BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, California discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $49,000 in commission on an average $818,900 California home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Sacramento or San Francisco, the best discount real estate brokers in California 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 California home.
Rankings: Top 5 California Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the Golden State based on how much you can save on an average $818,900 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | CA Flat Fee | $5,000 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | 1% Listing Fee | 1% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | HomeLight | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | Prevu | 1.5% of Sale Price | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in California
There are two types of California 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 California listing service costs between $99 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: 2 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in California
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 a stellar 4.9/5 customer rating. It also provides coverage in 47 states + DC, making it one of the few services with nationwide reach.
» 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, Houzeo home sellers save $12,231.
- 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 10,100+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!
Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,100+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.
Houzeo is California’s #1 ranked discount real estate brokerage. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings and 5-star customer support.
2. CA Flat Fee
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: $5,000 Flat Fee + $500 upfront5/5
CA Flat Fee is a full-service broker that operates in Southern California.
For Home Sellers:
- Basic ($5,500): This package offers full realtor service for $500 upfront + a $5,000 closing fee for a typical listing of $400K or below. Services include offer negotiation, professional photography, MLS, managed showings, full-time agent support, and more.
- Standard ($7,700): This package includes everything from the Basic Package, including Zillow express video, paid social ads, twilight or drone photos, and more. For this package, you must pay $700 upfront and $7,000 at closing for a property between $400K and $900K.
- Deluxe ($11,000): This package includes everything from the Standard package, including an HD property walkthrough video, targeted marketing, property brochures, and a 3D matter port. You must pay $1,000 upfront and $10,000 at closing for this package for a listing of $900K or above.
👉 Our Take: CA Flat Fee provides the same offerings as a traditional agent at a flat fee. However, for lower-priced homes, the flat fee may seem high. If you’re selling a less expensive property, it’s worth exploring options with a more affordable flat fee structure.
CA Flat Fee offers the following advantages:
- Full-Time Agent Representation: The CA Flat Fee agent will assist you throughout your home-selling journey. They will manage showings, negotiations, and purchase contract management. Moreover, the agent will help coordinate with title, escrow, and every dedicated real estate agent service.
- Excellent Customer Service: Many customers have reported that some agents went out of their way to help them sell their homes.
- Market Exposure: CA Flat Fee markets your property on the MLS and other online marketplaces. They also handle all the inbound inquiries.
CA Flat Fee has the following disadvantages:
- Suitable for Expensive Properties: The CA Flat Fee is ideal for expensive properties. However, paying $5,000 may not be the most cost-effective option for more affordable properties.
- Limited Coverage: The CA Flat Fee operates only in Southern California. Sellers from other parts of the country cannot use its services.
CA Flat Fee has a 5-star rating on Google.
CA Flat Fee is a licensed discount real estate company based in California. It offers services in the southern part of California.
CA Flat Fee offers full-service packages at a flat fee. Their services include marketing, photography, home valuations, etc. for a flat fee of $5,000. This $5,000 flat fee will only make sense when selling expensive property.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in California
3. 1% Listing Fee
COST EFFECTIVE
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price4.8/5
1% Listing Fee is a full broker service that assists home sellers in California. It offers a pricing package for sellers that include:
- Full Service (1% Commission): This package includes extensive marketing, professional photography, showings, and open houses.
- All Cash Sell (1% Commission): 1% Listing Fee helps you sell your house fast against cash.
👉 Our Take: A 1% Listing Fee can be the best choice in search of a budget broker. However, to sell your high-priced house you would have to pay a huge commission. Instead, consider selling your house with a flat fee discount broker.
1% Listing Fee offers several advantages to home sellers:
- Low Commission: The 1% commission fee is less than the majority of the discount real estate brokerages in California.
- Free Home Valuation: The brokerage offers a free home worth calculator to sellers, even before the consultation.
- New Listing Notifications: It sends timely notifications of new listings on MLS to buyers.
- Experienced Agents: 1% Listing Fee has been in business for more than 34 years. The experienced agents provide valuable market insights to make the transactions hassle-free.
