BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Alaska discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $23,946 in commission on an average $399,100 Alaska home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Anchorage or Sitka, the best discount real estate brokers in Alaska 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 $24K on an average Alaska home.
Rankings: Top 5 Alaska Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in The Last Frontier based on how much you can save on an average $399,100 home.
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | Flat Fee Realty | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
3. | Mr. Alaska Real Estate | $299 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | Redfin | 1% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. | UpNest | 1%-3% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Alaska
There are two types of Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska
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 Alaska’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. Mr. Alaska Real Estate
Mr. Alaska Real Estate offers 1 Flat Fee MLS listing package for FSBO sellers.
- Basic Package – $299: This package includes an MLS listing and property photo uploads. You can also make unlimited changes to your listing and post about open houses on the MLS.
- Listing Upgrades: You must pay extra for additional services over the basic package. The cost for a contract write-up is $450, while a contract review and counteroffer write-up is $250.
👉 Our Take: Mr. Alaska Real Estate is a good choice for sellers looking for local expertise. However, they have only one package with minimal add-on options.
Mr. Alaska Real Estate offers the following advantages:
- Unlimited Listing Changes: You can make unlimited changes to your listing. However, there is no listing period mentioned on their website.
- Local Broker: Rick David, the main broker at Mr. Alaska Real Estate, is a lifelong Alaska resident. He has over 27 years of experience in real estate transactions.
- Contract Writeup and Review: If your buyer is not represented by an agent, you can get help with the purchase agreement, counter offers, addenda, extensions, and more. You can also opt for a contract review.
Mr. Alaska Real Estate offers the following disadvantages:
- Outdated Website: You do not get a seller’s dashboard or a mobile app. Therefore, keeping track of your sales process becomes challenging.
- Expensive Services: The services are expensive. For example, you pay $299 for the basic package and later add contract writeup plus contract review, which is another $450 + $250 from your pocket.
- No Recent Reviews: There are no customer reviews available for Mr. Alaska Real Estate on any of the popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot. This makes it difficult to estimate a seller’s experience correctly.
Mr. Alaska Real Estate has no credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot.
Rick Davids from Sun Properties LLC assists Mr. Alaska Real Estate. Located in Anchorage, Mr. Alaska serves the entire state.
Mr. Alaska has an affordable flat fee package with optional upgrades, including contract review. They also offer negotiations, which many sellers may find useful.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Alaska
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. They have an operating business license in New York as Redfin Real Estate.
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: Fixed Percentage, Nationwide Coverage
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., (Realtor.com the parent company) acquired Upnest in June 2022.
UpNest pairs you with local agents with a proven sales record. However, you may end up paying a high commission for the agent.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Alaska: How Much Will You Save?💲
Alaska 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 $23,946 to sell an average $399,100 house in The Last Frontier. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $2,425 and save $21,522!
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 Alaska: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Alaska 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 Alaska than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska 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 AK.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Alaska 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 AK 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 Alaska
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Alaska:
- 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 Alaska will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Alaska scour the MLS for Alaska 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 Alaska. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $23,946 on a $399,100 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Alaska?
Houzeo.com and Flat Fee Realty are the top discount real estate brokers in Alaska. 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 Alaska?
On average, traditional agents in Alaska charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Alaska charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Alaska?
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 Alaska?
Yes, you can! In fact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.