8 min read Feb 26, 2024

Top 10 Real Estate Brokers in the USA (2024 Updates)

Top real estate brokers have expertise in real estate transactions just like real estate agents. They can help you legally for selling and buying the property as they have achieved the license for the same.

Once they earn the license they only need to supervise whatever their agents are doing. A broker must ensure several things in a real estate transaction, whether the transactions are lawful, the funds and finances are recorded properly, and the paperwork is correct and complete.

An agent always works with a broker or a brokerage, so when you sign a contract with an agent it means that you are working with their brokerage.

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Rankings: America’s 10 Top Real Estate Brokers

Real Estate BrokerSpecializes in100% OnlineExperience (In Years)Coverage (States)Customer RatingsListing Fees
1. Daniel Demers, Sell Your Home ServicesFlat Fee MLS, Virtual Full-Service1311 (AL, DE, GA, ME, MD, MA, NY, NC, PA, SC, TN)5/5
(48 reviews)
$349 Flat Fee
2. Steven Shane, CompassTraditional In-person Full-Service for luxury properties251 (CO)5/5
(23 reviews)
3% or more of home's sales price
3. Roger Pettingell, Coldwell BankerTraditional In-person Full-Service, Unmatched marketing expertise341 (FL)5/5
(76 reviews)
3% or more of home's sales price
4. Serena Boardman, Sotheby's International RealtyTraditional In-person Full-Service for luxury properties211 (NY)5/5
(1 review)
3% or more of home's sales price
5. Mauricio Umansky, The AgencyInnovative In-person Full-Service for super-luxury properties151 (CA)5/5
(12 reviews)
3% or more of home's sales price
6. Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.comRevolutionary In-person Full-Service for home builders, investors371 (TX)4.8/5(25 reviews)3% or more of home's sales price
7. Tere Foster, CompassTraditional In-person Full-Service, Stellar customer support301 (WA)5/5
(132 reviews)
3% or more of home's sales price
8. Coco Tan, Keller Williams RealtyTraditional In-person Full-Service, Short Sales & Foreclosures Specialist301 (CA)5/5
(73 reviews)
3% or more of home's sales price
9. Carlos Alvarez, RE/MAXTraditional In-person Full-Service, Representing home buyers281 (LO)5/5 (1 review)3% or more of home's sales price
10. Glen Cornwell, Cornwell PropertiesFlat Fee MLS, Virtual Full-Service205 (GA, MD, MI, NC, VA)4.9/5
(73 reviews)
$349 Flat Fee

Reviews: America’s 10 Top Real Estate Brokers

1. Daniel Demers, Sell Your Home Services: Best Overall

BEST OVERALL

Daniel Demers
daniel demers realtor sell your home services llc
  • Experience: 13+ years
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (48 reviews)    

About Daniel Demers: Daniel (Dan) Demers is Houzeo’s partner listing broker, and has 13+ years of experience practicing the flat-fee MLS model. Past sellers appreciate Demer’s responsiveness, politeness, honesty, and the virtual full-service real estate agent services offered at a low commission.

Sell Your Home Services LLC: Sell Your Home Services, Dan Demers’ real estate company offers MLS listing packages for a one-time, flat rate.

For Home Sellers

  • Flat Fee Listing: Through Sell Your Home Services, Daniel Demers offers a flat fee MLS listing package, which helps sellers list their house on the MLS for a flat fee and save thousands of dollars in agent commissions.
  • Customer Support: Known for their excellent customer service, a quarter of Sell Your Home Services business comes from client referrals.
  • Full Automation: Powered by Houzeo.com, Daniel Demers can help you manage your listing 100% online. With Houzeo Showings, you can deal with showing appointments online. you can even use Houzeo Offers for viewing and comparing offers, and Houzeo’s Settlement Agent Platform for closing.

