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7 min read Apr 26, 2024

Top 5 Discount Real Estate Brokers in Chesapeake, VA (2024)

Sellers across Chesapeake can save thousands on real estate agent commissions. With discount real estate brokers in Chesapeake, you can slash the traditional 6% rate down to just 2% to 3%.

The current median home price in Chesapeake is $380,000. The traditional 6% commission will cost you a whopping $22,800. A discount Realtor offers you similar services at just 1.5%. With a competitive buyer agent commission of 2.5%, you now have to pay only a 4% fee. That’s just around $15,200.

You can lower this amount to around $11,400 if you list on the MLS with Houzeo’s Gold plan. You also get the professional services and tools available to real estate agents at a fraction of the cost.

Rankings: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers and Companies in Chesapeake, VA

We’ve researched and compiled a list of the best discount real estate brokers for you.

RankDiscount Real Estate Broker / CompanyListing Fee Additional Charges100% Online5-Star Reviews*Mobile App
1.Houzeo$399
Flat Fee
2.Redefy$3500
Flat Fee
3.HomeLight2.5%
Commission
4.Take 2 Real Estate1%
Commission
5.Redfin1%
Commission

Reviews: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in Chesapeake, VA

1. Houzeo.com

#1 Discount Real Estate Service

Houzeo.com

Houzeo Logo
  • Listing Fee: $399
  • Available nationwide
  • 5 Stars 4.9/5 (8,400+ Reviews)

Houzeo is a top technology-driven real estate platform. It offers 4 different packages:

  • Bronze Package ($399): List your house for 6 months. You can upload 24 house photos.
  • Silver Package ($399+0.5% at Close): List your home for six months and post maximum photos. Unlimited open houses and listing modifications are included in this package.
  • Gold Package ($429+0.5% at Close): This gives you all the benefits of the Silver package. It also provides licensed broker assistance, contract review, etc.
  • Platinum ($449+1% at Close): This package offers virtual full-service support with a licensed broker. You can list for 12-month. Brokers assist you in negotiations, disclosures, and closing.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo to all home sellers. The company has an excellent customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It has extensive coverage across 47 states + DC, a feat achieved by only a handful of other services.

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities within 60 minutes.

These are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top discount real estate brokers:

  • Significant Commission Savings: You will pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS. On average, home sellers who used Houzeo saved $11,490.
  • No Hidden Fees: All costs are disclosed upfront so you don’t have to worry about hidden charges.
  • Near Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo operates in 47 states and DC, with ongoing plans for expansion.
  • Max Exposure: Houzeo packages give you access to renowned MLS companies.
  • Advanced Technology: Eliminate the hassle of extensive paperwork. E-signature and online forms make house listing quick and easy.
  • 5-star Customer Service: Dedicated customer support addresses your every concern easy.
  • Mobile App: Houzeo’s mobile app lets you manage showing requests from verified buyers and buyer agents. You can either accept, reject, or reschedule showings at your convenience.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” by 8,400+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!

Houzeo Reviews: With over 8,400+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.

Houzeo is America’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, and 5-star customer support, and is available both on iOS and Android platforms.

Houzeo’s flat fee feature helps you save at least $10,000 on agent commissions. You also get dedicated customer support to make your home-selling process easier.

2. Redefy

IN-HOUSE SUPPORT

Redefy

Redefy logo
  • Listing Fee: $3,500 Flat Fee
  • In-person support
  • 4.25 stars  4.1/5 (40+ Reviews)

Redefy is one of the renowned discount real estate companies in the US. It offers 3 packages at a flat fee:

  • Self-Service ($379): You get a 6-month listing period. This includes local listing, yard sign, 10 photos on the listing, etc.
  • Limited Service ($499): Here, you get a 1-year listing period. This package includes a local listing, door key lock box, 25 photos on the listing, etc.
  • Virtual Full Service ($2,995): This premium package offers personal consultation, full customer support, extensive marketing, etc.

👉 Our Take: Redefy offers different pricing models that suit your needs. It offers all the necessary services you need to close the sale. Along with a low flat fee, it charges you a non-refundable fee of $500. This increases the value of the package.

Redefy offers:

  • Affordable Pricing: You need to pick the package that suits your requirements. Although features like local listing, email, text & live chat support, yard signs, and door lock keys remain constant throughout.
  • In-House Support: You are provided with professional in-house support like home staging with accurate pricing.
  • Mortgage Calculator: Redefy’s Mortgage Calculator allows you to estimate your overall mortgage, insurance, and taxes.

The disadvantages with Redefy are:

  • No Refund Deposit: You have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500.
  • Inconsistent Agent Quality: Redefy has limited agents attending to a large volume of customers. This can hamper the service quality.
  • Service Coverage: They serve only 9 states in the US (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia)

Redefy has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Yelp.

Redefy offers its services based on your home value. If your house costs anything below a million, they charge a flat rate fee of $5,500. However, their agent quality may not be consistent You are also required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500.

