5 Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in Illinois (2024)

Houzeo is a top technology-driven real estate platform. It offers 4 different packages:

• Bronze Package ($399 + $350 at Close): List your house for 6 months. You can upload 24 house photos.
• Silver Package ($399+0.5% at Close): List your home for 6 months and post maximum photos. Unlimited open houses and listing modifications are included in this package.
• Gold Package ($429+0.5% at Close): This package offers all the benefits of the Silver package, as well as licensed broker assistance, contract review, and more.
• Platinum Package ($449+1% at Close): This package offers virtual full-service support with a licensed broker. You can list for 12 months. 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 the MLS. On average, home sellers who used Houzeo saved $12,511.
• 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 easily.
• 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.
• Home Value Estimator: Houzeo’s Home Worth Estimator is online and quick to know the FMV of your home. It provides free home value estimate within 30 seconds.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” by 10,000+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!

Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.

Lucid Realty is a full-service discount brokerage. It offers a pricing plan that helps you sell your house with less commission.

• Commission (1% to 1.25%): Lucid Realty provides its listing services with a commission between 1% to 2.5%. It includes services like a single point of contact, professional photography, yard signage, etc.

👉 Our Take: Lucid Realty offers full-service brokerage at a much lower commission. It follows a sliding scale service method where your expensive house makes you save more. However, you may consider other flat-fee brokerages that would eventually make you pay less.

Lucid Realty offers certain advantages:

• Agent Assistance: You will be assigned a single agent throughout your home-selling process. He will guide you in your home inspection and home appraisal procedure too.
• Local Exposure: Lucid Realty lists your house on the local MLS to get better exposure. This helps to sell your house fast.
• Comprehensive Market Analysis: Sellers receive a thorough market analysis and pricing recommendation, ensuring their home is competitively priced.
• Exclusive Marketing Plan: Lucid Realty evaluates your house’s key features and provides suggestions for the same. It also gives you price recommendations and guidance on market analysis.

Lucid Realty has certain disadvantages:

• Fluctuating Commission: The commission percent is not fixed. It may go to 1.25% which is higher than another discount brokerage.
• Coverage: It offers services only in the Chicago suburbs and its neighborhoods.

Lucid Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.

Flat Fee Realty provides a single MLS package, with prices varying based on the state.

• Package: In most states, the price starts at $199 + 0.25% listing broker fee at closing. The package includes a 6-month listing term with six photos. By paying an extra $50, you can add up to 25 photos.

👉 Our Take: Flat Fee Realty is affordable. However, the extra costs for upgrades and limited features may not fit all sellers’ needs. It can be a good option for land and lot owners.

Based on our research, the benefits of Flat Fee Realty are:

• Refund Policy: You can request a refund within 30 days of purchase, as long as your property has not been listed on the MLS.
• Affordable Plan: Their flat fee package is budget-friendly compared to competitors. It is a good option for land and lot owners.
• Disclosures: State-specific disclosures are included with every listing.
• 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 Flat Fee Realty, that could make your experience less satisfactory.

• Limited Reviews: Even though Flat Fee Realty has been here since 2006, it has no credible reviews.
• Fixed Package: No customization is offered beyond the basic listing package.
• Not 100% Online: It is not fully online, causing potential delays in listing.
• Additional Fees: You need to pay an additional $50 to upgrade your listing with extra photos.

In our research, we have not found any credible reviews for Flat Fee Realty.

Redefy 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.

Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.

• It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.

👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies are willing to offer a higher rebate.

» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.

Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:

• Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
• Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
• Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
• Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.

• Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
• No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
• Agents Are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.
• Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.

Redfin has an average rating of  4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.

» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of the 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, and Alternatives!