$20,500—that’s what you’re paying an agent to list your home on the MLS, set the price, review contracts, and negotiate offers. But here’s a secret: Houston discount brokers get all that done for a fraction of the cost!
Houzeo, Houston’s #1 discount real estate service, offers virtual full-service assistance for just $349. That’s thousands of dollars in your pocket!
Key Takeaways:
- Discount real estate brokers save thousands in commission while still offering professional support.
- The 6 best discount brokers in Houston are Houzeo, Clever Real Estate, Leslie Lerner Properties, Creekstone Real Estate, ListingSpark, and SimpleShowing.
- Houzeo is the best discount real estate service in Houston. You get virtual full-service support, high-tech tools to manage your offers, and 5-star customer support.
- Clever ranks second because of their high professionalism, excellent communication, and 5-star rating.
- Beware of hidden fees when selecting a discount broker. Pricing varies by region, so read the fine print.
- Assess crucial factors such as pricing, service quality, and transparency to make an informed and confident decision.
Rankings: Top 6 Huston Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 6 discount real estate brokers in the Space City based on how much you can save on an average $331,900 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $349 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Clever Real Estate | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3. | Leslie Lerner Properties | $4500 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | Creekstone Real Estate | 1% commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | ListingSpark | $3,999 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. | SimpleShowing | 1% of the sale price | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Huston
There are two types of Huston discount real estate brokers:
- Flat Rate Discount Brokers: Also called Flat Fee MLS companies, these discount realty services let you list your home for a fixed upfront fee. A Flat Fee MLS Texas listing service costs between $399 to $4,000.
- Fixed Percentage Discount Brokers: These discount Realtors charge a fixed percentage of the home’s sale price. Typically, it is anything lower than the traditional 3% fee: 1%, 1.5%, 2% or 2.5%, etc.
Reviews: 3 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Houston
1. Houzeo.com: Max Savings, No Hidden Fees
BEST DISCOUNT REAL ESTATE SERVICE
Listing Fee: $249Houzeo leads in discount real estate services with 20M+ active real estate listings on its platform. You get to choose from 3 packages:
- Silver Package – $249: Your home is listed on your local MLS with 24 photos for 6 months. It is also visible on Zillow, Trulia, etc. You get unlimited listing changes, open houses, and tools like Houzeo Showings and Houzeo offers.
- Gold Package – $299: You get all the benefits in the Silver package plus maximum photos and licensed broker assistance in this package. You also get seller disclosures and a premium yard sign that makes your listing pop.
- Platinum Package – $349: You get everything in the Gold Package, along with virtual full-service support and a personal concierge. Plus, all the buyer and agent calls are forwarded to you along with a 12-month listing term.
Note: Expect an additional fee of 0.5% to 1.25% at closing.
Here are the key reasons why Houzeo is one of the top discount real estate services:
- Max Savings: Houzeo’s flat fee packages help you skip agent commissions. Plus, with Platinum package, you get professional assistance similar to that of traditional agents.
- 100% Online: You can manage your listing, showings, and negotiations from your phone with the Houzeo Mobile App.
- Instant Social Sharing: You can post your home listing across Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and X in an instant.
- 5-Star Customer Service: Houzeo has a 5-star customer support and chat service. You can access them 6 days a week.
- No Hidden Charges: All costs are disclosed upfront on Houzeo’s website, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google and Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 11,100 happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. It combines Houzeo’s advanced technology, maximum exposure, 5-star customer service, and virtual broker assistance. Plus, you can save 2% to 5% on commissions at closing.
Houzeo is Houston’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
2. Clever Real Estate
IN-PERSON REALTOR ASSISTANCE
Listing Fee: 1.5% CommissionClever Real Estate offers 1 full-service package with in-person agent assistance:
- 1.5% Commission: Your property is listed on the MLS by your chosen agent. You also get assistance with pricing your home, professional photography, marketing, negotiations, and closing. The 1.5% listing fee comes with a minimum commission of $3,000.
Here are the reasons why Clever Real Estate can be a good choice for you:
- No Upfront Fee: You pay nothing to list your property. Commission is only due when your home sells.
- No Obligation Process: You can interview agents with no obligation. A listing agreement and commission are only paid if you sign and close with an agent
- Full-Service Agent Experience: You get matched with a full-service local agent who helps you from listing to closing. They also use creative ways to market your house, like professional photography, and help with closing paperwork.
- Nationwide Agent Network: Clever works with top-rated agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. Every agent has at least 5+ years of experience, a strong sales record, and positive customer reviews. Clever’s network spans all 50 states.
