Real estate commissions are often the biggest expense when selling a home. On a $500,000 sale, sellers typically pay 2.5%–3% to their listing agent and the same to the buyer’s agent — up to $30,000 in fees.
Working with a 2% commission realtor can lower those costs and put thousands back in your pocket. Even a half-percent reduction on the listing side adds to major savings at closing.
Clever Real Estate takes it further by offering a 1.5% listing fee. You’ll work with top-rated local agents from brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, getting full-service support — pricing guidance, marketing, negotiation, and closing help — while paying far less than the traditional 3%.
Clever sellers save an average of $7,000 in commission fees and have completed over 23,000 successful home sales nationwide.
⚡ Want full-service support and lower fees? Answer a few quick questions, and we’ll connect you with top agents near you — free and without pressure.
Best 2% real estate commission companies
| Company | Avg. customer rating* | Listing fee | Avg. savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5% | $7,000 | ||
| 1.5% | $5,500 | ||
| 2% | $4,500 | ||
| 1.5% | Varies | ||
| Varies | Varies |
*Ratings are based on publicly available data from review sources like Google, Trustpilot, and Better Business Bureau, and are accurate as of publication but subject to change.
1. 🏆 Best: Clever Real Estate
Clever Real Estate is our top choice for sellers who want full service at a lower cost.
What it is: Clever technically isn't a 2% commission realtor because it charges less than that. It negotiates a 1.5% listing fee with top agents from trusted brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. The average Clever seller saves about $7,000, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to sell your home without sacrificing service.
How it works: After signing up, you provide Clever with details about your sale and personal preferences. Clever hand-picks several agent matches for you to choose between from its vetted network of 14,000+ agents nationwide. Your agent provides the same service and support as they offer their full-commission clients, from listing through closing. And you pay the reduced listing fee (and applicable buyer’s agent fee) at closing, saving you thousands.
Who should use: Clever Real Estate is ideal for any seller looking to save on commission fees – without sacrificing full-service support. It’s great for those who want access to top-rated agents and personalized matching based on their needs and preferences. Get your free agent matches today!
Customer testimonial
Learn how Clever Real Estate customer Bonnie saved thousands on her home sale.
Pros
- Low listing fee
- High-quality agents
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- Lower savings on inexpensive homes
✅ Clever pros
Clever is one of the only full-service nationwide brands offering a 1.5% listing fee. Based on Clever’s data, the average seller saves about $7,000 compared to what they’d pay had they found the same agent on their own.
Clever agents are available nationwide and typically work for nationally recognized brands like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway. Agents are vetted and must have:
- At least five years of experience
- Stellar reviews from past sellers
- A proven track record of success in their local market
Finally, Clever has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. Based on more than 3,000 reviews, its average customer rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
❌ Clever cons
Clever has a minimum listing fee of $3,000. At lower prices, like a $150,000 home, your effective commission rate would be 2%. But it’s worth pointing out that this is true of most low-commission brands (Redfin, for example, has even higher minimum fees). And Clever’s highest effective rate equals Ideal Agent’s base rate.
2. Redfin
What it is: Redfin is a well-established, widely available discount brokerage that charges a 1.5% listing fee when you sell your home with one of its in-house agents.
How it works: You find and hire salaried Redfin agents through Redfin’s website. You’ll generally get all the services you’d expect from a conventional realtor, but the experience may be a bit different.
Redfin relies more heavily on a team-based approach and technology, which usually means dealing with several people throughout your sale, and often less hands-on support. You pay Redfin the 1.5% listing fee at closing, plus any applicable buyer’s agent fee.
Who should use Redfin? Redfin is a good option for buyers or sellers looking to save on commission fees, provided it operates in their area. It may suit those comfortable with a team-based approach and technology-driven interactions throughout the sale process.
