Published
Main takeaway: Help-U-Sell is a franchise real estate broker that helps people buy and sell homes. It advertises full service for a discounted commission rate, but some local pricing models lack transparency, and the company encourages sellers to do a lot of the work. For these reasons, Help-U-Sell didn’t make our list of top low-commission companies.
Listing Fee
Buyer Savings
Active Since
Our take
Company details
Locations
Help-U-Sell is a legitimate real estate franchise, but most people will find better overall value with another discount broker. The company has a pricing structure that tends to favor higher-priced homes, and it encourages you to market your home and find a buyer yourself in order to save more money. Also, service quality can vary greatly across locations, since each office is independently owned and operated.
Pros
- Potential savings on realtor fees
- Generally positive customer reviews
Cons
- Limited info on listing packages
- Might get less hands-on agent support
- Help-U-Sell is a franchise discount real estate broker
- To work with Help-U-Sell, call your local office and choose whether you want full service throughout your transaction or support only after you find a buyer
- Listing fees vary by location (some rates offer legit savings, others don’t)
- Sellers typically cover the buyer’s agent commission (around 2.5–3%, depending on the market)
- Average customer rating is 4.7/5 across 476 reviews
- Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau
- Services are similar to what traditional agents provide
- Some locations offer home buyer rebates
Help-U-Sell is available in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
We gave Help-U-Sell a lower rating because of its lack of pricing transparency and its minimal or non-existent savings for lower-priced homes. But we still recognized the company’s overall positive customer reviews and willingness to provide full service if the seller wants that level of support.
In this review, we cover Help-U-Sell savings, customer reviews, and how the process works for buyers and sellers. We also compare Help-U-Sell to top alternatives, so you can see if bigger savings and better agents are available elsewhere.
Savings | Services | Customer reviews | Help-U-Sell vs. the competition | How Help-U-Sell works | News | Bottom line: Should you use Help-U-Sell?
How much can I save with Help-U-Sell?
Help-U-Sell's listing fee | Varies by location |
Nationwide average listing fee | 2.83% of home sale price |
Amount saved with Help-U-Sell | Unclear |
The amount you can save with Help-U-Sell depends on your location and your home’s sale price. Each Help-U-Sell office sets its own commission rates, but many local websites aren’t clear about the listing fees they charge. You’ll need to call your local Help-U-Sell office to verify its rates.
We researched fees for several franchise locations, and it’s apparent that there’s no standard pricing structure. Some offices charge a single flat rate around $3,000–4,000. Others charge on a sliding scale based on the price of your home.
Example: Listing fees at an Arizona office
Some of the rates provide little to no savings. For example, a Help-U-Sell in Tucson, Arizona, charges $4,950 for a $100,000 home sale. That’s effectively a 4.9% listing fee — way more than you’d pay with a traditional agent!
The Tucson office also charges $5,950 for a $300,000 home, which is about a 2% listing fee (close to the national average commission rate of 2.83%). And it charges $8,950 for a $600,000 home, which is 1.5%. That rate is actually in line with the rates that top discount brokers offer.
🚩 Red flags: Lack of transparency and deliberately misleading advertising
Most of the websites we analyzed made it difficult to find pricing information. You have to enter info into a savings calculator to find out how much you’ll save. But several calculators are broken or come back with a “0% fee.”
The language the websites use makes it seem like you can cut out the “showing fee” (the buyer’s agent fee) entirely. But in most cases, you will pay a buyer’s agent commission (BAC), since almost 90% of buyers purchase their homes through an agent.
Offering a competitive BAC is how buyer’s agents are incentivized to show your home to potential buyers. Forgoing this fee isn’t a good idea. You could end up having your home sit on the market or selling for less than market value. Even if you do find a buyer quickly, having one agent represent both parties can create a conflict of interest.
We recommend choosing a company that offers a guaranteed low listing fee no matter where you’re located or which of its agents you choose to work with.
