Jump To: Rankings | Reviews | What is a Discount Real Estate Broker? | Why Choose a Discount Real Estate Broker? | Discount Real Estate Brokers to Avoid | Conclusion | Frequently Asked Questions
On average, a home in Richmond sells for 5% more than the listing price. Opting for discount real estate brokers in Richmond, Virginia, can help you save money.
Here are the top discount real estate brokers in Richmond, VA!
Rankings: Discount Real Estate Brokers in Richmond, VA
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $349 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | Share Realty | $3500 Flat Fee | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. | Equity First Realty | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | UpNest | 2.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. | Houwzer | $5000 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Reviews: Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies in Richmond, VA
1. Houzeo.com
🔥 BEST OVERALL
Houzeo.com
Why Houzeo is #1: Houzeo.com, a tech company, provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, cutting-edge technology, and 5-star customer support. It offers exposure to MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and hundreds of other websites.
Houzeo for Home Sellers
- Flat Fee Packages: Houzeo offers various plans with a typical small flat fee. This will save you thousands on the seller agent commission and even more if your buyer is unrepresented.
- Cutting Edge Technology: Houzeo’s Intellilist Management System is designed to simplify the complex process of listing management. Some other tools Houzeo.com offers are the Seller’s Closing Cost Calculator, Houzeo Showings, and Houzeo DigiTransact.
- Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. This makes listing a home easy and quick. Moreover, contracts are auto-generated, and turn-around-time is less, especially with their 5-star customer support.
Houzeo for Home Buyers
- Directly Connect with the Seller: Buyers can explore For Sale By Owner properties on Houzeo and directly make an offer, avoiding the hassle of involving realtors.
- Substantial Savings: Since no broker commission is involved, the closing cost for buyers is reduced. This can help them save more money.
- Tools: Houzeo’s closing Cost Calculator is also available to buyers. Additionally, buyers can schedule visits to the open house through the Houzeo mobile app.
👉 Our Take: Houzeo.com is our top pick because it delivers an unbeatable combination of savings, tech features, and service of any flat fee MLS listing service website we’ve reviewed.
» Houzeo Reviews: Testimonials and Overall Satisfaction Rating!
- Near Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo covers 47 states + DC.
- No Listing Agent Commission: With Houzeo, you only pay a small flat fee to get access to the MLS and all the Houzeo tech
- 100% online: Easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers
- Max Exposure: Listings get syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate sites
- Fast Listing: Rush listing option gets you listed within a business day with Houzeo Concierge. This is best to sell your house fast.
- Real Estate On the Go: Houzeo Mobile App mimics most functionality of the Houzeo web platform, including Offers and Showings
- 5-Star Customer Service: Superb support that minimizes Houzeo complaints
- No Hidden Fees: There are no Houzeo hidden fees
» Is Houzeo Legit: Learn more about Houzeo.com’s locations and services
Houzeo.com has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google & Trustpilot.
Houzeo.com is available nationwide.
2. Share Realty
🪙 FLAT RATE
Share Realty
Why Share Realty is #2: Share Realty is a discount realty in Virginia. They charge a flat fee for a full-service representation. They also offer a flat fee sale by owner FSBO package.
Share Realty for Home Sellers
- Flat Fee: For a flat fee of $3500, Share Realty offers services like MLS listing, HD photographs, ‘Showcase Home’ placement on Realtor.com, and open houses, to name a few. Please note that the fee they charge depends on the area of service.
- Additional Charges: They offer services like a personalized website, custom sign rider, brochures, and solar-powered ‘For Sale’ sign as a part of their Premium Marketing Package, for a flat fee of $5000.
Share Realty for Home Buyers
- Buyer Rebate: When Share Realty receives a buyer agent commission of 2.5-3%, they offer 1% of the sales price as a ‘Closing Gift.’ The buyer can choose how to spend the rebate.
👉 Our Take: With a high buyers rebate and full-service flat fee plan, Share Realty is one of the best options for buyers and sellers looking for a local realtor in Richmond, VA. However, Houzeo offers customizable plans at lower prices.
» Seller Disclosure in Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide!
- MLS Listing
- HD photographs
- Front yard sign/ solar-powered sign
- Personalized website
- Open Houses
- Showings
- Lock box
- Contract negotiation
No credible reviews were found.
Share Realty offers services all over Virginia.
3. Equity First Realty
💵 GREAT SAVINGS
Equity First Realty
Why Equity First Realty is #3: Equity First Realty is a low commission realtor in Richmond, VA. They are a full-service discount realty with more than 20 years of market experience.
Equity First Realty for Home Sellers
- Low Commission: They offer seller agent services for a commission of 1,5% of the sales price. They also have a ‘0% Listing Fee Program’ if the seller also buys a house with them.
- Full Service: Some services offered by Equity First Realty are professional photography, sentrilock lockbox, yard sign, and MLS exposure. There is no extra charge for these services.