Pros
- Commission savings
- Some good agents (and transparency)
Cons
- Fewer agent selection
- Agents might not be a local expert
- High minimum fees, in some cases
✅ Redfin pros
Redfin’s 1.5% listing fee offers solid potential savings compared to the typical 2.5–3% rate. But watch out for Redfin’s hidden minimum fees that vary by market.
Redfin’s agent quality can be mixed, but it has some solid real estate agents. Its transparent agent finder tool lets you view recent transactions and unfiltered customer reviews.
❌ Redfin cons
Redfin is available in over 100 major US and Canadian markets after expanding into several big markets in 2024, including Austin, TX, and Denver, CO.[1]
But even within those markets, Redfin often only has a few agents. This can make it hard to find a good fit or move fast if the best choices aren’t available. You’ll get more agent selection from brands like Clever, which has a network of 14,000 agents and nationwide coverage.
Because there are typically only a few Redfin agents in each major city, you may end up with an agent who doesn't understand the ins and outs of your local market.
Finally, Redfin has different minimum fees in each market. A $3,000 minimum fee is standard for most discount real estate brokers, but Redfin's fees are as high as $8,000 in certain areas, meaning you'll pay more than a 1.5% listing fee if your home price is below $500,000.
» MORE: Clever Real Estate vs. Redfin: Which Is Better?
⚠️Redfin is now part of Rocket Companies
On July 1, 2025, Rocket Companies (parent of Rocket Mortgage) completed its $1.75 billion acquisition of Redfin, uniting the nation’s most-visited real estate brokerage site with America’s largest mortgage lender.
- Rocket Preferred Pricing: Buyers who use both Rocket Mortgage and a Redfin agent get a 1% interest rate reduction for the first year or a closing credit up to $6,000.
- What’s next: New products and services for homebuyers, agents, and brokers are planned, under the refreshed brand “Redfin Powered by Rocket.”
Key takeaway: This merger could streamline the home search and financing process, but may also impact Redfin’s fees, transparency, and service model.
3. Ideal Agent
What it is: Ideal Agent is a free agent matching service that negotiates 2% listing fees with the realtors in its network.
How it works: After signing up on Ideal Agent’s website, you’ll connect with a top-producing local agent (assuming Ideal Agent has coverage in your area). At closing, you’ll pay a 2% listing fee ($3,000 minimum) plus the applicable buyer’s agent fee.
Who should use: Ideal Agent is suitable for sellers who value having a dedicated, full-service real estate agent and are willing to pay a 2% listing fee, which is higher than Clever and Redfin. It's an option if you prefer a personalized, guided experience through the home-selling process.
Pros
- Solid reviews
- Good agent quality
Cons
- Less savings
- Only one agent match
✅ Ideal Agent pros
Most reviews on Ideal Agent applaud the service and its team. Agents are generally noted as high quality, helpful, and professional.
Also, Ideal Agent has some of the strictest criteria for the agents in its network, at least according to its website. Ideal Agent says its minimum requirements for agents to join its network include:
- Active sales or broker license
- At least five years of experience
- At least 50 (small market) or 100 (large market) transactions in the past 12 months
- At least 25 reviews on Zillow or Realtor.com with a cumulative 4.9-star rating
❌ Ideal Agent cons
Ideal Agent’s 2% listing fee nets you some savings compared to the typical 2.5–3% rate, but other options like Clever (1.5% fee) and Redfin (1.5%) will save you more.
Ideal Agent’s agent network is considerably smaller (2,000 total) than other agent matching services. And it provides only one agent match when you sign up, putting you in a take-it-or-leave-it situation.
Other agent matching services, like Clever Real Estate and UpNest, have much larger networks and match you with multiple agents so you can compare options and choose the best fit.
4. Prevu
What it is: Prevu is a discount real estate brokerage offering in-house agents and 1.5% listing fees for home sellers in select cities in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
How it works: Prevu agents provide full service for a discounted 1.5% listing fee. However, it also has hefty minimum fees that vary by market (and aren’t disclosed on Prevu’s website).
