$26,000—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: Fort Lauderdale discount brokers get all that done for a fraction of the cost!
Houzeo, Fort Lauderdale’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 Fort Lauderdale are Houzeo, Clever Real Estate, Get More Offers, Redefy, HomeLight, and Ideal Agent.
- Houzeo is the best discount real estate service in Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 6 discount real estate brokers in Venice of America based on how much you can save on an average $540,000 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo.com | $349 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Clever Real Estate | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | Get More Offers | $4,500 Flat Fee or 1.5% Commissions | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | Redefy | $3,500 Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | HomeLight | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 6. | Ideal Agent | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Fort Lauderdale
There are two types of Fort Lauderdale 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 Florida 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.
4 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, and 5-star customer support, and is available both on iOS and Android platforms.
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. Get More Offers
66% BUYER REBATE
Listing Fee: Starting at $99Get More Offers is a real estate software management system with a discount real estate broker e-commerce website. They offer three plans:
- FSBO Plan – ($99 upfront): 1-year listing on MyStateMLS (optional) and major real estate sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, etc.
- Solo Plan- ($299 upfront): Ideal for experienced sellers, includes expert transaction management and professional photography.
- Pro Plan – ($699 upfront): Includes full-service representation, expert pricing consultation, and professional photography.
👉 Our Take: Some plans can be counted as budget-friendly options, but they lack hand-holding support. However, they might be better for experienced sellers than for first-time home sellers.
Based on our research, the benefits of Get More Offers are:
- Fast Listing Entry: They have same-day listing to quickly get on the market.
- Control for Sellers: Self-representation options let sellers manage their own listings.
- 100% Online: The paperless system makes the process efficient and hassle-free.
- Market Exposure: Your home gets listed on the local MLS and displayed on all major real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
In our research, we found some red flags of Get More Offers, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Cancellation Policy: The PRO plan requires a 60-day cancellation notice, which might be inconvenient for those needing more flexibility.
- Limited Reviews: Even though Get More Offers has been here since 2005, it has no credible reviews.
- Limited Service Area: They are only available in New York and Florida.
No credible reviews were found.
GetMoreOffers.com offers flat fee MLS listings which allow homeowners to list their property. They also offer various services like marketing support, broker management, same-day listing entry, and many more.
However, the process is difficult and time-consuming because they are not completely online. Additionally, you will have to pay more if you choose a different title company than Frontier Title.
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, headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, is a licensed discount real estate brokerage firm started in 2011. They operate in very few states of the US.
Redefy works on the principle of a flat fee brokerage. This means that for your million-dollar house, you just pay a flat rate.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Fort Lauderdale
5. HomeLight
AGENT MATCHING SERVICE
Listing Fee: Varies as per the agentHomeLight is an agent-matching service provider. Its technology-based platform provides agent suggestions within minutes.
- No Upfront Cost: HomeLight does not charge any fees to buyers or sellers. The real estate agents pay a referral fee to HomeLight at the time of closing.
👉 Our Take: HomeLight connects you with a local agent to help you sell your house. The agent charges you as per his customized services including the HomeLight’s referral fee. This will ultimately make you pay more than other discount real estate brokers.
Based on our research, the benefits of HomeLight are:
- Quick Pairing: HomeLight connects you with the list of agents within two minutes of your online form filling.
- Representative Network: HomeLight has a database of over 28,000 agents. This allows you to compare the agents and select the best one based on discounts, experience, and sales records.
- Coverage: Their services are available in 51 states and all major cities across the country.
» Homelight Pros & Cons: Know about their offerings that would help you sell your house seamlessly.
Here are some limitations we found with HomeLight:
- Non-Negotiable Commissions: Every agent has to pay a referral fee to Homelight. Hence, you lose the ability to bargain for the commission.
- Off-Market Restriction: You can instantly receive bids from agents by registering on HomeLight.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: The assigned agents may not work at your convenience. Even the listing speed will be based on the agent selected.
HomeLight has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Sitejabber.
» HomeLight Reviews: Check out our detailed reviews on HomeLight.
HomeLight is a reputable discount real estate broker company established by Drew Uher in 2012. It is a common platform where sellers meet the buyers.
They have a huge agent database that handles multiple clients at a time. This could lead to miscommunication and a lack of personalized support
6. Ideal Agent
Agent Matching Service
Listing Fee: 2% of Sale PriceIdeal Agent is an agent matching company. It offers a single listing package for sellers:
- 2% Commission: Ideal Agent charges a 2% commission to the listing agent, which is lower than traditional rates (typically 2.5 – 3%). On an average home price of $400,000, you will be charged $8,000.
👉 Our Take: The 2% listing fee is competitive, however, the buyer’s agent still gets a 2.5 – 3% commission, bringing the total commission to around 4.5 – 5%. The savings are notable but not as significant as flat-fee brokers.
Ideal Agent stands out with several attractive offerings:
- Top Agents: The platform only works with experienced agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams Realty and RE/MAX.
- National Network: Coverage extends across the U.S., making it a versatile option for sellers nationwide.
It’s important to be aware of these potential drawbacks:
- Limited Savings: Despite the reduced listing commission, the total commission cost isn’t drastically different from standard agents.
- Agent Pool: In less populated areas there may be fewer agents to choose from, limiting flexibility.
Ideal Agent has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
» Ideal Agent Reviews: Does Ideal Agent benefit you in the 2024 market?
Steve Johnston established ldeal Agent in 2016. It is headquartered in Tampa. It offers all the traditional realtor services with a 2% commission on home sale value.
Ideal Agent lacks a modern technology system. Customers who have used their services have complained about hidden charges.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Fort Lauderdale: How Much Will You Save?💲
Fort Lauderdale 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 $33,900 to sell an average $565,000 house in the Venice of America. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Platinum plan, you only pay $7,412 and save $26,489!
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 Fort Lauderdale: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on MLS in Florida, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Fort Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 FL.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Fort Lauderdale 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 MI 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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale:
- 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 Fort Lauderdale.
- 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 Fort Lauderdale
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Fort Lauderdale:
- 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 Florida will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Fort Lauderdale scour the MLS for Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $32,400 on a $540,000 home gone!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo—Fort Lauderdale’s best home-selling website.
