Congress Realty Reviews: Is Their $299 Plan Worth It?

4.9

Editor's Rating (104 Reviews)

4.6

User Rating (30 Reviews)

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Congress Realty is a Flat Fee MLS company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. They help you list your home on the MLS for a flat rate. Their packages include four different plans with distinct features and pricing. However, their services are available in only 12 states.

Pros

• You can list your home on the MLS for as little as $299.
• You avoid paying hefty Realtor commission with their flat fee model.
• You get support from an experienced broker.
• You get several marketing add-ons to customize your package.

Cons

• You don't get an advanced listing management platform.
• They provide services in only 12 states, restricting their presence.
• Their basic package worth $299 includes only 4 photos on the MLS.
• Some of their packages allow only limited changes to your listing.

Congress Realty is a popular Flat Fee MLS listing service among home sellers. Their plans range from $299 to $499 and include listing syndication on Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia. Plus, their full service package provides a dedicated agent and closing transaction support.

However, their basic package limits photo uploads and listing changes. Even their premium package, worth $499, doesn’t include negotiation and contract review. Instead, consider other FFM companies that provide comprehensive packages with more value.

✍️ Editor’s Take: We recommend Houzeo over Congress Realty. With Houzeo, you get more comprehensive features starting at just $199. Plus, their advanced technology makes your home-selling journey easier. Compare Congress Realty vs. Houzeo.

Is Congress Realty Legit?

Yes, Congress Realty, Inc. is a legitimate real estate company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jared Andrew English founded the company in 2002. Additionally, Congress Realty has a strong presence on credible sites like Google and Yelp.

They are also present on Better Business Bureau but lack accreditation and reviews on the platform. However, their founder, Jared Andrew English, has 20 years of extensive experience in real estate.

How Does Congress Realty Work?

Here’s how you can get your home on the MLS with Congress Realty.

1. List Your Property: Fill out a quick form with your property details and asking price. They’ll list your home on the MLS to get maximum exposure.
2. Market Your Property: Once listed, you manage showings, open houses, and buyer questions. If you’re not using their full-service plan, all buyer inquiries go directly to you.
3. Accept an Offer: Review and negotiate offers with the buyer. Full-service clients get help with paperwork and contract documentation.
4. Close and Save: Close the sale with their support and save thousands in agent commissions.

Once you provide the required information and photos, Congress Realty will list your property on the MLS within 24 hours. However, since their process is not automated, you must complete all the paperwork manually.

Congress Realty Coverage

Congress Realty offers services in twelve states only. As a result, home sellers outside these states may not be able to access their services.

On the other hand, Houzeo has nationwide coverage. This helps home sellers from across the US to simplify their real estate journey.

Packages and Services

» Jump to: Basic | Plus | Premium | Full-Service | Additional

Congress Realty offers 3 flat fee packages and 1 full-service package to home sellers.

1. Basic Package – $299

👉 Our Take: We recommend this plan if you are selling land or a lot. If you are selling a house, you will need more than 4 photos. You will also need unlimited changes. So this plan will be significantly more expensive than just $299.

2. Plus Package – $399

👉 Our Take: This plan is expensive and still lacks many essential features. It doesn’t include unlimited listing changes or open houses. It also lacks a yard sign. In contrast, Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS plan offers all these services starting at just $199.

3. Premium Package – $499

👉 Our Take: This plan is quite expensive and still lacks negotiation and contract review. In contrast, Houzeo’s Gold plan priced at $249 offers many essential features. With Houzeo, you get assistance with contract review, pricing, counter offers, and contract-to-close consulting.

 4. Full Service Package – $399 + 0.5% at Closing

👉 Our Take: This plan can be an ideal choice for first-time home sellers. However, their process is not 100% online, so you may need to complete a few tasks manually. Additionally, they lack an advanced listing management platform and a mobile app.

Additional Services

Congress Realty allows you to customize the plans by offering some services separately. You can add or skip these services based on your needs.

Congress Realty Reviews

Congress Realty has an impressive 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google based on 104 reviews. They also have a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Yelp based on 45 reviews.

