Circle One Realty is a Flat Fee MLS listing company. They offer 4 plans and additional services to customize the packages.
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Pros
- Circle One Realty has an excellent broker and support team.
- They offer seller disclosure forms.
Cons
- Circle One Realty's technology is relatively weak.
- They serve 44 counties in Illinois.
- They do not disclose privacy policy on their website.
Circle One Realty is an Illinois-based real estate company that aims to offer savings on agent commissions. They help you list on the MLS for a flat fee and provide a la carte services to customize your plan.
However, Circle One Realty does not provide adequate information on their website. We could not find the terms of services and privacy policy. These disclosures are necessary to understand the legal bindings associated with their services.
Moreover, Circle One Realty’s technology is relatively outdated. You have to put manual effort into tasks like comparing offers and providing showing instructions. Other MLS listing services usually automate these features.
- ✍️ Editor’s Take: For most home sellers, we recommend listing with Houzeo over Circle One Realty. Houzeo offers stellar tech and a mobile app that makes home selling easy. Compare Circle One Realty vs. Houzeo.
Is Circle One Realty Legit?
Yes, Circle One Realty is a legitimate company headquartered in Yorkville, Illinois. The company was founded by Ryan J. Cherney, who has been working in the real estate industry for nearly 2 decades.
Circle One Realty aims to offer an excellent combination of savings and satisfaction. To maintain service quality, they do not refer their clients to brokers in other states. However, this limits their coverage to just Illinois.
How Does Circle One Realty Work?
To start the sign-up process with Circle One Realty, you have to go to the “List My Property” page on their website. Their sign-up process is quite straightforward. Just answer a few simple questions, make the payment, and begin the listing process.
- Packages: Select the desired package as per your requirements. You can also select add-on services.
- Property Information: Fill in the details of the property you want to sell.
- Contact Details: Provide your name, email, and phone number.
- Payment: Make the payment to finish the sign-up process.
- Fill out the Forms: Submit all the necessary details and photos to list the property on the MLS.
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👉 Note:Circle One Realty makes your listing live within 24-48 hours after submitting listing information.
Coverage of Circle One Realty
Circle One Realty serves 44 counties in Illinois. They are present in some major counties like Cook County, DuPage County, and Lake County.
If Circle One Realty’s limited coverage is a deal-breaker for you, list with Houzeo. They cover 47 states and DC. Read Houzeo reviews to learn more.
Circle One Realty Services
» Jump to: For Sellers | Listing Upgrades | For Buyers
For Home Sellers
Circle One Realty offers 4 packages to home sellers. Additionally, they offer some a la carte services to help sellers customize their plans.
1. MLS Entry Package – $145
| 👍 What We Like | 👎 What We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| ✅ Online listing process | ❌ Limited photos |
| ✅ Exposure on websites like Zillow and Trulia | ❌ Lack of marketing material like yard sign |
| ✅ Realtor's support |
👉 Our Take: You can only list vacant land with this plan. We appreciate that they offer realtor support at this price. However, a few more photos to showcase the property would be better.
2. MLS Basic Package – $295
| 👍 What We Like | 👎 What We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| ✅ 25 photos allowed on MLS | ❌ No tool for listing management |
| ❌ No lockbox |
👉 Our Take: While this plan is decently priced, we would like to see basic services like a lockbox included.
3. MLS Classic Package – $495
| 👍 What We Like | 👎 What We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| ✅ 12-month listing period | ❌ No platform to manage listings or showings |
| ✅ Professional photography | ❌ No pricing assistance or comparative market analysis |
| ❌ Better services in the Elite plan for the same price |
👉 Our Take: We do not recommend this plan to home sellers. The plan is expensive and offers marginal benefits over the Basic plan.
4. MLS Elite Package – $495 (originally $645)
| 👍 What We Like | 👎 What We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| ✅ List until sold or canceled | ❌ No digital experience |
| ✅ Discounted price | ❌ Manual listing and form filling process |
| ❌ Sellers may still need to purchase add-ons |
👉 Our Take: We believe this plan is their most comprehensive plan. However, it still lacks the technology that can simplify your home-selling journey.
Listing Upgrades
Here is a list of Circle One Realty’s listing upgrades.
| Add-ons | Costs |
|---|---|
| Combination lockbox | $45 |
| Electronic lockbox | $200 |
| Appointment scheduling and feedback | $85 |
| Additional signs | $25 |
| Professionally installed yard sign | $150 |
| Professional photography (25 photos) | $175 |
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👉 Alert: If you want to change the broker’s commission, you need to cancel the current listing agreement and submit a new one. This costs $145 extra.
For Home Buyers
Circle One Realty provides buyer rebates ranging from 25% to 50%. The rebate is determined by the number of days their agents spend showing you homes. Circle One Realty’s agents come into the picture once you are ready to visit the property.
Reviews of Circle One Realty
Circle One Realty has an impressive rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Google, based on 186 reviews.
Circle One Realty Positive Reviews
✅ Frederick was happy with his savings. He also praised Ryan for his expertise in the real estate industry.
I called Ryan several times with questions about his services, before finally using his firm. Ryan always took time to explain the process and answer my questions. I saved thousands on the seller side of commissions and grateful for Ryan’s expert real estate knowledge. My house sold in three days while I was on vacation in DC. Lot of money to save when using flat fee MLS and Circle One Realty did great for me!
Source: Google
✅ Joey also appreciated Ryan. He highlighted the seamless communication between them, which led to a smooth selling process.
Ryan was fantastic, always on top of things and had great communication. He always answered any questions or concerns I had and made sure the entire process from listing to closing was as smooth as possible. 10/10
Source: Google
Circle One Realty Negative Reviews
❌ Shazia was disappointed with Circle One Realty’s services. She also highlighted how she wasted 2 weeks on the market with Circle One Realty.