Equity First Realty for Home Buyers
- Buyer Rebate: Equity First Realty offers buyer rebates of up to 2% on new construction and up to 1.5% on resale properties. They also have a ‘3% Seller Cash Back Rebate Program’ for buyers who also list their house with them.
👉 Our Take: Equity First Realty can help buyers and sellers save a considerable amount on commissions. However, with Houzeo.com’s flat fee packages, sellers can save even more.
» Seller Closing Costs in Virginia: A comprehensive guide!
- Professional photography with 80 photos
- Sentrilock lockbox
- HD 1080p home video tour and drone video tour
- MLS exposure
- Competitive Market Analysis
- Advertising on major realty websites
- ShowingTime to directly schedule showings
- Contract Negotiation
No credible reviews were found.
Equity First Realty offers services all over Virginia.
4. UpNest
💵 TRADITIONAL COMMISSION FEES
UpNest
UpNest is a discount realtor marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to compare and connect with the best local real estate agents in an area.
UpNest for Home Sellers
- No Obligation Service: Within 24 hours of signing up, UpNest offers a list of multiple agents to choose from. Moreover, the agent proposals provide a lot of information to choose a discount real estate broker. Nonetheless, there is no obligation to choose a broker from the list.
- High-quality Agents: UpNest has a very selective recruiting policy for partner agents, which is followed rigorously. Partner agents must meet UpNest’s performance criteria to get recruited.
- Marginal Savings: As per UpNest’s model, agents compete for listings, incentivizing them to offer low commissions. However, since there are no pre-approved commission rates, in the end, the negotiation is up to the seller. Consequently, the seller may end up paying more commission as compared to other low cost real estate agents.
- False Claims: UpNest claims to have facilitated billions of dollars in home sales and saved consumers millions of dollars in commissions, but that is inaccurate.
UpNest for Home Buyers
- Buyer Rebate: While offering a buyer rebate completely depends on the buyer agent, UpNest promises a rebate of $150.
👉 Our Take: UpNest only connects buyers and sellers to local agents who can quote their commissions. This does not guarantee savings. On the other hand, Houzeo.com offers custom-made packages with no hidden costs, increasing savings!
» UpNest Reviews: Everything You Need To Know
- No obligation service
- High-quality agent network
- User-friendly customer dashboard
- No savings on agent commission
- Average listing speed
- No guarantee of agent quality
- Poor customer service
UpNest has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 on Google.
UpNest has nationwide coverage.
5. Houwzer
BEST FOR HIGH VALUE HOMES
Houwzer
Houwzer offers three different deals for sellers.
- Flat rate – 1% Commission: Houwzer charges a 1% listing fee. This low commission Realtor is ideal for homes with a value above $1M.
- Buy & Sell Bundle: If you purchase a property along with selling your house, you will get a transferable refund of $2,500 on the listing fee.
- Convenience Offer: You will receive a cash offer from them. You get better offers from prospective buyers and pre-qualify for a mortgage on a home purchase.
Coverage: Houwzer covers only Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
👉 Our Take: If you’re looking for a low commission real estate brokerage that’s easy on the wallet for high-valued properties, Houwzer is a good option for you.
Houwzer is a low commission real estate brokerage based in Philadelphia, PA. They are a certified B Corporation that is committed to solving social and environmental problems.
- Versatile Add-On Features: They offer good add-on features like virtual tour, high-definition photography, and closing assistance.
- Cash Advantage: Houwzer empowers buyers to make a cash offer on a house using Houwzer’s funds. The buyers should be pre-approved by Houwzer Mortgage to avail of the cash advantage option.
Houwzer has drawbacks we came across during our research.
- No Personalized Support: Due to high customer volume their agents might not give personalized attention to every customer.
- Not for Low Priced Homes: Houwzer is only ideal for houses that are valued at a million or above.
Houwzer has an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 46 reviews on Yelp.
» Houwzer Reviews: Check out the customer reviews before making your decision.
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💡 Make A Note: Sellers only get discount on the seller’s agent commission. They still have to pay 2.5%-3% commission to the buyer’s agent at the end of the sale process.
» Best Flat Fee MLS Richmond: Sell Your Home For Flat Fee MLS Instead!
Here’s a quick recap of the best discount real estate brokers in America:
America’s Best Discount Real Estate Brokers (2023)
We’ve reviewed the best discount real estate brokers in 2023
Discount Real Estate Brokers to Avoid
Some agent-matching websites advertise themselves as “free,” but in reality, they keep a portion of the commission received by the discount real estate brokers. Since you pay the commission, this amount technically goes from your pocket.
For example, List With Clever promotes itself as a real estate educational website that matches sellers with discount realtors. Even though Clever claims to be “free,” 25% to 40% of the commission you pay will be directed to Clever as a “Referral Fee.”
» Clever Real Estate: Read our full review of Clever Real Estate
What Is a Discount Real Estate Broker?
