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11 min read Jan 31, 2024

Discount Real Estate Brokers in Austin, TX (2024 Updates)

From Mueller to Pflugerville, home sellers across Austin dread the 6% real estate agent commission. Traditional listing agents charge a commission of 3% of the sale price.

The best discount real estate brokers use cutting-edge technology and stellar customer service making it easy to sell your home.

👉🏻 Key Takeaways

  • Discount real estate brokers will help you list your home for 0.5% to 2% commission. Traditional listing brokers charge 2.5-3%.
  • The discount is on the listing fee. You still have to pay the buyer agent commission, typically 2.5-3%.
  • Discount real estate brokers will save you between $5,000 to $20,000 on average.
  • Houzeo.com is America’s best discount real estate company. Houzeo offers the best combination of maximum exposure, commission savings, cutting-edge tech, and stellar customer service.

We’ve spent thousands of hours researching discount real estate brokers and compiled our list of the best discount real estate brokers.

Rankings: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies in Austin, TX

RankDiscount Real Estate Broker / CompanyListing Fee Additional Charges100% Online5-Star Reviews*Mobile App
1.Houzeo$349
Flat Fee
2.Crawford Realty Inc.1.5%
commission
.❌
3.Austin Discount Realty1.5%
commission
4.SimpleShowing1%
commission
5.HomeLight 2.5%
commission

Reviews: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies 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 7,796+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!

Houzeo Reviews: With over 5,000+ 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: 1.5% of the sale price
  • Available in Austin
  • 4.8/5.0 (26 reviews)

Crawford Realty Inc. owned by Cheryl Crawford is a discount real estate broker based in Austin. They charge low commissions to sellers and offer a great set of features.

Crawford Realty for Home Sellers

  • Low Commissions: Crawford Realty Inc. lists the property on the Multiple Listing Service at a 1% seller commission. This is significantly lower than the national average.
  • Additional Services: They provide market analysis, lockbox, a realtor sign, contract negotiations, inspection negotiations, internet exposure, etc.

Crawford Realty for Homebuyers

  • Buyer Rebates: The buyer receives a rebate of 2% (from the 3% seller commissions) for resale homes, and a refund of 2.5% for new homes (from 3% commissions by the builder).
  • My Home Tracker: Buyers can receive specialized notifications for homes near them, as per their requirements.

👉 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 4.8 out of 5 from 26 reviews 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: 1.5% of the sale price
  • Available in Austin
  • 5 Stars  5.0/5.0 (21 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 commission of 1.5%, 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 from 21 reviews 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.

Here’s a quick recap of the best discount real estate brokers in America:

America’s Best Discount Real Estate Brokers (2024)

We’ve reviewed the best discount real estate brokers in 2024

What Are Discount 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. Sellers receive basic real estate services at a pre-negotiated fee of 0.5% to 2% or even a flat fee.

The reduced fee can easily save sellers thousands in commissions.

You may be now wondering if their services are comparable to those of a traditional Realtor at this point. Discount real estate brokers typically offer the same services as full-service brokers. The key difference is in pricing.

    🤔 Do you offer buyer agent commission to discount brokerages?

    YES! Most real estate discount brokers and brokerages will recommend you pay a full buyer agent fee. It is typically between 2% and 3% in most states.

    It is vital to pay a competitive commission to the buyer’s agent. This will ensure you sell your home quickly while still receiving the best price possible.

Types of Discount Brokers

Find a discount real estate broker that fits your budget and saves you the most money! The four major types of real estate discount brokerages and companies 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. Best Flat Fee MLS listing companies like Houzeo can get you on the MLS within 48 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. These are usually priced at 1% or 2%. They cover everything from listing, negotiations, and pricing.

4. Virtual Full Service: A virtual full-service discount broker handles everything online. Companies like Houzeo, also provide full-service options that are 100% online. All services including negotiation and marketing support are at no additional cost.

Pros and Cons of a Discount Realtor

The primary benefit of working with discount real estate brokers is that they have lower overhead costs. However, a discount broker may not have as much time to communicate. They juggle many clients and may not be available for your queries.

Pros

  • Reduced Fees: You’ll pay less for listing costs. While standard brokers typically charge at least 3%, discount brokers may charge as little as 0.5% to 1%.
  • Full Access to Basic Real Estate Services: You receive the same basic services as you would with a traditional agent. They provide assistance with pricing, marketing, and negotiations.
  • Streamlined Process: A low-cost Realtor facilitates the selling process. They are motivated to work efficiently and eliminate all unnecessary steps from the sales process.

