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Edited by Josiah Wilmoth
Written by Ashley Simon
Edited by Josiah Wilmoth
👉 Sections: The best flat fee real estate brokers | Find flat fee brands near me | Is a flat fee agent right for me? | How to choose | How flat listing fees work | FAQs
Hiring a flat fee real estate broker can be a good way to save money when you sell your home. Paying your agent a fixed listing fee often costs thousands less than the standard 2.5-3% commission rate most realtors charge — and the higher your home’s sale price, the more money you could save.
But only a few flat fee brokers are actually worth considering. These full service brands offer a similar range of services and support as traditional agents.
Our top picks: Clever and Houwzer
| Company | Listing fee* | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Clever Real Estate | $3,000 or 1.5% | Nationwide |
| Houwzer | $5,000 | FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA, DC |
Other flat fee companies are not a great option for most sellers. These companies also advertise themselves as full service — but in reality, they come with costly trade-offs in terms of agent support that limit their overall value. Most people will be better off choosing another discount brand.
Sellers should also avoid flat fee MLS companies that advertise unbelievably low prices, such as a few hundred dollars or less. These brokerages charge a low price to put your home listing on the MLS, but their agent service is subpar or nonexistent. Flat fee MLS companies are only a good option if you’re comfortable selling without an agent.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours reviewing the best flat fee real estate companies and brokers to find the ones that offer the best combination of savings and service. Read on to learn about the top brands near you and how to find the best flat fee realtor for your situation and needs.
👋 P.S. Just looking for flat fee real estate agents near you? Find them here!
The 5 best flat fee real estate companies of 2022
| Company | Listing fee* | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Clever Real Estate | $3,000 or 1.5% | Nationwide |
| 🥈 Houwzer | $5,000 | FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA, DC |
| 🥉 Homie | $3,500 | AZ, CO, ID, NV, UT |
| 4. Help-U-Sell | $2,950-7,950 | AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MI, MN, MO, NV, NC, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA |
| 5. Assist-2-Sell | $2,995-8,995 | Nationwide (select markets) |
1. Clever Real Estate
🏆 Best Overall
- Listing fee: $3,000 or 1.5%
- Available nationwide
- Full service, zero tradeoffs
Clever Real Estate is our top pick because it delivers the best combination of savings and service of any low commission company we’ve reviewed. When you sell, you’ll get a flat $3,000 listing fee — or 1.5% for homes above $200,000 — from a top agent from full-service brokerages like Keller Williams and Century 21, saving you thousands when you sell your home.
Try Clever’s free, no-obligation agent matching service today!
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 Real Estate is our top pick for most home sellers who are looking to save on real estate commission. You’ll get incredible savings on listing fees — without sacrificing the support of a traditional realtor.
Sellers who work with Clever pay a flat $3,000 fee on homes under $200,000. At higher price points, you’ll pay a 1.5% listing fee, which makes it a great value no matter what your house is worth.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| No service trade-offs: you'll work with a traditional agent from a well-known brokerage like Century 21 or RE/MAX. | Fewer options if you want to work with agents from one particular brokerage. |
| Low listing fees for homes at all price points. | Rates may not be as low as other flat fee companies at higher price points. |
What sets Clever apart from flat fee competitors like Houwzer is that it provides you with an identical experience as working with a traditional agent.
Clever negotiates discounted rates with top agents at well-known brokerages in your area, such as Keller Williams or Century 21. You’ll receive the same level of service as any other client while paying a fraction of the price.
Clever’s free service matches you with a local, hand-picked realtor. You can request agent matches with no obligation — interview multiple agents until you find the perfect fit, or walk away anytime.
2. Houwzer
Regional
- Listing fee: 1%
- 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’s $5,000 flat listing fee provides solid value for sellers with more expensive homes. But you won’t save much (if anything) at lower price points, and your agent will likely provide less hands-on service than a traditional agent.
When you work with a Houwzer agent, you’ll receive the same general range of services that a traditional agent would offer, including:
- Listing on the MLS
- Open houses
- Professional photography
- Support with negotiations and closing
But your agent may not be directly involved at every stage of the process. Instead, you’ll work with a variety of different Houwzer team members.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Big listing fee savings on properties above $500,000. | Agents may provide less hands-on support. |
| Offers the same basic services as traditional realtors. | Limited savings on homes below $500,000. |
Houwzer offers better customer service than most cheaper flat fee realty companies, but you still won’t get as much personalized support as you would with a traditional realtor. Working with multiple team members instead of one agent can mean that each person you interact with doesn’t have as much detailed knowledge of your situation.
