BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Honolulu discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $35,070 in commission on an average $584,500 Honolulu home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Downtown or Kapahulu, the best discount real estate brokers in Honolulu 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 $35K on an average Honolulu home.
Rankings: Top 5 Honolulu Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the Big Pineapple based on how much you can save on an average $584,500 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | Real Estate Agency LLC | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | Redfin | 1% of Sale Price | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 5. | UpNest | Varies | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Honolulu
There are two types of Honolulu 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 Hawaii 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: 2 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Honolulu
1. Houzeo.com
#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 Honolulu’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. Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii
Local Expert
Listing Price: Varies4.9/5
3500listingfee is based in Hawaii and offers its services in Honolulu.
- Flat Fee $3,500: This package includes services like MLS listing, pricing assistance, target marketing to active buyers and investors based on your property features, social media distribution, and more.
👉 Our Take: 3500listingfee has been in Hawaii for a long time. They can be a suitable choice if you want to sell a house. However, platforms like Houzeo can help you list your house for just $429 + 0.5% at closing.
Here are a few highlights of 3500listingfee:
- Property-Specific Website: 3500listingfee offers a property-specific website. It allows you to choose a personalized domain name and upload as many photos as possible.
- Clear Communication: Customers have reported that the team communicated clearly at every step. Moreover, they noted that it was pretty convenient to reach their agents.
- Document Management: 3500listingfee helps with all the complex paperwork and legal issues.
Here are a few deal breakers:
- Limited coverage: 3500listingfee is limited only to Hawaii and some surrounding areas. This limits their service coverage and buyer base.
Jeffrey Samuels, owner of 3500listingfee, has 4.9 out of 5 stars from 45 reviews on Zillow.
Jeffrey Samuels is the owner of Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii with over 25 years of experience in the Hawaiian market. They are a local full-service brokerage that charges a flat fee.
Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii provide its services in Honolulu, Ewa Beach, and other surrounding areas.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Honolulu
3. Real Estate Agency LLC
Local Expertise
VariesReal Estate Agency LLC is a full-service discount brokerage in Hawaii.
- Full Service: The company charges a varying commission on your final home sale price. It offers various services, including online marketing, professional photography, listing across high-traffic websites, etc.
👉 Our Take: Real Estate Agency LLC is a solid choice for home sellers in Hawaii. They offer full-service support at discounted rates with local expertise. This helps sellers get the best price while saving on commissions.
Real Estate Agency LLC offers the following advantages:
- Agent Management: All agents working with Real Estate Agency LLC are highly qualified. It provides excellent insights to sellers about the local real estate market.
- Full Service: You can avail professional photography/videography, online marketing, exposure on real estate websites, and much more.
- Buyer Representation: A buyer agent will represent the buyer throughout the buying process, from negotiation to closing the deal.
Real Estate Agency LLC has certain disadvantages:
- Limited Coverage: The company primarily focuses on the Hawaii real estate market. This means their services may not be available to those looking to sell property in other parts of the US.
- No Credible Reviews: Real Estate Agency LLC has no credible reviews online.
Real Estate Agency LLC has no customer reviews on popular sites like Google or Trustpilot.
Real Estate Agency, LLC is a full-service discount brokerage. The company’s headquarters is on the Oahu island in Honolulu, HI.
They provide full-service packages that include agent assistance, market analysis, negotiation assistance, etc. However, they have no reviews on credible review sites.
4. Redfin
Best-In-Class Agents
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price3.4/5
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. It provides an elaborate listing agreement with a marketing plan for your home.
However, this agreement specifies a long 18-day timeframe for listing your property on the MLS. Additionally, some customers have expressed concerns about the non-availability and unprofessionalism of their agents.
5. Upnest
Negotiable FEES
Listing Fee: Varies as per the agent4.7/5
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 headquartered in California. The parent company, Move, Inc. (Realtor.com) 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 to the agent.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Honolulu: How Much Will You Save?💲
Honolulu 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 $35,070 to sell an average $584,500 house in the Sunshine State. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $3,372 and save $31,699!
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 Honolulu: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Honolulu 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 Honolulu than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your Hawaii 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Honolulu :
- 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 Hawaii will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Hawaii scour the MLS for Honolulu 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 Honolulu. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $35,070 on a $584,500 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Honolulu?
Houzeo.com and Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii are the top discount real estate brokers in Honolulu. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Lifestyle Homes of Hawaii has only 5 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 Honolulu?
On average, traditional agents in Hawaii charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Hawaii charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Honolulu?
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 Honolulu?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.
