What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?

The Best Low Commission Companies | Selling With Low Commission Real Estate Agents | Average Commission Rates | How Much Can I Save? | Find Low Commission Agents Near Me

Working with a low commission real estate agent is one of the best ways to save money when you sell your home.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours reviewing the best low cost realtors and brokers to find the ones that provide the best savings, service, and overall value. Read on for an in-depth look at our top picks.

P.S. Just looking for low commission real estate agents near you? Find them here!

The Best Low Commission Real Estate Companies in 2021

#1. Clever Real Estate

With a listing fee of $3,000 or 1%, Clever offers some of the lowest real estate commission rates of any full service brokerage. Clever Real Estate is a free service that matches you with top-rated local agents and pre-negotiates savings on your behalf.

Clever partners with full-service realtors at brokerages across the U.S., including top brands like Keller Williams and Berkshire Hathaway. All of Clever’s partner agents provide the same experience you’d expect from a traditional realtor — but you’ll save up to 50% on commission fees.

✅ Pros

• Clever’s service is 100% free with no obligation to work with its agents
• Full service support for a flat $3,000 listing fee, or just 1% for homes over $350,000
• You’ll get multiple local agent matches, so you can choose the best fit for you

❌ Cons

• If you only want to work with agents from a specific brokerage, Clever might have limited options
• Agents guarantee full service, but they may not provide premium upgrades like drone photography and professional home staging without an a la carte charge

Finding great local agents is easy with Clever. Answer a few basic questions about your property online, and a member of Clever’s Concierge Team will reach out shortly. Each team member is a licensed agent, so they understand how to match you with a realtor based on your unique situation.

There’s no obligation to work with any of Clever’s recommendations. You can interview as many agents as you like until you find the perfect fit— and you’re free to walk away at any time.

#2. Redfin

You’ve probably seen Redfin’s popular home search tool, but you may not know the company is a low-fee broker too! It will list your house for 1.5% commission — or as little as 1% if you buy with a Redfin agent too.

While Clever pre-negotiates discounts with traditional realtors, Redfin takes a different approach to making commission more affordable. Redfin employs its own team of agents, just like a traditional brokerage, but its agents manage 3x as many customers as typical realtors. Selling more homes with fewer agents allows Redfin to turn a profit, despite earning less money on each sale.

✅ Pros

• Selling with Redfin costs up to 30% less than using a traditional realtor
• Listings get premium placement on Redfin’s home search app
• Redfin’s online seller dashboard is a convenient way to stay up-to-date on your home sale

❌ Cons

• Limited agent selection compared to traditional brokerages
• Agents handle 3x more customers than the average realtor, limiting their ability to give you personalized support
• Redfin’s team-based approach increases the risk of mistakes, poor communication, and delays

When you sell with Redfin, you’ll get the same basic services offered by realtors at traditional brokerages.

But, to help its agents manage the higher workload, Redfin divides responsibilities between different team members. This means your agent won’t oversee your sale from start-to-finish. For example, they’ll handle crucial activities like negotiations, but other Redfin employees could manage your marketing, open houses, and closing logistics.

Redfin’s team-based model is efficient, but it’s not risk-free. A consistent theme among negative Redfin reviews is that communication issues and other avoidable mistakes have led to a frustrating customer experience.

#3. Houwzer

Houwzer is a real estate brokerage that offers flat $5,000 listing fees in select markets on the East Coast.

The commission savings are substantial too! For example, on a $1 million home, you’d save $25,000 on listing fees compared to paying a standard 3% commission rate.

Like Redfin, Houwzer uses a team-based model to sell more homes with fewer licensed realtors. Houwzer agents manage up to 3x as many customers as agents at traditional brokerages.

✅ Pros

• Huge commission savings if you’re selling an expensive house
• Virtual home tours and other premium marketing services at no additional cost

❌ Cons

• Negative Houwzer reviews say the team-based approach increases the risk of mistakes — especially if you have a complex situation
• Houwzer has very few agents, so you’ll have limited options if you don’t like your realtor
• If you’re selling a lower-priced home, you may not see any savings at all

But while some flat-fee companies only list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) and leave the rest of the work to you, Houwzer is a full service brokerage. If you sell with Houwzer, your agent — or someone on their team — will guide you through the entire process, all the way to closing.

Companies like Houwzer are called “flat-fee real estate brokers” because they charge every customer the same fee instead of basing their commission on the sale price. Houwzer costs $5,000, whether your home sells for $250,000 or $2.5 million.

#4. SimpleShowing

SimpleShowing offers competitively low listing fees for sellers in a few states, even if you will face a few service risks.

SimpleShowing has far fewer agents than a typical brokerage, and its agents handle 5x more customers than the average realtor. This is a common theme among low commission real estate companies — often called “discount brokerages” — and it has pros and cons for consumers.

✅ Pros

• It’s one of the only brokerages with full-service 1% commission realtors
• With a relatively low minimum fee, it’s a better option for sellers with moderately priced homes

❌ Cons

• Limited options when it comes to choosing your agent
• Agents handle more customers, which could lead to mistakes, especially for complicated sales

SimpleShowing’s potential savings are real, but so are the risks. 