These fees can result in higher effective rates for sellers with lower-value homes. For example, Prevu’s minimum fee in NYC is $12,500 — so if your home is worth less than $835,000, you’ll be paying a higher effective rate than the advertised 1.5% fee.
Who should use: Prevu is ideal for budget-conscious buyers and sellers who don't mind handling some initial steps. It offers a 1.5% listing fee and potential buyer rebates, making it a good choice for those looking to save on commission costs. However, if you prefer more hands-on support, consider other options.
5. UpNest
What it is: UpNest is a Realtor.com–owned agent-matching service. Agents submit proposals and compete for your business, but the service charges agents a ~30% referral fee, which can reduce room for commission discounts.
How it works: Share a few details about your sale or purchase. UpNest typically sends 3–5 proposals within 24 hours so you can compare services, pricing, and marketing plans. You choose an agent (or walk away). Sellers pay the agreed listing fee at closing, while buyers may receive a 20% commission refund at closing where allowed.
Who should use: UpNest is a good fit if you want multiple agent options fast and prefer comparing proposals in one place. It's less ideal if you want guaranteed savings without negotiation or you value highly hands-on service from day one.
Bottom line: UpNest makes it easy to compare agents, but savings aren’t guaranteed and service can vary by match. If you want predictable commission savings with full service, consider a low-commission option like Clever (1.5% listing fee) where rates are pre-negotiated.
How much can I save with a 2% real estate commission?
| Sale price | Traditional (6%)* | Discount (5%) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $18,000 | $15,000 | $3,000 |
| $500,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 |
| $750,000 | $45,000 | $37,500 | $7,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $60,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
*The traditional commission estimate assumes a 3% buyer’s agent commission; it compares a typical 6% total fee to a reduced 5% (2% listing + 3% buyer’s agent).
Choosing a real estate agent with a 2% listing fee can lead to significant savings. For instance, on a home sold for $750,000, you could save approximately $7,500!
Typically, you'll save $1,000 in agent fees for every $100,000 of your home’s sale price when you opt for a 2% commission instead of the standard full commission.
Why would a realtor offer a 2% commission rate?
As a former real estate agent who sold 19 homes between 2020 and 2021 and a current real estate investor, I understand why it might not be very clear to see an agent offering a 2% commission rate when 3% is the industry standard. But in today’s market, many realtors are willing to work for less — and sellers are starting to take notice.
"The 6% [commission] model is less common and harder to defend today. Buyers and sellers are more informed, and they’re asking better questions," says Dustin Parker, co-founder and CEO of Archie. "The agents who succeed at that level now are clear about the ROI they provide and can articulate it confidently."
Sellers also value trust, service quality, and results. In fact, only 4% of sellers say commission was the most important factor in choosing their agent.[2]
So why would an experienced agent agree to a 2% rate? Based on my experience selling homes as a licensed realtor and working with dozens of agents as an investor, here are some common scenarios.
1. The agent wants to attract more clients
Many agents offer lower commission rates to attract more clients. This strategy is especially useful in markets where many agents compete for a limited number of home sellers.
Offering a lower listing fee can give agents an edge. I know this is the case because I would have taken on more clients even at a lower commission rate when I was a newer agent. The experience alone was worth the lower commission payout, and I would have had a more experienced agent work alongside me for help.
2. The agent may be new to real estate or the area
New realtors may accept a lower commission rate to build their reputation, gather testimonials, and increase their caseload. Working with a newer agent can be beneficial, as they're highly motivated to provide an excellent experience to encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
Additionally, newer agents typically have more time to commit to you than experienced agents managing multiple clients simultaneously.
However, there can also be trade-offs. They may lack the connections or experience of an established realtor. It’s important to thoroughly interview the agent you’re considering to ensure they have the expertise you need.