I had great expectations from this broker who had claimed he was one of the best but his rude behavior and harrasment disappointed us and we had to terminate the listing agreement with him . Wish he had not done that to us as we lost almost 2 weeks on the market .
Source: Google
Circle One Realty Pros and Cons
Let’s evaluate the pros and cons of Circle One Realty to see if they are the ideal choice for you.
👍 Pros
Circle One Realty offers some benefits to home sellers and buyers.
- Realtor’s Support: In all the packages, you get the support of a professional realtor. You can contact them via phone and email.
- Experienced Broker: Ryan Cherney, Circle One Realty’s principal broker, has nearly 20 years of experience. His knowledge may help you secure the best deal for your property.
- Cash Rebate: Circle One Realty offers 25-50% of the buyer agent’s commission.
👎 Cons
During our research, we found certain limitations associated with Circle One Realty.
- Outdated Technology: Circle One Realty’s tech is modest. Many procedures will be manual which might delay the listing process.
- Lack of Essential Services: Some vital services like pricing assistance and comparative market analysis are not included in any of their plans.
- Inadequate Information: Circle One Realty does not disclose enough information including terms of services and privacy policy on their website.
- Limited Coverage: Circle One Realty’s coverage is limited to select markets in Illinois.
Circle One Realty Competitors
» Jump to: Circle One Realty vs. Houzeo | Circle One Realty vs. Flat Fee Group | Circle One Realty vs. List With Freedom
1. Circle One Realty vs. Houzeo
Circle One Realty’s technology is outdated. You will have to download, fill out, scan, and mail the listing forms, which may lead to delays.
On the other hand, Houzeo’s technology allows you to list your property 100% online. You have the ability to schedule showings, manage offers, and counter offers. And you can do everything on the go with Houzeo’s mobile app.
| Circle One Realty | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $399 | |
| Customer Rating | 4.9 stars (5,111 reviews) | |
| Coverage | 47 states + Washington D.C. | |
| Offer Management | ||
| Counter an Offer | ||
| Request Highest and Best Offer | ||
| Home Inspection Dashboard |
2. Circle One Realty vs. Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee Group is a network of licensed brokers working in 48 states and Washington D.C. Their packages and services vary from state to state.
Flat Fee Group offers better services than Circle One Realty. However, there are no credible reviews on major websites to vouch for their services.
3. Circle One Realty vs. List With Freedom
List With Freedom is a licensed brokerage in 46 states. So, if Circle One Realty doesn’t offer services in your location, you can list with them.
Be careful though; Listwithfreedom.com packages may seem cheap, starting as low as $149. However, they also charge you an additional fee of 0.25% at closing.
Best Flat Fee Companies Near You
If you reside outside Circle One Realty’s coverage area, here are the top flat fee companies that serve your state.
Other Options You Should Consider
- Sell to an iBuyer: iBuyers purchase homes needing minimal repairs in as-is condition. They can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast.
- Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. They also let you skip listing on the MLS.
- Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself, saving thousands in agent commissions. Many
Is Circle One Realty Worth It?
We recommend listing Houzeo over Circle One Realty. Circle One Realty offers realtor’s support in every package. This is a major benefit for inexperienced sellers. However, their manual procedures make the home-selling process overwhelming.
Moreover, Circle One Realty does not include essential services like pricing assistance and comparative market analysis in any of their packages.
If you want a reliable Flat Fee MLS listing service, you must go with Houzeo. Houzeo’s affordable packages allow you to save thousands on listing agent commissions. Moreover, their technology makes home selling a breeze.
» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 5,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
📞 Need Help? Schedule a FREE Consultation
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Circle One Realty?
Circle One Realty is a Flat Fee MLS listing service provider that operates in 44 counties in Illinois. The company offers savings on real estate transactions. However, there are certain limitations associated with Circle One Realty.
2. How is Circle One Realty overall rated?
Based on 186 reviews, Circle One Realty has secured a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Google. The company has many positive reviews, however, negative reviews of Circle One Realty depict customers' dissatisfaction with their services.
3. Who will manage my listing at Circle One Realty?
Ryan Cherney, Circle One Realty's principal broker, will manage your listing. He is a knowledgeable broker with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Read Circle One Realty's reviews to learn more about him.
4. Which is the best Flat Fee MLS listing service in Illinois?
Houzeo.com is the #1 Flat Fee MLS listing company. Houzeo's packages include all the essential services you need to sell a house. Moreover, they have the best technology in the real estate industry. Check out how Houzeo tops the list of the best Flat Fee MLS companies in Illinois.
5. Is Flat Fee MLS worth it?
Yes, definitely. Flat Fee MLS services like Houzeo will not only make the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) process easier for you but also help you save thousands of dollars otherwise spent on listing agent commissions. Check out Houzeo reviews.
Flat Fee Listing Services Near Me
| Region | Cash Home Buyers |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | MLS My Home | Brokerless | Fizber | Flat Fee Group | MLS My Home | Brokerless Inc | UnReal Estate |
| Near-Nationwide | List With Freedom | Homecoin | Flat Fee Realty | Buyself Realty |
| Northeast | Simple Choice Realty | Realmart |
| Midwest | Lake Country Flat Fee | Madcity Homes | Broker Direct MLS | Ohio Flat Fee MLS | Reozom | Flat Fee Pros | Kermath Realty | Modern Way Realty | Flat Fee MLS Realty | Circle One Realty | Congress Realty |
| South | FlatList.com | ListingSpark | Creek View Realty | Mr. Lister Realty | Mink Realty | List Now Realty | Listingly | Adams Family Real Estate | Simply List |
| West | Savvy Lane Reviews | Lowes Flat Fee Realty | By Owner Oregon | Home Savings Realty |
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