When your agent is handling 5x as many customers as the average realtor, you have a lot more competition for your agent’s time and attention. 

When companies create savings this way, the most common customer complaint is that service starts to suffer. That could mean missed deadlines, paperwork mistakes, or other avoidable issues that create headaches — and potentially cost you money.

#5. Ideal Agent

Ideal Agent helps you find a great full service realtor in your area AND pre-negotiates a 2% listing fee for you.

Unlike some agent matching services, Ideal Agent is incredibly selective about the realtors it works with. You can be sure you’ll get matched with an agent who’s one of the top sellers in your area.

✅ Pros

• Full service support from a top-rated agent
• Ideal Agent only works with realtors who meet strict quality standards
• Signing up is free — and there’s no obligation to hire your agent match

❌ Cons

• Depending on your area, Ideal Agent’s 2% listing fee might not be a huge discount
• You only get a single agent match — most competitors give you multiple options so you can choose the best fit

Although Ideal Agent’s listing fee is cheaper than the standard 3% rate many realtors charge, it’s more expensive than similar options.

For example, Clever provides the same service as Ideal Agent, but it offers twice the savings. If your home sells for $500,000, selling with Clever would put an extra $5,000 in your wallet. Learn why Clever is your #1 alternative to Ideal Agent.

#6. Homie

Homie is a flat-fee brokerage with listing fees that vary from $2,000-3,000 depending on where you’re selling. 

Homie claims to provide “everything” you’d get with a traditional agent. But, while the company’s self-service process is great for experienced sellers who need to get their home on the market quickly, it’s not right for everyone. 

As we noted in our full Homie review, Homie agents offer fewer services, which allows them to handle 10x as many customers at once. This bare-bones service approach increases the risk you’ll have a bad experience.

✅ Pros

• Flat-fee pricing offers big commission savings on pricier homes
• Self-service listing process gets your home on the market in as little as three days

❌ Cons

• Agents provide ZERO in-person services or support
• Poor (or nonexistent) customer service is a consistent theme in negative Homie reviews

If you sell with Homie, the biggest challenge you’ll face is that your agent will be 100% remote. This could make the process feel less personal than working with a traditional realtor — especially since your agent is handling so many customers at once.

It also means your agent will provide fewer services. For example, they won’t come to your home to advise you on how to get it ready to sell. And if you want an open house, you’ll have to host it yourself.

#7. Redefy

Redefy charges a flat $3,500 listing fee on homes below $1 million and a 1% commission rate on properties above the million-dollar mark.

Selling with Redefy is similar to using Redfin or another discount brand that employs its own in-house agents. Redefy relies on a team-based model, and scales back in-person services, to sell more homes with fewer agents.

The company will provide most of the same general services as conventional brokerages, but you’ll encounter tradeoffs like limited agent selection and team-based customer service issues.

✅ Pros

• Agents provide some in-person support, unlike a few similarly-priced companies
• Discounted listing fee saves sellers an average of $8,500

❌ Cons

• You’ll have to pay an upfront, non-refundable $500 fee
• Team-based model increases risk of errors, delays, and miscommunication

Like other discount brokers, you could face issues with overextended agents. And, since Redefy pares back in-person services, your agent won’t host an open house for you.

The biggest difference is that, unlike most brokerages, Redefy charges you a non-refundable $500 fee when it lists your home for sale. If your home sells, the company will credit that $500 toward your listing fee. But if your house doesn’t sell, you won’t get the money back.

#8. Trelora

Trelora is a flat-fee real estate brokerage with listing fees that range from $3,000-4,000, depending on your location.

As with most similar companies, Trelora doesn’t give you a single, dedicated agent to guide you through the process. You’ll work with a team of agents instead, with multiple people managing different aspects of your sale. However, Trelora agents juggle up to 20x as many customers as the average realtor.

✅ Pros

• Offers commission savings that really shine at higher price points
• You get full in-person support, including open houses

❌ Cons

• Team-based approach limits Trelora’s ability to provide personalized support
• Trelora juggles more customers per agent than any other company on this list

A team-based approach often creates challenges for sellers, but the risks are particularly noticeable with Trelora.

As noted, each of its agents juggles up to 20x as many customers as the average realtor. That’s the largest ratio of any company on this list (by far!), and — based on common Trelora complaints — it makes mistakes and oversights more likely.

#9. Reali

If you’re looking for a low commission real estate agent in California, Reali is one of your cheapest options. It charges a 1% listing fee, or $5,000 on homes worth less than $500,000.

Like most low fee real estate brokers that hire their own in-house agents, Reali has a fairly small number of realtors. According to the company’s website, there are some major metro areas that only have a single Reali agent.

✅ Pros

• With a 1% listing fee, sellers can save thousands on commission fees
• Its base listing package actually includes premium services like a virtual home tour, paid digital advertising, and multiple open houses

❌ Cons

• Extremely limited agent selection (and only in California!) 
• Reali’s $5,000 minimum fee is higher than many of its competitors

The limited number of Reali agents could affect your experience, especially if you’re in an area with limited coverage. 

