When you are planning to sell your home, apart from finding solutions to many other issues encountered at every stage, the topmost priority is to save money. Traditional real estate agents can provide the help and support but at a cost—a 5–6 percent commission on a transaction. On the flip side, there are low commission real estate agents who can provide the same kind of services at a low cost, typically 3 percent on the home sale. You can also avail the services of discount real estate brokers who charge a flat fee. They list the properties on the MLS, which stands for Multiple Listing Service. The MLS is the main online resource from which major real estate companies gather information about properties.
All About Low Commission Real Estate Agent
A low commission real estate agent is like any other traditional real estate agent, just that they charge a lower fee. They provide limited services for a lower commission, which is percentage-based. You can save money when you sell your home by choosing one of many low-commission real estate brokers offering discounted listing fees. If you’re selling your home as an FSBO (for sale by owner), hiring a low-commission real estate company is a better option. By this, you avoid the stress and hard work of an FSBO sale yet make the most in savings. The low commission real estate agents will list the property on the MLS. They will provide this service in return for a fixed charge. Other key advantages include the FSBO seller having access to flyers, MLS key boxes, and so on. Also, the market analysis by the agent will help the seller decide on the right price for the property.
All About Discount Real Estate Broker
A company or agent offering commission that is built into savings is a discount real estate broker. While some low-cost realtors provide service that’s on par with what a traditional realtor provides, there are other discount real estate brokers on the market who will list your home for a flat fee. The agent will list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). As compared to a traditional real estate agent, a flat fee MLS listing service is a more viable alternative to selling your home. For listing your property on the MLS, usually, a flat predetermined fee is charged, which can be decided upon beforehand. The MLS is important because it lists your property’s data on websites, across the internet, for maximum visibility and access. This ensures your property has a greater probability of getting more showings. Although flat fee MLS listing service involves only listing, some discount real estate brokers will provide additional services also.
Advantages
Most property sellers look to make a profit when they sell their homes, and for getting the maximum profit they opt to work with a low commission agent. When you sell your home, one of the easiest ways to save money is to work with a low commission real estate agent or a discount real estate brokers, since they offer to sell your home for a commission that is lower than that charged by normal agents. Real estate agents and brokers have important distinctions, although they appear similar. While brokers have a license that helps them to oversee other agents, real estate agents assist homeowners during the buying and selling process.
When you’re opting for a low commission real estate agent, you are in control of the sale of the house. You’re in the position to decide the pricing and the showing schedule, as well as be part of the negotiations. Apart from having the final say on your home’s listing price, you also make the decisions on improvements to be made to the property and to whom to show it, and eventually, whom to sell it.
Top Low Commission Real Estate Agents and Companies
Choosing the right low commission real estate agent or company can be important. Here’s a list of the top low commission real estate companies.
- Houzeo: For a small flat fee, Houzeo allows home sellers to list their homes on the MLS. As they work with a listing agent who doesn’t typically charge a commission, their listing fees are affordable. Apart from excellent customer service, which tips the scales in their favor, there are no other hidden fees for their service.
- Redfin: One of the best among the low commission real estate companies, you can get up to 20–30 percent of savings on commission fees. They have a great platform to provide full-service brokerage also.
- ListingSpark: Other than the fact the fees are predetermined and priced at a lower cost, which makes them affordable, they have some good a la carte options to choose from.
- SimpleShowing: Their listing fee is 1 percent of the sale price. Also, they can handle large volumes of customers as they have qualified agents.
- Ideal Agent: Their listing fee is 2 percent of the sale price. Along with good customer service, they provide wider coverage.
As you can see, there are other better options available for you to sell your house instead of hiring a real estate agent and paying their high commission rates. Bottom line is that you’re more than likely to sell your property much faster and with a higher profit margin as compared to if you had opted for a traditional real estate agent.
