You save a whopping $13,041 when selling a median-priced $434,700 home in Connecticut. But how? With a discount real estate broker in Connecticut, you can skip the hefty 3% listing agent commission. This allows you to list your home for as low as 1% or a flat fee and save thousands of dollars!
That’s not it! These brokers help you list your property on the MLS giving maximum exposure as 43% of buyers search properties online. In addition, discount brokers offer affordability with full service making them ideal for cost-conscious sellers.
Rankings: Top 5 Connecticut Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve ranked the top 5 discount brokerages in the Nutmeg State for you to choose from.
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $399 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | Landfall Properties | $699 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. | Entry Only | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | Redfin | 1% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
5. | FSBO.com | $399 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
What Are the Types of Discount Real Estate Brokers?
Connecticut sellers can choose from two main types of discount real estate brokers. Each of these cater to the unique needs of the home sellers:
- Flat Rate Discount Brokers: Also known as Flat Fee MLS companies, they charge a fixed upfront fee to list your home on the MLS. A Flat Fee MLS service costs between $399 to $4,000. These services offer maximum exposure for a low fee.
- Fixed Percentage Discount Brokers: These discount Realtors charge a fixed percentage of the home’s sale price. Typically, this percentage is lower than the traditional 3%. Depending on the broker, these rates may vary from 1% to 2.5%.
Reviews: 2 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Brokers in Connecticut
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 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.
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 the #1 discount real estate broker in Connecticut. The company provides features like IntelliList management to simplify your listing process. Besides this, you get 5-star customer support, advanced technology, showings management, and offers all at your fingertips.
2. Landfall Properties
Landfall Properties is a New England-based flat fee MLS service provider. It offers three packages for flat-fee MLS listings:
- Level One package – Free: This package includes a free listing on the MLS for 2 months with 40 photos. You can make unlimited updates to your listing at no additional cost.
- Level Two package – $699: You receive an unlimited listing term along with professional services like a ‘For Sale’ yard sign, contract forms and addendums, escrow services, and virtual tours.
- Level Three package – 1% Commission: The premium plan offers everything from the Level Two package, plus full broker assistance throughout the transaction. Additional perks include pricing guidance, a Bluetooth lockbox, and comprehensive support until closing.
👉 Our Take: Landfall Properties offers affordable packages. However, the lower-tier plans, especially the free listing, require you to manage most of the process. This includes negotiations and showings, which can be challenging.
Landfall Properties offers the following advantages:
- Free Listing: Allows listing for free in REALTOR MLS for up to 2 months.
- Experienced Broker: Paul Marino, the broker, has over 35 years of experience, providing valuable guidance for higher-tier plans.
- Market Exposure: Your listing is shared across national and local MLSs such as Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc.
Landfall Properties has the following disadvantages:
- DIY Responsibility: In the free and basic packages, you need to handle most of the sales process. This includes showings, price negotiations, and legal paperwork.
- Limited Service Options: You’ll need to opt for a premium package if you want extensive assistance such as full agent support.
- Limited Coverage: Landfall properties only serve in 5 states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Landfall Properties LLC has a 5-star rating on Zillow.
Landfall Properties has various experienced brokers who can help you stand apart in the listing service game.
Although the packages offered by Landfall Properties are very flexible, they fall short on technology as they do not have a mobile application.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Connecticut
3. Entry Only
Entry Only is a discount real estate brokerage with national coverage. They mainly cater to home sellers but have some services for buyers as well.
For Home Sellers:
Entry Only offers 2 flat fees MLS packages and a full representation package:
- Basic ($399): Includes a 6-month MLS listing, 20 photos, transaction coordination, flyers, buyer lead forwarding, and a yard sign.
- Enhanced ($699): All features of the Basic package + contract review.
- Premium ($999): This is a full-service package. It includes all services of the Enhanced package + negotiations before/after inspections and closing assistance.
For Home Buyers:
- Buyer’s Rebate: The buyers who choose Entry Only as their representative get up to 50% of the buyer agent’s commission as a rebate.
👉 Our Take: EntryOnly is ideal for sellers who are comfortable managing their sale process and looking to save money on listing commissions. If you’re new to selling, you might find the process challenging.
Entry Only offers the following advantages:
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: All email inquiries will be forwarded to the sellers. In addition to this, Entry Only has a 24/7 receptionist service to redirect buyers and agents to sellers.
- Closing Assistance: Entry Only strives to make the closing process smoother by coordinating with buyer agents, lenders, appraisers, home inspectors, attorneys, and title companies.
- Buyer Services: Home buyers get assistance with property search, tours, offers, negotiation, contracts, and closing.
Entry Only offers the following disadvantages:
- Expensive Upgrades: Entry Only offers a significant number of listing upgrades. However, the ones that may boost the sale of your house, like expedited MLS entry, and secondary MLS listing, are steeply-priced.
Entry Only has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
Entry Only is a part of the HomeZu network. With more than 20 years of experience, Jason Saphire, the managing broker, has cultivated an excellent reputation in the industry.
However, the company’s add-on services are not as competitively priced as their packages. Past sellers appreciate their low turnaround time and prompt service.
4. Redfin: 1% Fee, Nationwide Coverage
Redfin offers services in 100+ real estate markets across the country in 49 states.
- Redfin Full-Service Agent – 1% Commission: This package includes pricing assistance, listing paperwork, negotiation support, etc.
- Redfin Premier Agent – 1.5% Commission: This package is exclusively for luxury properties and includes everything that comes with the Full-Service package.
