What’s the actual difference between a “low commission” realtor and the agent your neighbor used last year? The answer (not surprisingly) has to do with realtor commission.
Using a traditional realtor will likely cost you between 5-6% of the home's sale price, which includes paying both your selling agent (2-3%) and the buyer's agent (2-3%). For a $500,000 home, this means forfeiting up to $30,000 from your sale proceeds.
A low commission realtor, however, is an agent who agrees to work at a much lower rate, often just 1-1.5% on the listing side. The savings can be dramatic: On a $500,000 sale, cutting your listing rate from 3% to 1.5% saves you $7,500.
However, it's not a good idea to go with the company that simply charges the lowest commission, because the savings could come with some serious drawbacks, like poor service or a low sale price. This guide explains what a low commission realtor really is, the pros and cons, and how to vet the companies competing for your listing.
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What is a low commission realtor?
This term refers to any real estate agent willing to list and sell your home for less than the typical listing fee in your area. However, when someone mentions "low commission realtors" they are likely referring to one of three types of business models:
- Agent matching services, which connect you with traditional full-service agents who have agreed to a pre-negotiated or competing rate, typically 1.5% to 2%. The agent works for their normal brokerage, such as Century 21, Keller Williams, or ExP Realty, and the matching service takes a small referral fee.
- Discount brokerages, a type of low-commission brokerage that employ their own salaried or team-based agents and operate a more centralized, tech-driven process. They usually charge as low as 1% to 1.5%.
- Flat-fee MLS services, which charge a fixed $200 to $1,000 to list your home on your local multiple listing service (MLS). You handle showings, negotiations, and closings yourself. This is closer to FSBO with a listing assist than to a full-service agent.
Which one to go with depends on your selling goals and experience. Sellers who want to save but still need professional service should definitely go with an agent matching service or discount brokerage, while those who are comfortable handling their own sale would be better off with a flat-fee MLS service.
How do low commission realtors work?
It's a pretty simple process. You usually start by filling out a short form online, entering in basic details like your name, phone number, and your timeframe for selling. A company rep will likely then contact you to learn more about your situation before matching you with one to three agents.
From there, you'll sign an agreement that states the agent's discounted commission rate, so you never need to negotiate directly with them.
Agents who partner with matching services get a steady stream of motivated sellers, so they're far more willing to accept a lower fee in exchange for skipping the advertising, lead buying, and cold calling they'd otherwise have to do.
Discount brokerages get there differently: salaried agents, specialized teams that split the workload, and software that standardizes the busywork.
The catch (if there is one) is that not every low commission agent provides full service. That's why we highly recommend you get a full list of provided services, in writing, before signing. You'll want to know if all marketing services are included (or charged seperately), if the agent actually attends your showings and inspections, and their negotiating strategies for selling at the highest price.
Pros and cons of low commission realtors
Pros
- Big savings potential
- You can still get full service if you choose wisely
- No negotiating required
Cons
- You still have to pay buyer's agent
- Coverage can be spotty
- Low fees can also mean low service
Choosing a low commission realtor can offer significant financial benefits, but it’s important to weigh both the advantages and potential drawbacks carefully. Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons:
✅ Pros: Cost savings, full-service
The primary advantage of working with a low commission realtor is the potential to save thousands of dollars on real estate commissions. Traditional realtors typically charge a commission rate of 2.5–3%, but with a low commission realtor, you might only pay 1–1.5%.
The savings can be huge, particularly with higher-priced homes. For example, a 1% savings on a $1 million home equals $10,000, whereas the same percentage on a $350,000 home results in $3,500 in savings.
Despite these lower fees, many low commission realtors still provide a full range of services. They'll list your property on the MLS, coordinate showings and open houses, negotiate offers, handle all the necessary contracts and paperwork, and guide you through the closing process.
Kristyn Grewell, a former licensed real estate agent in Oklahoma City, pushes back on the common critique that low-commission agents have to cut corners to make the math work.