For Home Buyers

  • Schedule Showings: Home buyers can schedule showings on Sell Your Home Services’ website by adding the property address and their contact information.
  • Submit an Offer: Buyers can even make an offer to the seller on Houzeo.com, provided the seller has listed their property via Dan Demers on Houzeo.
  • Closing Cost Calculator: Buyers can even use Houzeo’s Closing Cost Calculator to estimate their expenses for purchasing their home.

Our Take: We recommend Daniel J. Demers for his expertise in multiple real estate markets across the country and the easy listing management services offered by him through Houzeo.com’s technology.

Daniel Demers Realtor: Check out the services offered by Dan Demers via Houzeo.com

  • Dan Demers Realtor is the founder of Sell Your Home Services which offers MLS listing packages for a one-time, flat rate.
  • He is currently a licensed broker in 10 states.
  • He has sold 935 properties in the last 12 months.

Daniel Demers, Sell Your Home Services: Daniel Demers has a 5-star rating on Houzeo.

Dan Demers offers his services in 10 states and covers the following MLS’:

Alabama

  • Birmingham MLS (GALMLS)-AL
  • Mobile County MLS-AL
  • Montgomery Area AOR MLS-AL

Valley MLS-AL

Arizona

  • Arizona Regional MLS-AZ
  • Western Arizona Realtor Data Exchange WARDEX MLS-AZ

Delaware

  • BRIGHT MLS-DE

Georgia

  • Georgia (GA) MLS-GA
  • Greater Augusta MLS (GAAR)
  • Greater Chattanooga AOR MLS-GA
  • Northeast Georgia MLS-GA

Maine

  • MREIS IDX MLS-ME

New York

  • Greater Capital Association of Realtors (Global) MLS-NY
  • New York State Alliance of MLS’s (NYSAMLS)
  • OneKey MLS-NY

North Carolina

  • Canopy MLS-NC
  • Fayetteville MLS-NC (LPRMLS – Longleaf Pine Realtors MLS)
  • Northeast Georgia MLS-NC

Pennsylvania

  • BRIGHT MLS-PA
  • Lehigh Valley MLS-PA
  • Pocono MLS-PA
  • West Penn MLS-PA

South Carolina

  • Canopy MLS-SC
  • Charleston Trident MLS-SC
  • Coastal Carolina AOR MLS-SC
  • Consolidated MLS-SC
  • Greenville MLS-SC
  • Pee Dee MLS-SC
  • Western Upstate MLS-SC
  • Western Upstate MLS-SC

Tennessee

  • Greater Chattanooga AOR MLS-TN
  • Knoxville (KAARMLS)-TN
  • Memphis MLS (MAARMLS)-TN
  • Nashville (RealTracs Mid) MLS-TN

2. Steven Shane, Compass: Best for In-Person Support

BEST FOR IN-PERSON SUPPORT

Steven Shane
America's Best Brokers - Steven Shane Compass Logo
  • Experience: 25 years
  • 5 Stars5.0/5.0  (23 reviews)

About Steven Shane: Steven Shane is one of the finest listing broker agents in the country with over $1B in sales volume. Past home sellers mention that Steven’s reputation, knowledge of the market, and skill played a huge role in the sale of their homes and in getting things done quickly.

Compass Real Estate: Known as trusted advisers, the agents help everyone with their useful advice and knowledge about the real estate market.

For Home Sellers

  • Effective Marketing: While working with the in-house advertising and marketing agents the right audience will be targeted. The agent will complete the selling process most effectively.
  • Compass Concierge: The concierge program includes services like staging, painting, and, cosmetic renovations of your house. These services will increase the cost of your house and will add more value to it.

For Home Buyers

  • Access to Active Listing: Buyers have the access to view the active listings who visit the compass website. The search function is almost like other MLSs. You can search according to various features of the property. Almost all the information is accessible once you click on a listing.
  • Private Exclusives: They also provide some exclusive listings. These are the properties that are not listed on public websites. These properties are available only to potential buyers who are working with Compass agents.