- Buyer Cashback Program: If you’re a buyer, you could get a cashback of $250 (if you buy with Clever) or $500 (if you buy and sell with Clever). This money can help with moving, furniture, or closing costs.
Here’s one drawback of working with Clever Real Estate:
- High Minimum Fee: There’s a minimum listing fee of $3,000. This isn’t ideal for homes under $200,000 or fix-uppers.
Clever Real Estate has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 3,696 reviews on Trustpilot.
Clever Real Estate Reviews: Read why Clever Real Estate is the best choice for in-person assistance.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Clever Real Estate for first-time sellers. Their full-service agents guide you throughout your home sale process with no upfront fees. You get in-person Realtor assistance at just 1.5% commission.
3. Leslie Lerner Properties
BEST FOR MID-RANGE HOMES
Listing Fee: $4500 OnwardsLeslie Lerner Properties is a Flat Fee full-service company.
Tiered Flat Fee Structure: Fees range from $4,500 for homes valued at $200,000 – $799,999, up to $50,000 for homes above $3,000,000. This includes listing, marketing, and additional features like social media marketing, contract negotiation, photography, lockbox, yard signs, closing assistance, etc.
👉 Our Take: Leslie Lerner Properties offers comprehensive services at set prices, saving sellers money compared to traditional commission structures, especially for mid-range homes.
Here are some advantages of choosing Leslie Lerner Properties:
- Experienced Team: Leslie Lerner Properties have qualified agents who help sellers through the entire sale process.
- Market Exposure: It has a huge market coverage. It lists your houses on HAR.com, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Cyberhomes, Trulia, Zillow, Google, and the Galveston Daily News.
- Additional Services: The company also helps you with drawing contracts, repairs negotiation, and assistance at closing date.
Here are some red flags you should consider before choosing Leslie Lerner Properties:
- Tiered Pricing Structure: The Flat Fee increases significantly for higher-valued properties, which may be less cost-effective for luxury home sellers.
- Limited Photography: Only one photography session is included, which might not be sufficient for larger or more complex properties.
- No Mobile App: They do not provide any mobile application service to their customers.
Leslie Lerner Properties has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 10+ reviews on Google.
Leslie Lerner Properties has been around since the 1990s. They provide flat fee service to home sellers. They also have a buyer’s rebate program.
However, they are not fully online, making the process manual and time-consuming.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Houston
4. Creekstone Real Estate
LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: 1% CommissionCreekstone Real Estate is a top flat-fee listing service in Houston, Texas, helping home sellers save on commissions without sacrificing quality.
- Creekstone Full-Service Agent – 1% Commission: This package provides full-service support, including professional photography and a yard sign.
Here are some advantages of choosing Creekstone Real Estate:
- Market Exposure: Your property features in real estate websites like HAR.com, Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com
- Expert Negotiation: Skilled agents will guide you through offer evaluations and negotiations.
- Listing Preparation: Professional photography, lockbox, and yard sign with listings ready in 48 hours.
In our research, we found certain red flags about Creekstone Real Estate:
- No Specific Services to Home Buyers: Despite being a brokerage, Creekstone Real Estate does not cater well to home buyers.
Creekstone Real Estate has 1.6 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
Creekstone Real Estate, a Houston-based discount brokerage, offers home sellers an affordable, full-service package with a 1% commission. While Creekstone excels in helping sellers save on commissions, their limited services for buyers make them a less ideal choice for purchasing a home. Sellers, however, benefit from substantial savings without sacrificing quality of service.
5. ListingSpark
LOCAL EXPERT
Listing Fee: Starting at $2995ListingSpark is a renowned flat fee discount brokerage in the US. It offers 2 listing packages:
- Spark Plan – $2,995: This includes paperwork assistance and syndicated house listing on major real estate websites. You receive a Supra digital lockbox, professional photographs, escrow services, and a “For Sale” sign.
- Premium Plan – $3,999: This includes all the features of the Spark plan. You also get pricing support, open house signage, e-flyer blasts, and agent-on-demand support.
ListingSpark offers certain advantages:
- Quick Listing: It takes 20 minutes to fill out the details on the ListingSpark website. The listing will go live within 24 hours after the documentation is completed.
- Add-on Features: They offer benefits like professional photographs, a lock box, a yard sign, title insurance, and escrow services.
- Free Tools: ListingSpark also offers multiple tools such as comparative market analysis, and closing cost calculator.
ListingSpark offers certain disadvantages:
- Limited Coverage: ListingSpark offers services in only 3 regions: Texas, Atlanta, and Nashville.
- Non-Refundable Fees: ListingSpark charges an upfront fee of $395 and $995 for Spark and Premium plans respectively. These fees are non-refundable upon cancellation.
