Best 2% Commission Realtors
Best 2% commission companies | Better alternatives to 2%? | Why would a realtor offer 2%? | Can you get full service for 2%? | How to choose a 2% commission realtor | FAQ
This guide covers where to find the best real estate agents offering 2% commission, plus how to choose the right one for your home sale.
Real estate commissions are usually one of the largest expenses when selling your home. As the seller, you'll typically pay 3% of the final sale price to your listing agent and another 3% to the buyer's agent.
When you sell with a 2% commission realtor, you pay your listing agent 2% instead of 3%, bringing the total commission down to 5%.
While that might not seem like much of a difference, it can add up to thousands of dollars in savings.
For example, on a $400,000 home sale, selling with a 2% realtor puts $4,000 back in your pocket.
2% real estate commission companies we recommend
Company | Listing fee | Avg. customer rating | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
1.5% | 5.0/5.0 (3,000+ reviews) | Nationwide | |
1.5% | 4.8/5.0 (156,000+ reviews) | Nationwide | |
2% | 4.9/5.0 (7,000+ reviews) | Nationwide | |
1.5% | 5.0/5.0 (600+ reviews) | CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX, VA, WA |
1. 🏆 Best: Clever Real Estate
What it is: Clever is a free agent matching service that pre-negotiates low 1.5% listing fees with top-rated agents nationwide.
How it works: After signing up, you provide Clever with a few details about your sale and personal preferences. Clever hand-picks several agent matches for you to choose between from its vetted network of 19,000+ 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.
✅ Clever pros
Low listing fee. 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.
High-quality agents. Clever agents are available across the nation, and they 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
Superb customer reviews. Clever has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. Its average customer rating is 5 out of 5 stars, based on more than 3,000 reviews.
❌ Clever cons
Savings diminish at lower price points. Clever has a minimum listing fee of $3,000. At lower price points, 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 is equal to 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 a number of different 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.
✅ Redfin pros
Decent commission savings. 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.
Some good agents (and transparency). Redfin’s agent quality can be mixed, but it definitely has some solid real estate agents in its ranks. Its agent finder tool is also transparent, allowing you to view recent transactions and unfiltered customer reviews.
❌ Redfin cons
Less agent selection. Redfin is currently available in about 100 major US markets. But even within those markets, Redfin often only has a few agents to choose from. 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 19,000 agents and nationwide coverage.
Agents might not be a local expert. Because there are 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.
High minimum fees might limit your savings. 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?
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 get connected 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.
✅ Ideal Agent pros
Solid customer reviews. Most reviews on Ideal Agent applaud the service and its team. Agents are generally noted as high quality, helpful, and professional.
Good agent quality. 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
Less savings. 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.
Only one agent match. 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 California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
How it works: Prevu agents provide full service for a discounted 1.5% listing fee. But it also has hefty minimum fees that vary by market (and aren’t clearly disclosed on Prevu’s website). These fees can result in much 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.
✅ Prevu pros
Decent savings for pricier homes. If you’re selling a higher-value home (which may be the case for many sellers in the luxury markets Prevu operates in), the 1.5% listing fee rate can yield decent savings.
❌ Prevu cons
High minimum fees (and no transparency). Prevu has some of the highest minimum fees of any discount or low commission brand. They vary by market and are hard to track down (i.e., you won’t find them on the website). While Prevu primarily operates in markets with pricey homes — which means many sellers won’t bump into that minimum fee vs. advertised 1.5% rate threshold — it’s still definitely something to watch out for as you’re weighing your options.
Limited agent selection. Like other discount brokerages (see Redfin), Prevu has only a handful of agents to choose from in a given market. This makes it harder to find the best fit for your sale, in terms of experience and personality.
Why would a realtor offer a 2% commission rate?
If a 3% commission rate is considered an industry standard, it might be confusing that a real estate agent would work for less — especially when the typical transaction involves a significant amount of paperwork, effort, and expertise.
Here are seven reasons dedicated agents may work at a lower commission rate (and potential trade-offs to consider when hiring a low commission agent).
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.
New realtors may accept a lower commission rate to build their reputation, get testimonials, and increase their caseload. Working with a newer agent could be beneficial. They may have more time to focus on your needs. They'll also be motivated to provide you with a great experience so you spread the word about their services.
