The median home sales price in the state of Texas went up by 18.6% in the first quarter of 2023. The median sales value was marked at $325,000 as per the 2023-Q1 Texas Quarterly Housing Report.
Considering the spike, sellers and buyers have a tedious task of choosing and seeking the right professional help. This blog will help the consumers identify some of the best real estate brokers and brokerages in the state of Texas that will make their real estate transaction easier.
👁️🗨️ Sneak Peek: Texas Top Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Broker | Specializes in | 100% Online | Experience (In Years) | Customer Ratings | Listing Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Jared Andrew English, Congress Realty | Flat Fee MLS, Full Broker Services | ✅ | 19 | 5/5 (69 reviews) | $349 Flat Fee |
2. Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.com | E2E Real Estate Transaction Expertize | ❌ | 37 | 4.8/5 (25 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
3. Cherry Ruffino, Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors | Traditional In-person Full-Service, Marketing Strategy | ❌ | 40 | 4.9/5 (103 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
4. Patricia Meadows, Graceland Real Estate | Commercial Properties, Customer Service | ❌ | 20 | 5/5 (549 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
5. Steve Kahn, Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc | Traditional In-person Full-Service, Negotiation Skills | ❌ | 30 | 4.6/5(38 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
What is a Real Estate Broker?
The terms real estate broker and real estate agent are often used interchangeably in the real estate industry. Though they seem similar, there is a difference between the two. Here is an overview of the differences between the real estate agent and a real estate broker:
Real Estate Agents | Real Estate Brokers |
---|---|
Basic real estate agent license | Advanced real estate broker license |
Limited expertize related to real estate transactions – helping in offers and counter offers, completing paperwork, etc. | Additional expertize compared to a real estate agent involving – drafting purchase agreements, contract review, escrow arrangements, etc. |
Not licensed to start their own brokerage | Can start their own brokerage |
- 💡 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.
» SAVE: There is another term used frequently in the real estate industry apart from real estate agents and real estate brokers i.e. Realtors. A Realtor is a real estate broker/agent who is a member of National Association of Realtors (NAR) and strictly follows NAR’s code of Ethics.
Texas Real Estate Broker Commission
The average real estate commission in Texas is typically 6% of the sales price. It is typically split evenly (50-50) between the seller (listing) and the buyer agent. Let’s take a look at the split and who takes home how much.
Total Listing Commission | Listing Agent Commission | Listing Broker Commission |
3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
Total Buying Commission | Buyer’s Agent Commission | Buyer’s Broker Commission |
3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
It is important to note that a real estate broker/agent may work for a brokerage. In such a case, the commission is split with the brokerage as well. Different brokerages have different split percentage criteria.
» MORE: Will real estate commissions keep falling sharply in 2024?
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🏆 Reviews: Best Real Estate Brokers in Texas
1. Jared Andrew English, Congress Realty: Flat Fee Broker + Full Broker Service
👨⚖️ About: Jared Andrew English is one of the best real estate brokers (and a Realtor) in Texas who specialises in residential real estate online sales. He is well-known for his professional knowledge in negotiations, staging, and pricing. His extensive experience in selling his own investment properties across the Western United States has made him a pro in getting his clients the best deals.
✅ Customer Service: He has excellent reviews with multiple 5-star ratings under his belt.
🤝 Affiliations: Jared Andrew English is a Houzeo Partner, as a listing broker.
🏢 About Congress Realty: English founded Congress Realty, a licensed MLS real estate brokerage operating in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It is one of the largest Flat Fee MLS brokerage in the US. The brokerage is identified by REALTOR magazine, Inman News, The Phoenix Business Journal, and more.
🏢 About Houzeo: A tech-centric company, Houzeo is changing the way real estate transactions work. With advanced tools and technology, Houzeo has brought a revolution in the real estate industry. The company was founded in 2017 and created an instant impact in the FSBO and Flat Fee MLS models.
Through Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS platform, Jared can help you –
💰 Save on commission: You can work with Jared at a flat fee, usually $349, and avoid paying the traditional 3% listing agent commission. You get access to great technology for finishing the comprehensive paperwork, while Jared handles the legalities.
📣 Gain Maximum Exposure: Listings get syndicated to the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and hundreds of other websites. Houzeo also has nifty social media sharing tools. No other platform gives you this much exposure.
