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Edited by Josiah Wilmoth
Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Edited by Josiah Wilmoth
What is SimpleShowing? | SimpleShowing fees | Buyer rebates | SimpleShowing vs. traditional realtors | Top SimpleShowing alternatives | Check out SimpleShowing reviews from customers
SimpleShowing is a real estate brokerage that advertises discounted listing fees for home sellers and large commission rebates for buyers.
Based on SimpleShowing reviews from past customers, the potential savings seem genuine. However, the way this company creates those savings may come with tradeoffs — especially when it comes to agent selection.
You have lots of options to save on real estate commission, so compare the SimpleShowing agents in your area against other discount services to find the best value.
Not sure where to start? Try a free agent-matching service like Clever Real Estate. Clever pre-negotiates a low 1.5% listing fee with top realtors from brokerages like Berkshire Hathaway and Keller Williams. You’ll get the same full-service experience — but pay a LOT less. Find out how much you can save with Clever!
Key Takeaways
- SimpleShowing advertises 1% commission rates for home sellers ($5,000 minimum)
- Qualifying buyers could earn rebates worth up to 1.5% of the home price
- SimpleShowing agents handle more customers than the average realtor (up to 5x as many!), which could limit their ability to provide personalized service
- SimpleShowing is currently available in select markets in Florida, Georgia, and Texas
- SimpleShowing has an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars
P.S. If you’re just looking for SimpleShowing Real Estate reviews, you can find them here!
What is SimpleShowing?
SimpleShowing is a discount real estate brokerage that aims to make the home-selling and home-buying process more affordable. The company’s goal is to provide the same services as a traditional brokerage, but charge a much smaller fee.
When you sell with a conventional brokerage, real estate commission typically costs 5-6% of the home price. This is split between your listing agent and the buyer’s agent, often 50/50.
With SimpleShowing, you’ll still offer the traditional buyer’s agent fee. But you’ll pay your listing agent as little as 1%, reducing your overall commission rates to 4% or less.
If you’re looking to save on realtor fees, we recommend working with Clever Real Estate. Sellers who work with Clever will pay a reduced 1.5% listing fee in exchange for full service and support from a top local realtor.
SimpleShowing locations
Since launching in Georgia in 2017, SimpleShowing has expanded into a handful of markets in Florida and Texas.
Selling outside SimpleShowing’s service area, or curious about what other discount services are available?
Check out our rankings of the best low commission real estate companies — and find a low cost realtor near you!
How does SimpleShowing work?
Like other discount brokerages, SimpleShowing advertises discounted listing fees to generate business. It creates these built-in savings by operating a bit differently than a traditional real estate company.
For example, SimpleShowing:
- Maintains a smaller team of agents than most brokerages
- Charges minimum fees on lower-priced homes
- Encourages buyers to look at fewer homes in-person
This approach allows SimpleShowing to offer a 1% commission rate, potentially saving you thousands of dollars compared with full-price realtors.
However, if your home sells for less than $350,000, minimum fees will limit your savings. And below $120,000, SimpleShowing may cost MORE than selling with a conventional brokerage.
| Home price | Listing fee | Effective rate | Savings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $5,000 | 5% | –$2,000 |
| $250,000 | $5,000 | 2% | $2,500 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | 1% | $10,000 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | 1% | $15,000 |
How much does SimpleShowing cost?
Selling with SimpleShowing typically costs between 3.5–4% of your home’s sale price. This rate consists of the advertised 1% listing fee, plus 2.5–3% for the buyer’s agent commission.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| SimpleShowing listing fee | 1% |
| Buyer's agent commission* | 2.5–3% |
| Total commission fees | 3.5–4% |
You’re free to offer a below-average buyer’s agent fee, but this will give realtors less direct incentive to show your home to buyers.
The less visibility your listing has, the less competition you’ll have from buyers — and the harder it will be to sell your house for top dollar.
Also, while SimpleShowing advertises a flat 1% commission, this rate is subject to a minimum fee of $5,000. If your home sells for less than $500,000, this minimum fee could reduce — or even eliminate — your cost savings.
