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8 min read Mar 28, 2024

Top 5 Discount Real Estate Brokers in Maryland (2024 Updates)

From Annapolis to Baltimore, sellers across Maryland can save thousands on real estate agent commissions. With discount real estate brokers in Maryland, you can slash the traditional 6% rate down to just 2% to 3%.

The current median home price in Maryland is $400,600. The traditional 6% commission will cost you a whopping $24,036. A discount Realtor offers you similar services at just 1.5%. With a competitive buyer agent commission of 2.5%, you now have to pay only a 4% fee. That’s just around $16,024.

You can lower this amount to around $12,018 if you list on the MLS with Houzeo’s Gold plan. You also get the professional services and tools available to real estate agents at a fraction of the cost.

Rankings: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies

We’ve researched and compiled a list of the best discount real estate brokers for you.

RankDiscount Real Estate Broker / CompanyListing FeeMax Savings100% Online5-Star Reviews*Broad CoverageMobile App
1.Houzeo$399
Flat Fee
2.Mr. Lister Realty$999 + 1%
Commission
3.Assist 2 SellFlat Fee $2,995 Onwards
4.Houwzer1%
of Sale Price
5.Redfin1.5%
Commission

Reviews: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies in Maryland

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 is America’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.

Houzeo’s flat fee feature helps you save thousands on agent commissions. You also get dedicated customer support that makes the home-selling process much easier and effortless.

2. Mr. Lister Realty

GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE

Mr Lister Realty

mr lister realty logo
  • Listing Fee: $999 + 1% Commission
  • 5 Stars  4.9/5.0 (60+ Reviews)

Mr. Lister Realty is a flat fee brokerage based in Maryland. They provide real estate services at a flat fee.

  • Quick List ($450): Your property is listed across multiple websites for a time period of 1 year. You can upload up to 20 pictures of your property.
  • Seller’s Choice ($650): This package offers all the services from the Quick List package with an additional 10 photographs. It provides a few more services like closing cost assistance, 2 open house announcements, and limited free agent support.
  • Full Service ($999+1%): In this package, you get unlimited free-agent support. The agent will assist you in home inspection, appraisal, negotiation, etc.

👉 Our Take: We recommend the full-service package as you get agent assistance throughout the transaction. It also provides features like professional photography for your home and closing costs assistance.

Mr. Lister Realty offers certain advantages:

  • Dedicated Agents: Mr. Lister Realty is known for its qualified agents who help their clients at every step of the process.
  • Maximum Exposure: Your house will be listed on well-known MLS like Zillow, Trulia, and other networking websites.
  • Closing Costs Assistance: In the ‘Seller’s Choice Plan’ and ‘Full Service Plan’ packages, the agent will help you calculate the closing costs.
  • Professional Photography: Their full-service package comes with a professional photo shoot of your property. This will help attract potential buyers.

Mr. Lister Realty has certain disadvantages.

  • Fewer Services: The ‘Quick List’ and ‘Sellers Choice’ packages offer very few services. You can upload only 20-30 house pictures and you get limited agent support. This could hamper your selling experience.
  • Expensive Full-Service Package: Their full-service package can be expensive as it costs $999+1% listing fee. So if your home costs $500,000 you will end up paying around $6,000 in listing fees alone!

Mr. Lister has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google.

Mr. Lister Realty is a flat fee brokerage based in Maryland. Their packages start from $450 and vary based on the services provided.

The basic packages lack several essential services such as agent assistance, negotiations, closing cost calculation, etc. While the full-service package may be expensive for home sellers.

3. Assist 2 Sell

A POPULAR FRANCHISE

Assist 2 Sell

Assist 2 Sell Logo
  • Listing Fee: Flat Fee $2,999 Onwards
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (440+ Reviews)

Assist 2 Sell is a full-service flat fee brokerage. They provide services throughout the U.S.

  • Flat Rate (starting from $2,999): The flat fee charges start from $2,995 for homes costing less than $300,000. The package cost depends on the value of the house.

👉 Our Take: Assist 2 Sell charges a non-negotiable flat fee rate to the home seller based on the house’s value. You may be eligible for a discount on the buyer’s agent fees if the buyer is represented by an Assist 2 Sell agent.

Assist 2 Sell offers certain advantages:

  • Dedicated Agents: The agent will be with you throughout the sales process. You get assistance for negotiations, showings, marketing, open houses, etc.
  • Home Inspection Assistance: Your agent will recommend the best home inspection services. This will help you in getting a better value for your house.
  • Maximum Exposure: Assist 2 Sell will showcase your house across social media and other platforms. This will increase the visibility of your house.

Assist 2 Sell has certain disadvantages:

  • Negotiable Commission: The commission structure varies across their franchises. If you don’t negotiate well, then you may end up paying a higher amount.
  • Lacks Personal Attention: A single agent handles multiple clients to compensate for lower commissions. This may result in a lack of personal assistance.

Assist 2 Sell has a 5 out of 5-star rating on Zillow.

Assist 2 Sell was established by Mr. Lee Keenan. It is a full-service flat fee brokerage.