Jared English has access to Houzeo’s innovative tools, and sellers can leverage the Houzeo Advantage if they list via Houzeo.com.
Let’s look at the “Houzeo Advantage”:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing.
- Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
📲 Interested to list with Houzeo? Houzeo is 100% online so you can finish the listing paperwork in <60 mins and manage offers, showings, & amend paperwork with a few clicks. Start NOW!
Andrew has 5-star ratings on Houzeo.
Jared Andrew English offers his services in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
In Texas, he caters following MLS’ – ABOR MLS-TX, Central Texas MLS-TX, El Paso MLS-TX, HAR MLS-TX, NTREIS MLS-TX, and SABOR MLS-TX
- 💡 FACT: You don’t need to be a real estate broker to access Houzeo technology, and can list on the MLS within 8 business hours. Get started here to sell FSBO with Houzeo!
2. Ben Caballero, HomesUSA.com: Real Estate Expertize
👨⚖️ About: Ben Caballero is a renowned REALTOR who has over 37 years of experience in real estate. The man holds the Guinness World Record for most annual home sale transactions through MLS. He has been ranked as the top real estate agent for a number of years and has a deep expertise when it comes to real estate.
✅ Customer Service: Ben has been serving clients in the areas of listing homes, consulting, new home sales, property management, and much more. His popularity can be derived from the fact that he and his firm has closed over 2,500 sales in the last 12 months as per Zillow.
🏅 Accolades:
- Sold over 2500 properties over the last 12 months in Texas
- First REALTOR to exceed $1 billion and $2 billion in home sales in a single year
- Holds the Guinness World Record for the real estate agent with most home sale transactions in a year
- Most innovative real estate agent by Inman News in 2013
- Named real estate industry influencer in 2017
- Pinnacle award for Real Estate Entrepreneurship in 2014
🤝 Affiliations: Ben Caballero isn’t affiliated with any brokerages.
🏢 About HomesUSA.com: HomesUSA.com was founded by Ben Caballero in 2007. His vision demanded collaboration of technology, expertise, and innovation which is prominent on how the website works. The platform caters specifically to home builders and manages thousands of MLS listings in major areas in Texas. HomesUSA.com has a tie up with over 60 home builders. Toll Brothers, Highland Homes, and Ashton Woods are some of the home builders who work with Ben’s company.
HomesUSA.com help the home builders with some of the best marketing tactics based on cutting edge technology. In a nutshell, HomesUSA.com will do everything a normal REALTOR would do. As per HomesUSA.com, they sell homes at least 10-20 days faster than its competitors.
The company is ranked among top 100 real estate brokerages by RISMedia.
💰 Affordability: Working with an experienced and popular broker like Ben may cost you more than the traditional 6% broker commission. We don’t have an exact data of how much commission does Ben Caballero makes. Being a CEO, Caballero is more into managing the company and team of brokers.
HomesUSA.com is built on the idea of innovation and technology which is reflected in their website. With features like HomesIQ, the brokers and agents can access the pool of live real estate data. The company also offers advanced reporting features and out of the box insights.
HomesUSA.com Advantage is one of the advanced features that has changed the way the company works.
Ben Caballero has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Zillow Reviews.
Ben Caballero and HomesUSA.com cover Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston areas in Texas.
💲 You Don’t Need A Fancy Luxury Broker
You can sell your home yourself with Houzeo technology!
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3. Cherry Ruffino, Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors: In-Person Full Service + Advanced Marketing Strategies
👨⚖️ About: Cherry Ruffino is one of the few real estate agents who bring over 40 years of experience in the RE industry. She is regarded as one of the best real estate brokers in the state of Texas with brilliant marketing and closing strategies. Her specialisation areas are – listing agent, buyer agent, new home sales, relocation, and more.
🏆 Certifications: CRS, ABR, REALTOR Institute graduate, CRS, Master Specified Negotiation Expert, and Cartus Network Certified Agent.
✅ Customer Service: With over 40 years of experience, you can’t expect less from the veteran. Ruffino believes in going the extra mile to bring the best real estate deal to the table. Cherry’s customers tag her as a professional and friendly.
🏅 Accolades:
- Top real estate agent with Coldwell Banker since 1993 and popular internationally
- Best among the Brazos Realtors 2006-2019
- Best of BCS – 2018
- Top producer in Coldwell Banker – 2019
🤝 Affiliations: Cherry is part of the Cherry Ruffino Team linked with Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors.
