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5 min read Apr 26, 2023

What Is a 4.5% Real Estate Commission?

From San Francisco in California to Brooklyn in New York, home sellers across the nation dread the 6% real estate agent commission. A 4.5% real estate commission is when your agent charges 4.5% of the sale price to sell your home.

A 4.5% commission rate may not appear to be a significant discount. However, remember that if your property sells for $500,000, you would walk away from the closing table with an extra $7,500!

Key Takeaways

  1. What Does a 5% Commission Discount Mean? A 5% commission is when your agent provides all real estate services like a traditional broker for a low commission of 5%.
  2. Understanding the Discount: The discount is on the listing fee. You still have to pay the buyer agent commission.
  3. How to Choose a 5% Commission Realtor? While choosing a 5% commission Realtor you must consider their pricing, the technology they use and the quality of services they provide.
  4. Alternatives: You can list on the MLS using Flat Fee MLS companies like Houzeo. It is 100% online and automated to cater to various seller needs.

Rankings: Best 4.5% (or less) Commission Companies

Company NameListing FeeMax Savings100% Online5-Star Reviews*
Houzeo$349
Flat Fee
Redfin1.5%
Commission
SimpleShowing1%
Commission
Ideal Agent2%
Commission
Prevu1.5%
Commission

Reviews: Best 4.5% (or less) Commission Companies

1. Houzeo

#1 Flat Fee MLS Service

Houzeo.com

Houzeo Logo
  • Listing Fee: $349
  • Available nationwide
  • 5 Stars 4.9/5 (4,523 reviews)

Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.

  • Bronze Package – $329+: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
  • Silver Package – $399+: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
  • Gold Package – $379+: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
  • Platinum – $349+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, disclosures, and closing.

👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy!

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities in less than 60 mins.

Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 4 reasons:

  1. Max Exposure: Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
  2. 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
  3. 100% Online: Houzeo is high-tech. For you, this means easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Houzeo Mobile App is also very powerful.
  4. No Listing Commission: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to list on MLS. Houzeo covers 47 states + DC! And remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the listing agent commission!

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating by 4,523 home sellers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!

Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out how Team Houzeo has addressed all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.

Houzeo.com is America’s #1 ranked Flat Fee service. Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.

Houzeo’s Bronze Package is priced at $99+, the Silver package is priced at $379+, and the Gold at $379 + 0.5% (Minimum $995) at closing. Sellers can ask for the full-service Platinum package which costs $349 + 1% (Minimum $995) at closing.

2. Redfin

BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE

Redfin.com

redfin-logo-DRB
  • Listing Fee: 1.5% of sale price
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 3.5 Stars 3.3/5 (372 Reviews)

Redfin is one of America’s top discount real estate brokerages. This low-commission broker specializes in home buying. Redfin.com’s technology is what sets it apart from all other platforms.

  • Redfin Full-Service Agent – 1.5% Commission: This is a full-service package. This includes pricing assistance, listing paperwork, negotiation support, etc.
  • Redfin Concierge – 2.5% Commission: The “Concierge” plan includes everything from the Full-Service package. Additionally, it includes services like professional cleaning, home staging, and more.
  • Redfin Premier Agent – 1.5% Commission: This package is exclusively for luxury properties and includes everything that comes with the Full-Service package.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Redfin’s concierge service. This service enhances the value of your house with a professionally managed design plan and no upfront fees.

» Selling With Redfin: Is it worth selling with Redfin?

Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:

  • Advanced Technology: Redfin is primarily known for its advanced tech platform and mobile app.
  • Full-Service Agents at Low Commission – 1.5%: Redfin’s full-service package is priced at 1.5%. It saves you thousands compared to the traditional 3% listing commission.
  • Buyer Rebate – 0.5%: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5% in the second transaction. However, this offer is available with the Full Service Plan.
  • Detailed Paperwork: Redfin provides the necessary paperwork and an elaborate listing agreement with a marketing plan.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

» What is RedfinIs it truly a smart choice to choose them? Read the comprehensive review to know more!

In our research, we found some red flags of Redfin, that could make your experience less satisfactory.

  • Lack of Personalized Services: Customers have often complained that Redfin agents are not able to give personalized service, as they serve a high volume of clients.
  • Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
  • Slow Listing Process: According to Redfin’s listing agreement, a Redfin property takes 18 days to list on MLS. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
  • Limited Agent Selection: As per customer reviews, Redfin lacks an array of agents. This means you get an agent assigned automatically without having any choice in the matter.
  • Agents are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.

» Redfin hidden FeesCheck this out to learn more about their hidden fees.

Redfin has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs.

» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, & Alternatives!

Redfin is primarily known for its advanced tech platform and mobile app. It covers 80+ markets in the US.