Our Take: We recommend Steven Shane because he is best known for his in-person support. This approach makes the process of buying and selling easy for both, buyers and sellers.

  • Steven Shane has established Shane Aspen Real Estate which has been doing tremendously great that it remained the region’s highest producing, independent brokerage firm.
  • He has closed sales more than billion dollars over the last 10 years.
  • Wall Street Journal ranked him top 30th in the country for sales volume.

Steven Shane, Compass: Steven Shane has a 5 Star rating on Zillow and Google.

Steven Shane offers his services in the following regions:

  • Aspen, CO
  • Carbondale, CO
  • Snowmass Village, CO
  • Woody Creek, CO
  • Basalt, CO
  • Snowmass, CO

3. Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker: Unmatched Marketing Expertise

UNMATCHED MARKETING EXPERTISE

Roger Pettingell
Real Estate Brokers - Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker Realty
  • Experience: 34 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0   (76 reviews)

About Roger Pettingell: Roger Pettingell is a highly credentialed Coldwell Banker Realty agent and broker. Roger offers clients comprehensive, personalized attention from the list to the sale. Roger’s unmatched marketing skills are infamous, and it’s probably why he has consistently been a top producer of America’s housing market.

Coldwell Banker Realty: Coldwell Banker Realty is the largest national real estate brokerage for residential properties. Roger Pettingell is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty and operates in Florida.

For Home Sellers

  • Specialization in Luxury Properties: After spending four decades in real estate he is now specialized in high-volume sales i.e. luxury and waterfront property sales.
  • Personalized Attention: With his professional staff, a community of vast connections, and great marketing expertise, he makes the process very simple from listing to selling. He gives personal attention to the whole procedure.

For Home Buyers

  • Effective Research Tools: Roger is always found current on the latest properties, and legal and financial data because of his effective research tools and advantageous marketing strategies.
  • Significantly Beneficial: Being a luxury property broker, Roger gets to know about the properties that are not openly listed.

Our Take: We recommend Roger Pettingell because of his expertise in luxury properties and will help you find properties that are not even listed.

  • Roger Pettingell deals in luxury properties. He has closed sales of over 2 billion dollars of those properties in the regions of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • He is the #1 Coldwell Banker Agent in Florida and #4 in the United States.
  • He has closed the sales by selling 146 homes in the last 12 months.

 

Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker Realty: Roger Pettingell has prolific customer ratings with 5-Star on Zillow and 4.8 stars on Google.

 

Roger Pettingell offers his services in the following regions:

  • Siesta Key, FL
  • Sarasota, FL
  • Longboat Key, FL
  • Osprey, FL
  • Bird Key, Sarasota, FL
  • Lido Key, Sarasota, FL

4. Serena Boardman, Sotheby’s International Realty: Best for Luxury Homes

BEST FOR CONDOS AND TOWNHOUSE MARKETS

Serena Boardman
Top Real Estate Brokers - Serena Boardman, Sotheby's International Realty
  • Experience: 21 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 3.7/5.0 (3 review)

Serena Boardman is an elite record-setting agent/broker in America’s luxury real estate market. She specializes in condominium and townhouse markets.

For Home Sellers

  • Far-Reaching Exposure: Through her local expertise and vast global network, Serena’s listings attain maximum exposure.

For Home Buyers

  • Off-market Property Access: Serena has access to many off-market properties along with upcoming listings.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Serena Boardman for her expertise in listing management services as well as dealing in luxury properties.

Transaction Sides: Serena has crossed over $2.6 billion in luxury home sales. In addition to major sales, Serena’s time is dedicated to selling properties in a variety of price ranges like $5M to $15M range

Achievements:

  • Serena Boardman is ranked #1 agent in America by the Wall Street Journal.
  • Three times record holder for doing the most expensive sales in Manhattan.
  • Ranked #1 Agent in Manhattan by The Real Deal.