🏢 About Cherry Ruffino Team: Cherry is the owner of the Cherry Ruffino team part of Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors. Cherry Ruffino team deals in selling and buying residential properties. They also cater to student housing and luxury homes. MLS listing is also a part of their profile.
According to their website, they have top-notch local real estate agents with ample experience to cater to client needs. The team believes in professionalism and best user experience.
💰 Affordability: Working with an experienced Realtor like Cherry Ruffino may cost you traditional 3%-6% broker commission. Though, we don’t have an exact data of how much commission does Cherry Ruffino makes.
👉 Creative Marketing Ways: Check out some creative ways to market a house for sale
Cherry Ruffino uses advanced real estate and pricing tools being part of Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors. Coldwell Banker is popular for technology and real estate strategies and negotiations which is also reflected in the working of Cherry Ruffino Team.
Let’s look at the popular “Coldwell Banker Agent Advantage”:
- Coldwell Banker Suite of Technology: Innovative products for agents ranging from big data solutions to helping them price properties and identify buyers, marketing luxury properties, etc.
- Coldwell Banker eMarketing Center
- Listing and Post-Listing Presentations
- Enhanced Listing Syndication tools
- Calendar of Events
- Single Sign-on
- Email integration via MS Office 365 or Gmail
- DocuSign Rooms and ZipForm Plus
Cherry Ruffino has a rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 on Zillow Reviews.
Cherry Ruffino caters – College Station, Hearne, Bryan, and a few surrounding areas.
4. Patricia Meadows, Graceland Real Estate: Best for Commercial Properties
👨⚖️ About: Patricia Meadows is a renowned name in the real estate industry in the US and Texas. She is popular for her real estate work in the Greater Waco market. Patricia started her real estate journey in 2001 and is now a popular name. She is known for her commercial and residential sales technique and customer service. She also has expertise in newly constructed homes and farm/ranch.
✅ Customer Service: Patricia is known for her customer service and has helped thousands of customers sell their homes and commercial properties. Meadows is considered a leader in the real estate industry feeding new innovative ideas to expedite the transaction with clients.
🏅 Accolades:
- Ranked among top 1% of ERA associates in the US
- Ranked in top 50 real estate agents in the US by Wall Street Journal – 2016-17
- Top Waco agent in 2016 selling more properties than any other agent
- #1 agent as per Waco Tribune Harald – 2014
- Ranked in top agents – ERA National Leader’s Circle – 2004-14
- Realtor of the year – Waco Association of Realtors – 2009
- Over 100 sales per year continuously between 2005-16
- Top 1% of the agents in the country…and more
🤝 Affiliations: Patricia Meadows is not affiliated with any organization.
🏢 About Graceland Real Estate: Patricia Meadows is the Waco-based real estate agent/Realtor with Graceland Real Estate. She and her husband (Steve) manage the company. They have a few Realtors in their staff that manage the deals and transaction with clients. As per the employees and the clients, Graceland Real Estate is a pleasure to work with. The company goes extra mile to solve the complex problems of the customers and make the real estate transactions easier. The company provides service to both sellers and buyers. They also provide the market analysis and mortgage-related solutions to the clients.
💰 Affordability: Working with Patricia Meadows may cost you traditional 3%-6% broker commission. Though, we don’t have an exact data of how much commission does Patricia Meadows makes.
In contrast, with a flat fee MLS platform like Houzeo.com, you can list your house on the MLS yourself and avoid paying hefty commissions.
Patricia Meadows believes in using technology to help sellers and buyers during any real estate transaction. Same thought process has been applied to Graceland Real Estate. They have features like defining the appropriate cost of your home through property specifications. They also have an advanced Property Management portal for various services. We couldn’t find more data on their Tech Stack.
Patricia Meadows has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Zillow Reviews.
Patricia Meadows and Graceland Real Estate caters – Waco, Lorena, Hewitt, Woodway, and Moody.
5. Steve Kahn, Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc: In-Person Full Service + Advanced Negotiation Skills
👨⚖️ About: Steve (or Stephen) Kahn is a renowned real estate agent in Texas and in the US. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry. As a matter of fact, Kahn sells almost 98% of the properties he markets depicting his influential negotiating skills. His expertise lies in the fields of buyer agent, listing agent, relocation, and short sales.