💰 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
Help-U-Sell’s services vary by location, but the company advertises two main selling options. You can either market your own home or get full service from start to finish. If you choose the full-service route, you’ll generally get the following support:
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Pricing advice
- Professional photography or referral to a photographer
- MLS listing and listing description
- For-sale lawn sign and lockbox for buyer’s agents
- Guidance during due diligence (inspections, appraisals, financing)
- Assistance with evaluating offers and negotiating terms (as needed)
- Support through closing
Before you sign a contract, verify which services your agent will provide. Make sure to ask about any specific services you want, like open houses or a 3D house tour. Also check the agent’s customer reviews to see if past customers received enough support throughout their transactions.
Help-U-Sell reviews: What customers are saying
Most customers were satisfied with the service they received from Help-U-Sell. The company has an average customer rating of 4.7/5 across over 450 reviews, although it isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Site | Rating |
---|---|
Google* | 4.8/5 (473 reviews) |
Yelp | 3.7/5 (3 reviews) |
Weighted avg. | 4.7/5 (476 reviews) |
We analyzed reviews from about 20 locations and noted themes from the past year. Almost all the negative reviews were from several years ago, and the few recent ones we found were about realtors with shady business practices.
Most reviewers were happy with their agents. They mentioned how their agents were professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and effective at easing their stress.
Keep in mind that Help-U-Sell is a franchise, so its fees, service quality, and overall value will vary — often considerably — between locations. Reading Help-U-Sell reviews for your local office is a good way to see if the company is a good fit for your situation.
Here are some of the most common positive and negative themes from Help-U-Sell reviews.
Cons
✅ Great communication
The real estate market can move swiftly, so it’s important to have an agent who responds promptly. Good communication from an agent also makes it much easier to navigate a complicated process.
These reviewers highlighted how consistent and helpful their agent’s communication was.
My family and I were extremely happy with the interaction with the staff. They kept in constant contact throughout the transaction and helped us with a few issues that were unfamiliar to us. Most definitely treated us like family and made the selling of our home a stress free experience.”
— Bobby D., Feb. 2023, Yelp, ★★★★★
[Our agent] was very knowledgeable, helpful and available in helping us to complete the purchase of our house. Every call, text or email we made was responded to quickly and every question was answered to our complete satisfaction. We highly recommend his services to anyone seeking to sell a home or to buy one.” — Cleve M., Jan. 2024, Google, ★★★★★
Thanks to [my agent] and his Help You Sell team for going above and beyond the call of duty to make my move go as swiftly and smoothly and calmly as was humanly possible. [My agent] kept me abreast of each and every step and let me know exactly what was going on and what I needed to do and when it would need to be done and help explain things in terms I could easily understand the whole way. My house was sold within a week after putting it on the market.”
— Timothy B., Sept. 2023, Google, ★★★★★
✅ High-quality agents
Many positive reviews focus on specific agents who came through for their clients. Customers frequently praised their agent’s knowledge, professionalism, and dedication.
My father passed away and I wanted to sell his townhouse. I contacted [an agent] from Help U Sell to put it on the market. [My agent] was so easy to work with. He was very knowledgeable. My dad had a reverse mortgage on his house and [the agent] guided me through the whole process. I recommend Help U Sell if you are thinking about listing your home, they are an awesome company to work with.”
— Susan G., Dec. 2023, Google, ★★★★★
Highly recommend [this agent]! She is beyond amazing, trustworthy, truly cares for what the client wants and does her job to the fullest. We have bought 2 homes with her and sold one. All those were different processes and she made it easy”
— Jessica S., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★
I highly recommend [this agent] as a real estate broker. Not only did he save me thousands of dollars with his set fee, he helped me navigate multiple offers to get the best buyer in just a few days. … He found a title company who would work with me on using a power of attorney and handled all the paperwork. He helped me with pricing and made suggestions about what to do and not do in getting ready to sell. He was knowledgeable, professional, and made the whole process stress free.“
— Charlotte K., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★
✅ Low-stress transactions
Both buyers and sellers mentioned that their agent helped ease the stress of their major transaction. They especially appreciated that their agent walked them through the whole process.
An absolutely amazing group of people. Kept us informed throughout the entire process and helped out with a few things that were unfamiliar to us. You truly made selling our home a stress free experience. Thank You all for everything you’ve done.”