In our research, we found no red flags with Serena Boardman. She covers condominium and townhouse markets, on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Downtown New York City.

Top Real Estate Agents: In case Serena doesn’t cover your zip code, you can consider other local agents in your region.

 

Serena Boardman has 3.7 stars ratings on Google.

 

5. Mauricio Umansky, The Agency: Deals in Super-Luxury Homes

DEALS IN SUPER-LUXURY HOMES

Mauricio Umansky
Top Real Estate Brokers - Mauricio Umansky, The Agency
  • Experience: 15+ years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0  (12 reviews)

About Mauricio Umansky: Mauricio Umansky is Hollywood’s top real estate broker, and the Founder & CEO of The Agency, a billion-dollar brokerage. Past sellers love Mauricio’s unique approach to every property, and his instrumental negotiation skills have helped home buyers purchase a property at 20% lesser than it was listed for.

The Agency: Mauricio Umansky launched ‘The Agency’ in September 2011 with the hope to change the real estate industry by marketing lifestyles, instead of marketing properties. From its four founding partners, he has expanded it into a full-service, luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company with more than 150+ active agents in California and Tennessee.

For Home Sellers

  • Huge Exposure: “The Agency” real estate brokerage works at a global level due to which the properties get exposure at the world’s prime markets.
  • Expert Marketing Team: The brokerage team of Mauricio Umansky works collectively to provide the best service. They have a team of experts who understand the seller’s market well and benefit the sellers.

For Home Buyers

  • Qualitative Approach: The Agency works to serve quality over quantity. They select agents accordingly who can serve the best legal advice and get the transactions done smoothly while buying.
  • Innovative Strategies: The Agency, a billion-dollar technology brokerage uses innovative strategies to assist clients to achieve their real estate goals. They deal in luxury properties across countries and give the best deals to buyers.

Our Take: We recommend Mauricio Umansky because he believes in serving quality over quantity and will provide a huge exposure.

  • Ranked #1 Realtor in California by The WallStreet Journal
  • Ranked #3 Realtor in America
  • Ranked #97 on Swanepoel’s 2022 Power200, a prestigious list of top real estate executives in the U.S.
  • He has sold 17 properties in the last 12 months.

Mauricio Umansky, The Agency: Mauricio Umansky has a 5 Star rating on Zillow.

Mauricio is a licensed real estate broker in California. The areas where he serves are:

  • Beverly Hills, CA
  • Los Angeles, CA

6. Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.com: Best for Home Builders

BEST FOR HOME BUILDERS

Ben Caballero
Top Real Estate Brokers - Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.com
  • Experience: 37 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 4.8/5.0 (25 reviews)

About Ben Caballero: Ben Caballero, a technological pioneer and acclaimed innovator is USA’s #1 real estate agent, and has been the “#1 ranked individual U.S real estate professional” measured by sales transactions and cumulative sales volume since 2013.[1] Past sellers have appreciated Ben’s grit, innovation, and enthusiastic nature in supporting them during their real estate journey.

HomesUSA.com: He founded HomesUSA.com, which is an innovative platform for servicing his builder clients. HomesUSA.com is a licensed brokerage offering services in Texas. The agent team is limited, and he has a team of software developers because he wants to focus on developing new features.

For Home Sellers

  • Listing Platform: Ben Caballero has developed a technological listing and marketing platform to make the journey of selling homes very smooth for his clients.
  •  Technological Efficiency: With the platform that he created for listing he brings efficiency to the selling process.

For Home Buyers

  •  Home Search Feature: The HomesUSA.com Brokerage of Ben Caballero provides a home search feature for those who are looking to buy a property. He makes the house-hunting process easy for home buyers.

Our Take: We recommend Ben Caballero because he has good technical knowledge through which he could make the whole experience of real estate stress-free.