Redfin’s listing agreement states they will list your property on the MLS in 18 days. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.

3. Simple Showing

LIMITED SAVINGS

Simple Showing

simpleshowing logo
  • Listing Fee: 1% of sale price
  • Restricted coverage
  • 4.75 Stars 4.9/5.0 (125 reviews)

SimpleShowing, like any other low-cost real estate broker, matches sellers with real estate agents.

  • Listing Agent Commission – 1%: A SimpleShowing agent provides full-service MLS listing at a 1% commission rate. The premium lockbox charges will increase your costs.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Simple Showing for their Buyer’s Rebate Program. But Simple Showing has a minimum fee charge that could be higher than the advertised 1%.

SimpleShowing is a decent option when buying or selling a property.

  • Easy Property Search: SimpleShowing provides a home search experience at your fingertips. You can look for properties and book home tours on their website, saving time and money.
  • Professional Photography: They coordinate professional photos and videos of your home at no additional charge.
  • Buyer’s Rebate: SimpleShowing rebates a portion of its commission to eligible home buyers.
  • Dedicated Agents: From home valuation and developing a marketing strategy to negotiating offers and closing, their agents will always assist you.

During our research, we found a few red flags with Simple Showing.

  • Buyer’s Rebate Eligibility: The buyer is eligible for a rebate only if the buyer uses SimpleShowing as their Buyer Broker.
  • Lender’s Approval: Some lenders may not allow buyers to receive a refund from SimpleShowing. Lenders consider contracts, mortgage products, and pricing policies to allow the buyer to receive full or a part of the rebate amount.
  • Minimum Commission: SimpleShowing has a minimum commission of $3,500. Rebate applies only if the minimum commission accounts for $3,500.
  • Limited Coverage: Simple Showing provides services in only 3 states – Florida, Texas, and Georgia.

SimpleShowing has a 4.9 out of 5 stars from 125 total reviews on Zillow.

SimpleShowing is a full-service brokerage licensed in GA, FL, and TX. They use technology, such as their mobile app, to make the traditional home-selling process easier.

However, with their limited coverage and agents, they might not cover all your needs.

4. Ideal Agent

GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE

Ideal Agent

Ideal Agent Logo
  • Listing Fee: 2% of sale price
  • Nationwide coverage
  • 4.9 Stars 4.9/5 (5,727 Reviews)

Ideal Agent is among the top discount brokerages. It is an agent matching service that specializes in home selling.

  • Full Service – 2% Commission: The full-service package will get you all the services from start to end. This includes professional photos, negotiation, and closing assistance.

👉 Our Take: Ideal Agent is a good choice for home sellers. Although their overall online reviews are good, they are often inconsistent while matching agents with clients. They have no services for home buyers.

» What is Ideal Agent: Check out our reviews of Ideal Agent to know more about them.

Ideal Agent is an agent matching service that helps sellers find low commission real estate agents.

  • Agent Matching: They claim that you will be matched with an agent from the top 1% producers in your locality.
  • Pre-Negotiated Commission: Ideal Agent has pre-negotiated the commission with their agents. This allows sellers to focus on the other aspects of the transaction.
  • Profit Maximization: Your agent will leverage the best features of your house and help maximize your sale profits.
  • Dedicated Concierge: Their agents guide you in every step of the transaction from marketing, to negotiation assistance, and closing.

» How does Ideal Agent workHere is a detailed explanation about them. Check it out!!

Ideal Agent has some drawbacks we came across in our research.

  • Low Savings: Ideal Agent charges more than most low-commission companies, compromising your savings. You will be paying a total commission of 4.5% – 5% even with discounted listing fees.
  • Additional Referral Fees: Ideal agent fees includes a 25% referral fee from real estate agents after successful transactions. Since you pay the agent, these fees are essentially going from your pocket.
  • Outdated Technology: Their agent matching algorithm is inconsistent. Several customers complain about being assigned sub-par agents.
  • No Buyer Support: Ideal Agent isn’t a buyer-focused platform and they offer no significant benefits for home buyers.

Ideal Agent has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 5,727 reviews on TrustPilot.

» Ideal Agent Reviews: Check out our reviews of Ideal Agent to make an informed decision.

Ideal Agent is an agent matching service that bridges sellers and buyers with licensed real estate agents in their locality.

They offer a dedicated concierge but have weak technology. Customers who have worked with them prior have complained about hidden charges as well.

5. Prevu

RESTRICTED COVERAGE

Prevu

Prevu logo
  • Listing Fee: 1.5% of sale price
  • Restricted coverage
  • 5 Stars 5/5 (456 reviews)

Prevu offers a single package with all the start-to-end services you require during your sale.

  • Full Service – 1.5% Commission: Prevu charges a lower commission of 1.5% of the sale price for selling a house. It includes various features like home valuation, 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photographs, listing on MLS, and social ad campaigns.

