BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Austin discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $32,850 in commission on an average $547,500 Austin home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Mueller or Pflugerville, the best discount real estate brokers in Austin 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 $33K on an average Austin home.
Rankings: Top 5 Austin Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the Silicon Hills based on how much you can save on an average $547,500 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Crawford Realty Inc. | $550 Listing Fee | ❌ | ✅ | .❌ |
| 3. | Austin Discount Realty | $195 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | SimpleShowing | 1% commission | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5. | HomeLight | 2.5% commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Austin
There are two types of Austin 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 Texas 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 Austin
1. Houzeo.com: Max Savings, No Hidden Fees
#1 Discount Real Estate Service
Listing Fee: $399+$350 at closing4.9/5
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 Austin’s #1 ranked discount real estate company because sellers only have to pay a flat rate. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings and 5-star customer support.
2. Crawford Realty Inc.
SIMPLIFIED PLAN
Listing Fee: $5505/5
Crawford Realty Inc is a Flat Fee MLS Austin company that connects you with home buyers in your locality. They offer house sellers two plans:
- Flat Fee – ($550 upfront + $1,500 at closing): This plan includes MLS listing, market analysis, contract negotiations, and more.
- 1% Commission: Pay 1% at closing, with no upfront fees. Includes full representation and MLS listing.
👉 Our Take: Crawford Realty’s pricing is competitive, providing both upfront and no upfront options. However, you can find more affordable flat fee MLS plans with other competitors.
Based on our research, the benefits of Crawford Realty are:
- Market Exposure: Your Listing will be displayed on popular sites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
- Market Analysis: You can accurately price your home with a complimentary market analysis.
- Local Expertise: With over 25 years of experience, Crawford Realty offer deep knowledge of the Austin market.
Here are some limitations we found with Crawford Realty:
- Limited Reviews: Despite being in the business for 25+ years, Crawford Realty does not have enough reviews.
- Hidden Charges at Closing: Crawford Realty charges a 1% commission, but they also operate on a flat fee basis. You pay $550 to list your home but have to pay a second flat fee of $1,500 at closing.
Crawford Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Yelp.
Crawford Realty is a full-service brokerage based in Austin, TX. They have exceptional expertise in the local real estate housing market.
They charge around 1.5% commission on the final sale price. Crawford Realty also offers buyer rebates.
3. Austin Discount Realty
VARIOUS SERVICES
Listing Fee: $195 Flat Fee5/5
Austin Discount Realty is a local real estate brokerage that has been operating for the past 25 years. They offer a range of packages for all kinds of sellers, from ones looking to sell their house FSBO to sellers looking for full-service discount Realtors in Austin.
- Flat Fee Service: They charge a seller a $195 Flat Fee, which is lower than the national average of 3%.
- Additional Services: They provide a yard sign, lock-box, a CMA, photos, a staging consultation which is free of cost, and more.
👉 Our Take: Austin Discount Realty offers a compelling blend of cost savings and comprehensive services. Sellers looking to maximize their profits while still receiving professional support should consider this $195 Flat Fee option.
Austin Discount Realty offers the following advantages to home sellers:
- Experienced Agents: Austin Discount Realty agents have been in the business for 25+ years. They can give great insights into the market and offer guidance to clients at every step.
- Market Exposure: Properties get exposure to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia. This can attract buyer’s attention and increase the number of offers.
We found some red flags associated with Austin Discount Realty in our research:
- Low-tech: They do not optimize technology in their services. They do not have a mobile application that can make home selling easier.
- Limited Coverage: Their coverage is restricted to Austin and surrounding areas. This makes their client base limited.
Austin Discount Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Google.
Austin Discount Realty is a good option for local home buyers and sellers. They charge around 1.5% of the total sale price as commission fees.
They also provide assistance with the sale and purchase of commercial and rental properties. Additionally, they do have excellent reviews and customer feedback.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Austin
4. SimpleShowing
1% COMMISSION
Commission: 1% of Sale Price4.9/5
SimpleShowing is a licensed full-service brokerage in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. They offer the following packages:
For Homesellers:
- 1% Listing Fee: This package includes full-service support, with licensed agents handling all aspects of the sale. They also provide marketing, home showings, and negotiations to finalize the sale.