3. HomeLight

GOOD AGENT COVERAGE

HomeLight

Homelight Logo
  • Listing Fee: 2.5% of sale price
  • Good agent coverage
  • 4.75 Stars  4.6/5 (237 reviews)

HomeLight has a network of thousands of successful real estate agents and brokers. It is an agent-matching tech-platform. 

  • Standard Commission: HomeLight is a free agent-matching platform. The agent you get through this platform will charge the standard commission of 2% to 3% for listing.

👉 Our Take: HomeLight provides decent agent-matching services. However, the standard listing commission means zero savings for you.

» HomeLight Reviews: The Truth You Need To Know

HomeLight offers a number of advantages to both sellers and buyers:

For Home Sellers:

  • Free Agent Matching: The agent matching service from HomeLight is free for home sellers. HomeLight furnishes details of the best real estate agents in your neighborhood. Depending on the agent, the traditional 5% to 6% commission is charged.
  • Estimators and Calculators: HomeLight offers Home Value Estimator, Best Time To Sell Calculator, Agent Commissions Calculator, and Net Proceeds Calculator to home sellers.
  • HomeLight Simple Sale: HomeLight has  a network of pre-approved buyers. If you want to sell your house fast, this option allows you to sell it to a cash buyer within 7 days.

For Home Buyers:

  • Home Search Feature: Buyers can search for homes by city, zip code, or address.
  • Estimators: HomeLight offers estimators like Home Affordability Calculator, Down Payment Calculator, and Closing Costs Calculator for home buyers.

In our research, we have found some red flags associated with HomeLight. 

  • Inconsistent Agent Quality: The agents they assign may not work at your convenience. Even the listing speed will be based on the agent selected.
  • Off-market Restriction: Registering on HomeLight will get you offers from agents instantly. Although the process is fast, only homes that are off-market are allowed.

HomeLight has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 237 reviews on Sitejabber.

HomeLight offers a range of services for buyers, sellers, and agents all under one roof. It claims to be a straightforward alternative to a DIY search for a real estate agent.

However, you may end up spending a lot more and the quality of agents and services would still be questionable.

4. Take 2 Real Estate

COST-EFFECTIVE

Take 2 Real Estate

Take-2-Real-Estate-Logo
  • Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price
  • 5 Stars  5/5 (3 Reviews)

Take 2 Real Estate is a full-service discount brokerage.

For Home Sellers:

  • 1% Commission or $3,500: You will be offered several benefits like staging consultation, 4K video tour, digital documentation, etc.

For Home Buyers:

  • Buyer’s Rebate: Home buyers get cashback of up to 2% of the buyer agent’s commission.

👉 Our Take: Take 2 Real Estate gets you personalized services and recommendations to help you maximize your home’s value. However, it offers its services only in Northern Virginia. 

Take 2 Real Estate offers certain advantages:

  • Full-Time Agent Support: You will get assistance at every step of your home-selling process. The agent will also give you recommendations for house renovations to attract potential buyers.
  • No Obligation Consultation: You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and get an expert market analysis of your home.
  • Digital Documents and Communication: You can sign all real estate documents online using DocuSign.

In our research, we could not find any deal breakers with Take 2 Real Estate.

Take 2 Real Estate has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.

Paul Thistle, broker and owner of Take 2 Real Estate is Northern Virginia’s top full-service discount Realtor. Buyers receive up to 2% cash back on any home purchase. Sellers pay just a 1% listing fee at closing.

Their easy-to-navigate website helps sellers and buyers find exactly what they are looking for.

5. Redfin

Best-In-Class Agents

Redfin.com

Redfin
  • Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 3.3 Stars 3.4/5 (135+ Reviews)

Redfin is the largest discount real estate company. Its premier agents, with years of experience, help you buy and sell high-end homes. 

  • Listing Price: Redfin charges a 1% listing fee if you want to sell a house and buy your next one with them. It charges a 1.5% listing fee if you decide to just sell your house with Redfin.

👉Our Take: Redfin is a technology-based platform. You can expect transparency and an accurately managed database. However, you may not get complete attention due to their high customer volume.

» Is Redfin Legit? Check the legitimacy of Redfin’s discount broker services

Redfin offers:

  • Competitive Pricing: You pay a listing fee of 1% if you decide to sell and buy with Redfin.
  • Updated Technology: Redfin provides a mobile app, 3D walkthrough, relevant filters, etc. This makes the real estate transaction seamless.
  • National Presence: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

» Redfin Pros and ConsRead about the advantages and drawbacks of Redfin services.

The disadvantages of using Redfin are:

  • Pricing Inaccuracy: Many sellers have complained about certain factors like, lot area, a gated compound, or a city location not getting considered during valuation.
  • Long Time for Listing: As per Redfin’s agreement, it takes almost 15-18 days to verify the seller’s property and list their house.
  • Lack of Customer Service: There has been negative feedback about lack of personal attention by Redfin salaried agents.

Redfin has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp and average 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google.

» Redfin Reviews: The reality of 1% fees, pros, cons, and alternatives!

Redfin, founded in Seattle in 2002 by Mr. David Eraker, covers 80+ markets in the US.