  • Guinness World Record title for “Most annual home sale transactions through MLS by an individual sell-side real estate agent.”
  • Named “2018’s Most Powerful People in Residential Real Estate” by The Observer
  • Named “Most Innovative Real Estate Agent” by Inman News in 2013; finalist in 2016 and 2018, and an industry influencer in 2017
  • Named a top trendsetter by Swanepoel in 2017
  • Received the 2014 Pinnacle Award for Real Estate Entrepreneurship, presented by Keller Williams Realty

Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.com: Ben Caballero has a 4.8 rating on Zillow and a 3.0 rating on Google.

Ben Caballero operates in the following regions of Texas: primarily, with 100% coverage in

  • Dallas-Fort Worth
  • Houston
  • Austin
  • San Antonio

7. Tere Foster, Compass: Stellar Customer Reviews

STELLAR CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Tere Foster
Top Real Estate Brokers - Tere Foster, Compass Affiliate
  • Experience: 30 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (132 reviews)

About Tere Foster: Tere Foster, the principal and managing broker of Team Foster, is one of the highest-producing residential agents nationwide based on sales volume. Past sellers love Tere’s integrity, in-depth market knowledge, and incredible work ethic.

Compass, Inc.: An American licensed real estate company, Compass is the first company to have built a proprietary mobile app for real estate agents. Compass agents utilize the Internet as a marketing medium, get access to a globally elite network of real estate professionals, and avail of best-in-class technology.

For Home Sellers

  • Incomparable Client Services: Tere Foster and her team make the real estate journey of homeowners easy by providing them with incomparable client services.
  • Effective Communication: She is known for her effective communication. The services Tere and her team provide to the clients are helpful as they have complete knowledge of the real estate market they are dealing in.

For Home Buyers

  • Home Search Feature: Tere Foster and her team provide a home search feature for those who are looking to buy a property. She makes the house-hunting process easy and efficient for home buyers.

Our Take: We recommend Tere Foster because she and her team have great communication skills and technical knowledge which helps clients to have a beneficial real estate deal.

  • Team Foster was ranked #1 in 2021 by Sales Volume by REAL Trends.
  • Tere Foster & her gang, “Team Foster” closed $480M in 2021.

Tere Foster, Compass: Tere Foster and her team have a 5 Star rating on Zillow.

Tere Foster offers her real estate services in the following regions:

  • Bellevue, WA
  • Issaquah, WA
  • Kirkland, WA
  • Medina, WA
  • San Juan Island, WA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Camano Island, WA
  • Sammamish, WA
  • Eastsound, WA
  • Redmond, WA
  • Mercer Island, WA

8. Coco Tan, Keller Williams Realty: Best for Short Sales & Foreclosures

BEST FOR SHORT SALES & FORECLOSURES

Coco Tan
Top Real Estate Brokers - Coco Tan, Keller Williams Realty
  • Experience: 30 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (73 reviews)

About Coco Tan: Coco Tan is a Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Alternative Specialist. She has listed and sold many luxury properties in Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Francisco, etc. Past sellers appreciate Coco’s cross-functional communication, attention to detail, and meticulousness toward every sale.

Keller Williams Realty: An American licensed real estate company, Keller Williams Realty is one of the finest brokerages in the country. Their “interdependence” is infamous because it brings real estate agents closer to their mission of empowering home sellers and home buyers in the world without focusing on individual commissions & serve the larger goal.

For Home Sellers

  • Best-In-Class Services: Holding a top spot in many aspects, the agents at Keller Williams Realty offer the best services to the clients. Whether it is technical or marketing aspect, the whole procedure of selling goes on smoothly.
  • Property Valuation: Coco Tan is an approved REO vendor associated with many banks. She is an expert in basic property valuation by performing BPOs for various lenders.

For Home Buyers

  • Property Management: After an investor client buys an investment home, Coco Tan helps in property management by fulfilling all the needs afterward on their behalf.
  • Schedule Showings: Home buyers can schedule showings on the website by adding all the required information.

Our Take: We recommend Coco Tan because she is best known for property valuation, which gives you the best real estate deal.

