5 Discount Real Estate Brokers in Columbus, OH (2024)

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.

Exactly is a local, full-service real estate agency. They offer 3 packages and 1 add-on plan.

• Negotiation Package – ($3,200): Once you’ve identified a buyer, Exactly negotiate and manage the transaction with them.
• Marketing Package – ($3,200): They develop strategies for marketing. You have to find the buyer and negotiate on your own.
• Complete Package – ($5,800): They handle everything from the initial in-home consultation to closing the deal.

Add-On

• Luxury Option – ($4,000): It’s an optional add-on that provides a few more perks for homes that need the most elite marketing. However, Exactly has recommended this for homes over $800,000.

👉 Our Take: Exactly offers several services. They include negotiating your home sale and developing and managing ongoing marketing. However, they only serve 8 counties in Ohio, and the packages are more expensive than many other Flat Fee MLS websites offering similar services.

Based on our research, the benefits of Exactly are:

• Multiple Packages: Exactly has 3 flat-rate options. All fees are due after you sell your home. There are no upfront fees.
• Market Exposure: Apart from listing on the MLS, they will list on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
• Custom Market Pricing Analysis: With this pricing analysis, you will be able to set a listing price that maximizes your profit.

Here are some limitations we found with Exactly:

• Limited Coverage: Exactly caters to only 8 counties in Ohio. These counties include Summit, Medina, Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne, Lorain, Geauga, and Portage.
• High Fee: Despite Exactly having a Flat Fee MLS model, the packages cost are high compared to other flat fee companies.

Exactly has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.

Homes That Click is a discount real estate brokerage. They offer a single package.

• 1% Commission (Min $3,500): They charge a fixed 1% commission on the total home sale price plus buyer agent fee. This is a full-service package for home sellers. It includes in-home consultation, professional photography, contract assistance, etc.

👉 Our Take: Home That Clicks offers 1% that is below a traditional agent’s commission. It can be a great option for sellers. However, Flat Fee MLS services provide greater savings.

Based on our research, the benefits of Homes That Click are:

• Market Exposure: Along with the MLS, your home will be displayed on real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
• Full-Service: They provide professional marketing, home inspections, transaction management, and more.
  
• Local Expertise: They have over 20 years of experience selling homes in 143 Columbus neighborhoods.

Here are some limitations we found with Homes That Click:

• Not 100% Online: Home That Click operates with a local presence in Columbus, Ohio. Their services involve both online and in-person interactions, such as property showings, negotiations, and consultations.
• Buyer Agent Fee: You must still cover the buyer agent’s commission, increasing overall selling costs.
• Limited Coverage: Homes That Click mainly serves Central Ohio, so it is not available in other areas.

Homes That Click Realtors have an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google.

Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.

• It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.

👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies are willing to offer a higher rebate.

» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.

Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:

• Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
• Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
• Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
• Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.

• Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
• No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
• Agents Are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.
• Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.

Redfin has an average rating of  4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.

» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of the 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, and Alternatives!

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.