— Bobby MF D., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★
As a first time homebuyer, [my agent] at Help-U-Sell Keystone Realty made the home buying process so easy and much less scary than I thought it would be! He walked me through every step and was so knowledgable and patient. He also had so many contacts and colleagues that he was able to refer me to in order to make the process even smoother as everyone had worked together for many years.”
— Melissa H., July 2023, Google, ★★★★★
✅ Thousands in savings
Help-U-Sell’s main selling point is savings on realtor fees, and many sellers were able to save thousands on commission.
Professional, thorough and on top of saving us thousands of dollars, she advised a strategy that worked like charm. Highly recommended!”
— Lance L., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★
[This agent] recently helped us with the sale of our home. Her knowledge of the market, and expert advice during the process, allowed us to get top dollar for our home while saving us nearly $10,000 in commission costs. Would highly recommend!” — David B., Spring 2023, Google, ★★★★★
Help-U-Sell Real Estate of Greensboro is the real estate agency that you can trust to get the best deal! They work hard while ensuring you save money by not spending absurd real estate fees and commissions. I will continue to trust [this agent] and his wife over and over. We were able to save over $22,000 under their guidance! They are an awesome Team!!”
— Lulu B., July 2023, Google, ★★★★★
Your savings with Help-U-Sell will depend on your local office’s rates and your home’s sale price.
You’ll need to call your local office to verify rates. Once you have an estimate of how much you could save, compare it with the savings you could get through other discount companies. That way, you can ensure you get the best rates available in your area.
❌ Shady realtors
We found only a few recent complaints against Help-U-Sell. The negative reviews mentioned problems with specific realtors who employed some shady business tactics.
Sellers beware!! I have considered buying a house from this realtor on two different occasions over several years. Both times, [the agent] has been uncooperative, aggressive, and has sabotaged deals between the buyer and seller. Whether buying or selling, choose any realtor other than [this agent]!”
— Ryan T., Spring 2023, Google, ★
If I could put negative stars, I would. This shady character sold my mother a FURNISHED home, but when she got the keys it was cleaned out. EMPTY. The worst Realtor ever! A swindler, hustler.“
— Shannon C., Nov. 2023, Google, ★
Make sure you vet agents before hiring one.
Help-U-Sell requires its agents to have an active real estate license and membership in the National Association of Realtors, but it doesn’t seem to have requirements beyond that. If you’re considering a Help-U-Sell realtor, you’ll have to vet them yourself.
» LEARN: How to choose the right real estate agent
Some companies, like Clever and Ideal Agent, screen agents for you. For example, Clever looks at an agent’s years of experience, recent transaction history, and customer reviews before letting the agent into its network. Clever connects you only with top agents in your area. Compare pre-screened local agents.
Help-U-Sell vs. the competition
Help-U-Sell may be cheaper than using a traditional realtor, but its fees are relatively middle-of-the-pack compared to other discount brands.
Depending on your situation and priorities, you may find another low commission real estate company in your area that offers a better combination of savings and service quality.
Company | Our Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best overall
Clever Real Estate |
Our rating
|
1.5%
Min. $3,000
|
Nationwide
|
Find Agents |
Ideal Agent |
2%
Min. $3,000
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More | |
Redfin |
Our rating
|
1.5%
Min. fee varies
|
26 states and Washington, DC
|
Learn more |
Listing Fee
Buyer Savings
Active Since
✍️ Our take
Pros and cons
Company details
Locations
Clever Real Estate is the best option for sellers looking to save on realtor commissions. Its 1.5% listing fee is among the lowest of any full-service, nationwide brand. You save thousands on commission and work with top local realtors from well-known brokerages, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams.
Pros
- 1.5% listing fee is half the typical rate.
- Agents have strong sales records and great customer reviews.
- Free agent-finding platform with no obligation to sign with a realtor.
Cons
- Add-ons like drone photography and staging may cost extra.
- May not get matched with a specific realtor if they’re not in Clever’s network.
