A 1% commission realtor works for a 1% real estate commission (or close to it) - far less than the traditional 2.5–3% listing fee. On a $500,000 sale, that could mean $10,000 in savings.
While the financial benefits may seem great, 1% commission realtors may not be the right choice for every seller.
A 1% realtor makes sense if:
- You're selling in a hot market where homes move fast
- You’re confident handling some aspects of the process yourself
- You want to maximize your profit and minimize fees
1% realtors are wrong for:
- Homes needing major repairs or with unique challenges
- Homes in slow markets where expert marketing and negotiation matter
- Those wanting full-service guidance from start to finish
Curious how much you could save with a low commission agent? Answer a few quick questions to get matched with top-rated local realtors who offer full service for just 1.5%.
What is a 1% commission realtor?
A 1% commission realtor refers to a commission structure in which the listing agent receives 1% (or close to it) of the house's sale price as payment. Examples of popular 1% commission realtor services include Clever Real Estate, Redfin, and UpNest.
Most real estate agents work solely on commission. When a home sells, the agents get a percentage of the sale price as a service fee. This fee is paid by the seller at closing and varies, but typically averages 5–6%, with each agent getting 2.5–3% commission.
With a 1% commission, the seller’s agent sets their commission at roughly 1%, substantially lower than the typical 2.5–3%. This also means you don't have to personally try to negotiate commissions lower with that agent, since the 1% rate is already pre-determined.
However, it’s worth noting that the buyer’s agent usually still gets a traditional amount, so the total commission might still be around 3.5-4% (1% for the seller’s agent and 2.5-3% for the buyer’s agent).
Some 1% agents charge slightly more than 1%, a common fee being 1.5%. However, they're typically still considered low commission realtors, or "1% agents."
How much can you save? $500,000 house sale example
| Fees | Traditional commission | 1% commission |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | 3% | 1% |
| Buyer's agent fee | 3% | 3% |
| Total fees | 6% | 4% |
| Total commission | $30,000 | $20,000 |
Choosing a 1% commission realtor could save you thousands in fees — especially compared to the traditional 6% model. In the example above, selling a $500,000 home with a 1% listing agent would cost $20,000 in total commission, compared to $30,000 with a traditional agent.
That’s a $10,000 difference — a meaningful boost to your bottom line.
While this is a simplified example, it shows how even a small change in commission rate can have a big financial impact.
Differences between 1% realtors and traditional agents
| Factor | 1% realtors | Traditional agents |
|---|---|---|
| Commission rate | 1–1.5% | 2.5–3% |
| Service level | May be limited or à la carte | Full-service, end-to-end support |
| Marketing | Basic (MLS listing, standard photos) | Advanced (pro photos, drone footage, 3D tours, open houses) |
| Paperwork support | Often minimal — may require DIY or attorney help | Typically included |
| Agent experience | May include newer or lower-volume agents | Varies — often more experienced |
The biggest difference between these two options is the commission rate, with 1% realtors charging a 1-1.5% rate, compared to the usual 2.5-3%.
But commission isn’t the only thing that sets them apart — the level of service and agent experience can also vary widely.
What you get with a 1% realtor
Agents who offer discounted rates may streamline or scale back their services. You might get:
- A basic MLS listing
- Limited photos or marketing support
- Little to no help with paperwork or negotiations
Some 1% agents are newer to the industry and may take on clients to build experience. They might also be more focused on closing quickly, which could mean less emphasis on getting you top dollar.
However, the agent's experience level and quality depend heavily on the company and the agent. For example, Clever Real Estate pre-negotiates low 1.5% listing fees with full-service agents from well-known brokerages. That means you can still get expert support, strategic pricing, and hands-on help — just without the full 3% price tag.
What traditional agents typically provide
Full-price agents usually deliver a more comprehensive service package, including:
- Professional photography and video (drone, 3D tours, etc.)
- Open houses and staging support
- Full paperwork, pricing, and negotiation assistance
You’ll likely pay more in commission, but the added service may be worth it if your home needs extra marketing or hands-on support to sell.
Traditional realtors usually charge a 2.5-3% commission rate and provide a wide array of services. These services often include advanced marketing techniques such as drone photography and 3D video tours, hosting open houses, and comprehensive assistance with paperwork and negotiations with buyers.
💡Key tip: Service quality can vary widely among both 1% and traditional real estate agents, and not all may offer the full range of services described. It's important to thoroughly research and carefully select realtors to ensure you find one that meets your needs.
That’s why we recommend starting with Clever Real Estate. Clever connects you with top-rated, full-service agents in your area — but at a fraction of the usual 2.5–3% listing fee. You'll get expert guidance and support without overpaying.
Why would an agent work for just 1% commission?
Accepting a 1% commission as a real estate agent may seem like a bad deal, but it can benefit the agent in certain situations.
In a hot seller's market. In areas of the country with high demand for homes and few homes available, properties tend to sell quickly – that means a fast paycheck for the agent. Some agents are okay with taking a smaller paycheck if they know the money will come to them more quickly.