Find out which company charges the lowest commission near you!
SimpleShowing vs. traditional realtors
For the most part, SimpleShowing agents stack up well against traditional realtors. They’ve passed the same licensing requirements and should provide the same basic range of services.
However, SimpleShowing’s unconventional business model means you’ll encounter a few differences that could affect the quality of your experience.
SimpleShowing has very few agents
SimpleShowing employs very few agents, which limits your options if you want to take advantage of its 1% listing fee.
The company’s Zillow page currently lists just a handful of agents, who are spread across multiple states. Depending on your location, you may only have one or two agents to pick from.
🚨 Editor’s Note
Limited agent selection is a common drawback among discount brokerages, but you should NEVER feel pressured to use an agent just because they’re the only one a company has available. Remember: you’re hiring an individual realtor — not a brand!
It pays to explore your options. After all, SimpleShowing’s discounted listing fee is a pretty sweet deal. But it’s not the only company that offers a low commission rate.
A service like Clever Real Estate can connect you with top-rated realtors in your area who charge reduced listing fees — while offering the same level of hands-on support that you’d receive from a traditional realtor.
The best part? Clever’s agent matching service is 100% free, and it comes with no obligations. You can compare Clever’s partner agents against SimpleShowing, then choose the agent who’s the best match for you.
SimpleShowing agents may be juggling more customers
One of the main ways SimpleShowing creates savings is by managing a higher volume of customers than a traditional brokerage while employing a smaller team of agents.
SimpleShowing agents close up to 5x more deals than a typical realtor.
This high-volume approach is a crucial part of SimpleShowing’s business model. The company earns less per customer than traditional brokerages, but their goal is to close enough sales to eventually turn a profit.
This approach creates some risks for customers. An agent can only juggle so many different sales at once before it starts to impact service quality.
If you get stuck with an overextended agent, you’re more likely to encounter mistakes, oversights, and delays that could lead to a frustrating experience — and potentially cost you money.
Selling with SimpleShowing
SimpleShowing is a full-service brokerage, so its agents provide the same range of services and support as traditional realtors.
Services include:
- Home valuation
- Professional photography
- Listing your house on the MLS
- Negotiating with buyers
- Closing coordination
For customers in Florida and Georgia, SimpleShowing also offers support for 100% remote closings. This service is available through a partnership with title company Expetitle.
Self-Tour Lockbox
Alongside its standard listing package, SimpleShowing offers an optional Self-Tour Lockbox. If you opt in to this service, buyers who don’t have a realtor will be able to schedule showings and tour your home.
SimpleShowing verifies each buyer’s identity before they’re allowed to access the Self-Tour Lockbox, and you can still deny any showing requests that don’t fit your schedule.
✍️ Editor’s Note
Even with SimpleShowing’s identity verification policies, allowing strangers to tour your home without any supervision raises some safety concerns. Before you opt-in to the Self-Tour package, we recommend asking for details about how it secures your property and personal belongings against theft, vandalism, and other hazards.
Why allow unagented buyers into your home at all? If a Self-Tour buyer purchases your home without an agent’s representation, you’ll pay SimpleShowing a $995 “buyer fee” instead of buyer’s agent commission. Depending on your home price, this could save you thousands of dollars on top of SimpleShowing’s discounted listing fee.
Unfortunately, it’s incredibly rare to find a serious house-hunter who isn’t using an agent. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly 90% of buyers hire a realtor to represent their interests.
So, while Self-Tour is worth considering if you’ve already decided to list with SimpleShowing, it probably shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether you choose it over another brokerage.
Buying with SimpleShowing
In general, SimpleShowing offers home buyers the same basic services as traditional realtors — plus a sizable commission rebate. But, depending on your situation, there are a couple of differences that could negatively affect your experience.
SimpleShowing offers less support up front
Compared with realtors at conventional brokerages, SimpleShowing agents may provide less upfront support to home buyers.