However, there can also be trade-offs. For example, they may not have the connections or experience of an established realtor. Thoroughly interview the realtor you're considering to ensure they have the expertise you need.
A realtor may agree to a lower commission rate if you don’t need their full services. For instance, you may be able to do some tasks yourself, allowing them to reduce the work for your listing. In these situations, make sure you and your agent are clear on what the agent will (and won’t) do.
While most real estate transactions involve two agents, there may be 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 be splitting it with another agent.
Dual agency has the advantage of streamlining communication and speeding up the transaction, but it also has drawbacks. It would be difficult for the agent to act in the best interest of both parties. As a result, dual agency is illegal in some states: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.
An agent may accept a reduced fee when a property will be easy to sell. For instance, you may have a move-in ready home that’s staged well or located in a highly desired area. In this situation, the listing agent won’t have as much work to do.
A real estate agent may be open to reducing their agent fees for an expensive listing. Even with a reduced fee, the listing agent makes a good commission when it's a percentage of a highly priced home.
An agent may reduce their rate if, by working with you, they're able to secure commission on multiple deals. This can happen if you’re selling multiple properties or if they're helping you sell and buy at the same time.
Can you get a full-service realtor for a 2% commission?
Yes, you can find a full-service agent for a 2% commission — or less.
But not all full-service agents offer the same quality of service, which is why it’s important to vet agents and brokerages. Make sure you understand how the low commission agent or company is creating the savings (and whether there are any trade-offs) before you decide to work with them.
How much can I save with a 2% real estate commission?
On a $440,000 home, you could save around $4,400 when you list with a 2% agent.
The amount you save with a 2% real estate commission depends on the final sale price of your home. Generally, for every $100,000 of your home’s final sale price, you’ll save $1,000 in agent fees with a 2 percent commission realtor vs. a full commission realtor.
Here’s how much you could save with a 2 percent commission realtor at different home prices.
Sale price | Buyers agent fee (3%) | Listing fee (2%) | Total commission (5%) | Commission savings* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$200,000 | $6,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $2,000 |
$300,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 | $3,000 |
$400,000 | $12,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 | $4,000 |
$500,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 |
$600,000 | $18,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 | $6,000 |
$750,000 | $22,500 | $15,000 | $37,500 | $7,500 |
$1,000,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
*Estimated savings compared to a full 6% total commission. | ||||
Real estate commission calculator
Want to see how much you'd pay for your listing agent's commission? Use this calculator to see how much you could save with a 2% real estate commission versus the standard 3% listing fee.
How to choose a 2% commission realtor
When choosing a 2% commission realtor, you want to make sure you're getting 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 when paying a 2% real estate commission.
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.
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.
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 it comes out of the proceeds of the sale. However, some discount brokerages require you to pay a nonrefundable fee upfront. Avoid brands with up-front fees, which increase your risk and out-of-pocket costs.
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%.
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?
Is a 2% realtor commission a good deal?
A 2% realtor commission nets you some savings, but there are several low commission real estate brands offering even lower listing fees without skimping on service or agent quality.
We think Clever Real Estate is the best value for most home sellers. Clever offers a discounted listing fee of 1.5%, and it matches you with top local realtors from major brands like Keller Williams and Century 21.
Compared to competitors, Clever offers a better agent selection — it has over 18,000 pre-screened local agents in its network. The company also has the highest overall customer rating of any low commission real estate brand.
Other options worth a look include Ideal Agent and Redfin. But both have a few drawbacks. Redfin has limited agent selection and service quality risks. Ideal Agent also has limited agent selection and costs 2% for the same service.
⚡️ Quick tip: Shop around for the best value!
It’s free to request and interview agents from any of the companies in this guide. It’s always a good idea to compare a few options to ensure you get the best fit and value. Start with Clever to maximize your potential savings. If you don’t like any of the agents it recommends, work your way down the list.
FAQ about 2% commission realtors
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. The average real estate commission for a listing agent is 2.5–3%, so a 2% commission saves you money. However, even with a discounted listing fee, you still need to pay the buyer's agent commission, usually an additional 2.5–3%.
Most real estate agents charge a 2.5–3% 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.
A 3% commission for an experienced agent used to be 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%.
Buyer’s agent fees are negotiable and vary by market, but 2.5–3% 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.