyzed a further 1,048,506 publicly available data points tied to past transactions, customer reviews, licensing info, and more to categorize each service and create our final list and rankings.
Methodology
The Real Estate Witch Team used public business directories to identify every company in the greater Chicago region calling itself a discount real estate broker or agent. We then filtered that list down and ranked the top Chicago options based on the following criteria:
- Service level: We only included and rated full-service discount realtors and brokerages to start, which we think are the best option for most home sellers. These companies offer the same key services you’d expect from a traditional realtor, including in-person representation and end-to-end support.
- Pricing: We assessed each company’s fee structure and cross-referenced it with the service model to determine who was offering (a) the best overall value — price vs. service — and (b) the fewest unfavorable pricing terms, like high minimums, nonrefundable upfront fees, or other hidden costs.
- Customer reviews: We evaluated all verifiable customer reviews for each service. We considered not only the total review counts, average customer ratings, and key positive and negative themes, but we also assessed factors like how recent and relevant the reviews were to customers making hiring decisions right now.
- Sales activity: We looked at available data about past transactions to gauge sales performance and activity level.
Editorial policy
Credible, primary sources power our pages. When you hire a service through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. But this doesn’t influence our advice or ranking methodology. Learn more about Real Estate Witch here.
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