Discount real estate brokers are licensed real estate agents who offer buyers and sellers their services at a flat rate or lower commission than traditional real estate brokers. Some flat rate or low commission realtors offer full-service whereas, whereas others offer limited services that may just include MLS listing. Before choosing a low-cost broker, you must ensure that they include all the features required to sell your property.
There are 4 distinct types of discount real estate brokers in Richmond, VA, and each has its benefit. Let’s try and understand the different types:
Types of Discount Real Estate Brokers in Richmond, VA
Types | Description | Why It's Unique? | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Flat Fee MLS | Flat fee MLS lets seller list their property on the local MLS from a list of packages. Each package consists of unique benefits. | 💰 Multiple Services | Houzeo |
Flat Rate | Flat rate brokers charge a flat fee for full service that includes everything from MLS listing to price negotiations, etc. | 💲Cost - Effective | Share Realty |
Low Commission | With low commission, sellers can list and sell their homes with a listing fee as low as 1% commission. This helps sellers save thousands of dollars at end of the sale process. | 💵 More Savings | Equity First Realty |
Virtual Full-Service | Sellers who want to list and sell their property from the comfort of their homes can opt for virtual service. Each step right from listing to negotiation is carried out virtually. | 💻 100% Online | Houzeo |
Why Choose a Discount Real Estate Broker Over a Traditional Agent?
The simple answer is that whether you are buying or selling, working with a discount or low commission realtor will help you lower the closing cost. Let’s look at an example.
Say, a property costs $500,000. Through traditional real estate commissions in the US, the seller is required to pay 5% – 6% in commissions. This means that as a seller, you can incur closing costs anywhere between $25,000 – $30,000, which is a considerable sum. To minimize this expense, you can try selling a house as is through discount realtors in Richmond.
Traditional Agent (2.5% commission) | Discount (1% commission) | Discount (1.5% commission) | Discount (2% commission) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seller's Agent | $12,500 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
Buyer's Agent | $12,500 | $12,500 | $12,500 | $12,500 |
Total | $25,000 | $17,500 | 20,000 | $22,500 |
Savings | ❌ | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
Similarly, if you are a buyer approaching a discount real estate agent who offers a higher buyer rebate can make the house that much inexpensive to purchase. For instance, if the buyer agent offers a rebate of 1% on a property priced at $500,000, it will save you $5000. Please note that some realtors also offer non-cash incentives as buyer rebates.
» Seller Closings Costs in Virginia and Buyer Closing Costs in Virginia: Use this free tool by Houzeo to get an estimate of your closing costs!
Houzeo Helps You Save Thousands
Package | Price | What You Get |
---|---|---|
SILVER | $349 | 6-month listing, 24 photographs, syndication to popular real estate websites, and a few more additional services. No hidden costs at closing. |
GOLD | $399 | 6-month listing, Maximum number of photos, syndication to popular real estate websites, and a few more additional services. No hidden costs at closing. |
PLATINUM | $449 | Plus 0.75% due at closing. 1-year listing, maximum number of photos, virtual full-service with everything you require to sell the property. Unlimited term and changes included! No hidden costs at closing. |
Savings Calculator
Here’s how much you can save with Houzeo.com!
Discount Real Estate Companies That Offer Flat Fee MLS Near Me
Before opting for discount real estate brokerages, you should find out if they offer services in your desired area. All discount realtors in Richmond do not have the same coverage. Some have nationwide coverage, while some are restricted to a few states or cities.
We’ve compiled a list of the best flat fee MLS Listing Services in each state. Click on your state to check them out!
Region | States |
---|---|
Northeast | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont |
Midwest | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
South | Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia |
West | Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming |
- ✍️ SAVE: With Flat fee MLS, you will save thousands of dollars in listing fees. You also get the option of selecting the service you want and customizing the packages to your seller’s needs.
Conclusion
Richmond is a seller’s market. This means that there is a low supply of houses and a high volume of sellers in the market. Discount realtors in Richmond can help sellers ensure they get the best price for their homes. Similarly, discount real estate brokers in Richmond, VA, can help buyers buy their dream house at a lower price through negotiations and rebates.
Houzeo is one of the top real estate companies that offers 100% virtual service. It helps home sellers list their property without any hassle from the comfort of their homes, while also allowing home buyers to explore properties and make offers online. Additionally, Houzeo’s customer-centric approach, advanced technology, and flat fee packages make it an ideal choice for those looking to buy or sell their property in Richmond without paying high commissions.
» Selling A House In Virginia: Here’s What You NEED to Know
Frequently Asked Questions About Discount Real Estate Brokers in Richmond, VA
Are flat fee realtors good?
Flat fee realtors can help sellers save thousands of dollars on commission, provided they don't charge any additional fee for services.
Who are the top discount real estate brokers in Richmond?
The top discount real estate brokers in Richmond, VA, are Share Realty, Equity First Realty, and Houzeo.com.
How much do low commission real estate agents in Richmond charge?
On average, low commission real estate brokers in Richmond, VA, charge 1-2% commission.
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