- Service that matches sellers and buyers with full-service real estate agents
- Sellers pay a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee (half the average rate) to their realtor after a successful home sale
- Sellers are responsible for paying a competitive buyer’s agent commission, usually 2.5-3% depending on the market
- To join Clever’s network, real estate agents must be top performers in their local market, have 5+ years of experience, and demonstrate a track record of positive customer reviews
- Clever has a 5/5 rating across 3,180 online reviews
- Accredited through the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating
- Agents offer full service and support, including pricing advice, photography, MLS listing and description, negotiation support, etc.
- Eligible buyers receive $250 cash back
Clever is available nationwide.
Listing Fee
Buyer Savings
Active Since
✍️ Our take
Pros and cons
Company details
Locations
Ideal Agent does a good job of vetting its agents, and it offers a small discount for sellers. But it has a limited service area and a small agent network, which limits your ability to choose the best agent for your situation. Alternative services, like Clever, offer the same service — but with better savings, more coverage, and more agents.
Pros
- Matched with full-service realtors.
- 2% listing fee is slightly less than average.
Cons
- Only get one agent match.
- 2% listing fee is higher than most discount brands.
- Platform that matches sellers and buyers with full-service real estate agents
- Company negotiates a 2% listing fee with its realtors, which is slightly less than market value (2.5-3%)
- Sellers are responsible for paying a competitive buyer’s agent commission, usually 2.5-3% depending on the market
- Ideal Agent has a 4.9/5.0 rating across 7,007 reviews
- Accredited through the Better Business Bureau with a A+ rating
- Agents are expected to offer full-service and support, including pricing advice, photography, negotiation support, etc.
- No guaranteed buyer savings
Ideal Agent is available nationwide.
Listing Fee
Buyer Savings
Active Since
✍️ Our take
Pros and cons
Company details
Locations
Redfin is an established discount brokerage that offers impressive savings — especially if you buy and sell with the brokerage. But some of its agents are inexperienced. And while Redfin’s tech-focused approach comes with some neat features, it also means you may get less hands-on support than you need.
Pros
- 1.5% listing fee provides good savings.
- Extras (like 3D walk-throughs) can help sell your home.
- Significant savings if you buy and sell with Redfin.
Cons
- Agent quality and customer service are not always great.
- High minimum fees in some markets.
- Agents may not have expertise in your local market.
- Full-service discount brokerage with licensed, salaried agents
- Sellers pay a 1.5% listing fee to their agent after a successful home sale
- Sellers who also buy a home with Redfin will receive 0.5% cash back, bringing their total commission to 1%
- Minimum fees vary by market but are $4,000 on average, meaning that sellers of homes priced $250,000 or below may pay more than the 1.5% listing fee
- Sellers are responsible for paying a competitive buyer’s agent commission, usually 2.5-3% depending on the market
- Redfin has a 1.6/5 rating across 220 third-party review sites — but you can find reviews of individual agents on Redfin.com
- Not accredited through the Better Business Bureau
- Redfin agents provide free photography and a 3D walkthrough to market your home to potential buyers, as well as traditional services like pricing advice, negotiation support, yard sign, open houses, etc.
Redfin is available in major markets in Washington D.C. and the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia.
How Help-U-Sell works
What to expect as a seller
Help-U-Sell advertises cheap listing fees, then offsets those discounted rates by requiring its agents to juggle more customers compared to traditional realtors.
The company’s listing packages vary between locations, but most of its franchises offer the same services as a traditional brokerage. You can also choose to find a buyer yourself and then have the company step in to support you through closing.
Help-U-Sell’s approach could translate into real estate commission savings, but it also creates potential service quality compromises that make this company a riskier option than many of its newer, tech-forward competitors.
What to expect as a buyer
You can use a Help-U-Sell buyer’s agent to purchase a home. Your agent will provide full service like a traditional agent.
In some locations, the company offers home buyer rebates. If you qualify, you can get part of the buyer’s agent commission (BAC) back as a credit or cash. For example, a San Francisco office offers 25% of the BAC back. These rebates can help offset closing costs and other up-front expenses you pay when buying a home.
Several of Help-U-Sell’s competitors offer buyer rebates in every state where it’s legal.