This team-based customer service model works out fine when everything goes smoothly. But real estate transactions are complex, and most people run into problems at some point during a home sale. When you’re trying to solve a complicated issue — especially one that threatens to put your sale at risk — it’s a lot less stressful to work with an agent who’s been by your side every step of the way.
» MORE: Is Houwzer right for you? Read our full review here!
3. Homie
Regional
- Listing Fee: $3,500
- Limited Service Area
- Big Service Risks
Sellers save an average of $8,500 when they list with Homie, 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.
Homie has a 4.3 out of 5 rating (1,187 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
Homie is available in the following areas: AZ, CO, ID, NV, UT.
Homie’s fixed $3,500 listing fee is one of the lowest rates offered by any flat fee real estate broker. But steep service trade-offs make it a worse option than competitors like Clever and Houwzer.
Our biggest concern is that Homie agents work with 10x as many clients as traditional realtors. While many discount brokers use a high-volume approach to create savings, Homie agents work with an especially high number of clients.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheaper than most other discount brokerages. | Much less hands-on support from your agent compared with the traditional realtor experience. |
| Self-service listing process gets your home on the market in just a few days. | Higher risk of mistakes or mispricing due to a lack of individualized service. |
Since Homie agents work with so many customers at once, your agent likely won’t have the time to give you as much personalized service. This can potentially lead to costly mistakes such as setting the wrong listing price or leaving money on the table during negotiations.
We strongly recommend working with a discount brand where agents provide a customer experience that’s more comparable to working with a traditional brokerage. Although your listing fee might be slightly higher than what Homie offers, the additional hands-on service will be worth it.
» MORE: Is Homie right for you? Read our full review here!
4. Help-U-Sell
Regional
- Listing Fee: $2,950-7,950
- Limited Agent Service
- Shrinking Business Model
Sellers save an average of $6,550 when they list with Help-U-Sell, 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.
Each Help-U-Sell office is independently owned and operated, so customer ratings vary by location.
Help-U-Sell is available in the following areas: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
Help-U-Sell used to be one of the top discount real estate brands. But these days, most sellers will find a better combination of rates and value with one of its competitors.
Help-U-Sell operates on a franchise model, meaning that service quality and pricing vary by location. Help-U-Sell fees typically range from $2,950 to $7,950. But each office sets its own pricing, so you’ll need to confirm the rates with the office in your area.
If the fees in your area are on the higher end, you’ll receive better savings with a low commission real estate company. But even if the fees are on the lower end, you’ll likely still save the same amount with another discount brand — and receive much more service and hands-on support from your agent.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Many Help-U-Sell offices have been around longer than other local discount brands. | Less savings than what many competitors offer. |
| Often available in smaller markets where it's hard to find a discount agent. | Help-U-Sell is shrinking rapidly, suggesting that their business model doesn't offer competitive rates and service. |
Just like their prices, Help-U-Sell’s service quality varies by location. Some offices offer full service, while others are limited and more hands-off.
No matter where you’re located, make sure that you’re looking at Help-U-Sell’s full service pricing. Some offices also offer very cheap packages that don’t include essential services like an MLS listing, professional photography, and support with negotiations and closing.
» MORE: Is Help-U-Sell right for you? Read our full review here!
5. Assist-2-Sell
Regional
- Listing Fee: $2,995-8,995
- Overextended Agents
- Poor Compensation Model
Sellers save an average of $6,500 when they list with Assist-2-Sell, 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.
Each Assist-2-Sell office is independently owned and operated, so customer ratings vary by location.
Assist-2-Sell is available in the following areas: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Assist-2-Sell is another flat fee brokerage that has been around a long time but offers a lackluster combination of savings and support for most home sellers.
Like Help-U-Sell, each Assist-2-Sell office has its own pricing model and level of service, but the savings that most locations offer isn’t big enough to warrant the lack of personalized service from their agents. Typically, you’ll pay just over a 1% listing fee with a $2,995 minimum fee.
At higher price points, you’d save a decent amount of money by working with Assist-2-Sell compared with a traditional realtor. But other discount brokerages, like Clever or Houwzer, offer even bigger savings with much better service.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| In general, the company charges lower listing fees than what traditional agents charge. | Greater chance of dealing with an overextended agent. |
| Available in many smaller markets where other discount brands don't operate. | Brokerage's compensation model may not attract top-tier agents. |
Assist-2-Sell agents typically offer the same general range of services as traditional realtors, but they work with more clients at once to offset their low rates. Your agent may be overextended and isn’t likely to be able to provide the same level of support as a traditional agent. This could lead to mistakes or missed deadlines that create headaches — or potentially even cost you the sale.
» MORE: Is Assist-2-Sell right for you? Read our full review here!
How can I find flat fee real estate brokers near me?
