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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% of the home price.
- SimpleShowing agents handle more customers than the average realtor (up to five times 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. The commission is split between your listing agent and the buyer’s agent, often 50/50.
With SimpleShowing, you still offer the traditional buyer’s agent fee. But you pay your listing agent as little as 1%, reducing your overall commission rates to 4% or less. However, you may have to make sacrifices in terms of service quality and agent selection.
If you’re looking to save on realtor fees, we recommend working with Clever Real Estate. Sellers who work with Clever 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, its minimum fee of $5,000 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 Find the right real estate agent for you!
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 its 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
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. When you’re ready to schedule showings, you can do so through SimpleShowing.com and talk to one of its agents more directly.
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 on SimpleShowing.com, 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 1% of the purchase price. However, your rebate may be less, since SimpleShowing requires a minimum buyer’s agent commission of $5,000 after deducting the refund. Also, if you have more than 10 showings, your rebate decreases to 0.5% of the purchase price.
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 | $2,500 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 |
| $750,000 | $22,500 | $7,500 |
SimpleShowing issues the rebate as a credit toward your closing costs. There are pros and cons of commission rebates issued as closing credits. While they reduce the amount of cash you’ll need to bring to closing, they also limit 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 $5,000 before the company will refund any of its commission.
This means homes worth less than about $267,000 may only qualify for a partial rebate, while purchases below around $166,000 won’t be eligible for any savings.
Your rebate shrinks if you attend more than 10 showings
To qualify for the full commission rebate, you can only attend up to 10 showings. Once you look at an eleventh home, your rebate shrinks to 0.5% of the purchase price.
For example, if you buy a $300,000 home after touring 12 homes, you’ll earn a maximum of $1,500. That’s 50% less than if you’d visited five.
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 1% of the purchase price.
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 real estate 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 employs only 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 real estate agents close up to five times 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 | Our Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best for sellers with high-end homes
|
1% (min. $5,000)
|
FL, GA, TX
|
Learn More | |
|
1.5% (min. $3,000)
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More | |
|
1.5% (min. fee varies)
|
26 states and Washington, DC
|
Learn More | |
|
2% (min. $3,000)
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking to save on realtor commissions. Its 1.5% listing fee is among the lowest of any full-service, nationwide brand. You’ll save thousands on commission and still get matched with top local realtors from well-known brokerages, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. Plus, it’s free to try, and there’s no obligation to sign with an agent.
Pros
- You get a 1.5% listing fee (half the typical rate) without sacrificing service.
- You get matched with several local agents with strong sales records and great customer reviews.
- Clever’s service is free, and you have no obligation to sign with any realtor.
Cons
- Some add-ons, like drone photography and staging, may cost extra depending on the agent.
- You may not get matched with the specific realtor you want if they’re not in Clever’s agent network.
Clever Real Estate offers a 1.5% listing fee, half of what realtors traditionally charge. But you’ll still get a top local real estate agent, so you’ll save thousands without sacrificing quality.
How it works: After filling out an online questionnaire, Clever matches you with realtors in your area. You can choose to work with one of the agents, request more agent matches, or walk away with zero obligations.
Why we like it: Clever is the perfect balance of savings and quality: You get all the services and support of a traditional agent, but you pay a fraction of the typical price. By comparing agents, you ensure you’re getting the realtor who’s right for you.
Clever is available nationwide.
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Redfin is a well-known discount brokerage that operates in most major cities. The savings are impressive, especially if you buy and sell with Redfin, but some of its agents are inexperienced. And while Redfin’s tech-focused approach comes with some neat features, it also means you’ll get less hands-on support than you may need.
Pros
- You’ll get good savings with a 1.5% listing fee.
- Redfin’s extras, like 3D walkthroughs, can help sell your home.
- If you buy and sell with Redfin, you can get a 0.5% listing fee refund.
Cons
- Agent quality and customer service are not always great.
- Minimum fees are high in some markets.
- You’ll receive less one-on-one support from your agent.
Redfin offers good commission savings, and it’s available in most metro areas. But it comes up short in terms of customer service, plus its high minimum fees negate the savings in some markets.
Redfin uses a team-based model instead of having your agent oversee every part of your sale. This approach makes the process more efficient, which allows Redfin agents to handle a higher volume of customers. But you may face misunderstandings or mix-ups when working with multiple people.
And while some Redfin agents are good, others are new and inexperienced. With relatively few realtors in its network, you run a higher risk of getting stuck with a less-than-stellar realtor when you sell with Redfin.
Redfin is available in AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WA.
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Ideal Agent does a good job of vetting its agents, and it offers decent savings 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
- You’ll get matched with a top-performing realtor.
- The 2% listing fee gives you a slight discount.
Cons
- Fewer agents makes it harder to compare your options.
- Coverage is limited outside of big cities.
- Savings are mediocre compared to other brands.
Ideal Agent matches sellers and buyers with traditional agents. The company negotiates 2% listing fees with its realtors and screens them for quality and experience.
A 2% listing fee is decent, but you could save more with the 1.5% that Clever and Redfin offer.
Ideal Agent’s partner realtors are good, but there aren’t very many of them, and they’re mostly located in big cities. There’s no guarantee Ideal Agent will have a realtor in your area, and if they do, you’ll get matched with only one.
Ideal Agent is available nationwide.
SimpleShowing FAQ
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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