Congress Realty Positive Reviews

✅ Danny recommends Congress Realty for home sellers. They appreciated their quick support and cost-effective approach.

✅ Ted had a great experience selling their second home through Congress Realty. They praised Andrew for being responsive and quick to address their requests.

Congress Realty Negative Reviews

❌ Ina was frustrated with the unhelpful responses of a Congress Realty representative. Despite making multiple calls, they did not receive the assistance they needed.

❌ Marcia, a competitor of Congress Realty, raised concerns about their poor quality control. However, they did not provide a reason behind their perception.

Congress Realty Reviews: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of Congress Realty.

✅ Pros

• Experienced Broker: Jared Andrew English is the principal broker at Congress Realty. Their years of experience in real estate can help you get the best deal for your home.
• Commission Savings: Congress real estate’s flat fee packages eliminate the listing agent commission. Additionally, their full-service option offers agent support while saving you thousands.
• Direct Contact with Buyers: Congress Realty reviews highlight that the company allows buyers to contact you directly. This also enables you to have better control over the sale.
• Greater Exposure: The company syndicates your MLS listing to national real estate websites like Zillow and Trulia. Their premium packages include social media exposure for added visibility.
• Transparent Fees: The company clearly outlines the fees you need to pay. This ensures you know what to expect upfront.

❌ Cons

• Limited Coverage: Congress Realty only offers services in 12 states. Their limited coverage is a deal-breaker for people living in other parts of the country.
• Lack of Adequate Photos: Congress Realty’s basic plan, priced at $299, allows only 4 photos on the MLS listing. This may limit your property’s appeal to potential buyers.
• Lack of Essential Features: The company is tech-centric, but there is room for improvement. For example, they lack a listing management platform to simplify your FSBO journey.
• Limited Open House Availability: Congress real estate does not offer unlimited open houses, even in their $399 plan. This can limit exposure for your property.
• Limited Services in Premium Plan: Congress Realty’s premium plan costs $499 but does not include full negotiation support or contract review.

Congress Realty Competitors

» Jump to: Congress Realty vs. Houzeo | Congress Realty vs. Flat Fee Group | Congress Realty vs. Beycome

1. Plan Inclusions: Congress Realty vs. Houzeo

Congress real estate provides basic services but lacks essential features for sellers. Even their premium plan priced at $499 does not include full negotiation support or contract review. They further lack services like pricing assistance and contract-to-close support.

On the other hand, Houzeo’s plans are more comprehensive. Starting at just $199, they include contract review, pricing assistance, counter offer support, and contract-to-close consulting. These features make Houzeo more valuable for home sellers.

2. Coverage: Congress Realty vs. Flat Fee Group

Congress Realty operates in only 12 states, limiting their coverage across the country. This means that if you live outside their service areas, you may not be able to list with them.

Flat Fee Group is a network of licensed brokers working in 48 states and Washington D.C. You can list with them no matter where you live. However, your experience will depend on the broker serving your area.

3. Listing Changes: Congress Realty vs. Beycome

Congress Realty limits listing changes in their basic and plus plans. They may require an upgrade or extra payment for additional updates.

Beycome offers unlimited free listing changes across all their plans. They allow you to update your listing anytime without extra charges.

Best Flat Fee Companies Near You

If Congress Realty isn’t available in your location, check out these leading Flat Fee MLS providers in your state.

Other Options You Should Consider

• Sell to an iBuyer: iBuyers purchase homes needing minimal repairs in as-is condition. They can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast.
• Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. They also let you skip listing on the MLS.
• Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself, saving thousands in agent commissions. Many FSBO websites will also help you with the paperwork.

Should You List Your Home With Congress Realty?

Yes, Congress Realty can help you save on agent commission. However, you’ll need to manage some tasks on your own. Moreover, their plans miss several essential features, and the listing process is not fully online. Plus, add-ons can make the plans even more expensive.

On the other hand, Houzeo provides a more streamlined experience. Their comprehensive plans include all the essential services. Their 100% online platform makes it easier to manage listings, contracts, and negotiations, while keeping the process cost-effective.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 10,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews and Trustpilot.

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