As per Zillow, Steve has closed over 200 sales in the last 12 months.
✅ Customer Service: Steve’s popularity can be identified from the customer testimonials. He has created benchmarks in the field of real estate which makes him one of the top real estate agents in Texas and in the US.
🏅 Accolades:
- 2005-2015 Centurion winner with #1 in the region and in top 5 in the US
- 2015-2021 Grand Centurion winner
- Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc top producer in 2014
- Centurion Honor Society Inductee – 2009
- 2010 Hot on Homes Builder
- Top 1% Realtor in Century 21 system…and more.
🤝 Affiliations: Steve Kahn is associated with Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
🏢 About Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc: Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc has been tagged as #1 Century 21 office in Texas. The company has over 200 qualified agents and more than 30 management staff members to cater to number of clients. The company deals in buying and selling residential properties, relocation, mortgage services, property management, new construction, commercial properties, and investment services. The firm has all the marketing tools to help the agents and staff manage their clients in an optimal way.
Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc has been helping the consumers since 1971 making it a remarkable journey for the company. There are over 8,000 offices of Century 21 around the globe. As per 2019 Power Broker Magazine, the company featured in top 500 real estate companies out of thousands in North America.
💰 Affordability: Working with an experienced Realtor like Steve Kahn may cost you traditional 3%-6% broker commission. Though, we don’t have an exact data of how much commission does Steve Kahn makes.
Steve Kahn has exposure to the innovative technology integrated in Century 21 system. The idea behind the technology is to provide real estate data pointers to both clients and brokers and make their job easier. They lay specific focus on real time real estate information. As per the CEO of Century 21, they want to build a mobile-first platform that helps sellers, buyers, and the brokers collaborate and solve real estate problems.
Stephen Kahn has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Realtor.com.
Steve Kahn caters – Dallas/Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Allen, Arlington, Bedford, Irving, Plano, and other neighbourhood areas in Texas
💲 You Don’t Really Need A Real Estate Broker
You can sell your home yourself with Houzeo technology!
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Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent
Sr. No. | Defining Features | Real Estate Agent | Real Estate Broker | REALTOR® |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Explanation | A real estate professional possessing the license to assist people in buying, selling, or renting real estate. | A real estate professional having in-depth knowledge of the field, who has obtained a license after completing additional coursework beyond the agent level. | Real estate agents or real estate brokers can become realtors by becoming members of the NAR. They follow the NAR Code of Ethics and are held to a higher standard than real estate agents and brokers. |
2. | Training | No additional training is required except the completion of the prelicensing coursework | Required to undergo additional training pertaining to contracts, insurance, taxes, and ethics | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
3. | Eligibility | Required to pass the pre-licensing exam to obtain an agent’s license | Required to have some experience working as an agent and obtain a broker’s license after completing additional coursework | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
4. | Mode of Operation | Real estate agents are required to work for a broker or a brokerage. | Brokers can either start their brokerage or work independently as agents. | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
5. | Responsibility | Seller agents are required to help the seller price the property, host open houses, be present during the inspection, provide contract assistance, etc. | Brokers are required to oversee other agents working for them and hold other roles depending on whether they are a Principal Broker, Managing Broker, or Associate Broker. | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
- 💡 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 in Texas for the first time.
Selling a house by owner in Texas may seem like a daunting process, but technology tools 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 Houzeo (100% online platform) to list your house, manage home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.
» Staging Homes Near Me: Check out what is home staging and how is it useful for you
Types of Licensed Real Estate Brokers in Texas
Types of Brokers | Description |
---|---|
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 The Best Real Estate Broker Among Multiple Brokers in Texas?
To find a real estate broker in Texas, you need to be methodical and research intensive. While you may take help of your friends and family to find the right professional, the final decision to hire will rest on you.
