Home sellers across Ventura 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.
Reviews: 5 Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in Ventura, CA
1. Houzeo.com
#1 Discount Real Estate Service
Houzeo.com
- Listing Fee: $399
- Available nationwide
4.9/5
(5,000+ reviews)
4.9/5
(5,000+ reviews)Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.
- Bronze Package – $379+: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
- Silver Package – $399+: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
- Gold Package – $379+: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum – $349+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy!
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities in less than 60 minutes.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 4 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is high-tech. For you, this means easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Houzeo Mobile App is also very powerful.
- No Listing Commission: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to list on MLS. Houzeo covers 47 states + DC! And remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the listing agent commission!
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” with a 4.9 out of 5-star rating by 5,000 home sellers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Check out how Team Houzeo has addressed all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Ventura’s #1 ranked Flat Fee MLS service. Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
In Ventura, Houzeo’s Bronze package is priced at $329. The Silver package is priced at $399, and the Gold package costs $379 + 0.5% (Minimum $999) at closing. The full-service Platinum package costs $349 + 1% (Minimum $999) at closing.
2. CA Flat Fee
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
CA Flat Fee
- Listing Fee: $5,000 Flat Fee
- 5/5
(76 reviews)
CA Flat Fee is a full-service flat fee real estate brokerage that operates in Southern California.
For Home Sellers:
- Full-Service Package – $5,000: You get full-time agent representation, professional photography, open house showings, home staging services, and negotiation assistance.
👉 Our Take: The flat fee model along with full-service assistance and local expertise makes them one of the best discount real estate brokerages in California. However, they do not offer any significant benefits to home buyers.
CA Flat Fee provides everything from listing on MLS to coordination with title and escrow professionals. Some of the advantages of CA Flat Fee for home sellers and buyers are as follows:
- Full-Time Agent Representation: An agent will assist you throughout your home-selling journey with CA Flat Fee. This significantly improves the experience of sellers and buyers.
- Agents with Local Expertise: You can significantly benefit from the CA Flat Fee agents you hire. These agents understand the details of the market and provide you with insights.
- Market Exposure: Your property is listed on the MLS and other major platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com giving it maximum exposure to potential clients.
In our research, we found some red flags associated with CA Flat Fee.
- Suitable for High-End Properties: CA Flat Fee is suitable for sellers who want to sell their high-priced properties. $5,000 is a large sum for a cheap property.
- Limited Coverage: CA Flat Fee is operational only in Southern California.
- No Buyer’s Rebate: Although CA Flat Fee offers services and agent representation for buyers, it does not give any cash rebate unlike other discount realtors.
CA Flat Fee has a 5-star rating from 76 reviews on Google.
CA Flat Fee offers all the services for home sellers at a flat rate. They mainly serve the Southern California area.
However, they do not clearly mention the buyer services and their rates which can make it difficult for buyers to hire them for representation.
3. New Hope Realty, Inc.
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
New Hope Realty Inc.
- Listing Fee: 1% of sale price
- 5/5
(8 reviews)
New Hope Realty Inc is a full-service discount broker based in California. The company was started by Tom Hallen, a licensed broker, who offers his services at a low commission to his clients.
For Home Sellers:
- 1% Commission: New Hope Realty allows sellers to list and sell their property for 1% commission or lower for the entire process. The full-service package includes services like listing on the MLS and other online platforms, assistance with documents, disclosures, negotiations, and escrow.
For Home Buyers:
- Buyer’s Rebate: New Hope Realty Inc. offers a buyer rebate of 1% to 1.5% based on the amount of assistance required by the buyer. The rebate is provided through the escrow company and can be used towards the closing costs.
👉 Our Take: By basing the amount of buyer rebate on the assistance required, New Hope Realty Inc. indirectly charges the buyer a commission which is usually paid by the seller.
New Hope Realty Inc. offers the following advantages to home sellers and buyers:
- Agent Support: Sellers get to work directly with Tom Hallen directly at every step. He has 10 years of experience and substantial knowledge of market trends.
- Flat Fee and FSBO Listings: The firm offers home sellers flat fee listing packages and assistance to FSBO home sellers as well.
- Matterport 3D Virtual Tours: For houses on sale, the firm conducts virtual tours through Matterport 3D to show them to potential buyers and increase exposure.
In our research, we came across some deal breakers associated with New Hope Realty:
- No Fixed Buyer’s Rebate: The rebate percentage depends on the amount of assistance the buyer requires. This is unlike the rebates offered by other discount brokers. It is an indirect way of charging a commission from the buyer which is not the general rule.