3. The agent provides fewer services
A realtor may agree to a lower commission rate if you don’t need their full services. For instance, if you can handle tasks like taking high-quality photos, putting up the lawn sign, and marketing open houses, the agent's workload is reduced, justifying a lower commission.
In these situations, ensure you and your agent know what services will be provided and avoid any unexpected extra fees outside of the commission.
4. The agent represents both the seller and the buyer
While most real estate transactions involve two agents, there are times when one agent represents both the seller and the buyer — a scenario called dual agency. In this situation, a realtor may agree to a reduced commission fee since they won’t need to split it with another agent. This means they could earn the full 5-6% commission — up to $30,000 on a $500,000 home sale!
Dual agency can streamline communication and speed up the transaction, but it also has drawbacks. The main one is that it would be difficult for the agent to act in the best interest of both parties.
Personally, I never worked as a dual agent during my time as a realtor because it wasn't worth the potential drawbacks of not serving the client fully and risking their business and future referrals.
Consequently, dual agency is illegal in some states: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.
5. Your home will be easy to sell
An agent may accept a reduced fee if a property is likely to sell quickly. For instance, a move-in ready home that’s well-staged or located in a highly desired area will require less effort to sell. The listing agent can get paid faster than handling a fixer-upper or a property with issues that delay the sale.
For this very reason, I once took on a listing at a reduced commission rate of 2%. I wanted to secure the client's business and knew that, despite the lower rate, I would come out ahead due to the likelihood of a quick sale and potential referrals.
6. Your home has a high listing price
A real estate agent may be open to reducing their fees for an expensive listing, such as one that's well above market averages in your area (e.g., $1 million in a market where homes are generally priced between $500,000 and $750,000). However, the agent still earns a substantial commission on a high-priced home even with a reduced fee.
For this reason, I once took a reduced commission rate on a $1 million listing. Although it meant a $10,000 difference in earnings, I knew reducing fees was important to the client, and I wanted to secure their business.
7. The same agent helps you close multiple transactions
An agent may reduce their rate if they can secure commissions on multiple deals by working with you. This often happens if you’re selling multiple properties or if they’re helping you sell and buy at the same time, which is common for first-time sellers.
For example, I once took on a listing at a reduced rate of 1.5% because I was also helping the sellers purchase a new construction home, for which the builder paid agents a 3% commission. The high commission on the buy side easily outweighed the commission cut on the home sale.
NAR settlement impact
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settled its lawsuit in 2024, and the rule changes are now in effect. The settlement significantly reshaped how real estate transactions work, especially around how buyer’s agents are paid.
Sellers are no longer required to offer a buyer’s agent commission in MLS listings. In the past, those fees were typically predetermined and baked into the listing. Now, sellers can skip that expense entirely or negotiate it on a case-by-case basis.[3]
As of August 17, 2024, buyer’s agents using the MLS must also sign written agreements with buyers before showing homes. These agreements must:
- Disclose the compensation amount or rate.
- Specify objective, non-open-ended compensation terms.
- Prohibit agents from receiving more compensation than the agreed amount.
- Include a statement that broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable.
In practice, this shifts the commission conversation. Buyers can still ask sellers to cover their agent’s fee as part of the offer, but sellers have more freedom to decline or counter.
For home sellers, this creates new opportunities to save. Using a low commission realtor at 1.5–2% already cuts listing costs, and the settlement makes it easier to avoid paying a buyer’s agent altogether.
⚖️New rules mean new ways to save
The NAR settlement changed how commissions work. Sellers no longer have to offer a buyer’s agent fee in MLS listings, giving you more control over your costs.
Pairing this flexibility with a low-commission realtor (like Clever’s 1.5% listing fee) can maximize your savings. You can still negotiate if buyers request fee coverage, but now you decide how much — if anything — to pay.
How to choose a 2% commission realtor
When choosing a 2% commission realtor, you want to ensure you get good value.