It provides an elaborate listing agreement with a marketing plan for your home. However, this agreement specifies a long 18-day timeframe for listing your property on the MLS. Additionally, some customers have expressed concerns about the non-availability and unprofessionalism of their agents.

What Are Discount Real Estate Brokers and Companies?

Discount real estate brokers are companies or agents who sell your home for less than the standard 2.5% to 3% commission. Such low-cost real estate agents typically offer the same services for reduced fees of 0.5% to 2% or a flat fee.

How Much Can I Save With a Discount Realtor in Chesapeake?

As a seller, you can save anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000.

Typically, home sellers pay a total of 6% as Realtor commissions to both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Whereas, with discount real estate brokers you can pre-negotiate this at 1% to 2%.

As a home buyer, you get a buyer’s rebate – a type of cashback received after the sale. A typical buyer rebate is 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price. For example, Redfin offers a buyer rebate of 0.5% to clients who sell and buy with Redfin within 1 year.

Types of Discount Brokers in Chesapeake

The four major types of real estate discount brokerages and companies in the City That Cares are as follows:

1. Flat Fee MLS Companies: Flat Fee MLS companies get you on the MLS for a small flat fee, saving you thousands in commissions. The best Flat Fee MLS listing companies like Houzeo can get you on the MLS within 24 hours, or even faster!

2. Flat Rate Full-Service Companies: These companies charge a fixed fee instead of the regular 3% commission. This amount can be anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. A flat-rate Realtor is perfect for homes priced on the higher end.

3. Low-Commission Estate Agents: Low-commission discount brokers offer full-service packages at only 1% or 2% of the usual fee. They cover everything from listing to negotiations and pricing. They are also called 1% commission Realtors or 2% commission brokers, etc.

4. Virtual Full Service: A virtual full-service discount broker handles everything online. All services, including negotiation and marketing support, are at no additional cost.

Pros and Cons of a Discount Realtor

Here are the pros and cons of discount Realtors:

Pros

  • Reduced Fees: You’ll pay less for listing agent fees. While standard brokers typically charge at least 3%, discount brokers may charge as little as 0.5% to 1%.
  • Full Access to Basic Services: You receive the same services as you would with a traditional agent. They assist with home pricing, marketing, and negotiations.
  • Streamlined Process: A low-cost Realtor provides similar services as traditional agents. They streamline the process of listing your property on the MLS, marketing the property, negotiating offers, and assisting with paperwork.

Cons

  • Not Enough Savings: Some discount brokerages may charge hidden fees or sell their services a la carte. This might add to your expenses.
  • Not for First-Time Sellers: Most discount real estate brokerages are digital, so you rarely talk to anyone in person. A first-time seller or buyer who needs some hand-holding may not be able to get benefits.
  • Lack of Personal Attention: Discount Realtors handle multiple clients at once to make up for the reduced commission rate. They may not be able to provide personalized services.
  • High Cancellation Fee: A discount realty company can charge a minimum withdrawal fee within a specified period. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.

Who Should Use a Discount Broker?

Discount brokers are ideal for:

  • Sellers on a Tight Budget: Homeowners who wish to save money should list with a low-fee Realtor. This can help them save big. 
  • Real Estate Investors: Real estate investors who frequently trade homes can benefit from low-commission discount brokers.
  • House Flippers: Home flipping is a strategy where an investor purchases a property to renovate it and sell it for a profit. Home flippers can save thousands on agent commissions by selling via discount brokers.

Alternatives to Discount Real Estate Agents in Chesapeake

Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Chesapeake:

  • List With a Full-Service Realtor: If you need hand-holding, we recommend you hire a full-service, in-person Realtor. You’ll get all the professional help you need, but you will end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission.
  • Sell to an iBuyer: Many iBuyers, like Opendoor and Offerpad, purchase hundreds of homes in Chesapeake markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast in Chesapeake.
  • Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies 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.
  • Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites in Virginia will help you list and sell a house by owner and save thousands in listing agent commission.

Are Discount Brokerages Worth It?

YES! There are various advantages to using a low-cost real estate agent. Using an affordable brokerage can save you at least $8,000 to $10,000.

There are several discounted real estate brokers on the market today, each with its own advantages. Before you choose one, examine factors such as listing fees, listing time, services provided, customer service, and coverage.

With Houzeo, you can get your home on the MLS in 24 hours for a small flat fee. You also get extra savings and services like access to an offers dashboard, showings management, and more.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

Houzeo is the #1 For Sale By Owner website in the U.S. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo would help you crack the deal faster in 5 steps.

How to List on MLS With Houzeo?

5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo as FSBO

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Chesapeake?

Houzeo.com and Redfin are the top discount real estate brokers in Chesapeake.

How much is the real estate agent fees in Chesapeake?

On average, traditional agents in Chesapeake, charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokers charge 1% to 3% commission.

How do I find low cost discount Realtors near me to sell my home?

You could do a Google search, go with an agent from one of the national discount brokers like Redfin, or list your home using Houzeo. With Houzeo, your home will be listed on the MLS without the added expense of a listing agent.

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