“Many of these agents see discounted listings as business they might not otherwise have, or as part of a broader marketing strategy. They may reduce the commission, but they still gain a property to market, a sign in the yard, and future referral opportunities. At the end of the day, discounting commission is a business strategy, not necessarily a reflection of service level.”
Choosing a reputable low commission brand ensures you receive the same comprehensive support you would expect from a higher-priced agent, covering all aspects of the sale from start to finish.
❌ Cons: Some offer less-personalized service
Some discount services have less-personalized service. Team-based brokerages can feel less responsive than working with a single dedicated agent.
Coverage varies, too. Houwzer and Prevu only cover select states, and Clever’s network is thinner in some rural markets.
Agent quality varies within services. A discounted fee doesn’t guarantee a good agent, and so you have to interview several agents and carefully vet their track record (the same way you would with a full-priced agent).
How much can you save with a low commission agent?
It depends on which service you go with and your home's final sale price. The savings could be in the tens of thousands, or much lower. Here's how to think about it:
- The U.S. average listing fee is 2.88%, per our 2026 survey of commission rates in all 50 states, and the fee has ranged between 2.5-3% for years.
- On a $400,000 sale, that's $11,520 at the average listing fee.
- The same sale at a 1.5% listing fee costs $6,000, a savings of $5,520. At a 1% rate, you'd save $7,520. On a $700,000 sale, those gaps roughly double.
The listing fee is only half the bill, however. Since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer agent fees have averaged 2.82% and most sellers still cover some or all of that at closing to keep qualified offers coming in.
If you want a really clear idea of how much you can make in your sale, you'll need to build both fees into your net sheet. It factors in prorated taxes and your mortgage payoff, for example.
Top low commission companies in 2026
We scored the five services below on fees and minimums, service model, agent quality and selection, fee transparency, and verified customer reviews.
1. Clever Real Estate: Best overall
Clever Real Estate is a discount broker that matches you with two or three local agents who have agreed to a 1.5% listing fee. You compare the matches, interview them, and hire one or walk away, with no upfront cost (you only pay your agent if your home sells). Their network of roughly 14,000 agents covers all 50 states and is pre-screened for sales performance and reviews. The fee is locked in before you commit, but service quality still depends on the agent you pick, so we recommend you interview at least two matches.
- Pricing strategy
- Photography
- MLS syndication
- Showings
- Negotiation
- Closing
How Clever Real Estate works
Clever is a discount real estate broker that connects sellers with top-rated, full-service agents from name-brand brokerages who have agreed to sell for a 1.5% listing fee (roughly half the traditional 2.5% to 3%).
- Answer a few questions about the home. Clever’s concierge team responds with matched agents in the seller’s market. Free, with no obligation.
- Compare the matches and pick one. Clever partner agents are top producers from every major brand, or top-rated local brokerages, and each has already agreed to the 1.5% rate.
- List at 1.5% with full service. The seller gets the same service a traditional listing includes, with nothing unbundled or sold back as an add-on to reach the lower rate. Clever reports sellers save an average of $7,000.
Learn more: Anytime Estimate’s review of Clever Real Estate
2. Redfin: Best technology
Redfin (now owned by Rocket Companies) charges a 1.5% listing fee, or 1% if you also buy through Redfin.[1] Its salaried, team-based agents come with the most polished technology in the category. Two flags: minimum fees reach $9,000 in San Francisco, which makes the 1.5% rate meaningless below roughly $600,000 there, and its 2.6/5 average across 1,476 verified reviews reflects real communication gaps in the team model.
3. Ideal Agent: Best single match
Ideal Agent pre-negotiates a 2% listing fee, with a $3,000 minimum on homes under $150,000, and connects you with one top-producing agent instead of several matches. Its 5.0/5 Trustpilot rating across 6,910 reviews is the highest in the category, though most reviews are solicited at the point of transaction.[2] The 2% fee costs $2,250 more than a 1.5% service on a $450,000 sale.