Here’s what you can to find the right real estate broker In Texas for your needs:
💻 Check Zillow or Texas REALTORS® website to find the brokers in your specific area and check their expertize and skills. |
⏲️ Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts. Post that you can visit the profile of brokers to understand if they fit the bill. |
👱 National brands offer nationwide coverage, but service quality may not be guaranteed in each office. You will be yet another lead in the marketing funnel while a real estate agent is assigned for your listing. Choose a local real estate broker and you could substantially save on time and efforts. However, real estate commissions still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker. |
💰 If you want to walk down the path of selling a house For Sale By Owner (FSBO), then flat fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time. The 100% online platform makes the comprehensive listing paperwork and other processes seamless. |
💲 Save 3% Listing Fee by Selling FSBO
Save thousands in commission by listing on the MLS with Houzeo Technology!
START YOUR MLS LISTING NOW
👁️🗨️ Sneak Peek: Top Texas Real Estate Brokerages + Companies
Company | Specializes in | 100% Online | Founded in | Customer Ratings | Listing Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo | Flat Fee MLS Platform, Virtual Full-Service Packages | ✅ | 2017 | 4.9/5 (out of 2,604 reviews) | $249 to $399 |
2. Keller Williams | Marketing Tools, Advanced Technology | ❌ | 1983 | 1.8/5 (113 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
3. RE/MAX Space Center | Marketing Strategy, Full Service Brokerage | ❌ | 1987 | 4.6/5 (15 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
4. Coldwell Banker | Traditional Full Service In-person Support, Real Estate Expertize | ❌ | 1906 | 4.0/5 (154 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
5. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty | Luxury Homes Support, Agent Network | ❌ | 1980 | 4.1/5 (53 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
🏆 Reviews: Best Real Estate Brokerages and Companies in Texas
1. Houzeo: Best Flat Fee MLS Platform
🏢 About Houzeo: It is the most popular and competitive platform for sellers looking for full service affordable companies that will give maximum savings with minimum real estate agent interaction. Also, Houzeo is considered to be the best Flat Fee MLS and FSBO provider in the US real estate market.
⚡ Package Customization: You can customize the listing packages as per your requirements and even opt for services like contract review, pricing assistance, professional photography, and more as per the requirement.
⭐ 5 Star Reviews: Houzeo has superior reviews on popular websites like Google and Trustpilot.
🏆 Best For: Zero hidden fees, MLS exposure, 100% automated process, Listing within 8 business hours with Houzeo Concierge, Buyer leads directly shared with the seller, Counteroffer feature, and Affordable full-service packages` No other real estate company comes close to offering such features.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $3.5 billion transactions in 2021
💰 Affordability: Houzeo is an advanced tech platform that allows home sellers to list their homes on the MLS for a small flat fee. Sellers work with a listing agent who doesn’t typically charge a commission. This saves you almost 50% of the agent commissions right away.
» Houzeo.com: Start your free listing today!
Houzeo uses cutting edge technology to offer unmatched services to their clients.
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing.
- Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google and Trustpilot.
Houzeo is available nationwide.
2. Keller Williams: Top-notch Marketing Tools
(113 reviews)
🏢 About Keller Williams Realty: Commonly referred to as Keller Williams, it is an American real estate technology franchise that is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company was founded in 1983 and has offices internationally. In fact, there are more than 1,100 offices and more than 200,000 associates that are linked with the company across the globe. It is the third-largest real estate franchise company in the US.
👨⚖️ Advantage: KW was the top innovative company in 2019 as per Fast Company’s list. Technology coupled with exclusive marketing tools makes it a powerful real estate company for customers. The agents help the customers in end-to-end real estate transactions.
Selling With Keller Williams: Keller Williams like any other real estate company provides all the required services to the customers. A KW agent will ensure that your property gets the maximum exposure (listing on MLS) and is sold at the right price. All the negotiations, contract reviews, documentation, home showings, inspection, appraisal, and more are taken care of by the agent.
Buying With Keller Williams: KW emphasizes on buyers as well. The agents collaborate with buyers to schedule the home visits. The agents will help in creating the perfect contract as per the buyer’s needs. KW agents will help in scheduling the home inspection after an offer is accepted. KW stresses the fact that buyers should keep in touch with their agents throughout the buying process.
A KW agent may help a buyer in negotiating with the home seller for who will pay the home warranty. The agent will also help the buyer during the closing day so that the real estate transaction is smooth.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $393+ billion transactions in 2021.
💰 Affordability: Like other real estate brokerages, a seller may have to shell out 3%-6% when working with Keller Williams.