- Lack of Clarity: Key details such as listing duration, photo limits, and the number of permitted changes are not readily available on the ListingSpark website.
ListingSpark has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google.
»Listing Spark Reviews: Does Listing Spark services provide real savings? Read more to find out.
👉 Our Take: ListingSpark offers essential services for selling your home. However, their basic package may have hidden costs, such as a $975 fee for agent support, which can increase the total expense.
ListingSpark is a real estate brokerage firm and For Sale By Owner platform. Owned by Aaron Jistel, the company also provides title and closing services under its title company, SparkTitle.
However, the coverage of ListingSpark is restricted only to Texas. Moreover, you must pay a termination cost if you decide to terminate your listing at any point.
6. SimpleShowing
LIMITED COVERAGE
Listing Fee: 1% CommissionSimpleShowing is a licensed full-service brokerage with just one package:
- 1% Listing Fee: This package provides full-service support from licensed agents who can assist you in your sale, right from listing to closing. You also get help with the paperwork for selling a house and can schedule home tours online.
Here’s what stands out about SimpleShowing:
- Maximum Exposure: Your home gets listed on the MLS and various national websites, including Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- No Upfront Costs: You need not pay any fee to list your property. The 1% amount is deducted from the selling price after the sale is closed.
- End-to-End Agent Support: SimpleShowing offers pre-listing consultation, ongoing support, and contract assistance throughout the selling process.
- Access to Professional Photographers: You can opt for their professional photographers to help you get the best photos of your home.
SimpleShowing has the following downsides:
- High Listing Fees: You need to pay at least $5,000 as the listing fee, which is quite high, especially for a small-scale home.
- Limited Agent Pool: You can’t choose or switch agents if any issues arise with your assigned representative.
- Limited Coverage: They offer their services only in Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
SimpleShowing has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google from over 110 reviews.
👉 Our Take: We recommend SimpleShowing to first-time home sellers for their their full-service support. However, their fees are on the higher side compared to some Flat Fee services that offer more tools at a lower cost.
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.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Texas: How Much Will You Save?💲
You could save up to $16,200 when selling a median-priced $348,400 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Houston.
However, if you pay a standard 6% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $20,904 to your listing agent. But, with Houzeo’s Platinum plan, you will only pay $349 with a 1.25% charge at closing.
NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely be paying much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage Buyer Agents and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 Will Be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
Discount Realtors in Houston: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Houston will save you thousands in commissions, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of hiring one:
Pros ✅
- Sell Home for a Discounted Fee: You’ll pay less fees for a discount real estate listing in Houston than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on Texas MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Houston will provide the basic services that any traditional agent would. This includes assistance with pricing your home, marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.
Cons ❌
- You May Become a Victim of Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Houston may charge hidden fees or sell essential services a la carte. Beware of shady discounted agents who lure you in with significantly low fees. Do your research and look at the best discount realtors in Houston.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Houston handle multiple clients at once to make up for the reduced commission rate. They may not be able to provide personalized assistance all the time.
- High Cancellation Fees: An Houston discount real estate broker can charge a minimum withdrawal fee within a specified period. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.
How to Choose the Right Houston Discount Real Estate Broker?
Choosing the right discount listing agent can feel like navigating an alligator alley, tricky but not impossible! Here’s how to make the right decision in Houston:
- Assess Your Selling Needs: Consider whether you need full-service support or just a basic MLS listing. If you can handle the negotiations and closing paperwork yourself, you can go for basic listing-only plans.
- Compare Pricing and Services: Check the list of services and their prices from different companies. Ensure the company you choose doesn’t have any hidden fees that will increase your overall expenses.
- Evaluate Technology and Tools: Check to see if your discount broker provides tools for offer and showings management. Also, ensure the home is visible to serious buyers browsing for properties for sale in Houston.
- Check Agent Support: Some companies offer virtual support, while others provide dedicated agents. Make the decision based on your requirements.
- Read Customer Reviews: Check platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and BBB for authentic reviews. Take note of closing success stories, responsiveness, and service quality.
Alternatives to Discount Real Estate Agents in Houston
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Houston:
- Sell Your Home For Sale By Owner: In a FSBO sale, you’ll have to opt for “DIY” marketing strategies like using FSBO signs, word of mouth, open houses, etc. But your listing won’t be on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Homes.com! Meanwhile, FSBO websites in Texas will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Texas scour the MLS for Texas homes for sale. This includes iBuyers, investors, and home flippers.
- Sell With a Full-Service Realtor: If you are not interested in saving your equity, you can hire a full-service, in-person Realtor in Texas. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $19,914 on a $331,900 home gone!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo—Houston’s best home-selling website.
