BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Boise discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $29,400 in commission on an average $490,000 Boise home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Garden City or Broadway Ave, the best discount real estate brokers in Boise will help you save on the 3% listing agent commission. And an additional up to 2.5% to 3% on the buyer agent commission! That’s a cool $29K on an average Boise home.
Rankings: Top 5 Boise Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the City of Trees based on how much you can save on an average $490,000 home.
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $349 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | Flat Fee Realty | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. | Homie | $3,500 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
4. | Redfin | 1.5% Commissions | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
5. | UpNest | 2.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Boise
There are two types of Boise discount real estate brokers:
- Flat Rate Discount Brokers: Also called Flat Fee MLS companies, these discount realty services let you list your home for a fixed upfront fee. A Flat Fee MLS Idaho listing service costs between $399 to $4,000.
- Fixed Percentage Discount Brokers: These discount Realtors charge a fixed percentage of the home’s sale price. Typically, it is anything lower than the traditional 3% fee: 1%, 1.5%, 2% or 2.5%, etc.
Reviews: 3 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Boise
1. Houzeo.com: Max Savings, No Hidden Fees
Houzeo is a top technology-driven real estate platform. It offers 4 different packages:
- Bronze Package ($399 + $350 at Close): List your house for 6 months. You can upload 24 house photos.
- Silver Package ($399+0.5% at Close): List your home for 6 months and post maximum photos. Unlimited open houses and listing modifications are included in this package.
- Gold Package ($429+0.5% at Close): This package offers all the benefits of the Silver package, as well as licensed broker assistance, contract review, and more.
- Platinum Package ($449+1% at Close): This package offers virtual full-service support with a licensed broker. You can list for 12 months. Brokers assist you in negotiations, disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo to all home sellers. The company has an excellent customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It has extensive coverage across 47 states + DC, a feat achieved by only a handful of other services.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities within 60 minutes.
These are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top discount real estate brokers:
- Significant Commission Savings: You will pay just a small flat fee to list on the MLS. On average, home sellers who used Houzeo saved $12,511.
- No Hidden Fees: All costs are disclosed upfront so you don’t have to worry about hidden charges.
- Near Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo operates in 47 states and DC, with ongoing plans for expansion.
- Max Exposure: Houzeo packages give you access to renowned MLS companies.
- Advanced Technology: Eliminate the hassle of extensive paperwork. E-signature and online forms make house listing quick and easy.
- 5-star Customer Service: Dedicated customer support addresses your every concern easily.
- Mobile App: Houzeo’s mobile app lets you manage showing requests from verified buyers and buyer agents. You can either accept, reject, or reschedule showings at your convenience.
- Home Value Estimator: Houzeo’s Home Worth Estimator is online and quick to know the FMV of your home. It provides free home value estimate within 30 seconds.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent” by 10,000+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!
Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.
Houzeo is Boise’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
2. Flat Fee Realty: Flat Fee, Full Service
Flat Fee Realty provides a single MLS package, with prices varying based on the state.
- Package: In most states, the price starts at $199 + 0.25% listing broker fee at closing. The package includes a 6-month listing term with six photos. By paying an extra $50, you can add up to 25 photos.
👉 Our Take: Flat Fee Realty is affordable. However, the extra costs for upgrades and limited features may not fit all sellers’ needs. It can be a good option for land and lot owners.
Based on our research, the benefits of Flat Fee Realty are:
- Refund Policy: You can request a refund within 30 days of purchase, as long as your property has not been listed on the MLS.
- Affordable Plan: Their flat fee package is budget-friendly compared to competitors. It is a good option for land and lot owners.
- Disclosures: State-specific disclosures are included with every listing.
- Market Exposure: Your home gets listed on the local MLS and displayed on all major real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
In our research, we found some red flags of Flat Fee Realty, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Limited Reviews: Even though Flat Fee Realty has been here since 2006, it has no credible reviews.
- Fixed Package: No customization is offered beyond the basic listing package.
- Not 100% Online: It is not fully online, causing potential delays in listing.
- Additional Fees: You need to pay an additional $50 to upgrade your listing with extra photos.
In our research, we have not found any credible reviews for Flat Fee Realty.
Fred Romano owns Flat Fee Realty LLC. The company is a licensed brokerage in Connecticut. In the remaining states, they partner with licensed brokers to list your property on the MLS.
Flat Fee Realty charges 0.10 – 0.25% commission at closing. Even though they claim the buyer agent pays this, the entire commission comes out of the seller’s proceeds.
3. Homie
Homie serves as a comprehensive real estate solution:
- Listing Price ($ 5,000 to $10,000): Homie sellers pay a flat fee, which varies based on the price of the home. For sellers, it charges a flat fee rate.
👉 Our Take: Homie offers a single flat fee package to sellers and multiple in-house services to buyers. It benefits buyers with better mortgage rates, suitable insurance, and hassle-free paperwork. Hence, you may consider buying a house through a Homie instead of selling.
Below are the key advantages of choosing Homie for your home sale:
- Manage Buyer Tours: Coordinate buyer tours from anywhere, ensuring convenience.
- Expert Homie Agent: You will meet a dedicated agent who will guide you throughout the process.
- Home Value Report: Receive a personalized home value report to help you set the right price.
- Professional Photos: Homie helps you get high-quality professional photos to showcase your home.
- Social Media Marketing: Homie promotes your home on social media to reach more potential buyers.
Below are the Homie drawbacks:
- Limited Coverage: Homie provides services in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
- Customer Support: As per the customer reviews, Homie agents cannot respond with proper guidance.
- No Advanced Tech: Some clients are disappointed with their slow and outdated technology.