To achieve its goal of closing more deals with a smaller team, SimpleShowing has its buyer’s agents remain relatively hands-off until you know what houses you want to look at and are ready to schedule showings.
Before that, a licensed SimpleShowing agent will assist you if you have questions about a specific property, but they typically don’t invest time into researching properties for you.
This may not be a big deal if you’re tech-savvy and familiar with the area you’re buying in. After all, most of us start our home search on house-hunting websites like Zillow and Realtor.com anyway!
However, it could put you at a disadvantage if you’re in a competitive market where it’s common for buyers to make offers on houses sight unseen. When homes are going under contract the day they hit the MLS, it helps to have an agent who knows the ins and outs of your situation and can alert you as soon as the right property hits the market.
You may not work with a single, dedicated agent
The other major difference you’ll notice when buying with SimpleShowing is that you may work with multiple agents rather than having a single, dedicated agent who sees your purchase through from start to finish.
For example, when you schedule a home tour, you may not get to pick what agent accompanies you. Rather, SimpleShowing will send an agent based on the showing time and property location.
If you schedule tours on multiple days, you might work with different agents each time. Then, once you’re ready to make an offer, SimpleShowing may pair you with a buyer’s agent who hasn’t visited any of the homes you’ve viewed.
Working with a team instead of a single agent has its pros and cons. Since you can go on home tours with any of the company’s showing agents — not just your buyer’s agent — you don’t need to plan your home search around your agent’s schedule.
On the other hand, when you work with a single, dedicated realtor, they’ll tour every property with you, so they’re better positioned to give you advice that could help you pick the right one.
SimpleShowing’s team-based approach is best for experienced buyers who know what they’re doing. But if you’re a first-time buyer and feel anxious about making such a big financial decision, you may be more comfortable working with a dedicated agent from start to finish.
SimpleShowing’s home buyer rebate
If you buy a house with SimpleShowing, you could be eligible for a commission rebate that puts thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
On qualifying purchases, SimpleShowing refunds up to 50% of the buyer’s agent commission, subject to a maximum rebate of $15,000. Here’s how much you could save, depending on your budget.
| Home price | Buyer's agent fee | SimpleShowing rebate* |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $0** |
| $250,000 | $7,500 | $3,750 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $7,500 |
| $750,000 | $22,500 | $11,250 |
SimpleShowing issues the rebate as a credit toward your closing costs. This reduces the amount of cash you’ll need to bring to closing, but it also limits how you can use the savings.
Some other discount services offer cash-back refunds, which have zero restrictions on how you can spend them.
Learn more about home buyer rebates — including which company offers the best one!
How to qualify for SimpleShowing’s commission rebate
SimpleShowing’s commission rebate has two major eligibility restrictions that could prevent you from earning the maximum refund.
They’re subject to minimum commission fees
SimpleShowing’s rebate is subject to a minimum buyer’s agent fee of $3,500 before the company will refund any of its commission.
This means homes worth less than $235,000 may only qualify for a partial rebate, while purchases below $120,000 won’t be eligible for any savings.
Your rebate shrinks if you attend more than five showings
To qualify for SimpleShowing’s full rebate, you can attend a maximum of five showings before making a purchase. Once you look at your sixth home, your rebate shrinks to 45% of the buyer’s agent commission. It decreases another 5% after every five properties you tour.
For example, if you buy a $250,000 home after touring 16 homes, you’ll earn a maximum of $2,625. That’s 30% less than if you’d visited five.
| Number of showings | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|
| 0–5 | $3,750 |
| 6–10 | $3,375 |
| 11–15 | $3,000 |
| 16–20 | $2,625 |
This seems like a HUGE drawback. According to NAR research, the average buyer looks at nine homes before making a purchase — and wouldn’t qualify for SimpleShowing’s maximum rebate.
Sure, you can be more selective about which homes you tour in-person, but if you’re in a seller’s market, this may not be entirely in your control. When homes are in short supply and you have lots of competition from other buyers, a house may go under contract before you submit your offer. And if you do get your offer in, there’s always the risk you’ll be outbid.