1% Listing Fee has some disadvantages:
- Lack of Transparency: Some online reviews reveal that 1% Listing Fee has hidden costs. The seller has to pay these costs which is not informed upfront.
- Limited Coverage: 1% Listing Fee provides its services only in Southern California. This limits its customer base and the pool of potential buyers.
1% Listing Fee has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google.
1% Listing Fee was established by Mr. Oscar Gracia in 2017. It offers full-service listing packages at a 1% listing fee, helping sellers save significantly on commissions.
You benefit from reduced fees and get a dedicated agent to manage the home sale. The company also offers a home worth tool to help sellers price their property accurately.
4. HomeLight
AGENT MATCHING SERVICE
Listing Fee: Varies as per the agent4.2/5
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. Prevu
Lower Commission
Listing Fee: 1.5% of Sale Price5/5
Prevu is a reliable discount real estate agent service. It offers full service to sellers, like a traditional broker.
- 1.5% Commission: Prevu charges a fixed 1.5% commission on the total home sale value. It includes features like home valuation, professional photographs, closing assistance, etc.
👉 Our Take: Prevu offers services from listing your home to its closing. It charges you a non-negotiable commission of 1.5% of the home sale value. However, it could cost you more in commission for a high-value house.
Based on our research, the benefits of Prevu are:
- Advanced Marketing: It includes home valuation, 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photographs, listing on MLS, and social ad campaigns.
- Market Exposure: Your listing will be displayed on sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- Closing Costs Calculator: You can get an estimate of their closing costs.
Here are some limitations we found with Prevu:
- Limited Coverage: Prevu serves 13 states and Washington D.C. focusing on metro areas and suburbs.
- Not Ideal for High-Value Homes: Prevu’s model might not be ideal for luxury homes. For example, selling a house worth $500,000 would still mean paying $7,500 in commission.
- Variable Listing Fee: The listing fee with Prevu can vary based on your location, which may result in higher costs depending on the market.
- Mobile App: The company does not provide any mobile application service to its users.
Prevu has a stellar rating of 5 out of 5 on Google.
» Prevu Reviews: Is it a good idea to choose them? Read the comprehensive review to learn more.
Prevu is a licensed full-service discount real estate broker based in New York. They service in Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
It has highly qualified agents and over 500 positive reviews on Google. However, Prevu has a small team of agents who deal with many clients. This limits your ability to select an agent of your choice.
Discount Real Estate Brokers California: How Much Will You Save?💲
California 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 $49,134 to sell an average $818,900 house in the Golden State. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $4,524 and save $44,610!
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.
How to Find a Discount Real Estate Broker in California Near Me?
Here’s a list of the best discount Realtors in the most popular cities of the Golden State.
| 1. San Fernando Valley, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in San Fernando Valley, CA |
| 2. Ramona, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Ramona, CA |
| 3. Indio, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Indio, CA |
| 4. San Diego, CA | Discount Realtors in San Diego, CA |
| 5. San Jose, CA | Real Estate Discount Brokers in San Jose, CA |
| 6. Ventura, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Ventura, CA |
| 7. Sacramento, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Sacramento, CA |
| 8. Orange Country, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Orange County, CA |
| 9. Los Angeles, CA | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Los Angeles, CA |
| 10. San Francisco, CA | Real Estate Discount Brokers in San Francisco, CA |
Discount Realtors California: Pros and Cons
Even though California’s discount real estate brokers 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 California than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on California MLS, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in California 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 California 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 CA
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discount real estate brokers in California 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 discount realty company 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 California
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in California:
- Sell Your Home For Sale By Owner: In a FSBO sale, you will have to opt for “DIY” marketing strategies like using FSBO yard signs, word of mouth, open houses, etc. But your listing won’t be on Redfin, Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com. Meanwhile, FSBO websites in California will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in California scour the MLS for California 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 California. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $49,134 on a $818,900 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in California?
Houzeo.com and CA Flat Fee are the top discount real estate brokers in California. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, 1% Listing Fee's rating is just 4.8 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 California?
On average, traditional agents in California charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokers charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in California?
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 California?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.