"When a seller agrees to price aggressively and we expect a quick turnaround, I’m happy to be flexible," says Leticia Sotomayor, an agent based in San Bernardino County, California.
High-priced, or luxury home listings. Selling expensive properties can still be profitable with a 1% commission. For example, selling a $2 million home at a 1% commission brings in $20,000. Even after accounting for brokerage splits and listing expenses like photography, the agent should still earn a nice profit.
For the referral potential. Referrals are important for realtors, plain and simple. Happy clients who find their agent through a friend or family will likely pass on the good word, potentially bringing more business. Some agents may be willing to earn a smaller paycheck in anticipation of new business.
“If it’s a referral, a repeat client, or someone in a tough financial spot, I’m more likely to be flexible," says Sotomayor.
For positive reviews. Strong customer reviews and successful sales help build an agent's reputation, which is good for their long-term career.
For multiple transactions. Sometimes an agent might handle both the sale of the current home and the purchase of a new one for the same client. This can double their commission earnings. So, they may be willing to take on a much lower listing commission since they'll also be earning a buyer's agent commission.
“If I know I’ll also be helping the client buy their next home, I’m usually willing to lower my fee on the sale," says Ryan Radecki, a Central Indiana-based real estate agent.
However, a 1% commission might not benefit hard-to-sell properties, such as homes needing major repairs, overpriced properties, or those in less desirable locations.
Best 1% commission realtors of 2025
Choosing the right realtor can significantly impact your home-selling experience and the money you save. Here’s a comparison of our top picks for low commission realtors offering 1% commission or close to it:
1. Clever Real Estate
Commission rate: 1.5%, $3,000 minimum
Availability: Nationwide
What Clever offers: Clever Real Estate aims to offer lower commission rates without sacrificing service or customer experience. You start with a short quiz, which helps match you with a group of vetted agents in your market. You can then choose the best fit from that group to sell your house.
What actual customers are saying online: Reviews for Clever Real Estate are overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the quality of service and the agents' experience. A few customers complain about poor service or rude agents, but they’re a very small minority.[1]
Who Clever is best for: Clever is a great choice for home sellers looking to pay a lower listing fee without sacrificing quality.
✍️ Editor’s take: Clever Real Estate is the best choice for most home sellers. You'll pay a low 1.5% listing fee in exchange for full service from conventional realtors from name-brand brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. Get your free agent matches today!
2. Redfin
Commission rate: 1.5%. Sellers who also buy a home through Redfin can get a further 0.5% reduction to bring the listing fee down to 1%. Minimum fees apply and vary by market, from as little as $2,000 to as much as $9,000 in San Francisco. A full list of minimum fees can be found here.
Availability: Nationwide.
What Redfin offers: Redfin is a discount brokerage with a base fee of 1.5%, with minimum fees that vary by market (more expensive markets generally have higher minimum fees).
In July 2025, Rocket Companies acquired Redfin and rebranded the platform as Redfin powered by Rocket, integrating Redfin’s home search and agent services with Rocket’s mortgage and loan infrastructure.
The company also introduced Rocket Preferred Pricing, which offers homebuyers represented by Redfin or Rocket Homes partner agents either a 1% temporary mortgage rate buydown or up to $6,000 in lender credits. The program applies whether a Redfin agent represents the buyer or seller.
Redfin also offers Redfin Premier, a premium tier for high-end listings. It includes advanced marketing services like professional video tours, drone photography, and targeted advertising — all while retaining Redfin’s discounted commission model.
What actual customers are saying online: Reviews of Redfin are somewhat mixed. Some sellers praise the smooth process and strong results — like Robert I. of Toluca Lake, CA, who said his home sold for more than expected with “excellent service.”
Others, like Kevin M. of Seattle, appreciated the savings but noted issues with communication and third-party services, calling the experience “convenient but with room for improvement.”
Who Redfin is best for: Redfin is ideal for customers who want to sell their homes and buy new ones through the platform. However, check the minimum fee in your market first, as it can be quite high.
» MORE: Clever vs. Redfin breakdown
3. Prevu
Commission rate: 1.5%, with varying minimum fees. Unfortunately, the minimum fees aren't shared publicly.
Availability: Prevu is licensed to operate in 13 states.
What Prevu offers: Prevu offers both home selling and home buying services. Sellers pay a discounted commission rate of 1.5% (though minimum fees do apply). Buyers can take advantage of Prevu’s Smart Buyer rebate program. These rebates take the form of a check issued after closing. The company claims buyers get back an average of $25,000.
What actual customers are saying online: Prevu has outstanding overall reviews. Customers praise the quality of agents and the Smart Buyer rebate program, and describe the process of using Prevu as "quick and smooth."
That said, some customers note that the service is better for those who don’t mind (or even prefer) having less one-on-one agent interaction.
Who Prevu is best for: Prevu is a choice for home buyers who prefer a more hands-on or independent approach. However, you’ll have to be in one of its relatively small number of markets to take advantage of it.