  • Ranked #73 Realtor® in 2021 by the WallStreet Journal
  • Top 50 Realtor® Nationwide by the Wall Street Journal
  • President, Chinese American Real Estate Association -(CAREA), 2014 – 2016

Coco Tan, Keller Williams Realty: Coco Tan has a 5-star rating on Zillow and a 4.6 Rating on Google.

Coco Tan provides services in the following regions of California:

  • Alviso
  • Campbell
  • Coyote
  •  Cupertino
  • Livermore
  • Los Altos
  • Los Gatos
  • Milpitas
  • Mountain View
  • San Jose
  • Santa Clara
  • Saratoga
  • Sunnyvale

9. Carlos Alvarez, RE/MAX Total: Best for Home Buyers

BEST FOR HOME BUYERS

Carlos Alvarez
Top Real Estate Brokers - Carlos Alvarez, Re/Max Total
  • Experience: 28 years
  • > 22 years of experience
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (1 review)

About: Carlos Alvarez is Louisiana’s #1 RE/MAX® agent and enjoys guiding homeowners and homebuyers through the nuances of the housing market. Past sellers have lauded his real estate expertise and trust his advice.

About RE/MAX LLC.: Founded in 1973 in Denver, CO, RE/MAX LLC. is the leading global real estate franchisor and a subsidiary of RE/MAX Holdings Inc. with millions of agents in 115+ countries & territories. Each franchise is owned and operated independently by some of the world’s most productive agents.

For Home Sellers

  • Exceptional Marketing Strategies: RE/MAX has agents who have the experience to help you sell your home quickly by using the latest technology and exceptional marketing strategies.
  • Experienced Assistance: They have a team of experienced and knowledgeable agents who are always ready to help clients.

For Home Buyers

  • Latest Technology: RE/MAX offers the latest technology which makes the process of finding a home easy for you.
  • Home Search Feature: RE/MAX Realty provides a home search feature to bring the home-hunting procedure to your finger tips.

Our Take: We recommend Carlos Alvarez because he and his brokerage will give you easy access to home buying and selling. They will help you save a huge amount on the agent’s commission.

 

  • RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award [3]
  • Ranked #1 by REAL Trends for the maximum number of sales and volume in Louisiana.
  • Carlos Alvarez has closed 326 sales in the last 12 months.

Carlos Alvarez, RE/MAX: Carlos Alvarez has a 5-star rating on Zillow.

Carlos Alvarez offers his services in the following regions:

  • Ascension Parish, LA
  • Livingston Parish, LA
  • Saint Tammany Parish, LA
  • East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
  • Denham Springs, LA
  • Madisonville, LA
  • Prairieville, LA
  • Zachary, LA
  • Baton Rouge, LA

10. Glen Cornwell, Cornwell Properties: Best Flat-Fee Real Estate Broker

BEST FLAT FEE BROKER

Glen Cornwell
Top Real Estate Brokers - Glen Cornwell, Houzeo Affiliate
  • Experience: 20+ years
  • 5 Stars 5.0/5.0 (211 reviews)

AboutGlen Cornwell, a REALTOR with 20 years of experience in the industry, is licensed to practice in 6 states and has sold over 1000 properties in the past few years.

Cornwell Properties: Glen Cornwell’s Cornwell Properties is a real estate agency, which specializes mainly in luxury, relocation, resales, new construction, and investment properties.

For Home Sellers

  • List for a Flat Fee of $349: Glen Cornwell offers MLS listing packages through Houzeo.com for a small flat fee. You can save thousands in agent commissions. If your buyer is unrepresented, you also save the buyer agent commission.
  • Full Automation: Powered by Houzeo.com, Glen can help you manage your listing 100% online. With Houzeo Showings, you can deal with showing appointments online. you can even use Houzeo Offers for viewing and comparing offers, and Houzeo DigiTransact for closing.

