Want to avoid paying a 5–6% real estate commission? Flat fee agents can help.
Flat fee options charge a set dollar amount or a reduced percentage (typically 1–1.5%) to list your home — often saving sellers thousands compared to traditional agents who charge around 2.5–3% per side. There are two main types of flat fee services:
- Flat-fee real estate agents can be excellent options for sellers who don’t want to pay the high commissions of traditional real estate agents but who still want full-service support. They are essentially low-commission realtors who charge a 1-1.5% listing fee on a home sale.
- Flat-fee MLS companies give For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers access to the MLS, where most homes are sold, and without needing to hire an agent.
This article breaks down the top flat fee agent services and MLS companies, explains how each works, and helps you decide which type of service is best for your sale.
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What is a flat fee real estate agent?
When talking about flat fees in real estate, there are two common meanings: flat fee agents, and flat fee MLS companies. Although they sound similar, they’re very different things.
Flat fee real estate agents
These real estate agents charge a flat rate for their services, rather than basing their fee on a percentage of the sale price of a home.
For example, instead of a typical 3% listing commission on a $500,000 home ($15,000), a flat fee agent might charge $5,000 — regardless of the sale price. Many companies use flat minimum fees and switch to a percentage-based fee structure once the sale price reaches a certain threshold.
Many flat fee agents offer full-service support, but you may need to pay extra for premium services like professional staging, open houses, or enhanced marketing. Unlike traditional agents, some flat fee agents require payment upfront — even if your home doesn’t sell.
Help-U-Sell is one of the more established flat fee real estate companies, offering a full-service model at a set fee that can save sellers thousands.
How much can I save with a flat fee agent?
Sellers can save a lot of money on realtor fees by going with a flat fee agent - especially on higher-priced homes.
| Home sale price | 3% listing commission | Flat fee (example) | Your savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $9,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Let’s say you’re selling your home with a standard 3% listing commission:
- On a $300,000 home, you'd pay $9,000
- On a $500,000 home, you'd pay $15,000
Now compare that to a flat fee agent charging $5,000. That’s a savings of:
- $4,000 on a $300,000 home
- $10,000 on a $500,000 home
Keep in mind that these are just the listing fees paid to the seller’s agent—the buyer’s agent will also charge a similar fee. A seller could save thousands of dollars using our earlier example flat fee of $5,000.
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Flat fee MLS companies
Flat-fee MLS companies offer sellers a way to list their homes on the multiple listing service (MLS) — the main platform agents use to find homes — without hiring a full-service realtor.
Normally, only licensed agents can post listings on the MLS. However, with a flat fee MLS service, For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers can pay a one-time fee to get their property listed, gaining access to a much wider audience.
Typical flat fee MLS services cost between $89 and $300 or more, depending on the provider and included features. This is far cheaper than paying a 2.5–3% listing commission.
💡 Key insights: A study on the MLS revealed that homes listed on it sold for 17.5% more than comparable homes sold off MLS during the same period.[1] Similarly, a study by Clever Real Estate found that homes sold by a realtor fetch $50,000 more, on average, than those who didn't use an agent.[2]
However, these services are limited to the listing itself. In addition to other time-consuming tasks, you'll be responsible for pricing your home, handling showings, negotiating with buyers, and managing paperwork. While MLS exposure is valuable, it's not a magic bullet, as selling without an agent takes time, effort, and know-how.
How much can I save with a flat fee MLS?
| Home sale price | Traditional 3% listing agent | Flat fee MLS service | Potential savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $100–300 | Up to $14,900 |
| Note: With a flat fee MLS, you handle pricing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork on your own. | |||
You can save a lot of money using a flat fee MLS and selling your home yourself. For example:
- A flat fee MLS package might cost just $100–300
- On a $500,000 home, a 3% listing agent commission would cost $15,000
But remember the trade-off: MLS access only gets your home listed — you’ll still be responsible for pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork. Also, FSBO homes tend to sell for less than agent-listed homes on average, which can eat into or even cancel out your savings.
The bottom line: Flat fee MLS services can be a great budget-friendly option, but they work best for experienced sellers comfortable managing the process themselves.
Does the NAR settlement impact flat fee agents?
Yes - the 2024 NAR settlement, which took effect on August 17, 2024, has made the flat fee model more appealing than ever. The settlement eliminated the requirement for sellers to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent via the MLS.[3]
That move increased transparency and gave sellers more control over how (and whether) they want to compensate buyer’s agents. Flat fee and discount real estate models were already built around commission flexibility, and the new rules only reinforce their value.
As a result, more sellers are exploring flat fee agents, low-commission brokerages, and FSBO options as legitimate ways to save on realtor fees and keep more money from their home sale.
Top 3 flat fee real estate agents
| Company | Listing fee |
|---|---|
| 🏆 1. Clever Real Estate | 1.5% (min. $3,000) |
| 2. Redfin | 1.5% (min. fee varies) |
| 3. Ideal Agent | 2% (min. $3,000) |
1. Clever Real Estate
Commission rate: Flat $3,000 fee, or 1.5% of the sale price—whichever is greater.
Availability: Nationwide
What Clever offers: Clever Real Estate offers sellers a full-service real estate experience at a reduced price. The listing fee a flat $3,000 or 1.5% of the sale price, whichever is the higher amount.
While some companies offer lower percentage rates than Clever, the flat minimum fee is one of the lowest on the market, and the company aims to provide that rate without compromising on service.