Some low commission realtors and brokerages deliver exceptional full service for 2%. Others provide fewer services to offset the lower commission, which may lower the quality of your experience or your home's final sale price.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure you get good value for your 2% real estate commission.
⭐ Read recent reviews
Take your time reading through customer reviews, and pay attention to common complaints. You might want to avoid companies with many reviews about agents not working hard enough, poor communication, or unclear fees. When reading reviews, consider recent comments, the number of negative reviews, and how the company or agent responded to complaints.
🛎️ Only work with full-service companies
The best low commission realtors offer the same services as 3% realtors, just at a discounted price. Companies like Clever match you with top-rated local agents who provide full service for less.
🚩 Avoid brands with up-front fees
The best low-commission real estate companies (and most realtors) charge a fee only if they successfully sell your home. That fee isn't charged until closing and comes from the sale's proceeds. However, some discount brokerages require you to pay a non-refundable fee upfront. Avoid brands with up-front fees, which increase your risk and out-of-pocket costs.
⚠️ Watch out for hidden minimum fees
Most low-commission brands with percentage-based commission models also have a minimum fee. This protects their bottom line, ensuring they still turn a reasonable profit when selling a lower-priced home. Look for a company that’s upfront and transparent about its minimum fee. And if you're selling a less expensive home, make sure the cost-saving value is still there. For example, if a company has a $5,000 minimum listing fee and you’re selling a $150,000 home, you'd pay an effective 3.3% listing fee. You'd be better off with a conventional realtor charging the typical 2.5–3%.
📝 Interview two to three agents
Once you have agent matches, take some time to meet and interview two to three agents. You'll want to find the right fit based on experience and personality.
Here are some questions to ask when interviewing agents:
- How long have you worked in residential real estate sales?
- How many homes have you sold in my area in the last year?
- What services do you offer?
- How do you plan to market my home?
- How will we communicate with each other?
- Can you give me a few recent references?
FAQ about 2% commission realtors
What is a 2% commission?
A 2% real estate commission means a listing agent (i.e., seller’s agent) will list, market, and sell your home for 2% of the final sale price. A listing agent's average real estate commission is 2–3%, so a 2% commission saves you money. However, even with a discounted listing fee, you may still need to pay the buyer's agent commission, usually an additional 2–3%.
What percentage do most realtors charge?
Most real estate agents charge a 2–3% commission. Typically, the home seller pays both the seller’s agent commission and the buyer’s agent commission, resulting in a total commission of 5–6%. However, a growing number of agents and brokerages are offering lower commission rates to stay competitive.
Can I negotiate down to a 2% commission rate?
Yes, you can negotiate down to a 2% listing commission (or lower) with a real estate agent. Many agents are open to charging less than market rates (2.5-3%), to stay competitive and attract more clients. But not all sellers are successful in negotiating. You're generally more likely to negotiate a lower rate if your home is in a hot market, it's likely to sell at a high price point, and if you're also going to buy a home with the same realtor.
Not all agents will agree to a 2% listing fee, especially if your home may be harder to sell. It’s important to interview multiple agents to compare fees and services, ensuring you get the best value for your sale. Some companies, like Clever Real Estate, take the work off your hands by pre-negotiating lower listing fees with top local agents on your behalf.
Is a 3% commission a lot?
A 3% commission for an experienced agent was the standard agent’s commission. However, average commission rates are declining across the real estate industry, making it harder for a traditional agent to justify a 3% commission. You can get a highly qualified, dedicated agent for less than 3%.
Can you negotiate a 2% buyer’s agent commission?
Buyer’s agent fees are negotiable and vary by market, but 2–3% is typical nationwide. You can offer a 2% buyer’s agent fee, but a less-than-competitive buyer’s agent commission could adversely affect your sale outcome. Buyer’s agents may not prioritize showing your home to clients because they can earn more on homes with a higher commission rate. As a result, you may not get as many people viewing your home, potentially forcing you to reduce the listing price to attract more interest.
