$18,000—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: Chicago discount brokers get all that done for a fraction of the cost!
Houzeo, Chicago’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 Chicago are Houzeo, Clever Real Estate, Johnson Realty, Redefy, Lucid Realty, and UpNest.
- Houzeo is the best discount real estate service in Chicago. You get virtual full-service support, high-tech tools to manage your offers, and 5-star customer support.
- Clever Real Estate ranks second because of their in-person, full-service Realtor assistance and 4.9-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 Chicago Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 6 discount real estate brokers in the Windy City based on how much you can save on an average $363,000 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $349 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Clever Real Estate | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 2. | Johnson Realty | $500 Upfront + 0.5% commission | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | Redefy | $3,500 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 4. | Lucid Realty | 1%-2.5% Commission | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | UpNest | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Chicago
There are two types of Chicago 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 Illinois 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: 4 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Chicago
1. Houzeo
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 Chicago’s #1 ranked discount real estate company because sellers only have to pay a flat rate. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings and 5-star customer support.
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. Johnson Realty
HYBRID PLAN
Listing Fee: $500 Upfront Fee + Half of 1% at Closing.Johnson Realty is a full-service discount brokerage. It helps sellers to list their property at a fair price with great savings.
- The Johnson Plan ($500 Initial fee + Half of 1% at Closing): In this package, Johnson Realty performs a CMA and other on-site analyses, after which it creates an MLS listing at your place in real time. For this, they charge you $500 upfront. At last, you pay Johnson Realty 1% of the sale price at closing. In addition, the company offers services like Lockbox and professional photography at an additional cost of $120 and $50, respectively.
- Premier Listing Package: This package assists in buying and selling the property. Johnson Realty waives 0.34% of listing broker commission to sell your home upon you signing a buyer’s agency and listing agreement with Johnson Realty.
👉 Our Take: Johnson Realty provides services like market analysis, MLS listing, showings, etc. It charges you a fee apart from the initial charge of $500. You may end up paying a higher amount at the time of closing compared to another discount brokerage.
Johnson Realty offers the following advantages:
- Modern Technology: Their technology allows you to keep the real transaction transparent. The contract between you and the agent is also signed digitally.
- Market Exposure: Your home will be featured on several real estate websites, such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
- Agent Assistance: Johnson Realty’s licensed consulting team will help you execute your transaction through closing.
Johnson Realty offers a major disadvantage:
- Outside Agent Involvement: A third-party agent schedules the MLS showings. There might be inconsistencies in the quality of these agents.
There is no credible source available for its review.
Johnson Realty is one of Illinois’ highest-selling brokers. You can avail yourself of an extra discount if you sell your home and buy a new one with them. An outside agent from another company will schedule the showing through the MLS.
There may be discrepancies in the quality of these agents.
4. Redefy
IN-HOUSE SUPPORT
Listing Fee: Starting at $379Redefy DIY is a real estate service that allows homeowners to list their properties on the MLS for a flat fee. It offers 3 packages:
- Self-Service – ($379): This plan includes a 6-month listing on Zillow, Realtor.com, and your local MLS. You get a yard sign, 10 photos, and a door key lockbox. No agent support is provided.
- Limited Service – ($499): Features a 1-year listing on Zillow, Realtor.com, and your local MLS. It includes a yard sign, 25 photos, a door key lock box, and CSS showing service. It also includes live chat support.
- Virtual Full Service – ($2,995): This premium plan provides a 1-year listing with all features from the Limited Service plan. Additionally, you get in-home consulatation, contract reviews, professional photography, and market analysis.
👉 Our Take: Redefy is a good option if you want flexible pricing and prioritize savings over personalized service. However, the service quality may vary and you’ll need to opt for the premium package for additional support.
Here’s what stands out about Redefy:
- Affordable Pricing: Packages start as low as $379, giving you flexible options to fit your budget. Every plan includes essential features like local listing, email, text, live chat support, yard signs, and door lock keys.
- 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.
Here are some of the downsides of working with Redefy::
- Limited Agent Availability: Full support is only available with the premium package, and service quality can vary.
- Lack of Personalized Services: Customers have often complained that Redefy agents are not able to give personalized service, as they serve a high volume of clients.