Simply put, there’s a fair chance you won’t qualify for SimpleShowing’s maximum home buyer rebate. Keep that in mind when comparing SimpleShowing’s potential savings against other real estate companies that offer commission refunds.
✍️ Editor’s Note
In addition to SimpleShowing’s unique restrictions, home buyer rebates are typically subject to other conditions, including state regulations and lender approval. Always ask your mortgage provider and agent about eligibility restrictions before you start the purchase process.
SimpleShowing reviews: Pros and cons
SimpleShowing reviews online are generally positive, with an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars across Facebook, Google, Trustpilot, and Zillow.
Weigh the following SimpleShowing pros and cons carefully to determine whether it’s the right choice for you — or if another low commission company delivers better overall value.
Pro: Legit savings for home buyers and sellers
The most common theme in positive SimpleShowing reviews is that the company’s business model delivers big commission savings for sellers and buyers alike.
The following seller has used SimpleShowing on multiple occasions, saving a total of $20,000 in commission without any major issues.
SimpleShowing also offers savings for buyers. In exchange for doing a bit more legwork yourself up front, you could earn a home buyer rebate worth up to 50% of the buyer’s agent commission.
Pro: Support from company founders
While SimpleShowing is growing, it’s still a relatively small startup. This has its downsides, including limited agent selection. However, it has some benefits too.
One advantage is that SimpleShowing’s co-founders still work directly with buyers and sellers. No one else has more direct incentive to deliver top-tier service than a company’s owners. Past customers consistently report positive experiences with SimpleShowing’s executive team.
For example, SimpleShowing COO Jeremy Gamble, who is licensed as a realtor in Florida, has lots of glowing feedback from customers in the Orlando area.
And after the following customer had a negative encounter with a SimpleShowing agent, CEO Fred McGill quickly contacted her to make things right.
Con: Limited agent selection
No matter what real estate company you use, it’s important to choose a high-quality agent. That’s especially true with a discount brokerage like SimpleShowing because their agents juggle so many more customers at once.
Unfortunately, SimpleShowing only employs a handful of agents, and they’re divided between multiple metro areas in several states.
If finding the right agent is a top priority, it’s a good idea to compare your options! Clever also offers a free service that connects you with full-service realtors nationwide. Sell your home for a low listing fee of 1.5%.
Con: High-volume approach may be risky
SimpleShowing agents close up to 5x more deals than the average realtor. This enables them to offer steep discounts on commission, but it could impact your experience.
According to this SimpleShowing complaint from a dissatisfied customer, the company — including its executive team — seemed so focused on helping buyers that it delivered a lackluster experience for sellers.
Con: Some buyers may not get enough support
SimpleShowing is best for house-hunters who are comfortable researching homes themselves and are certain they’re ready to make a purchase.
Due to their increased workload, SimpleShowing agents may not have the bandwidth to give dedicated, personalized attention to every buyer who’s in the earliest stages of their home search.
As a result, it may not be the best service if you’re:
- Thinking about buying — but aren’t 100% sure
- Buying long-distance and don’t know much about the area
- Planning to look at a lot of homes to find the right one
Here’s an example of a seller who had a mostly positive experience with SimpleShowing. But they mention a lack of communication from their agent during closing, which likely limited their overall savings.
Top SimpleShowing alternatives
Although SimpleShowing costs less than a conventional real estate brokerage at most price points, it may come with some trade-offs.
Depending on your priorities and unique circumstances, you may find better savings, service quality — or both — with one of these SimpleShowing competitors.
| Company | Average Rating | Locations | Listing Fee | Buyer Incentives | Average Savings* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleShowing | 4.9 (335 reviews) | FL, GA, TX | $3,500 or 1% | Yes | $6,375 |
| Clever | 4.9 (1,995 reviews) | Nationwide | 1.5% (min. $3,000) | Yes | $7,375 |
| Redfin | 3.7 (301 reviews) | Nationwide (select markets) | 1.5% (min. fees vary) | Yes | $5,550 |
| Trelora | 4.7 (1,254 reviews) | AZ, CA, CO, GA, MO, NC, SC, WA | $3,000-4,000 | Yes | $7,375 |
SimpleShowing vs. Clever
National
- Listing Fee: 1.5%
- Available Nationwide
- Full Service, Zero Tradeoffs
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 is available to sellers nationwide.
