BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Fort Lauderdale discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $32,400 in commission on an average $540,000 Fort Lauderdale home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Coconut Creek or Coral Springs, the best discount real estate brokers in Fort Lauderdale 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 $32,400 on an average Fort Lauderdale home.
Rankings: Top 5 Fort Lauderdale Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in Venice of America based on how much you can save on an average $540,000 home.
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | Get More Offers | $4,500 Flat Fee or 1.5% Commissions | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. | Redefy | $3,500 Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | HomeLight | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. | Ideal Agent | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Fort Lauderdale
There are two types of Fort Lauderdale 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 Florida 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.
3 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, and 5-star customer support, and is available both on iOS and Android platforms.
2. Get More Offers
Get More Offers is a real estate software management system with a discount real estate broker e-commerce website. They offer three plans:
- FSBO Plan – ($99 upfront): 1-year listing on MyStateMLS (optional) and major real estate sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, etc.
- Solo Plan- ($299 upfront): Ideal for experienced sellers, includes expert transaction management and professional photography.
- Pro Plan – ($699 upfront): Includes full-service representation, expert pricing consultation, and professional photography.
👉 Our Take: Some plans can be counted as budget-friendly options, but they lack hand-holding support. However, they might be better for experienced sellers than for first-time home sellers.
Based on our research, the benefits of Get More Offers are:
- Fast Listing Entry: They have same-day listing to quickly get on the market.
- Control for Sellers: Self-representation options let sellers manage their own listings.
- 100% Online: The paperless system makes the process efficient and hassle-free.
- 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 Get More Offers, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Cancellation Policy: The PRO plan requires a 60-day cancellation notice, which might be inconvenient for those needing more flexibility.
- Limited Reviews: Even though Get More Offers has been here since 2005, it has no credible reviews.
- Limited Service Area: They are only available in New York and Florida.
No credible reviews were found.
GetMoreOffers.com offers flat fee MLS listings which allow homeowners to list their property. They also offer various services like marketing support, broker management, same-day listing entry, and many more.
However, the process is difficult and time-consuming because they are not completely online. Additionally, you will have to pay more if you choose a different title company than Frontier Title.
3. Redefy
Redefy DIY is a real estate service that allows homeowners to list their properties on the MLS for a flat fee. It offers 3 packages:
- Self-Service – ($379): This plan includes a 6-month listing on Zillow, Realtor.com, and your local MLS. You get a yard sign, 10 photos, and a door key lockbox. No agent support is provided.
- Limited Service – ($499): Features a 1-year listing on Zillow, Realtor.com, and your local MLS. It includes a yard sign, 25 photos, a door key lock box, and CSS showing service. It also includes live chat support.
- Virtual Full Service – ($2,995): This premium plan provides a 1-year listing with all features from the Limited Service plan. Additionally, you get in-home consulatation, contract reviews, professional photography, and market analysis.
👉 Our Take: Redefy is a good option if you want flexible pricing and prioritize savings over personalized service. However, the service quality may vary and you’ll need to opt for the premium package for additional support.
Here’s what stands out about Redefy:
- Affordable Pricing: Packages start as low as $379, giving you flexible options to fit your budget. Every plan includes essential features like local listing, email, text, live chat support, yard signs, and door lock keys.
- In-House Support: You are provided with professional in-house support like home staging with accurate pricing.
- Mortgage Calculator: Redefy’s Mortgage Calculator allows you to estimate your overall mortgage, insurance, and taxes.
Here are some of the downsides of working with Redefy::
- Limited Agent Availability: Full support is only available with the premium package, and service quality can vary.
- Lack of Personalized Services: Customers have often complained that Redefy agents are not able to give personalized service, as they serve a high volume of clients.
- Limited Coverage: Services are only available in 9 states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Redefy has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
Redefy, headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, is a licensed discount real estate brokerage firm started in 2011. They operate in very few states of the US.
Redefy works on the principle of a flat fee brokerage. This means that for your million-dollar house, you just pay a flat rate.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Fort Lauderdale
4. HomeLight
HomeLight is an agent-matching service provider. Its technology-based platform provides agent suggestions within minutes.
- No Upfront Cost: HomeLight does not charge any fees to buyers or sellers. The real estate agents pay a referral fee to HomeLight at the time of closing.
👉 Our Take: HomeLight connects you with a local agent to help you sell your house. The agent charges you as per his customized services including the HomeLight’s referral fee. This will ultimately make you pay more than other discount real estate brokers.
Based on our research, the benefits of HomeLight are:
- Quick Pairing: HomeLight connects you with the list of agents within two minutes of your online form filling.
- Representative Network: HomeLight has a database of over 28,000 agents. This allows you to compare the agents and select the best one based on discounts, experience, and sales records.
- Coverage: Their services are available in 51 states and all major cities across the country.
» Homelight Pros & Cons: Know about their offerings that would help you sell your house seamlessly.
Here are some limitations we found with HomeLight:
- Non-Negotiable Commissions: Every agent has to pay a referral fee to Homelight. Hence, you lose the ability to bargain for the commission.
- Off-Market Restriction: You can instantly receive bids from agents by registering on HomeLight.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: The assigned agents may not work at your convenience. Even the listing speed will be based on the agent selected.
HomeLight has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Sitejabber.
» HomeLight Reviews: Check out our detailed reviews on HomeLight.
HomeLight is a reputable discount real estate broker company established by Drew Uher in 2012. It is a common platform where sellers meet the buyers.
They have a huge agent database that handles multiple clients at a time. This could lead to miscommunication and a lack of personalized support
5. Ideal Agent
Ideal Agent is an agent matching company. It offers a single listing package for sellers:
- 2% Commission: Ideal Agent charges a 2% commission to the listing agent, which is lower than traditional rates (typically 2.5 – 3%). On an average home price of $400,000, you will be charged $8,000.
👉 Our Take: The 2% listing fee is competitive, however, the buyer’s agent still gets a 2.5 – 3% commission, bringing the total commission to around 4.5 – 5%. The savings are notable but not as significant as flat-fee brokers.
Ideal Agent stands out with several attractive offerings:
- Top Agents: The platform only works with experienced agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams Realty and RE/MAX.
- National Network: Coverage extends across the U.S., making it a versatile option for sellers nationwide.
It’s important to be aware of these potential drawbacks:
- Limited Savings: Despite the reduced listing commission, the total commission cost isn’t drastically different from standard agents.
- Agent Pool: In less populated areas there may be fewer agents to choose from, limiting flexibility.
Ideal Agent has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
» Ideal Agent Reviews: Does Ideal Agent benefit you in the 2024 market?
Steve Johnston established ldeal Agent in 2016. It is headquartered in Tampa. It offers all the traditional realtor services with a 2% commission on home sale value.
Ideal Agent lacks a modern technology system. Customers who have used their services have complained about hidden charges.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Fort Lauderdale: How Much Will You Save?💲
Fort Lauderdale 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 $32,400 to sell an average $540,000 house in the Venice of America. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $3,129 and save $29,271!
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 Fort Lauderdale: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on MLS in Florida, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Fort Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 FL.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Fort Lauderdale 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 MI 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 Fort Lauderdale
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Fort Lauderdale:
- 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 Florida will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Fort Lauderdale scour the MLS for Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $32,400 on a $540,000 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Fort Lauderdale?
Houzeo.com and Get More Offers are the top discount real estate brokers in Fort Lauderdale. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Get More Offers has only 120 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 Fort Lauderdale?
On average, traditional agents in Fort Lauderdale charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Florida charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Fort Lauderdale?
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 Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.