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 almost never have to talk to anyone in-person. A first-time seller or buyer who needs some hand-holding may not be able to benefit much.
  • 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 of time. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.

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. Because you pay the commission, this amount comes out of your pocket.

For example, List With Clever promotes itself as an informational real estate website that matches sellers with discount realtors. Even though Clever claims to be “free”, 25% to 40% of your commission will be directed to Clever as a “Referral Fee”.

» Clever Real Estate Reviews: Check out what you lose when you sell or buy with Clever!

💸 Save Thousands in REALTOR Commission



Sell your house with Houzeo.com for a small flat fee – as low as $349!


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How to Choose a Discount Realtor or Company?

It is essential to select the right real estate agent for your home-selling journey. The following are a couple of pointers to assist you with picking the ideal discount broker or company.

1. Savings: Discount real estate brokers have a variety of pricing structures. So, choose one that maximizes savings while still providing all of the services you require.

2. Technology: Choose companies that use cutting-edge technology, offer online paperwork, and have a mobile app.

3. Customer Reviews: Check for online customer reviews. This helps you to get an idea of the kind of services you are going to receive.

How Much Can I Save With a Discount Realtor?

As a seller, you can save anywhere between $1,632 and $ 6,680.

Typically, home sellers pay 6% of total realtor commissions. The total commission is divided between the listing agent (3%) and the buyer’s agent (3%). Discount real estate brokers pre-negotiate a reduced listing agent commission of 1% to 2%.

Therefore, you save a commission of 4% to 5% on your home sale.

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, Crawford Realty Inc. offers a buyer rebate of 1% to clients who sell and buy with them.

However, in order to qualify for this buyer rebate, buyers must fulfill specific requirements. The most important is the minimum price range.

    🤔 What is a home buyer rebate?

    A Realtor rebate is a type of cashback you receive as a buyer. Some brokerages and agents offer these rebates as an incentive to attract more buyers. Buyer rebates are allowed in 40 states.

Who Should Use a Discount Broker?

Discount Brokers are ideal for sellers and buyers who want to focus on savings.

  • Sellers on a Tight Budget: Homeowners who wish to save money might list with a low-fee Realtor. This can help them save big. 
  • Real Estate Investors: Real estate investors who frequently trade 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 Brokers in Austin

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

  • Flat Fee MLS Companies: Flat Fee MLS Austin companies list your property on your local MLS for a flat fee of a few hundred dollars. You can save on commissions and also take advantage of their technology for a faster sale.
  • 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 Pflugerville and other Austin markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you’re wondering how to sell my house fast in Austin.
  • Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies that buy houses for cash in Austin 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 will help you list and sell a house by owner in Austin and save thousands in listing agent commission. Many FSBO websites will also get you listed on the MLS and help you with FSBO paperwork.

» Best FSBO Sites in Texas: We’ve researched and reviewed all the best For Sale By Owner sites in Texas. See our rankings!

Savings Calculator

Here’s how much you can save with Houzeo.com!

New!

Savings in Austin, TX!

Enter Your Home Sale Price

$ Please enter your home price
  • Listing Fee
  • Traditional Agent 46877

    $15,000

  • idealagent

    $10,000

  • houzeo

    $349

houzeo

Your savings via Houzeo

$14,705

Houzeo saves you $9,705 more than Crawford Realty Inc.!

Start Your Free Houzeo Listing Now

Are Discount Brokers Worth It?

YES! There are various advantages to using a discount real estate broker. Using a cheap brokerage can save you a lot of money. The commission savings can be significant.

There are several discounted real estate brokers on the market today, each with its own set of advantages. Examine factors such as listing fees, listing time, services provided, customer service, and coverage before you choose one.

With Houzeo, you can get your home on the MLS for a small flat fee. You get access to cutting-edge tools like offers dashboard, showings management, and many more to make your selling journey easy.

» List My House on MLS in Texas: The fastest way to get on the MLS!

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

What is Houzeo?

An overview of what the platform is all about

Start Your FREE 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

1. Who pays Realtor fees in Austin, Texas?

Generally, it is the seller who pays the realtor fees for both the seller and the buyer agent. However, there are no laws that mandate this.

2. Are Realtor fees negotiable in Austin?

Yes! Realtor fees are negotiable in Austin. So, it's a good idea to look around and try to get a lower rate.

3. What percentage do most Realtors charge in Austin, Texas?

Most Realtors charge 6% in Austin. But this number can be anywhere from 5 percent to 7 percent.

4. Who pays the closing costs in Texas?

The seller pays the closing costs in Texas.

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