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7 min read Apr 25, 2024

Top 5 Discount Real Estate Brokers in Austin, TX (2024)

From Mueller to Pflugerville, sellers across Austin can save thousands on real estate agent commissions. With discount real estate brokers in Austin, you can slash the traditional 6% rate down to just 2% to 3%.

The current median home price in Austin is $550,000. The traditional 6% commission will cost you a whopping $33,000. 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 $22,000.

You can lower this amount to around $16,500 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 Austin, TX

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.Crawford Realty Inc.$550
Listing Fee
.❌
3.Austin Discount Realty$195
Flat Fee
4.SimpleShowing1%
commission
5.HomeLight 2.5%
commission

Reviews: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in Austin, TX

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.com is Austin’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 $329+, the Silver Package is priced at $399+, and the Gold at $379 + 0.5% (Minimum $999) at closing. Sellers can ask for the full-service Platinum package which costs $349 + 1% (Minimum $999) at closing.

2. Crawford Realty Inc.

SIMPLIFIED PLAN

Crawford Realty Inc.

Crawford Realty Inc. logo
  • Listing Fee: $550
  • Available in Austin
  • 5 Stars5.0/5.0 (5 reviews)

Crawford Realty Inc is a Flat Fee MLS Austin company that connects you with home buyers in your locality. They offer house sellers two options: a “Flat Fee” or a 1% commission. They are licensed and member of the Austin Multiple Listing Service.

Their flat fee package costs $550, plus they charge $1500 after the house is sold. Their Flat Fee package includes market study, realtor sign, internet exposure, contract discussions, and laser lockbox without additional fees.

They’re a part of the Austin Board of Realtors, and they joined List Hub to activate listing syndication. Your MLS listing will appear on 50 different websites. Your property will show on all of the main real estate websites if you choose their flat fee MLS Austin package.

👉 Our Take: Crawford Realty is a great option if you are looking for discount realtors in Austin that offer great value at meager commissions.

Crawford Realty Inc. is a decent option to list your home in Austin. The company offers the following benefits:

  • Market Exposure: Crawford Realty lists your property on most of the local MLS’ in Austin and other surrounding areas of Texas.
  • Good Local Area Coverage: Crawford Realty provides a neighborhood report upon request. They also impart information on the Austin area community.
  • Mortgage Calculator: They provide a mortgage calculator to figure out the financial impact of changing one or more features of a mortgage financing agreement.

Crawford Realty has some drawbacks we came across in our research.

  • Hidden Charges at Closing: Crawford Realty charges a 1% commission, but they also operate on a flat fee basis. You pay $550 to list your home but have to pay a second flat fee of $1,500 at closing.

Crawford Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Google.

Crawford Realty is a full-service brokerage based in Austin, TX. They have exceptional expertise in the local real estate housing market.

They charge around 1.5% commission on the final sale price. Crawford Realty also offers buyer rebates.

3. Austin Discount Realty

VARIOUS FREEBIES

Austin Discount Realty

Austin Discount Realty logo
  • Listing Fee: $195 Flat Fee
  • Available in Austin
  • 5 Stars  5.0/5.0 (20 reviews)

Austin Discount Realty is a local real estate brokerage that has been operating for the past 25 years. They offer a range of packages for all kinds of sellers, from ones looking to sell their house FSBO to sellers looking for full-service discount realtors in Austin.

Austin Discount Realty for Home Sellers

  • Low Commissions: They charge a seller $195 Flat Fee, which is lower than the national average of 3%.
  • Additional Services: They provide a yard sign, lock-box, a CMA, photos, a staging consultation which is free of cost, and more.

Austin Discount Realty for Home Buyers

  • Buyer Rebates: Austin Discount Realty offers 50% of their buyer commissions as rebates to home buyers.

👉 Our Take: Austin Discount Realty is a good option as they offer services at low commissions for both sellers and buyers.

Austin Discount Realty offers the following advantages to home sellers and buyers:

For Home Sellers:

  • Experienced Agents: Austin Discount Realty agents have been in the business for 25+ years. They can give great insights into the market and offer guidance to clients at every step.
  • Market Exposure: Properties get exposure to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia. This can attract buyer’s attention and increase the number of offers.

For Home Buyers:

  • Agent Representation: Home buyers get agent representation as a part of the buyer rebate program. All the services related to home buying are covered.

We found some red flags associated with Austin Discount Realty in our research:

  • Low-tech: They do not optimize technology in their services. They do not have a mobile application that can make home selling and buying easier.
  • Limited Coverage: Their coverage is restricted to Austin and surrounding areas. This makes their client base limited.

Austin Discount Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Google.

Austin Discount Realty is a good option for local home buyers and sellers. They charge around 1.5% of the total sale price as commission fees.

They also provide assistance with the sale and purchase of commercial and rental properties. Additionally, they do have excellent reviews and customer feedback.

4. SimpleShowing

MAXIMUM SAVINGS

Simple Showing

simpleshowing logo
  • Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price
  • Restricted coverage
  • 5 Stars 5/5 (142+ Reviews)

SimpleShowing is a percentage-based discount broker which offers the house listing services at 1%.  It also offers to pay 1% of the closing costs or $5,000 cashback on such costs.

👉 Our Take:  The fixed 1% listing commission may be expensive if you have a less-valued home, say $150,000-$200,000. Instead, you should look for a flat fee pricing model.

SimpleShowing offers the following advantages:

  • Professional Photography: They arrange for professional photography and videos of home with no additional charge.
  • Local Agent: The agent will assist you right from valuing your home till closing.

SimpleShowing offers the following disadvantages:

  • Not the Best Agents: SimpleShowing might not be able to match you with the best agent.
  • Limited Coverage: It provides services in only 3 states – Florida, Texas, and Georgia.

SimpleShowing has a 5 out of 5 stars rating 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.

5. 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.

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 Austin?

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 Austin

The four major types of real estate discount brokerages and companies in the Bat City 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 Austin

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

  • 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 Austin markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast in Austin.
  • 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 Texas 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 Austin?

Houzeo.com and Austin Discount Realty are the top discount real estate brokers in Austin.

How much is the real estate agent fees in Austin?

On average, traditional agents in Austin, 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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