$20,500—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: Austin discount brokers get all that done for a fraction of the cost!
Houzeo, Austin’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 Austin are Houzeo, Clever Real Estate, Crawford Realty Inc., Austin Discount Realty, SimpleShowing, and HomeLight.
- Houzeo is the best discount real estate service in Austin. 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 Austin Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 6 discount real estate brokers in the Silicon Hills based on how much you can save on an average $547,500 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $349 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Clever Real Estate | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3. | Crawford Realty Inc. | $550 Listing Fee | ❌ | ✅ | .❌ |
| 4. | Austin Discount Realty | $195 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | SimpleShowing | 1% commission | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 6. | HomeLight | 2.5% commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Austin
There are two types of Austin 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 Texas 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 Austin
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 Austin’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. Crawford Realty Inc.
SIMPLIFIED PLAN
Listing Fee: $550Crawford Realty Inc is a Flat Fee MLS Austin company that connects you with home buyers in your locality. They offer house sellers two plans:
- Flat Fee – ($550 upfront + $1,500 at closing): This plan includes MLS listing, market analysis, contract negotiations, and more.
- 1% Commission: Pay 1% at closing, with no upfront fees. Includes full representation and MLS listing.
👉 Our Take: Crawford Realty’s pricing is competitive, providing both upfront and no upfront options. However, you can find more affordable flat fee MLS plans with other competitors.
Based on our research, the benefits of Crawford Realty are:
- Market Exposure: Your Listing will be displayed on popular sites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
- Market Analysis: You can accurately price your home with a complimentary market analysis.
- Local Expertise: With over 25 years of experience, Crawford Realty offer deep knowledge of the Austin market.
Here are some limitations we found with Crawford Realty:
- Limited Reviews: Despite being in the business for 25+ years, Crawford Realty does not have enough reviews.
- 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 Yelp.
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.
4. Austin Discount Realty
VARIOUS SERVICES
Listing Fee: $195 Flat FeeAustin 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.
- Flat Fee Service: They charge a seller a $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.
👉 Our Take: Austin Discount Realty offers a compelling blend of cost savings and comprehensive services. Sellers looking to maximize their profits while still receiving professional support should consider this $195 Flat Fee option.
Austin Discount Realty offers the following advantages to 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, and Trulia. This can attract buyer’s attention and increase the number of offers.
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 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.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Austin
5. SimpleShowing
LIMITED COVERAGE
Listing Fee: 1% CommissionSimpleShowing is a licensed full-service brokerage with just one package:
- 1% Listing Fee: This package provides full-service support from licensed agents who can assist you in your sale, right from listing to closing. You also get help with the paperwork for selling a house and can schedule home tours online.
Here’s what stands out about SimpleShowing:
- Maximum Exposure: Your home gets listed on the MLS and various national websites, including Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- No Upfront Costs: You need not pay any fee to list your property. The 1% amount is deducted from the selling price after the sale is closed.
- End-to-End Agent Support: SimpleShowing offers pre-listing consultation, ongoing support, and contract assistance throughout the selling process.
- Access to Professional Photographers: You can opt for their professional photographers to help you get the best photos of your home.
SimpleShowing has the following downsides:
- High Listing Fees: You need to pay at least $5,000 as the listing fee, which is quite high, especially for a small-scale home.
- Limited Agent Pool: You can’t choose or switch agents if any issues arise with your assigned representative.
- Limited Coverage: They offer their services only in Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
SimpleShowing has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google from over 110 reviews.
👉 Our Take: We recommend SimpleShowing to first-time home sellers for their their full-service support. However, their fees are on the higher side compared to some Flat Fee services that offer more tools at a lower cost.
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.
6. HomeLight
GOOD AGENT COVERAGE
Listing Fee: 2.5% of sale priceHomeLight 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.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Austin: How Much Will You Save?💲
You could save up to $16,200 when selling a median-priced $348,400 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Austin.
However, if you pay a standard 6% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $20,904 to your listing agent. But, with Houzeo’s Platinum plan, you will only pay $349 with a 1.25% charge at closing.
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 Austin: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Austin 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 Austin than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on Texas MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Austin 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: A TX 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- 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 Austin.
- 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 Austin
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Austin:
- 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 Texas will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Austin scour the MLS for Austin 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 Austin. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $32,850 on a $547,500 home gone!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo—Austin’s best home-selling website.