Help-U-Sell news and history
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, realtor fees often cost as much as 7% of a home’s sale price. Help-U-Sell’s founder, Don Taylor, believed that by advertising commission savings, he would attract enough customers to turn a profit — despite earning less money on individual sales.
The business model was incredibly successful at the outset. Help-U-Sell began franchising in the 1980s. By 2007, it boasted approximately 1,000 locations, making it the fastest-growing real estate franchise in the US.
However, like longtime competitor Assist-2-Sell, Help-U-Sell struggled to recover from the US housing market crash. Its parent company declared bankruptcy in 2008, and while the Help-U-Sell brand survived under new management, it lost many franchise locations.
Increased competition from a new generation of discount real estate services — led by low commission companies like Clever Real Estate and Redfin — only accelerated Help-U-Sell’s decline. Today, it has fewer than 80 US offices, over 90% less than it had in 2007.
The company frequently appears on “cheapest franchises to buy” lists.
Owners pay Help-U-Sell an initial $17,750 for the right to use the company’s branding and trademarks, plus 6% of their gross revenue as an ongoing royalty fee.Bottom line: Should I use Help-U-Sell?
In general, most people will find better value with a different discount broker than Help-U-Sell.
We recommend using Help-U-Sell only if you already know and like the agent who works in your area, or if none of the top national discount brokers are available near you.
If you want to try Help-U-Sell, interview the agent you’d be working with before you sign anything. Make sure that the agent is upfront with you over the phone about their pricing, that they have good customer reviews, and that they have a solid track record of selling homes in your area.
We advise interviewing at least 2–3 agents to ensure you find the best fit for your situation.
Help-U-Sell FAQ
How much does Help-U-Sell charge?
Help-U-Sell fees vary between offices. Since the company is a franchise, every individual owner-operator sets their commission rates and pricing structure. Selling with Help-U-Sell could cost as little as a flat $2,950 in some areas, but sellers with pricier homes in high-end markets could pay much more. Find out which company charges the lowest commission fees.
How does Help-U-Sell work?
Help-U-Sell advertises realtor commission savings, then compensates for its discounted listing fees by providing fewer services — or requiring agents to juggle more customers — compared to traditional real estate brokerages. Learn more about how Help-U-Sell works.
Which is better: Assist-2-Sell or Help-U-Sell?
Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell have similar business models, fees, and potential trade-offs. If you're set on listing with Assist-2-Sell or Help-U-Sell, your best bet is to compare customer reviews for the individual franchises in your area. However, depending on your location and priorities, there's likely a discount service that offers a better mix of personalized support and commission savings. Find the best low-fee realtors near you.
Related articles
Looking to sell your house without breaking the bank? Read on to learn about alternatives to Help-U-Sell, as well as how to find the right low commission company for your situation.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? Help-U-Sell’s listing fees are cheap, but how do they stack up against the competition? Find out which discount service charges the lowest commission rates.
Assist-2-Sell Reviews: Learn the Good and the Bad: Assist-2-Sell is a discount real estate franchise that offers many of the same advantages — and built-in risks — as Help-U-Sell. Read reviews from real Assist-2-Sell customers to learn the truth about this company.
Discount Real Estate Brokers and Agents: Everything You Need to Know: Curious about how discount brokers like Help-U-Sell work? Learn more about how these services create savings, how they’re different from conventional realtors, and how to decide which one is best for you.
Clever Real Estate: Must-See Reviews: Whether you’re buying or selling, Clever can help you find top-rated realtors in your area. Learn how its free agent matching service can help you find full-service agents who charge just 1.5%.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors, “2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report.”
- Stefan Swanepoel, “Swanepoel Trends Report 2007: Top 10 Real Estate Trends,” 2006.
- Inman, “Help-U-Sell on pace for 1,000 franchises this year,” July 20, 2005.
- Inman, Glenn Roberts Jr., “Help-U-Sell franchiser files for bankruptcy,” Aug. 15, 2008.
- Upflip, Brandon Boushy, “31 Best Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities (For 2024),” Mar. 2023.
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