Other options to consider
Houwzer: Lowest full-service rate
Houwzer charges a flat 1% listing fee with no published minimum, the lowest full-service rate available in 2026.[3] Its in-house agents cover roughly 13 states plus D.C., concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic, Florida, Arizona, and Colorado. Parent company Newfound also owns Trelora, a similar 1% brokerage in western markets. At 1%, expect a leaner, more digital process and less choice in who represents you.
UpNest: Best for comparing proposals
UpNest, owned by Realtor.com, surfaces competing proposals from two to five local agents within about 24 hours. Savings aren't guaranteed and average around 2.5% on the listing side, per UpNest's own disclosures. One caution: UpNest currently holds a 1.4 rating from the BBB due to unanswered complaints.[4]
⚖️ How we evaluate and rank companies
Every company in this guide was scored on five weighted criteria.
- Listing fee and minimums: the actual out-of-pocket cost to sellers, including any minimum that applies in lower-priced markets.
- Service model: whether you work with a dedicated agent, a team, or a matching platform, and what’s included at the stated fee.
- Agent quality and selection: the size of the agent network, brokerage affiliations, and whether you can compare or choose your agent.
- Fee transparency: whether pricing is clearly disclosed upfront, without hidden charges or variable conditions.
- Customer experience: patterns in verified reviews across Google, BBB, Trustpilot, and Consumer Affairs, with a focus on communication, negotiation outcomes, and post-sale support.
We cross-checked all pricing claims against each company’s public pricing pages, listing agreements where available, and market-level commission data from our 2026 nationwide survey.
Where each competitor outperforms our top pick
Clever isn’t the cheapest service on this list, and it isn’t the highest-rated on every platform. Houwzer’s 1% listing fee is lower than Clever’s 1.5%.[5] If you’re in one of Houwzer’s roughly 13 covered states and your home is priced high enough that the 0.5% difference matters more than agent choice, Houwzer wins on price.
Ideal Agent’s Trustpilot rating (4.9/5 across 6,917 reviews) is higher than Clever’s,[6] though most of Ideal Agent's reviews are solicited at the point of transaction (Trustpilot labels them “Invited”), which inflates ratings industrywide.
Prevu’s buyer rebate program (up to 2% cash back in NYC) beats Clever's $250 rebate for buying with an agent and $500 for buying and selling.[7] If you’re buying in one of Prevu’s metro markets and your purchase price is high enough to clear the minimum commission threshold, Prevu beats Clever on the buyer side.
Redfin’s in-house technology (online dashboard, app integration, and photography) is more mature than that of most matching services. If you want one branded experience end-to-end and you’re in a top metro, Redfin wins on workflow polish even though its customer satisfaction scores lag.
What are the tradeoffs?
The savings potential with low commission realtors is large, but so too are the risks and downsides. Here are the top ones:
- Minimums can erase the discount. A $3,000 to $9,000 commission floor can seriously impact your savings on lower-priced homes. Confirm the minimum in your market before relying on the advertised rate, because an advertised 1% realtor fee might actually be 2% or more.
- Team handoffs. "Maybe you meet with one agent who's the face of the team, and then you have a junior agent that just got their license six months ago handling the negotiations of your contract," says Christina Rordam, an Orlando REALTOR with 21 years of experience.[8] Get names of who you'll be working with, not "our team."
- A cheap fee on a bad agent is expensive. An agent who underprices your home by $20,000 and sells it at a lower price wipes out the commission savings several times over, and every extra month on the market adds mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance.
None of this is a reason to skip out on discount agents entirely. You just need to treat the agent hiring process the same way you would with a traditional agent. A lower fee is only a win for you if the agent delivers and gets you full value for your home.
How to choose a low commission agent
Reputation is the most important factor to consider, even more important than the rate being charged. One recent study found that 35% of recent sellers said an agent's reputation was the most important factor in their decision, versus just 4% who prioritized commission.[9]
Three things we recommend:
- Get the fee in writing, including any minimum for your market and exactly which services it covers.
