Top Realtors Offering 1 Percent Commission (2025 Rankings)

 A 1% commission realtor is an affordable, low cost broker willing to list your property at a discount rate of 1%, saving you up to thousands of dollars. For example, on the median-priced U.S. home of $357,100, this reduced rate could save you about $7,500 on listing fees alone (compared to the 2.74% standard fee).


On average, realtor commissions nationwide amount to about 5.32%, which is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. That means when sellers choose traditional, full-price agents, they pay over $19,000 in commissions on average. That figure doesn’t even include possible additional selling expenses — repairs, closing costs and staging — that could add $30,000 or more to your total.


We also factored in whether our top picks offer full service or limited support. Clever Real Estate and 1 Percent Lists, for example, both provide full-service representation for less. Clever specifically stands out because it works with agents nationwide, you get the opportunity to compare several top agents you’d like to work with, they partner with leading brokerages including Keller Williams or RE/MAX and the listing fee is fixed at 1.5% no matter which agent you decide to go with. And that extra 0.5% often buys you better service, more experienced agents, and a generally more pleasant sale — all especially crucial in more intricate or competitive markets.


How much can I save with a 1% agent?


Redfin is a popular discount real estate brand available nationwide with rates ranging from 1.5% to 2%. You can save more money when you buy and sell with Redfin. Keep in mind, though, that Redfin does have minimum fees that could push your total cost higher, agents that can be serving multiple customers and could make your personalized experience feel diluted and a lower customer rating of 2.7 stars.


Similar low-fee alternatives like SimpleShowing and Houwzer could have less extensive services or not as much individualized attention. Their less extensive agent networks could also influence the success of your transaction.


After all, you want to have trust in a good agent. They need a strong local knowledge and be there to conduct the sale. Smart scores in this department thanks to it’s network of agents which also offers better selection than equivalent services.


Redfin also has small, dedicated teams of in-house agents who have less choice and, in the case of Redfin, the occasional overwork.


Houwzer’s agents get very rigorous training and must demonstrate to their knowledge of their local market. Nonetheless, the reduced network coverage may restrict your options, depending on where you live.


The thing is, company reputation and customer reviews says a lot of the past experiences of clients. Clever and 1 Percent Lists hold down a 5.0-star rating from many reviews. Redfin, however, has a 2.7 star average with regular complaints containing about slow response times and minimal active support. Companies with less reviews or lower ratings may not have the same consistency, could mean they fluctuate in service and customer happiness.


If you’re looking for great service, huge savings, and an experienced agent, Clever is the best option overall. Redfin might make more sense if you want a more hands-off experience — and are working with the same company to buy and sell.


If you’re looking for a local agent who offers a 1% listing fee or other similarly discounted service, we have a full list of guides in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Click through our directory to find a knowledgeable agent in your state.

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๐Ÿ“ Evaluating local discount real estate brokers


How much can I save with a 1% agent?


Below is a table detail of what it could cost to sell a median-priced U.S. home, which is worth $357,138, using a discount broker that takes a 1.5% commission versus a traditional realtor whose commission is 2.74%, which is the national average. In general, real estate agents also charge between 2-3%.


Real estate commissions are not fixed or regulated by the government, but rather set by individual real estate brokers, and sellers commonly pay a total real estate commission of approximately 5.32% in a standard real estate transaction. That fee is split between the listing agent (2.74 percent) and the buyer’s agent (2.58 percent).


Your total real estate commission fee might be a little over 4% if use a 1% or 1.5% commission real estate company. That could amount to saving around $5,000 in realtor fees on a median-priced home sale. And these savings typically occur because the listing agent reduces his or her fee. But you might need to pay the buyer’s agent's commission fee, as a percentage of the sale price: 1.00% to 4.00%, averaging around 2.58% nationally, based on local market conditions.


Why would any realtor only take 1% commission? Having been an agent, I realize that it can make sense to pay a 1% commission in certain situations, but not always. Here are some situations in which it might make sense for a listing agent to take a lower commission:


A hot seller’s market often results in quick property sales because of high demand and a lack of inventory. “Quick sales is quick money for the agent, even if it is at a discount.”


The answer is yes, the high value and luxury homes/sales could still be profitable at 1% commission. A 1% commission on a $1 million sale, for instance, yields a $10,000 payout.


Referrals are everything in real estate, and clients who are happy will be more willing to refer their agent – which means more business or higher future rates.


A dual transaction can happen if the seller is purchasing another property. Agents could potentially do both deals, and so double their pay.


It's as an investment in long-term business for agents, who can establish a nascent reputation and positive experiences on the side with good reviews.


On the flip side, a 1% commission might not be good for a lot of properties that have more issues, like houses in need of a lot of work, houses priced over market value or not in as good a location.


Risks of working with a 1% realtor The major risks associated with working with a 1% realtor are related to the types of services you will receive, because they might only list your property on the MLS and then rely on other sources to market it. This may mean you will need to handle showings, negotiations and paperwork on your own. It is often a case of you get what you pay for Despite the lower headline cost, these other boxes can actually create complexity and potential for increased spend.


Realtors who charge lower fees may not always provide the same level of experience or support as those who command higher commissions. Plus, 1% commission agents may serve more clients to make up less income per transaction and may not offer personalized service, or have more availability issues. And there’s the possibility of what’s known as dual agency, when the realtor works for both the buyer and the seller and potential conflicts of interest can arise from that as well.


In selecting a 1% commission realtor, it's important to think about more than just the price. Personal factors–like how much you’ve heard about that agent’s reputation, how honest and trustworthy you think he or she is – are often more important to sellers. And remember, take into account the total value the local discount brokerages provide and interview a variety of agents to see the best fit for your needs.


If reducing commission fees is at the top of your list of what’s important, your first step should be contacting several local discount realtors and picking their brains concerning: Commissions, Services and Experience. This can help ensure you find a real estate agent that fits your needs and budget. Full-service agents do come with a listing presentation, which should include a free comparative market analysis, helping you to establish a competitive listing price. Clever is a company that can help you find high-performing discount real estate brokers near you that you can interview, no strings attached, and from whom you can walk away at any time.


Why you should trust me: This guide comes from my own experiences being a real estate agent and investor and is highlighted with input from the top agents in the game. I do these DCR deals – and I know full well what kind of impact they actually have on service and dollars saved. You can see my real estate background on my Zillow.


In addition, you’ll benefit from the wisdom of Ben Mizes, Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Clever Real Estate. Ben is a licensed real estate salesperson, who also invests in rental property and owns 22 rental units in St. Louis. And in 2022, he was named as one of the Top 200 Most Influential People in Real Estate. Under his leadership, Clever has saved customers over $150 million in commission and boasts an average 5-star rating out of 3,500 Trustpilot reviews. Ben’s expertise has also been featured in BiggerPockets, Inman, and Realtor Mag among others.


And on our team is Katy Byrom, a veteran real estate writer who writes about nontraditional home sales and commission trends. She has been published on MSN, MediaFeed, Rhode Island Homes, and more. Katy is a graduate of San Diego State University and Pepperdine University, and has a strong editorial background.



 











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