Looking for a flat fee real estate agent in your area? Below, you’ll find both full service brands and flat fee MLS companies available near you.
We strongly recommend working with a full service broker. Most sellers will have a better outcome with an agent that offers the same services as traditional realtors. Flat fee MLS companies offer very limited service and agent support, which makes them extremely risky for most people.
Full service brands
Search for full service flat fee brokers in the table below. Each of these companies offers a similar range of services as traditional realtors, such as an MLS listing, photography, and agent support during closing. However, some brands offer better customer service than others. Click on each company’s name to learn more.
| Company | Listing Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Clever Real Estate | $3,000 or 1.5% | 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 |
| Houwzer | $5,000 | Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. |
| Homie | $3,500 | Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah |
| Help-U-Sell | $2,950-7,950 | Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington |
| Assist-2-Sell | $2,995-8,995 | 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 |
Find flat fee MLS companies near you
If you’re looking for a flat fee MLS real estate broker near you, choose your state in the table below.
Flat fee MLS companies do not offer the same services as traditional realtors. They will list your home on the MLS for a set fee, but you’ll need to handle the rest of the sales process on your own. Most sellers will find much better value with a discount brand that offers full service.
Who should use a flat fee realtor?
Most sellers should consider working with a discount real estate brand that offers reduced listing fees. Whether a flat fee company is right for you depends on your home price and what service trade-offs (if any) you’re comfortable with.
Most sellers should just choose the best discount brand available
For the majority of sellers, it’s a good idea to simply choose the best low commission company available in your area — whether they charge flat fees or a percentage of the sale price.
On the average home, flat listing fees probably won’t save you much more money than a discount realtor who charges, say, a 1% commission. Plus, you’ll often face more service trade-offs with a flat fee company.
» MORE: The best discount real estate brands for every budget (2022 rankings)
Flat fee brokers may offer the best value on homes over $500k
Typically, flat fee brands are only a better choice than other discount brokers if your home price is well north of $500,000. That’s when the savings begin to compensate for the service trade-offs you may encounter with a company like Houwzer or even Homie.
Here’s a comparison between a hypothetical flat fee brokerage that charges a $5,000 listing fee, and a company that charges a 1% listing fee. The 1% listing fee offers much better savings at lower price points — but the flat fee brokerage begins to win out once your sale price exceeds $500,000.
| Home price | Flat fee savings* | 1% commission savings* |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | –$2,000 | $2,000 |
| $250,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| $750,000 | $17,500 | $15,000 |
| Average | $7,000 | $8,000 |
Flat fee MLS services are poor option for almost everyone
Flat fee MLS companies — which offer virtually no support beyond listing your home for sale — are almost never worth considering. Other low commission real estate brokerages offer great savings along with full service, making them a better option for most sellers.
Why aren’t flat fee MLS companies worth considering?
Flat fee MLS companies advertise great savings, but the service trade offs make them a poor choice for most home sellers. These brokerages typically charge a low fee ($299–$399) to list your home on the MLS. But the MLS listing is all you get. In most cases, you’ll receive zero support from an actual agent.
Flat fee MLS companies often cut out essential services, such as marketing, professional photography, and closing and negotiation support. When they are available, they’re generally sold as part of a more expensive package. And if you do spring for that extra support, you’ll end up paying almost as much as you would for a full service brand (but you’ll have a much worse experience).
If you’re already planning to sell your house for sale by owner (FSBO), a flat fee MLS company might be a good option. However, there are plenty of risks that go along with this route, and most FSBO sellers end up working with a traditional agent anyway. If you already know that you’ll need hands-on support from a realtor, you’ll get more value by working with a discount real estate brokerage that offers a more conventional selling experience.
How to choose a local flat fee broker
In addition to the national and regional flat fee companies we’ve reviewed, there may be local flat fee companies in your area.
Here’s how we’d evaluate whether a company in your area is worth using:
Look for a company that offers full service
A full service flat fee company is one that offers the same general range of services as traditional agents. At minimum, make sure the brokerage offers:
- An MLS listing
- Professional photography
- Marketing your listing
- Assistance throughout negotiations
- Support with closing and paperwork
If they don’t do all of those things, they’re probably a limited-service or flat fee MLS company, meaning that you’ll have to do most of the work yourself to sell your home — which is not a good fit for most sellers.
Look for a solid customer rating
Once you’ve identified the full service companies in your area, check Google, Zillow, Yelp, and Facebook to read reviews from past customers.
Look for trends among positive and negative reviews. For example, do most customers tend to emphasize good communication and support from their agents? Or are there a lot of complaints about agents who are hard to get in touch with?
After narrowing your search, interview agents from a few different brokerages to find the best match for your situation.