For Home Buyers

  • Home Search Feature: Buyers can search for properties by city or county and even based on price, pictures, and built-up area. Buyers can even make an offer to the seller on Houzeo.com based on the properties listed by Glen Cornwell.
  • Closing Cost Calculator: Buyers can even use Houzeo’s Closing Cost Calculator to estimate their expenses for purchasing their home.

Our Take: We recommend Glen Cornwell because he can help with fully automated services and help you save thousands on the agent’s commission.

Glen Cornwell, Cornwell Properties: Check out the services provided by Glen via Houzeo.com

  • Record of 180+ sales in a year
  • An expert in resales and relocation deals
  • He has 500+ connections in real estate across the United States

Glen Cornwell, Realtor: Glen has a 5-star rating on Houzeo.com.

Glen holds a license to operate in following 5 states:

  • Georgia
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • North Carolina
  • Virginia.

💲 Avoid Paying 3% Listing Fee



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What is a Real Estate Broker?

Real estate brokers and Flat Fee Realtor are used interchangeably, but they vastly vary in definition. A real estate broker is a licensed real estate professional in their own right who’s also a licensed real estate agent.

For a real estate agent to become a licensed real estate broker, they have to take additional training courses and acquire an experience of a certain number of years. The exact requirements to become a real estate broker vary by state.

The primary difference between a real estate broker and an agent is that a real estate broker can start their own firm and hire real estate agents.

While real estate agents focus on the sales aspect of the transaction, brokers specialize in the technical aspects, such as drafting purchase agreements, contracts, escrow arrangements, etc.

    💡 FACT: Real estate agents need to work with a real estate broker to gain experience, and can’t work independently. When a real estate agent passes the broker license exam, they become a licensed real estate broker.

Average Real Estate Broker Commission

According to Redfin, the average real estate broker commission is 5% to 6%.

This commission is split evenly between the listing and the buyer’s agent. Let’s look at the below example to understand how the average real estate broker commission is divided:

  • 6% Real Estate Commission
    • 3% Listing Agent Commission
      • 1.5% Listing Agent Commission
      • 1.5% Listing Broker Commission
    • 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission
      • 1.5% Buyer’s Agent Commission
      • 1.5% Buyer’s Broker Commission

So, effectively, the real estate broker commission is lesser because it is split between the buyer’s agent and the broker. It is possible that the buyer agent may be a licensed real estate broker. In that case, they earn the full 2.5% to 3% broker commission.

» Average Real Estate CommissionFind state-wise real estate commissions in America

Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent

A real estate broker is a licensed real estate agent with additional training and licenses to employ other real estate agents in their brokerage firms. In contrast, a real estate agent is only licensed to assist in a real estate transaction and cannot hire other agents or open a brokerage firm.

Realtors are real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR), the largest trade association in the U.S. Bound by the NAR’s Code of Ethics, Realtors promise to be transparent, honest and uphold their client’s best interests in all transactions.

    💡 FACT: Anyone who is a member of the NAR is licensed to use the REALTORS® trademark as part of their name.

There are thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers across the nation, with varying levels of service quality, so it is ideal to hire a local real estate broker when selling a house for the first time.

Selling a house by owner looks daunting, but high-tech FSBO sites like Houzeo.com have digitized the contingencies like listing paperwork and made the process seamless.

The best part—you don’t pay the traditional 6% real estate commission! You can use the 100% online platform to list your house, manage home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.

Houzeo Reviews Real People, Real Stories Start Your FREE Listing NOW!