Homie has a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating on Google.
» Is Homie Worth It? Read to know Homie benefits when selling your house.
Homie is a flat fee discount real estate brokerage. It was founded by Mike Peregrina in 2015 in Utah. Their service area is limited to Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Homie charges a flat fee package to help the sellers list their homes. It offers cash rebates, an all-cash offer, and more to the home buyers. However, you may need to do extensive follow-up with their agents to get your work done.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Boise
4. Redfin
Redfin is the largest discount real estate company. Its premier agents, with years of experience, help you buy and sell high-end homes.
- Listing Price: Redfin charges a 1% listing fee if you want to sell a house and buy your next one with them. It charges a 1.5% listing fee if you decide to just sell your house with Redfin.
👉Our Take: Redfin is a technology-based platform. You can expect transparency and an accurately managed database. However, you may not get complete attention due to their high customer volume.
» Is Redfin Legit? Check the legitimacy of Redfin’s discount broker services
Redfin offers:
- Competitive Pricing: You pay a listing fee of 1% if you decide to sell and buy with Redfin.
- Updated Technology: Redfin provides a mobile app, 3D walkthrough, relevant filters, etc. This makes the real estate transaction seamless.
- National Presence: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.
» Redfin Pros and Cons: Read about the advantages and drawbacks of Redfin services.
The disadvantages of using Redfin are:
- Pricing Inaccuracy: Many sellers have complained about certain factors like, lot area, a gated compound, or a city location not getting considered during valuation.
- Long Time for Listing: As per Redfin’s agreement, it takes almost 15-18 days to verify the seller’s property and list their house.
- Lack of Customer Service: There has been negative feedback about lack of personal attention by Redfin salaried agents.
Redfin has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp and average 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: The reality of 1% fees, pros, cons, and alternatives!
Redfin, founded in Seattle in 2002 by Mr. David Eraker, covers 80+ markets in the US.
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 their agents’ professionalism.
5. UpNest
UpNest offers agent-matching services. Here’s how it works:
- No Upfront Cost: UpNest connects you with top local real estate agents at no upfront cost. Agents will discuss commission rates, fees, and potential discounts directly with you.
👉 Our Take: With UpNest you get multiple real estate agent options to choose from. However, agents’ commission rates and qualifications can vary significantly, and the quality of service may depend on the broker you select.
Here’s what UpNest offers:
- Multiple Agent Proposals: Get 3–5 commission quotes from top local agents. Compare options easily without contacting agents yourself.
- Quick Turnaround: Receive agent matches within 24 hours of signing up.
- Transparent Pricing: View all commission rates and potential savings upfront. There are no hidden fees or pressure to commit.
- Nationwide Coverage: It offers service throughout the US. It connects you with the local agent who has current market insights.
Here are some of the downsides of working with UpNest:
- No Guaranteed Savings: UpNest does not offer guaranteed savings. Instead, each agent sets their own listing fee.
- No Control Over Agent Selection: UpNest shows you commission quotes from selected agents. As a result, you might miss out on other qualified agents who are part of their network.
UpNest has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google.
» UpNest Reviews: Is UpNest actually saving you money in 2024? Read to find out.
UpNest is a licensed agent-matching brokerage. It is headquartered in California. Move, Inc., (the parent company of Realtor.com) acquired UpNest in June 2022.
UpNest pairs you with local agents with a proven sales record. However, you may end up fixing a high commission for the agent.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Boise: How Much Will You Save?💲
Boise discount brokers can help you save almost the entire 6% commission, depending on your home’s worth.
If you choose a 6% full-service Realtor, you’d pay $29,400 to sell an average $490,000 house in the City of Trees. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $2,879 and save $26,521!
NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely be paying much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage Buyer Agents and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 Will Be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
Discount Realtors in Boise: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Boise will save you thousands in commissions, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of hiring one:
Pros ✅
- Sell Home for a Discounted Fee: You’ll pay less fees for a discount real estate listing in Boise than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your Idaho home on MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Boise will provide the basic services that any traditional agent would. This includes assistance with pricing your home, marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.
Cons ❌
- You May Become a Victim of Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Boise may charge hidden fees or sell essential services a la carte. Beware of shady discounted agents who lure you in with significantly low fees. Do your research and look at the best discount realtors in Boise.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Boise handle multiple clients at once to make up for the reduced commission rate. They may not be able to provide personalized assistance all the time.
- High Cancellation Fees: An Boise discount real estate broker can charge a minimum withdrawal fee within a specified period. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.
Alternatives to Discount Real Estate Agents in Boise
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Boise:
- Sell Your Home For Sale By Owner: In a FSBO sale, you’ll have to opt for “DIY” marketing strategies like using FSBO signs, word of mouth, open houses, etc. But your listing won’t be on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Homes.com! Meanwhile, FSBO websites in Idaho will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Idaho scour the MLS for Boise homes for sale. This includes iBuyers, investors, and home flippers.
- Sell With a Full-Service Realtor: If you are not interested in saving your equity, you can hire a full-service, in-person Realtor in Boise. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $29,400 on a $490,000 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Boise?
Houzeo.com and Flat Fee Realty are the top discount real estate brokers in Boise. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Flat Fee Realty has only 10 reviews while thousands of sellers have rated Houzeo as 4.9 out of 5.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why 15,000+ home sellers love Houzeo.
How much is the real estate agent fees in Boise?
On average, traditional agents in Boise charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Boise charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Boise?
You could choose a discount broker, or list your home using Houzeo. With Houzeo, your home will be listed on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
Can you negotiate Realtor fees in Boise?
Yes, you can! In fact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.