For Homebuyers:
- $5,000+ Towards Closing Costs: This package includes full-service support. Licensed agents will handle all aspects of the sale, including marketing, home showings, and negotiations to finalize the sale.
👉 Our Take: SimpleShowing is a good option if you are selling a high-end home. However, its $5,000 minimum listing commission makes it more expensive for lower-priced homes than other brokers.
Here’s what stands out about SimpleShowing:
- Market Exposure: Homes are listed on the MLS and various national websites, including Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- No Upfront Costs: The listing fee is only paid at closing, deducted from the sale profit.
- Professional Guidance: Offers pre-listing consultation, ongoing support, and contract assistance throughout the selling process.
- In-House Photography: They have an in-house professional photographer to get the best photos and videos of the home for the MLS.
SimpleShowing has the following downsides:
- Minimum fees: Homes under $500,000 don’t benefit from the 1% listing fee because of a minimum commission fee requirement of $5,000.
- Limited Agents: They are a small team so you do not get to choose or change the agent in case of disputes.
- Limited Coverage: They have agents only in 8 cities: Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Savannah, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Worth.
SimpleShowing has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google from over 110 reviews.
SimpleShowing is a full-service brokerage licensed in GA, FL, and TX. They use technology, such as their mobile app, to make the traditional home-selling process easier.
However, with their limited coverage and agents, they might not cover all your needs.
5. HomeLight
GOOD AGENT COVERAGE
Listing Fee: 2.5% of sale price4.6/5
HomeLight has a network of thousands of successful real estate agents and brokers. It is an agent-matching tech-platform.
- Standard Commission: HomeLight is a free agent-matching platform. The agent you get through this platform will charge the standard commission of 2% to 3% for listing.
👉 Our Take: HomeLight provides decent agent-matching services. However, the standard listing commission means zero savings for you.
» HomeLight Reviews: The Truth You Need To Know
HomeLight offers a number of advantages to both sellers and buyers:
For Home Sellers:
- Free Agent Matching: The agent matching service from HomeLight is free for home sellers. HomeLight furnishes details of the best real estate agents in your neighborhood. Depending on the agent, the traditional 5% to 6% commission is charged.
- Estimators and Calculators: HomeLight offers Home Value Estimator, Best Time To Sell Calculator, Agent Commissions Calculator, and Net Proceeds Calculator to home sellers.
- HomeLight Simple Sale: HomeLight has a network of pre-approved buyers. If you want to sell your house fast, this option allows you to sell it to a cash buyer within 7 days.
For Home Buyers:
- Home Search Feature: Buyers can search for homes by city, zip code, or address.
- Estimators: HomeLight offers estimators like Home Affordability Calculator, Down Payment Calculator, and Closing Costs Calculator for home buyers.
In our research, we have found some red flags associated with HomeLight.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: The agents they assign may not work at your convenience. Even the listing speed will be based on the agent selected.
- Off-market Restriction: Registering on HomeLight will get you offers from agents instantly. Although the process is fast, only homes that are off-market are allowed.
HomeLight has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 237 reviews on Sitejabber.
HomeLight offers a range of services for buyers, sellers, and agents all under one roof. It claims to be a straightforward alternative to a DIY search for a real estate agent.
However, you may end up spending a lot more and the quality of agents and services would still be questionable.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Austin: How Much Will You Save?💲
Austin 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 $32,850 to sell an average $547,500 house in the Silicon Hills. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $3,167 and save $29,684!
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 Austin: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Austin 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 Austin than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on Texas MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Austin 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: A TX 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 Austin
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Austin:
- 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 Texas will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Austin scour the MLS for Austin 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 Austin. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $32,850 on a $547,500 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Austin?
Houzeo.com and Crawford Realty Inc. are the top discount real estate brokers in Austin. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Crawford Realty Inc. has only 9 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 Austin?
On average, traditional agents in Austin charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Austin charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Austin?
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 Austin?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.