How flat fee real estate brokers work
If you use a flat fee realtor, you’ll pay a set fee for the sale of your home — regardless of your home price. You’ll still need to pay the buyer’s agent commission separately (typically 2.5–3% of the sale price).
The best flat fee brokerages can offer savings without compromising service. For example, Clever Real Estate and Houwzer both offer low rates, but their agents still provide full service — including photography, MLS listings, and in-person support.
Other flat fee brokerages cut out lots of essential services or work with an exceptionally high number of clients. You may end up working with a team of agents who aren’t familiar with your selling situation rather than one agent. Or you may find that communicating with your agent is difficult and costs you a potential sale. They may also limit or eliminate in-person service, or not offer basic services like photography and support during negotiations.
In short, some flat fee brokerages offer genuine savings along with solid support, but others offer drastically reduced services that can open you up to costly risks.
👉 Jump to our top flat-fee broker recommendations
How much can I save with a flat fee realtor?
The amount you’ll save by selling with a flat fee realtor instead of a traditional realtor depends on the price of your home. You could save thousands of dollars at higher price points. But at lower price points, you might not save anything.
Here’s how much you’d save at different price points if you sold with a company that charged a flat rate of $4,500:
| Home price | Flat fee savings* |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | –$1,500 |
| $250,000 | $3,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,500 |
| $750,000 | $18,000 |
FAQs about flat fee real estate brokers
How can I find the best flat fee realtors near me?
To find the best flat fee realtor near you, look for an agent who offers a similar range of services and support to a traditional agent. At minimum, the realtor should list your home on the MLS, provide professional photography, market your listing, and offer support with negotiations, closing, and paperwork.
Are flat rate realtors worth it?
Flat rate realtors can be worth it, but it ultimately depends on the price of your home, the listing fee, and your service preferences.
If you're selling an expensive home, you could save thousands of dollars by using a flat rate realtor instead of a traditional realtor. But sellers with less costly homes (generally below $500,000) will likely find better savings with another discount brokerage.
It's also important to choose a company that still offers full service, including an MLS listing, photography, and negotiations support. If a flat fee realty company offers a low rate in exchange for limited service (such as no in-person support or help with negotiations), the service trade-offs will likely not be worth the potential savings.
What is a flat fee real estate brokerage?
A flat fee real estate brokerage is a company that charges a set fee to list and sell your home, regardless of the final sale price. Most traditional realtors charge a percentage of your home price as commission (2.5–3% is the standard rate in most markets). But flat fee agents will charge a set rate to sell your home — such as $5,000 — regardless of your home price.
What is a fixed fee in real estate?
A fixed fee in real estate is when an agent or brokerage charges a set rate to sell your home, instead of a standard percentage-based commission. In most cases, only the listing fee is fixed. You'll still usually offer a standard 2.5–3% buyer's agent fee. The fixed listing fee varies by company, but it generally ranges anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000.
Can I pay the buyer's agent a flat fee?
You can offer the buyer's agent a flat fee, but most agents, even at flat fee brokerages, recommend offering a standard buyer's agent commission.
It's important to offer a buyer's agent fee that's competitive in your market (typically 2.5–3%) in order to attract as many potential buyers as possible. If you offer a flat fee that works out to a much lower percentage than the typical rate in your area, you could deter agents from showing your home. Fewer potential buyers typically results in fewer offers — and a lower probability of a bidding war — which could cost you money in the long run.
Methodology
This article drew on hundreds of hours of research by the team at Real Estate Witch, including:
- Mystery shopping
- Combing through hundreds of online reviews from real buyers and sellers
- Reaching out to staff members at individual brokerages
To create our ranking, we took many factors into account, but we prioritized each company’s pricing and service model. This article is reviewed regularly and updated to provide you with the latest information on each flat fee real estate brokerage.
Related links
Want to learn more about the different ways you can save money when selling your home? You have plenty of options. Here are some more resources to help you have a successful real estate journey:
The Best Discount Real Estate Brokers for Every Budget: Dive into our full ranking of the top discount real estate companies. Read reviews from real buyers and sellers and compare brokers to find the best fit for you.
Read This BEFORE You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service: Flat fee MLS services advertise impossibly low fees — but is there a catch? Here’s what you need to know about these flat fee realty services!
How to Choose a Realtor: Expert Secrets: Thinking of selling your home for sale by owner? Here’s everything you need to know for a successful sale.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?: Hiring a low commission real estate broker is one of the best ways to save money when you sell your home. Read our complete guide to find a company near you that offers the perfect combination of savings and service.
Top 2% Real Estate Commission Companies: Getting a 2% real estate commission can save you thousands of dollars on your home sale! Read about top 2 percent commission realtors here.
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