Clever Real Estate is a free agent -matching service that offers big commission savings WITHOUT the compromises on agent selection and service quality that may come with SimpleShowing’s business model.
It pre-negotiates low rates with traditional realtors from major brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. With Clever, you’ll sell with a top-rated, full-service agent for low listing fee of just 1.5%. Eligible buyers may also receive cash back at closing.
💰 Find out how much you can save with Clever today!
SimpleShowing vs. Redfin
National
- Listing Fee: 1.5% (min. fees vary)
- Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
- Listings Featured on Redfin App
Sellers save an average of $5,550 when they list with Redfin, 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.
Redfin has a 3.7 out of 5 rating (301 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Consumer Affairs.
Redfin is available in 100+ U.S. markets, giving it near-nationwide coverage.
Since SimpleShowing only has a handful of agents, you won’t have many choices to pick from. If you’re not willing to sacrifice on agent choice, you’ll have a lot more options with a larger discount brokerage like Redfin.
However, Redfin’s 1.5% commission rate is more expensive than SimpleShowing — and Redfin’s average home buyer rebate is smaller too.
Learn more about buying and selling with Redfin.
SimpleShowing vs. Trelora
Regional
- Listing Fee: $3,000 or 1.5%
- Limited Service Area
- Big Service Risks
Sellers save an average of $7,375 when they list with Trelora, 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.
Trelora has a 4.7 out of 5 rating (1,254 reviews) on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
Trelora is available in the following areas: AZ, CA, CO, GA, MO, NC, SC, WA.
Trelora is a discount brokerage that recently expanded into the Atlanta area. It charges all Georgia home sellers a flat $3,000 listing fee, which could mean big savings if you’re selling a more expensive home.
However, customers may receive less personalized support compared with SimpleShowing.
Learn more about buying and selling with Trelora.
SimpleShowing FAQS
How much does SimpleShowing cost?
SimpleShowing charges 1% commission rate, subject to a minimum fee of $5,000. Most sellers will also have to offer a traditional buyer's agent fee of 2.5-3%. Altogether, real estate commission fees will likely cost 3.5-4% of the home's sale price. Find 1% commission realtors in your area!
Who are SimpleShowing's top competitors?
SimpleShowing's top competitors include other discount brokerages like Redfin and Trelora. However, we believe Clever Real Estate is your #1 alternative. With Clever, you get full service from a top local agent, and you'll pay a low 1.5% listing fee.
Is SimpleShowing legit?
Yes, SimpleShowing is a legitimate discount real estate brokerage with licensed agents in all of the states where it operates. SimpleShowing reviews online confirm the advertised savings are genuine, too. However, customers may face tradeoffs compared to selling with a traditional brokerage. Compare the top low commission real estate companies in your area.
How does SimpleShowing work?
SimpleShowing advertises 1% commission rates and home buyer rebates to attract customers, then offsets those built-in savings by closing more deals with a smaller team of agents, charging minimum fees, and incentivizing buyers to tour fewer homes. See how SimpleShowing stacks up against other top low-fee brokerages.
Related links
Looking to save on realtor commission? Read on to learn about alternatives to SimpleShowing, as well as how to find the right discount real estate company.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?: SimpleShowing’s listing fees are cheap, but how do they stack up against the competition? Find out which discount service charges the lowest commission rates.
Everything You Need to Know About Home Buyer Rebates: Commission rebates help defray the upfront costs you’ll face when buying a house. But they usually have LOTS of terms and restrictions. Learn more about getting a buyer rebate.
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%.
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