4. Houwzer
Commission rate: Houwzer charges a 1% listing fee, with a minimum fee of $2,500.[2]
Availability: Houwzer is available in 7 markets.
What Houwzer offers: Houwzer does both home sales and purchases and claims to provide "full-service realty for thousands less."[3] The company also offers a rebate of up to half the buyer’s commission when you purchase a home.
What actual customers are saying online: Houwzer has largely positive reviews online, with many customers saying they had a great experience with the company. Most negative complaints center on the company’s business model and how it impacts service—in other words, some customers felt Houwzer agents were incentivized to sell homes quickly, regardless of price.[4]
Who Houwzer is best for: Thanks to its low minimum fee, Houwzer could be a good choice for sellers of lower-valued homes.
» MORE: Houwzer vs. Redfin
5. SimpleShowing
Commission rate: 1%, with a $5,000 minimum fee.
Availability: SimpleShowing is only licensed in Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
What SimpleShowing offers: SimpleShowing offers both selling and buying services. Sellers can use a 1% commission rate (albeit with a $5,000 minimum), while buyers get $5,000 or more towards closing costs.
What actual customers say online: SimpleShowing is a smaller broker with relatively few online reviews. That said, what is there is very positive, emphasizing the professionalism of the realtors and the quality of service received (despite the discounted listing fee).[5]
Who SimpleShowing is best for: SimpleShowing is best for sellers with homes worth over $500,000—these sellers can take full advantage of the 1% listing fee.
How to choose a 1% realtor
1. Compare the costs
The costs of using a 1% realtor are actually less straightforward than you might think. There are several things to keep in mind:
While the listing agent’s fees might be 1%, they’re often a bit higher—closer to 1.5%. It’s just easier (and, frankly, sounds better) to refer to them as “1% realtors.”
Many 1% realtors have a minimum fee that, depending on the price of your home, may come out well above 1%.
Remember that the “1%” in “1% realtor” refers to the listing fee. However, sellers often pay the buyer’s agent fees, which could also increase the total agent fees to 3–4%.
Some (though not all!) 1% realtors charge additional fees for services like staging a home. These can add up if you're not careful.
Ultimately, this means that you should compare costs between different brokers before committing and confirm all costs so there are no surprises.
2. Compare service levels
Discount realtors can be divided into two basic types: full service and limited service. Full-service real estate agents are the traditional agents most people think of—they’ll handle everything necessary to get your house sold, and often some extras on top of that, including:
Negotiating with buyers and their agents.
Providing advice on offers and counteroffers.
Performing a comparative market analysis (CMA).
Coordinating professional photos of your home.
Hosting open houses.
Assisting with staging.
Limited-service agents are often less expensive but don’t offer one or more of these services (or charge an extra fee for them). However, these services can be vital not just for a good experience but also for getting the best price for your home. As such, sellers should generally avoid companies providing fewer services or little in-person support—the potential pitfalls are rarely worth the up-front savings.
3. Consider agent reviews
When choosing an agent, it's important to seek out reviews from actual customers. Agents will always paint themselves in the best light, but reality can sometimes look very different—past customers are the best source of truth about how an agent will conduct themselves.
Emily Dawson, a realtor with Coldwell Banker in Savannah, Georgia, says, “Look for agents that demonstrate honesty, integrity, and strong communication. The right agent will have the best interests of their clients in mind.”
She also cautions against realtors representing the buyer and seller: “One of my business values is to only represent one person in the same transaction—either the buyer or the seller. Both deserve full representation and the ability to walk away from the transaction knowing they were represented well.” It's hard to get that when there’s only one agent involved.
Finally, you should prioritize the reputation of individual agents over that of agencies or brands. A stellar agent at a mediocre agency will certainly be better than a mediocre agent at a stellar agency, because most real estate agents operate as independent contractors, even when affiliated with a brand.
4. Assess the agent's market knowledge
Knowledge of the local real estate market is one of the most important and valuable assets a realtor can bring to the table. It ensures that the seller can get the best possible price for your property.
Dawson says, “Understanding the markets that the agent serves is key on so many levels. If you are listing your home, you want an agent versed in keeping up with the market trends. Agents from other markets won’t know local trends, rules, codes, history, and neighborhoods. In other words, they won’t have the knowledge needed to provide top-tier service in markets they’re not familiar with.”
Experience also plays a role here. It’s not necessarily bad to go with a new agent (they have to start somewhere!), but one with years of experience may be more likely to get you the desired results. When choosing an agent, look for a track record of successful sales.
5. Evaluate communication and availability
Lastly, look for an agent who communicates well. Someone proactive and clear in communication can make selling your home much less stressful—few things are as frustrating as trying to chase down your realtor for information.
Availability is also important. An agent doesn’t necessarily have to be on call 24/7, but they should be available at the times you need them to be. Remember, the agent is working for you, and their main job, aside from selling the home, is to make your life easier during the process.
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