$15,000—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: Wisconsin discount brokers get all that done for a fraction of the cost!
Houzeo, Wisconsin’s #1 discount real estate service, offers virtual full-service assistance for just $399. 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 Wisconsin are Houzeo, Clever Real Estate, Lake Country Flat Fee, Benefit Realty, Ideal Agent, and Redfin.
- Houzeo is the best discount real estate service in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin Discount Real Estate Brokers
As the Wisconsin housing market continues to rebound post-Hurricane Idalia, home sellers are exploring ways to cut costs. With rising repair and insurance premiums, sellers want to retain more of their home sale profits.
One effective way to do this is to sell with a discount real estate broker in Wisconsin. They offer lower commission rates and services compared to traditional Realtors. We’ve ranked the top 6 discount brokerages in the Badger State for you to choose from.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo.com | $399 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Clever Real Estate | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | Lake Country Flat Fee | $3,995 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 4. | Benefit Realty | 3.5% or 3.9% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | Ideal Agent | 2% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 6. | Redfin | 1% | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Types of Discount Real Estate Brokers
Wisconsin sellers can choose from two main types of discount real estate brokers. Each of these cater to the unique needs of the home sellers:
- Flat Rate Discount Brokers: Also known as Flat Fee MLS companies, they charge a fixed upfront fee to list your home on the MLS. A Flat Fee MLS service costs between $399 to $4,000. These services offer maximum exposure for a low fee.
- Fixed Percentage Discount Brokers: These discount Realtors charge a fixed percentage of the home’s sale price. Typically, this percentage is lower than the traditional 3%. Depending on the broker, these rates may vary from 1% to 2.5%.
Reviews: 3 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Wisconsin
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 the #1 discount real estate broker in Wisconsin. The company provides features like IntelliList management to simplify your listing process. Besides this, you get 5-star customer support, advanced technology, showings management, and offers all at your fingertips.
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. Lake Country Flat Fee
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: $3,995Lake Country Flat Fee is a discount real estate brokerage. It offers all the services similar to a traditional broker.
- Full-Service Flat Fee Listing ($3,995): This package allows you to list your house for 6 months and upload 50 MLS photos. You get all the services from listing on MLS to negotiations and closing.
👉 Our Take: Lake Country Flat Fee offers a full-service package that is pricier than some competitors. Consider carefully if the Flat Fee structure benefits your specific property value and if their limited coverage area suits your needs.
Lake Country Flat Fee offers certain advantages:
- Flexible Listing Terms: The 6 month listing period can be extended or canceled for no extra charge.
- Comparable Market Analysis: Lake Country Flat Fee compares recently sold properties and current active listings to help you price your home competitively.
- Free Listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing like changes in price, photos, text, etc for no additional fees.
Lake Country Flat Fee has some disadvantages:
- Expensive Package: The only package that Lake Country Flat Fee offers will burn a hole in your pocket. Other Flat Fee MLS companies offer similar services but at a reasonable rate.
- Limited Coverage: The company only operates in Southeast Wisconsin.
Lake Country Flat Fee has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google.
» Is Lake Country Flat Fee worth it? Read this comprehensive review to learn more about this brokerage.
Paul and Kris Liebe established Lake Country Flat Fee in 2002. It offers its services in 9 counties across Southeast Wisconsin. This includes Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Dodge, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha.
Lake Country Flat Fee offers only one package worth $3,995. This is quite expensive compared to other players in the market. Moreover, the company doesn’t cover the entire state of Wisconsin.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Wisconsin
4. Benefit Realty
COST EFFECTIVE
Listing Fee: 1.9% of Sale PriceBenefit Realty is a full-service Realtor offering significant savings with:
- Fixed Commission: It charges a fixed 1.9% listing fee or a minimum of $2,850. For a $500,000 home, that’s about $9,500, which includes open houses, negotiations, market analysis, photography, and more.
👉 Our Take: The 1.9% commission is competitive for full-service real estate. However, Flat Fee MLS services provide greater savings.
Based on our research, the benefits of Benefit Realty are:
Here are some limitations we found with Benefit Realty:
- Minimum Commission: Even on lower-priced homes, you must pay at least $2,850.
- Limited Service Area: Benefit Realty is only available in southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
- Not Ideal for High-Value Homes: Benefit Realty might not be ideal for luxury homes. For example, selling a house worth $1 million would still mean paying $19,000 in commission.
- Limited Reviews: Despite being in the business since 2008, Benefit Realty does not have enough reviews.