- Not Enough Reviews: So far only the main broker has been rated on Zillow by a few clients. These reviews are not enough to account for the quality of the company’s services.
New Hope Realty’s founder Tom Hallen has a 5-star rating from 8 reviews on Zillow.
New Hope Realty operates in Southern California and offers full-service packages at a discounted rate to home sellers. Buyers get a cashback of up to half of the buyer agent’s commission.
However, the rebate amount varies as per the assistance provided to the buyer. Also, there are very few reviews of their services available online.
4. Prevu
RESTRICTED COVERAGE
Prevu
- Listing Fee: 1.5% of sale price
- Restricted coverage
- 5/5
(456 reviews
)
Prevu offers a single package with all the start-to-end services you require during your sale.
Prevu for Home Sellers
- Full Service – 1.5% Commission: Prevu charges a lower commission of 1.5% of the sale price for selling a house. It includes various features like home valuation, 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photographs, listing on MLS, and social ad campaigns.
Prevu for Home Buyers
- Buyer Rebate – Upto 2%: Assuming a typical 3% buyer’s agent commission, Prevu offers a 2% buyer rebate on the price of your new home.
Prevu Coverage: Prevu is available in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
👉 Our Take: We do not recommend Prevu real estate to most home sellers and buyers. It only helps in substantial savings if you’re buying a house priced above $750,000.
» Prevu Reviews: Is it really a good idea to choose them? To learn more, read the entire review!
Prevu is a full-service low commission brokerage based in New York that aims to change the old-school ways of the real estate market.
- Mortgage & Closing Costs Calculator: You can get an estimate of your mortgage and closing costs by using Prevu’s Calculator. The closing cost feature is only for NYC sellers.
- Buyer Rebate: Buyers who purchase a house with Prevu get two-thirds of the commission that Prevu receives from the seller.
- Smart Buyer Platform: Prevu’s technology allows buyers to search for homes, communicate with their agents online, schedule showings, and make an offer.
» How does Prevu work? Check this out to learn more about their functioning.
Here are some negatives of Prevu you should know about.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Prevu has limited and inconsistent agent matching, which compromises the quality.
- Variable Listing Fee: The listing fee varies as per your location, which could burn a hole in your pocket.
Prevu has a stellar rating of 5 out of 5 from 456 reviews on Google.
» Prevu Real Estate Reviews: Check out our in-depth reviews on Prevu.
Prevu is a full-service real estate brokerage based in New York. They offer their services for a 1.5% commission.
They take on a large volume of clients to compensate for the low commission. Hence, you will compete with a crowd of customers for your agent’s attention.
5. HomeLight
GOOD AGENT COVERAGE
HomeLight
- Listing Fee: 2.5% of sale price
- Good agent coverage
- 4.6/5
(237 reviews)
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.
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 price 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: 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!
START YOUR MLS LISTING NOW
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 in Ventura, CA 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, Prevu offers a buyer rebate of two-thirds of the commission received from the seller.
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 Ventura, CA
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Ventura.
- Flat Fee MLS Companies: Flat Fee MLS California 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 Ventura 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 Ventura other California markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you’re wondering how to sell my house fast in California.
- Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies that buy houses for cash in California 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 Ventura 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 California: We’ve researched and reviewed all the best For Sale By Owner sites in California. See our rankings!
Savings Calculator
Here’s how much you can save with Houzeo.com!
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 California: 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.
» 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
What is the lowest a realtor will charge as commissions?
Discount real estate brokers in Ventura charge as low as 1% commission. With a flat fee service you can save even more.
Who pays escrow fees in Ventura County?
In most of Southern California, including Ventura, buyers and sellers are responsible for splitting the escrow fees.
Can you negotiate prices with real estate brokers?
Yes. You can negotiate commission rates with real estate brokers in Ventura, California.
Related: realtor discounts in Ventura, CA, discount brokerage real estate in Ventura, CA, discount brokers online in Ventura, CA, discount real estate in Ventura, CA, discount realtor near me in Ventura, CA, best discount real estate brokers in Ventura, CA, discount broker real estate in Ventura, CA, brokers with lowest fees in Ventura, CA, cheap real estate brokers in Ventura, CA, compare discount brokers in Ventura, CA, discount brokerage companies in Ventura, CA, discount real estate commission in Ventura, CA, discount real estate listing in Ventura, and CA
California Discount Real Estate Brokers Ventura
.webp)