Based on Reali reviews online, quality varies quite a bit between individual agents. Many sellers have great things to say about their realtor. But one of the most common complaints is that a customer’s Reali agent provided poor customer service or didn’t seem motivated to help them negotiate the best selling price possible.

#10. REX Real Estate

REX’s advertised 2.5% listing fee is roughly comparable to the average commission rate nationwide, which means it’s not much cheaper than listing with a traditional realtor. However, REX claims it can help you save on commission by eliminating the buyer’s agent fee.

REX’s goal is to find you a buyer who hasn’t hired an agent. It uses digital ads to market your house directly to people who are looking at homes online. If REX finds you a buyer who hasn’t hired a realtor, you won’t be responsible for offering buyer’s agent commission.

✅ Pros

• Unlike a few low commission real estate brokerages, REX agents provide in-person support
• If REX’s approach works — which is by no means guaranteed — you could save about half on commission

❌ Cons

• REX’s 2.5% listing fee for sellers isn’t much of a discount  — your savings depend entirely on avoiding a buyer’s agent fee
• Based on REX reviews, the company’s strategy has a high failure rate, so many sellers end up offering buyer’s agent commission anyway
• REX has a poor reputation among traditional realtors, and some agents boycott its listings

As we noted in our full REX review, REX’s approach is extremely risky. Nearly all buyers work with a realtor. You’ll miss out on 90% of buyers by only targeting ones who aren’t using an agent. It’s simply not an effective way to market your home!

AND, if REX’s approach fails, your agent may ultimately recommend offering a buyer’s agent commission to increase your home’s exposure. You’ll be back at square one — with no real savings.

Selling With a Low Commission Real Estate Agent

How Much Can I Save? | How the Savings Work | Find Low Cost Realtors Near Me 

What’s the average real estate commission?

The average real estate commission rate in the U.S. is 4.94%, according to 2020 housing market data from RealTrends.

Real estate commission is generally split evenly between the listing agent and buyer’s agent, with each realtor earning about 2.47%.

However, commission fees aren’t set in stone — it really depends on where you’re selling. In many parts of the U.S., the standard commission rate is 6%, with each agent charging 3%.

How much can I save with a low cost realtor?

Realtor commission fees add up quickly, but selling with a low cost realtor can save you thousands of dollars.

On a $500,000 home sale, paying standard rates for real estate commission could cost you $30,000. Hiring a low commission agent would save you as much as $10,000!

When working with a low cost broker, any savings typically come from your listing agent, who accepts a below-average fee. 

In almost all cases, you’ll still want to offer a competitive buyer’s agent fee. This motivates local realtors to show your home to their clients, and advertising below-market rates could put you at a disadvantage.

If you offer a lower fee than the seller down the street, which listing do you think realtors will recommend to buyers?

How discount companies create savings

Discount real estate companies help you sell your home for less than the average commission rate in your area. 

Some services, like Clever and Ideal Agent, pre-negotiate low rates with full service realtors from traditional brokerages. These realtors find new customers without any upfront cost or effort, so they can offer you lower rates while providing the same level of service.

Other companies, like Redfin, are full-fledged real estate brokerages with their own in-house agents. They create savings by streamlining the sale process, whether by hiring on a salaried team of agents or offering a fully digital experience. 

How to find top low commission real estate agents near me

Looking for a low commission real estate agent in your area? Select your state in the table below to find nearby discount services. Then, click on a company name to learn more.

Other Ways to Save on Real Estate Commission

We think hiring a low commission real estate agent is the best way to save money on your home sale — but it’s not your only option! Read on to learn about other ways to reduce or eliminate realtor fees when selling your house.

How to Negotiate Real Estate Commission: No matter what you’ve heard, real estate commission is 100% negotiable. Learn tips and tricks for persuading your realtor to sell your house for less.

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor — The Complete Guide: If you know what you’re doing, you can cut out seller agent fees by listing your house “for sale by owner” (FSBO). Learn more now.

Read this BEFORE You Pay for a Flat Fee MLS Service: If you’re selling without a realtor, flat-fee companies will list your home on the MLS for as little as a few hundred bucks. Find out how these services work now.

What Is an iBuyer? Pros, Cons, and What You Should Know: Companies like Opendoor and RedfinNow make cash offers on homes in good condition. Selling to an iBuyer is quick and easy, but it’s not right for every situation. 

We Buy Houses For Cash Companies — Incredible Deal or Predatory Scam?: Cash buyer companies make all-cash offers on homes in virtually any condition. It’s fast and efficient, but you’ll rarely get fair market value for your home. If you’re considering an offer from a We Buy Houses for Cash company, read this guide first.

Methodology

Average savings are based on what each low commission broker charges across four common price points — $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000 — compared to a standard 3% listing agent commission.

Note: pricing data, locations, and other data points are current as of when this article was last updated.

Realtor Commission FAQs