Benefit Benefit Realty has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
Angela Calteux-Kallay is an experienced broker and the owner of Benefit Realty. It offers 2 discount real estate packages. Out of two packages, one package includes buyer agent representation. Therefore, you can save on your buyer agent commission.
Benefit Realty may be a wise choice for sellers. However, they do not provide any major benefits to buyers.
5. 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.
6. Redfin
NATIONWIDE BROKERAGE
1.5% Listing FeeRedfin offers two packages for home sellers based on the type of properties they want to sell.
- Redfin Full-Service Agent – 1.5% Commission: It is a standard full-service package for listing, marketing and closing your sale.
- Redfin Premier Agent – 1.5% Commission: This is a high-end service for luxury properties that includes additional marketing and services for high-end buyers.
Note: If the sellers buy a property with Redfin, they have to pay only 1% of commission as listing fee instead of 1.5%.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Advanced Technology: Redfin is primarily known for its high-tech platform and mobile app.
- Near Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 50 states in the US.
- Assistance Through Closing: Redfin agents guide you through paperwork, marketing plans, and negotiations to make your closing easy and faster.
Here are some drawbacks of Redfin based on their customer reviews:
- Pricing Inaccuracy: Many sellers have complained that a lot area, a gated compound, or a city location are not considered during valuation.
- Slow Listing Process: According to Redfin’s listing agreement, a Redfin property takes 18 days to list on MLS. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
- Lack of Customer Service: There are a few negative reviews about the lack of personal attention by Redfin agents.
- Limited Agent Selection: As per customer reviews, Redfin lacks an array of agents. This means you get an agent assigned automatically without having any choice in the matter.
- Lack of Personalized Services: Due to agents handling multiple clients at once, customers have often complained that Redfin agents are not able to give personalized service.
Redfin has 3.7 out of 5 stars from 30+ reviews on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: Read more to make an informed decision before selling your home.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Redfin for its advanced technology. However, some flat fee services offer you the same technology and more at much lower costs.
Redfin, headquartered in Seattle, was founded 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.
How Much Will You Save With a Discount Real Estate Broker in Wisconsin?
You could save up to $15,229 when selling a median-priced $329,000 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Wisconsin.
However, if you pay a standard 6% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $19,740 to your listing agent. But, with Houzeo’s Platinum plan, you will only pay $399 with a 1.25% charge at closing.
| Details | Traditional Realtor (6%) | Houzeo’s Flat Fee |
| Median Sale Price | $329,000 | $329,000 |
| Listing Fee | $19,740 | $4,512 |
| Savings | $0 | $15,229 |
How to Find Discount Real Estate Brokers Near Me in Wisconsin?
Here’s a list of the best discount Realtors in the most popular cities of the Badger State:
| 1. Kenosha, WI | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Kenosha, WI |
| 2. Milwaukee, WI | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Milwaukee, WI |
Pros and Cons of Discount Realtors in Wisconsin
Discount real estate brokers in Wisconsin offer a great way to save. While this cost-saving option sounds good, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons.
✅ Pros
- Lower Fees: You’ll pay less than a traditional 3% Realtor. Plus, you’ll get full access to features and tools for a low fee.
- Full-Service Support: Discount real estate agents in Wisconsin offer all basic home-selling services. This includes assistance with how to price your home, marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.
- MLS Access: Discount brokers help you list your home on the MLS in Wisconsin, providing exposure to a maximum no. of buyers.
❌ Cons
- Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Wisconsin may charge hidden fees for additional a la carte services. You must do your research and opt for the best discount Realtors in WI.
- Inconsistent Service: Some discounted brokers in Wisconsin handle multiple clients at once, so personalized attention may be limited. They do this to make up for the reduced commission rate.
- High Cancellation Fees: A few of the discount brokers may impose a significant withdrawal fee if you cancel your agreement within a specific time frame.
How to Choose the Right Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin :
- 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 Wisconsin.
- 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 Brokers in Wisconsin
Here are some other options to consider for selling a house in Wisconsin:
- For Sale By Owner Companies: In a FSBO sale, you have to handle every step from listing to paperwork. You can choose For Sale By Owner websites in Wisconsin that provide MLS access.
- Cash Buyers: Cash buyers in Wisconsin, including iBuyers, investors, and home flippers, actively search on the MLS for the listed properties.
- Full-Service Realtor: If you can’t handle the process yourself, you can opt for the traditional home-selling method. But, you’ll have to pay a 3% commission fee.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo—Wisconsin’s best home-selling website.