Prevu Coverage: Prevu is available in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

👉 Our Take: We do not recommend Prevu real estate to most home sellers and buyers. It only helps in substantial savings if you’re buying a house priced above $750,000.

» Prevu Reviews: Is it really a good idea to choose them? To learn more, read the entire review!

Prevu is a full-service low commission brokerage based in New York that aims to change the old-school ways of the real estate market.

  • Mortgage & Closing Costs Calculator: You can get an estimate of your mortgage and closing costs by using Prevu’s Calculator. The closing cost feature is only for NYC sellers.
  • Buyer Rebate: Buyers who purchase a house with Prevu get two-thirds of the commission that Prevu receives from the seller.
  • Smart Buyer Platform: Prevu’s technology allows buyers to search for homes, communicate with their agents online, schedule showings, and make an offer.

» How does Prevu workCheck this out to learn more about their functioning.

Here are some negatives of Prevu you should know about.

  • Inconsistent Agent Quality: Prevu has limited and inconsistent agent matching, which compromises the quality.
  • Variable Listing Fee: The listing fee varies as per your location, which could burn a hole in your pocket.

Prevu has a stellar rating of 5 out of 5 from 456 reviews on Google.

» Prevu Real Estate Reviews: Check out our in-depth reviews on Prevu.

Prevu is a full-service real estate brokerage based in New York. They offer their services for a 1.5% commission.

They take on a large volume of clients to compensate for the low commission. Hence, you will compete with a crowd of customers for your agent’s attention.

How Does a 4.5% Real Estate Commission Work?

Companies that provide a 4.5% real estate commission offer listing fee reductions.

In a traditional real estate transaction, you will generally pay up to 6% real estate agent commission. This commission is shared in half between your listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

Remember, the discount is on the listing fee. Therefore, instead of 3%, your listing agent will list your home for a pre-negotiated fee of 1.5%. The reduced fee can easily save you thousands in commissions.

    🤔 Does the buyer agent fee remain the same?

    YES! The buyer agents’ fee remains the same. It is typically between 2% and 3% in most states.

    It is vital to pay a competitive commission to the buyer’s agent. This will ensure you sell your home quickly while still receiving the best price possible.

How Much Can You Save With a 4.5% Commission Realtor?

A 4.5% Realtor can help you save thousands of dollars. Your total savings depend on the listing price of your house.

Here is the table showing how much you will save working with a 4.5% Realtor.

Selling Price4.5% Realtor Commission6% Realtor CommissionTotal Savings
$200,000$9,000$12,000 $3,000
$500,000$22,500$30,000 $7,500
$750,000$33,750$45,000 $11,250

How to Choose a 4.5% Commission REALTOR?

Here are some of the factors to consider while choosing a 4.5% commission Realtor:

  • Technology: Choose companies that use cutting-edge technology, offer online paperwork, and have a mobile app.
  • Quality of Services: Interview multiple real estate agents from different companies to understand who offers the best services for a 4.5% (or less) commission. You can also read agent reviews online on platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com.

Alternatives to Paying a 4.5% Real Estate Commission

  1. Flat Fee MLS: Flat Fee MLS companies charge a standard rate to list your home on multiple listing services (MLS), an online database of homes in your region. The fees are usually set between $179-$399.
  2. Sell to an iBuyer: Many iBuyers, like Opendoor and Offerpad, purchase hundreds of homes across U.S. markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you’re wondering how to sell your house fast.
  3. Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies that buy houses for cash in the U.S. make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Cash buyers let you skip the hassle of listing on the MLS, inspection, appraisal, etc.
  4. Traditional Realtors: If you need maximum hand-holding, we recommend hiring a full-service in-person Realtor or broker. You’ll get all the professional help you need, but you won’t save much on real estate agent commission, likely paying a full 5% to 6%.
New!

Calculate Your Savings!

Enter Your Home Sale Price

$ Please enter your home price
  • Listing Fee
  • Traditional Agent 49537

    $15,000

  • idealagent

    $10,000

  • houzeo

    $349

houzeo

Your savings via Houzeo

$14,705

Houzeo saves you $9,705 more than Ideal Agent!

Start Your Free Houzeo Listing Now

Final Word

A 4.5 percent real estate commission will help you save thousands. Make sure you speak to agents offering such discounts before choosing one. Compare fees, services, and experience to find someone who fits your requirements and budget.

With Houzeo, you can get your home on the MLS for a small flat fee. You get access to cutting-edge tools like offers dashboard, showings management, and many more to make your selling journey easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage do most realtors charge?

Most Realtors charge 5% - 6% of a home's sale price.

Can you negotiate real estate commissions?

Yes, real estate commissions are negotiable.

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