- Limited Coverage: Services are only available in 9 states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Redefy has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
Redefy is a discount real estate brokerage introduced in 2011. It is headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.
It is a licensed firm that works on the principle of a flat fee. This means for your million-dollar house you just pay a flat rate. You also need to pay $500 as a non-refundable deposit. This increases your overall package cost.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Chicago
5. Lucid Realty
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: 1%-2.5% CommissionLucid Realty is a full-service discount brokerage. It offers a pricing plan that helps you sell your house with less commission.
- Commission (1% to 2.5%): Lucid Realty provides its listing services with a commission between 1% to 2.5%. It includes services like a single point of contact, professional photography, yard signage, etc.
Lucid Realty offers certain advantages:
- Agent Assistance: You will be assigned a single agent throughout your home-selling process. He will guide you in your home inspection and home appraisal procedure too.
- Local Exposure: Lucid Realty lists your house on the local MLS to get better exposure. This helps to sell your house fast.
- Comprehensive Market Analysis: Sellers receive a thorough market analysis and pricing recommendation, ensuring their home is competitively priced.
Lucid Realty has certain disadvantages:
- Fluctuating Commission: The commission percent is not fixed. It may go to 2.5% which is higher than another discount brokerage.
- Limited Coverage: It offers services only in the Chicago suburbs and its neighborhoods.
Lucid Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Yelp with 35+ reviews.
👉 Our Take: Lucid Realty follows a sliding scale service method where your expensive house makes you save more. However, you could consider other flat-fee brokerages that would eventually make you pay less.
Lucid Realty, founded by industry veterans Gary Lucido and Sari Levy, provides a full-service experience at a fraction of the traditional cost. They built the company to challenge the outdated, high-fee models of conventional brokers.
Sellers who choose Lucid Realty gain access to significant savings, with 1% to 2.5% commissions and buyer rebates, all while receiving the same level of support as full-price brokerages.
6. UpNest
Negotiable FEES
Listing Fee: Varies as per the agentUpNest offers agent-matching services. Here’s how it works:
- No Upfront Cost: UpNest connects you with top local real estate agents at no upfront cost. Agents will discuss commission rates, fees, and potential discounts directly with you.
Here’s what UpNest offers:
- Multiple Agent Proposals: Get 3–5 commission quotes from top local agents. Compare options easily without contacting agents yourself.
- Quick Turnaround: Receive agent matches within 24 hours of signing up.
- Transparent Pricing: View all commission rates and potential savings upfront. There are no hidden fees or pressure to commit.
- Nationwide Coverage: It offers service throughout the US. It connects you with the local agent who has current market insights.
Here are some of the downsides of working with UpNest:
- No Guaranteed Savings: UpNest does not offer guaranteed savings. Instead, each agent sets their own listing fee.
- No Control Over Agent Selection: UpNest shows you commission quotes from selected agents. As a result, you might miss out on other qualified agents who are part of their network.
UpNest has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google.
» UpNest Reviews: Is UpNest actually saving you money in 2024? Read to find out.
👉 Our Take: With UpNest you get multiple real estate agent options to choose from. However, agents' commission rates and qualifications can vary significantly, and the quality of service may depend on the broker you select.
UpNest connects you with agents in your area by utilizing technology and market data. They partner with top agents from leading national brokerage firms across the U.S.
However, your savings are not guaranteed. Your ability to negotiate would be the key factor in the deal. In other words, you may end up paying more commission, or discount rates won’t go low as you expected.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Chicago: How Much Will You Save?💲
Chicago discount brokers can help you save almost the entire 6% commission, depending on your home’s worth.
If you choose a 6% full-service Realtor, you’d pay $23,670 to sell an average $394,493 house in the Windy City. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Platinum plan, you only pay $5,280 and save $18,389!
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 Chicago: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Chicago 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 Chicago than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on Illinois MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Chicago 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 IL 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- 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 Chicago.
- 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 Chicago
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Chicago:
- 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 Illinois will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Illinois scour the MLS for Chicago 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 Chicago. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $21,780 on a $363,000 home gone!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo—Chicago’s best home-selling website.