It has inconsistent commission rates across its franchises. The rates also vary depending on the value of your home.

4. Houwzer

BEST FOR LOW VALUE HOMES

Houwzer

Houwzer Logo
  • Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price
  • Restricted coverage
  • 4.75 Stars 4.8/5 (300+ Reviews)

Houwzer is a full-service Realtor. It can help you save thousands by offering:

  • Flat rate (1% Commission): A fixed 1% listing fee on the total home sale price.
  • Cashback ($2,500): You earn a cash rebate if you decide to sell and buy your house with Houwzer.

👉 Our Take: A flat commission of 1% on your home sale value is suitable for low-valued houses. If your house worth is higher, consider a flat fee alternative.

» Houwzer: Read the comprehensive review!

Houwzer offers:

  • Add-On Features: Houwzer offers add-on features like virtual tours, HD photography, and closing assistance.
  • Coverage: It offers its services in Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
  • Cash Advantage: It empowers buyers to make a cash offer on a house using Houwzer’s funds. The buyers should be pre-approved by Houwzer Mortgage to avail of the cash advantage option.

  • Not Suitable for High-Valued Homes: If you’re selling a high-valued house, you will end up paying a high commission.
  • No Personalized Support: The agents are salaried and handle multiple clients at once. They may not provide complete assistance to you.

Houwzer has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Google.

» Houwzer Reviews: Check out the customer reviews.

Houwzer was established in Philadelphia, in 2014. Its easy-to-navigate dashboard lets you chat with the agent and track your listings. Moreover, other services like photography and closing assistance, make your home-selling journey easy.

Houwzer does not provide personalized assistance. The agents are salaried and handle multiple clients at once. This may discomfort you while dealing with them.

5. Redfin

BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE

Redfin.com

redfin-logo-DRB
  • Listing Fee: 1.5% of Sale Price
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 1.5star 1.5/5 (130+ reviews)

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. They have a strict clause for this rebate. There are other real estate companies, who 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 1.5 out of 5 stars from 130+ reviews on Consumer Affairs.

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

Redfin was headquartered in Seattle in 2002 by Mr. David Eraker. It covers 80+ markets in the US. They have an operating business license in New York as Redfin Real Estate.

It provides an elaborate listing agreement with a marketing plan for your home. However, this agreement specifies an 18-day timeframe for listing your property. Additionally, some customers have expressed concerns about the agent’s professionalism.

What Are Discount Real Estate 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. Such low-cost real estate agents typically offer the same services for reduced fees of 0.5% to 2% or a flat fee.

How Much Can I Save With a Discount Realtor in Maryland?

As a seller, you can save anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000.

Typically, home sellers pay a total of 6% as Realtor commissions to both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Whereas, with discount real estate brokers you can pre-negotiate this at 1% to 2%.

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, Redfin offers a buyer rebate of 0.5% to clients who sell and buy with Redfin within 1 year.

Types of Discount Brokers in Maryland

The four major types of real estate discount brokerages and companies in Free State 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. The Best Flat Fee MLS listing companies like Houzeo can get you on the MLS within 24 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 at only 1% or 2%. They cover everything from listing, negotiations, and pricing. They are also called 1% commission Realtors, or 2% commission brokers, etc.

4. Virtual Full Service: A virtual full-service discount broker handles everything online. All services including negotiation and marketing support are at no additional cost.

Pros and Cons of a Discount Realtor

Here are the pros and cons of discount Realtors:

Pros ✅

  • Reduced Fees: You’ll pay less for listing agent fees. While standard brokers typically charge at least 3%, discount brokers may charge as little as 0.5% to 1%.
  • Full Access to Basic Services: You receive the same services as you would with a traditional agent. They assist with home pricing, marketing, and negotiations.
  • Streamlined Process: A low-cost Realtor provides similar services as traditional agents. They streamline the process of listing your property on the MLS, marketing the property, negotiating offers, and assisting with paperwork.

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 rarely talk to anyone in person. A first-time seller or buyer who needs some hand-holding may not be able to get benefits.
  • 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. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.

Who Should Use a Discount Broker?

Discount brokers are ideal for:

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

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

  • 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 maryland markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast in Maryland.
  • Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies 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 in Maryland will help you list and sell a house by owner and save thousands in listing agent commission.

Are Discount Brokerages Worth It?

YES! There are various advantages to using a low-cost real estate agent. Using an affordable brokerage can save you at least $8,000 to $10,000.

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 in 24 hours, for a small flat fee. You get extra savings and services like, access to offers dashboard, showings management, and many more.

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 are the best discount real estate brokers in Maryland?

Houzeo.com, and Redfin are the top discount real estate brokers in Maryland.

2. How much is the real estate agent fees in Maryland?

On average, traditional agents in Maryland, charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokers charge 1% to 3% commission.

3. How do I find low cost discount realtors near me to sell my home?

You could do a Google search, go with an agent from one of the national discount brokers like Redfin, or list the best real estate discount broker via Houzeo. Houzeo is a technology platform where top local discount and Flat Fee MLS brokers offer their services.

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