👉Our Take: When you opt for Redfin you might get their service 3x faster than the traditional method. However, you may not get personalized attention with less no. of agents for home staging, showings, etc.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Advanced Technology: Redfin is primarily known for its high-tech platform and mobile app.
- Near Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 49 states in the US.
- Easy Deal Closings: Redfin agents guide you through paperwork, marketing plans, and negotiations to make your closing easy and faster.
Here are some drawbacks of Redfin based on their customer reviews:
- Pricing Inaccuracy: Many sellers have complained that a lot area, a gated compound, or a city location are not considered during valuation.
- Slow Listing Process: According to Redfin’s listing agreement, a Redfin property takes 18 days to list on MLS. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
- Lack of Customer Service: There are a few negative reviews about the lack of personal attention by Redfin agents.
- Limited Agent Selection: As per customer reviews, Redfin lacks an array of agents. This means you get an agent assigned automatically without having any choice in the matter.
- Lack of Personalized Services: Due to agents handling multiple clients at once, customers have often complained that Redfin agents are not able to give personalized service.
Redfin has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on Yelp and an average of 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: Read more to make an informed decision before selling your home.
Redfin is a top nationwide real estate brokerage known for its advanced technology. Their premier package helps you sell luxury homes. The platform also provides easy access to local experts while selling a house by owner in Connecticut.
5. FSBO.com
FSBO.com offers two packages to home sellers:
For Home Sellers:
- FSBO Package ($99.95): This includes an FSBO.com listing for six months with unlimited photos and one video. You can also edit and cancel your listing 24/7.
- MLS Package ($399.95): This package includes everything from the FSBO package plus six months’ access to the MLS.
👉 Our Take: FSBO.com suits experienced, hands-on sellers looking to save on commissions. However, less experienced or those preferring a hands-off approach may find an agent worth the cost.
Here’s what makes FSBO.com stand out:
- Market Exposure: Your listing will be advertised on sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and others, in addition to the MLS.
- Full Control: The sellers get complete control over the home sale process, from pricing to negotiation.
- Wide Coverage: FSBO.com is a presence in all 50 states, allowing users from all over the country to employ their services.
Here are a few red flags of FSBO.com:
- Time and Effort: Since there is no agent, the sellers will have to handle the marketing, negotiations, and paperwork alone, which can be tedious.
- Outsourced MLS Services: FSBO.com is not a licensed real estate broker; hence, they outsource the services to independent agents and licensed brokerages. This may result in a difference in the quality of service.
- Limited Expertise: Without the agent, inexperienced sellers may have trouble with pricing, marketing, and negotiating the best deal.
FSBO.com has been rated 2.9 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot.
» FSBO.com Reviews: Find out why the oldest FSBO site isn’t the best in 2023’s slow market.
FSBO.com is available in all states with coverage in 50+ markets. They allow sellers to list their property for sale while saving on the listing agent’s commission.
But you should know that additional services can add up to a total of $335 in costs over and above your flat fee package!
How Much Will You Save With a Discount Real Estate Broker in Connecticut?
You could save up to $10,438 when selling a median-priced $434,700 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Connecticut.
However, if you pay a standard 3% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $13,041 to your listing agent. But, with Houzeo’s Gold plan, you will only pay $429 with a 0.5% charge at closing.
Details | Traditional Realtor (3%) | Houzeo’s Flat Fee |
Median Sale Price | $434,700 | $434,700 |
Listing Fee | $13,041 | $2,602 |
Savings | $0 | $10,438 |
» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews to know why it is one of the best discount real estate brokers in Connecticut!
Pros and Cons of Discount Realtors in Connecticut
Discount real estate brokers in Connecticut offer a great way to save. While this cost-saving option sounds good, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons:
✅ Pros
- Lower Fees: You’ll pay less than a traditional 3% Realtor. And get access to all the features and tools for a much lower fee.
- Full-Service Support: Discount real estate agents in Connecticut offer all basic home-selling services. This includes assistance with how to price your home, marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.
- MLS Access: Discount brokers help you list your home on the MLS in Connecticut, providing exposure to a maximum no. of buyers.
❌ Cons
- Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Connecticut may charge hidden fees for additional a la carte services. You must do your research and opt for the best discount Realtors in CT.
- Inconsistent Service: Some discounted brokers in Connecticut handle multiple clients at once, so personalized attention may be limited. They do this to make up for the reduced commission rate.
- High Cancellation Fees: A few of the discount brokers may impose a significant withdrawal fee if you cancel your agreement within a specific time frame.
Alternatives to Discount Real Estate Brokers in Connecticut
Here are some other options to consider for selling a house in Connecticut:
- For Sale By Owner Companies: In a FSBO sale, you have to handle every step from listing to paperwork. You can choose For Sale By Owner websites in Connecticut that provide MLS access.
- Cash Buyers: Cash buyers in Connecticut, including iBuyers, investors, and home flippers, actively search on the MLS for the listed properties.
- Full-Service Realtor: If you can’t handle the process yourself, you can opt for the traditional home-selling method. But, you’ll have to pay a 3% commission fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best discount real estate brokers in Connecticut?
The top discount real estate brokers in Connecticut are Houzeo.com and Landfall Properties. However, Houzeo stands #1 with its 4.9-star rating based on thousands of customer reviews compared to Landfall Properties' 45 reviews.
How much is the real estate agent fees in Connecticut?
On average, traditional agents in Connecticut charge a whopping 3% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Connecticut charge a flat fee or a fixed percent of 1%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Connecticut?
To find a discount Realtor near you, check online reviews and ratings of local discount brokers. Houzeo can list your home on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours and lets you review and compare offers, manage showings everything with mobile app.