» Seller’s Guide: Here is a guide to help handle multiple offers
Keller Williams has a feature called Keller Cloud which is the base of technology implemented in the company. They make use of AI and Machine Learning to aid in the functioning of the agents and creating smooth real estate process for customers.
Keller Williams is rated 1.8 out of 5 (out of 113 reviews) on Trustpilot
Keller Williams covers majority of Texas and also has nationwide coverage
3. RE/MAX Space Center: Best for Marketing Strategy
(25 reviews)
🏢 About RE/MAX Space Center: RE/MAX Space Center-Clear Lake is a subsidiary of RE/MAX that serves Clear Lake and nearby areas in Texas. They have been serving clients for over 30 years and are equipped with all the necessary marketing tools and strategies. Professionalism is the key to their success and customer retention.
👨⚖️ Advantage: Being part of RE/MAX, RE/MAX Space Center is a reliable Texas real estate company. The agents believe in helping sellers/buyers in end-to-end transactions.
Selling With RE/MAX Space Center: RE/MAX Space Center provides all the necessary tools to its agents to help home sellers. RE/MAX Space Center provides features like listing on the MLS, contract review, showings management, and much more as a traditional real estate brokerage.
Buying With RE/MAX Space Center: RE/MAX Space Center provide buying services in addition to the selling option. Contract review, showings scheduling, inspection, appraisal, submitting offers, and many other features form an essential part of the company’s buying portfolio.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $395 million as per 2021 Power Broker Ranking.
💰 Affordability: Like other real estate brokerages, a seller may have to shell out 3%-6% when working with RE/MAX Space Center.
» ShowingTime: Guide for FSBO and Flat Fee MLS Sellers
RE/MAX is known for its extensive use of technology to aid agents and customers in real estate transactions. The RE/MAX network is globally connected and is supported by advanced website and mobile app. Global.remax.com connects sellers and buyers around the globe.
RE/MAX also believes in creating exquisite virtual options to cater to clients from anywhere. They launched RE/MAX 360 Tours powered by EyeSpy360. This is an advanced tool that helps create 360 degrees virtual tours for the customers and provides an advantage to the RE/MAX agents.
They also have a BOOJ platform for agents that help them in their real estate transactions and add value to the customers.
Keller Williams is rated 4.6 out of 5 (out of 15 reviews) on Google
RE/MAX Space Center covers Clear Lake Area, Crystal Beach, Deer Park, Hobby Area, Hitchcock, Alvin South, Northwest Houston, Pearland, Port Bolivar, Dickinson, and nearby areas in Texas.
4. Coldwell Banker: Best Full-Service Brokerage
(154 reviews)
🏢 About Coldwell Banker LLC.: Founded in 1906 out of the golden state, Coldwell Banker has changed the way people buy and sell homes in North America. Infamous for innovation and leadership, Coldwell Banker has become one of the most trusted brands in the world, with 3,000 offices in 49 countries and territories.
A full-service real estate brokerage owned by Realogy, Coldwell Banker, has about 3,000 offices in 49 countries and territories under its hood. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has a unique marketing tool named CBx. This technology benefits not only the agents but also buyers and sellers.
Buying and Selling with Coldwell Banker: Coldwell Banker works for both the home sellers and buyers. The features they provide give an extra edge to the buyers to close a deal at the appropriate sale price. The agents take care of contract review, house showings, inspection, appraisal, negotiations, and more. For sellers, Coldwell Banker has a Full Service Marketing System that helps them in E2E real estate transaction.
After listing with Coldwell Banker, home sellers need to relax as most of the tasks are provided by the agents. Selling a home is not an easy job, but the Coldwell Banker’s agent is at your disposal understanding your requirements and needs. Home selling checklist, near accurate sale price, and other parameters are taken care by the agent.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume in 2021: Undisclosed.
💰 Affordability: Working with a full-service Compass agent will cost you 6% traditional broker commission or more. Consumers can avail of discounted rates, but we don’t have any hard data.
In contrast, with a flat fee MLS platform like Houzeo.com, you can list your house on the MLS yourself and avoid paying hefty commissions.
» Flat Fee MLS Texas: Flat Fee MLS in Texas you should know!
For every transaction, real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker are supported by the extensive resources and the global reach of the Coldwell Banker® brand.