Types of Licensed Real Estate Brokers

Types of BrokersDescription
1. Flat Fee MLS Brokers A flat fee MLS broker has an upfront fee of $199-$999. They list your property on the MLS and provide customizable services on an ala carte basis.
» MORE: Find Flat Fee MLS Brokers in America
2. Flat Rate or Discount Brokers A flat rate or discount broker offers all the services of a traditional broker for a discounted flat rate. This can range anywhere between $2000 to $8000.
» MORE: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in America
3. Low Commission Brokers A low commission broker charges a lower commission than a traditional broker. Even if the buyer agent commission remains standard, their listing broker commission ranges between 0.5% - 1.5% of the selling price.
» MORE: Low Commission Brokers in America
4. Virtual Full-Service Brokers Virtual full service brokers provide all services from listing, documentation, negotiation, showings, to closing 100% online. They may have a set upfront fee or a commission.
» MORE: Fine Your Virtual Full Service Partner Brokers
5. Traditional In-person Brokers A traditional in-person broker is a real estate professional that provides all services for the buyer and seller for a commission of 3%-6%. Luxury real estate brokers may charge more than 6%.
» MORE: Know About How to get Preapproved for a Mortgage

How to Find a Real Estate Broker?

By being methodical about it.

Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts.

National brands offer nationwide coverage, but each office may not guarantee service quality. You will be yet another lead in the marketing funnel while a real estate agent is assigned to your listing.

In contrast, choosing a local real estate broker could substantially save time and effort. Real estate commissions, however, still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker.

If you are radical enough to adventure selling a house for sale by owner, then flat fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time, and the 100% online platform makes the comprehensive listing paperwork seem seamless.

🏡 How to Sell a House by Owner: Check out our guide to Selling FSBO

🏡 You Know Your Home More Than Any Broker



Sell your home by owner and save thousands in commission!


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🔍 Best Real Estate Brokers Near Me

RegionStates
NortheastConnecticut | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Maine
Key Cities in NortheastNYC, NY
MidwestIllinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin
SouthAlabama | Arkansas | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Washington, D.C. | West Virginia
Key Cities in SouthOrlando, FL | Miami, FL
WestAlaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming

Alternatives to Real Estate Brokers

📈 Sell FSBO with Flat Fee MLS

Listing on the open market is the best way to maximize your cash offer because your MLS listing gets syndicated to other real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com, etc. & amplifies the exposure of your MLS listing.

You can get multiple offers and also compare the highest and the best offers from potential buyers. There is an opportunity to negotiate the sale price, closing costs, etc, and save substantially in commissions by choosing a flat fee MLS platform or low commission real estate agent.

» MORE: How to List on the MLS by Owner Without a Realtor

📲 iBuyers

iBuyers are instant buyers, and these companies have created a level-playing field with full cash offers and technologically advanced platforms. You get a reasonably fair cash offer instantly and you can close within a matter of few days.

» MORE: Top iBuyers in 2024

🤑 Companies Buying Houses for Cash

If your house is in a poor condition and you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on repairs or closing costs, then you can choose “we buy houses for cash” companies. These companies help sell your house fast for cash, but they’ll pay 30% to 70% of your home’s market value.

» MORE: We Buy Houses for Cash Companies

Find Your New Home in US With Houzeo

With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of homes for sale in US on Houzeo.

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» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.

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 MLS Listing NOW!

» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do real estate brokers do?

A real estate broker is an intermediary between the seller and a buyer. Brokers have a couple of responsibilities such as marketing properties, managing showings for the home seller, negotiating offers and evaluating the best one, etc. Designated brokers and broker-owners who have their own brokerages oversee operations and that means recruiting, hiring, and training agents, establishing escrow accounts, etc.

What is broker commission in real estate?

Broker commissions in real estate are the fees that the real estate broker charges for the services they deliver during property transactions. The average broker commission rates are 5% to 6% of the home's sale price. You can certainly negotiate the commission rates, but keep in mind that a lower buyer agent's commission rate can make them ignore your property. Typically, the buyer's agent commission is 2.5% to 3%.

What percentage do most real estate brokers charge?

Typically, 6% of the home's sale price will be charged by brokers. These commission rates can be negotiated and vary from sale to sale. You can save on the entire 3% listing agent commission if you are willing to sell your house as owner. Learn more about listing on the MLS as an owner & save your hard-earned equity.

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