- Check recent closings, not star ratings. Ask each candidate how many listings they closed in your zip code in the past year and their average days on market. You want to work with an agent who sells a lot of homes and sells them faster than the typical agent in your area. A lack of any recent reviews and zero recent closings are red flags.
- Compare at least two services. Fees, minimums, and agent quality vary enough by market that the best option in Charlotte can be the wrong one in Sacramento.
These three steps will put you in a much better position to succeed as you embark on your search for a great agent at a discounted rate.
What is the lowest commission a realtor will take?
The lowest commission you’ll find is 1%, offered by Houwzer in its covered markets. Below that, you’re in flat-fee MLS territory rather than full-service representation.
However, the rate you can actually secure depends on:
- The type of agent. Full-service agents charge more than limited-service agents, regardless of brand. Compare apples to apples: a 1.5% Clever agent and a 1.5% Redfin agent should provide roughly the same scope of work.
- The property. Higher-priced and in-demand homes have more room for fee negotiation, because the agent’s effective dollar take stays meaningful even at a lower percentage. A 1% commission on a $1M sale ($10,000) is still a real payday.
- Local market conditions. Agents are more willing to discount during slower seasons or in oversaturated markets. In Henderson, Nevada, for example, realtor David Baca notes there are 18,000 licensed agents competing for 6,000 active listings, which is part of why discount-heavy brokerages have traction in that market.
For more on negotiating directly with agents, see how to negotiate realtor commission.
Next steps: How to find a low commission realtor
Your next best step is to speak with a few agents, compare your options, and secure a lower fee without compromising service.
Compare options
Most sellers skip this step. Our research found that the most common reasons sellers skip a low-commission agent are loyalty to an agent they already planned to use (28%), a friend-or-family connection (24%), and never knowing the option existed (23%). Compare the top options on our list, and when you speak with agents, compare:
- Their experience with homes like yours
- Their marketing plan and pricing strategy
- The exact fee they'll charge you in writing
Interview and pick your agent
Talk to two or three agents before you decide. Ask:
- How many listings they have closed in your area in the past year
- How they would price your home and why
- What services are included in their fee, and what is extra
Choose the agent who gives you a clear plan, communicates well, and is transparent about commissions.
Final tip: Get the fee and services in writing
Before you sign a listing agreement, make sure it spells out:
- The listing commission you'll pay
- Any minimum fees or added costs
- What is included in their service package
If something is unclear, ask for changes before you sign. You can always walk away and interview another agent.
Anytime Estimate Methodology
Why you should trust us
Expert voices in this article
How we rank low commission realtors
Click any criterion to expand6
Services evaluated
5
Original expert interviews
23,000+
Reviews analyzed
50
States with our original commission data
Disclosure: Anytime Estimate is a Clever-owned property. If you click on a Clever link on this page and get matched through a Clever agent, that match may generate revenue for us. However, we built our scoring criteria to hold Clever to the same bar as other companies mentioned on our list. Compare the fees and reviews yourself, and go with whichever company best suits your needs.
FAQ
What's the lowest commission a realtor will take?
The lowest full-service rate we've found is 1%, offered by Houwzer in its covered markets. Below that, you're in flat-fee MLS territory, which is a different product with no support for showings, negotiations, or closings.
How much commission do you pay on a $300,000 house?
Using the national average commission rate (5.70%), you'd pay just over $17,000 in commissions on a $300,000 house. With a low commission agent charging 1.5% on the listing side, the total falls down to $12,960, saving you just over $4,100.
Are low commission realtors legit?
Yes. In our July 2026 survey of 500 recent home sellers, 82% of those who used a low commission service said the service was as good as or better than a traditional agent's, and 72% would trust a 1.5% agent to do as good a job as a 3% agent.
Do I still have to pay the buyer's agent?
Usually, some or all of it. Buyer agent fees average 2.6% to 2.7% nationally, and most sellers still cover them to keep offers competitive.
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