Let’s look at the “Coldwell Banker Agent Advantage”:
- Coldwell Banker Suite of Technology: Innovative products for agents ranging from big data solutions to helping them price properties and identify buyers, marketing luxury properties, etc.
- Coldwell Banker eMarketing Center
- Listing and Post-Listing Presentations
- Enhanced Listing Syndication tools
- Calendar of Events
- Single Sign-on
- Email integration via MS Office 365 or Gmail
- DocuSign Rooms and ZipForm Plus
Coldwell Banker has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
Coldwell Banker operates globally and offers statewide coverage in Texas as well.
5. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty: Great Agent Network
🏢 About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty has been serving Austin and nearby areas for a long time. The owners have been serving the Austin area for over 40 years.
The parent company i.e. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has more than 50,000 agents across the globe. The company has 5 offices near the Greater Austin area and has helped thousands of sellers and buyers in the area.
They claim to be in the top 10 brokerages in the US. The company is also considered to be one of the best real estate brokerages to work for in the state of Texas.
👨⚖️ Advantage: The real estate company is known for advanced marketing strategies and technology.
Selling With Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty: Just like other real estate agencies, the sellers get access to the listing process when they register on this Texas-based platform. The platform provides sellers guide and property valuation tool to take a calculated call. Instant market analysis is available for the registered users and you get access to a professional that will help you in your selling journey.
Buying With Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty: Buyers are provided instant access to pictures and exclusive property details when they register on the website. The company’s real estate agents are qualified and professional enough to handle the buyer queries and the all important real estate documentation. The buyers are also provided with buyers guide and mortgage calculator to ease the buying process.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume in 2021: Undisclosed.
💰 Affordability: Working with a full-service broker from Berkshire Hathaway will cost you a 6% traditional broker commission. Consumers can avail of discounted rates, but we don’t have any hard data.
In contrast, with a flat fee MLS platform like Houzeo.com, you can list your house on the MLS yourself and avoid paying hefty commissions.
» Explore: Check out Houzeo.com reviews!
Information about Berkshire Hathaway’s technology stack is limited, but we’re certain it’s designed in a way that makes home buying and home selling easier.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty is rated 4.1 out of 5 (out of 53 reviews) on Google.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty covers Austin and nearby areas.
Alternatives to TX Real Estate Brokers & Brokerages
Apart from the real estate brokers and brokerages, you can take other routes as well for your real estate transaction:
📈 Sell FSBO with Flat Fee MLS | Going FSBO with Flat Fee MLS service gets you on the local MLS and the listing also gets syndicated to other real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com, etc. which amplifies the exposure of your listing. With FSBO/Flat Fee MLS platforms like Houzeo, 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: Flat Fee Listing Texas |
📲 Take Help of 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 a few days. » MORE: Top iBuyers in 2024 |
🤑 Companies Buying Houses for Cash | If your house is in 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 only pay 30% to 70% of your home’s market value. » MORE: Companies that Buy Houses in Texas |
💲 You Know Your Home Better Than Any Real Estate Broker
Trust your gut, and sell your home yourself with Houzeo technology!
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Texas Brokers & Brokerages: Is 3% Listing Fee Worth It?
With flat fee MLS models and disruptive technology tools like Houzeo.com, you can list your house by owner in Texas for a flat rate in 2024. Thus, it is not recommended to spend 3% in commission.
The comprehensive paperwork that comes with listing a house has been intuitively digitized on Houzeo, and you can finish all listing formalities in under 60 minutes.
» Pro Tip: If you feel lost or need additional assistance during the process, you can check with our 5-Star Customer Support team.
Find Your New Home in Texas 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 Texas on Houzeo.
» 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 the best FSBO and Flat Fee MLS platform in the United States.
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO websites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is broker commission in real estate?
Broker commissions in real estate are the fees that the real estate broker charges for their services 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%.
2. How much do real estate brokers make in Texas?
Texas real estate brokers typically make a good fortune with commission rates between 1% to 6% of the home's sales price. There are also real estate brokers that sign-up for Flat Fee MLS services for just listing the property on the MLS. By opting for Flat Fee MLS listings for multiple customers, they are able to keep a good sum of money.
3. How to get Texas broker's license in real estate?
To obtain a broker's license in Texas, you need to take care of certain steps and criteria. Read Here.
4. What do Texas real estate brokers do?
Texas real estate brokers are 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.