What actual customers say online: Reviewers are impressed by the ease of the selling process, describing it as "full service at a discount price" and "the definition of quality." Most reviews are positive. There are a handful of complaints about agents, but these are relatively rare.
Who Clever is best for: Clever is ideal for sellers who want to maximize savings without sacrificing service — especially in mid- to high-priced markets where the 1.5% fee can result in thousands in savings.
✍️ Editor’s Pick: Choose Clever Real Estate for top-notch service at a low 1.5% listing fee. Partner with experienced realtors from renowned brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. Get your free agent matches today!
2. Redfin
Commission rate: Redfin has a flat rate of $2,000–$9,000 (based on market) or 1.5% of the sale price, whichever is greater. Customers who both sell and buy through Redfin can save an extra 0.5%, bringing the fee down to 1%.
Availability: Nationwide
What Redfin offers: Redfin’s flat minimum fees vary based on the market—more expensive markets have higher minimum fees. After a certain home price, the rate transitions to a percentage (1.5%). Customers can also buy a home through Redfin, and those who do save an extra 0.5% on the listing fee, bringing it to just 1%.
Note: In July 2025, Redfin was acquired by Rocket Companies, the parent company of Rocket Mortgage. The platform is now branded as Redfin, powered by Rocket, and it aims to combine its real estate services with mortgage and title offerings.[4]
New mortgage savings: Redfin sellers who also buy a home using Rocket Mortgage can access extra savings through the new Rocket Preferred Pricing program. You can choose between:
- A 1% lower interest rate for the first year
- Up to $6,000 in lender credits from Rocket Mortgage
This program is available to qualified buyers using conventional, FHA, or VA loans.
What actual customers say online: Most reviews highlight Redfin’s tech-savvy platform, competitive pricing, and responsive agents. However, some sellers have had mixed experiences with agent quality, noting inconsistent service depending on the local agent assigned.
Example: One seller reported that their Redfin agent dismissed their home's value and offered little market insight — underscoring the importance of agent fit.
Who Redfin is best for: Redfin is a smart choice for sellers in major metro areas who want an all-in-one real estate experience — especially if they also plan to buy with Redfin and want to unlock the 1% listing fee and potentially save even more through Rocket Preferred Pricing.
3. Ideal Agent
Commission rate: $3,000 flat minimum rate, then 2% of the home’s price.
Availability: Nationwide
What Ideal Agent offers: Ideal Agent uses a combination of online forms and interviews to match customers with real estate agents. The flat fee is extremely low, which helps offset the higher percentage-based rates.
What actual customers say online: Ideal Agent has generally positive reviews online. Customers tend to appreciate the level of service received from agents. Most complaints focus on poor agent experiences, particularly communication. However, the company seems to respond quickly to issues and attempts to address them with customers.
Who Ideal Agent is best for: Home sellers who don’t mind paying a little more for good service.
Best flat fee MLS companies
Many flat fee MLS companies are available, each claiming to be the best option for sellers. Some of the most popular and highly rated include Beycome, iSoldMyHouse, Unreal Estate, and Homecoin.
| Company | Starting price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Houzeo | $249+ |
|
| Beycome | $99–$599 |
|
| iSoldMyHouse | $299–$399 |
|
| Unreal Estate | $0–$449 |
|
| Homecoin | $95+ |
|
Here's a closer look at each flat fee MLS company and what they provide:
- Houzeo: Packages start around $249, with additional à la carte services like contract review, pricing assistance, and digital offer management. It's available nationwide and offers one of the most feature-rich FSBO platforms.
- Beycome: Prices range from $99 for a basic MLS listing to $599 for a concierge service with marketing support and a dedicated closing coordinator. Customer opinions are generally positive and praise the professionalism of the service.
- iSoldMyHouse: Prices range from $299 to $399, depending on the level of service you want. Customers like the straightforward listing process and the platform’s ease of use.
- Unreal Estate: Packages start at $0 and go up to $449, depending on how independent you want to be in your selling process. Reviews are mostly positive, but there aren’t many, which could be a downside for some.
- Homecoin: Homecoin prices start at $95. Customer reviews are excellent, praising the user-friendly system and low price.
Each flat fee MLS company offers its own mix of price, features, and support. Ultimately, the best choice comes down to how much help you want and how comfortable you are managing the sale yourself.
Alternatives to flat fee agents
If you need more assistance selling your home or otherwise decide that a flat fee agent isn’t for you, you have options.
Full-service agents
The main alternative for many sellers will be a traditional, full-service real estate agent. These agents generally charge a higher percentage commission than flat fee or discount agents, but there are usually fewer compromises, so this will be a good option for many sellers.
Cash buyers and iBuyers
For homeowners who just want to sell quickly and are less worried about price, a cash buyer or iBuyer might be a good bet.
iBuyers (also known as an instant buyer) is a company that uses online tools to buy and sell real estate online at a fast pace. It’s not unheard of for a home to sell within 24 hours with iBuyers. The trade-off is that prices are almost always far lower than a traditional real estate transaction.
FSBO
Finally, some homeowners will prefer to sell their home themselves. FSBO (for-sale-by-owner) transactions are a lot of work, but you can have the least overhead (in theory) because of the lack of listing fees.
However, there are downsides to consider.
Emily Dawson, a Coldwell Banker real estate agent in Savannah, GA, explains: "Statistically, FSBOs sell their homes for less than if they listed with a real estate agent who is versed in the market. Agents are able to pull more detailed comparables to price your home accordingly. We market your home, and we know the ins and outs of the local real estate market. Knowledge is certainly priceless when selling your greatest asset."
