You save a whopping $12,888 when selling a median-priced $429,600 home in Maryland. But how? With a discount real estate broker in Maryland, 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 Maryland Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve ranked the top 5 discount brokerages in the Free State for you to choose from.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Broad Coverage | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo | $399 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Assist 2 Sell | $2,995 + | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3. | Mr. Lister Realty | $999 + 1% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | Houwzer | 1% of Sale Price | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | Redfin | 1% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
What Are the Types of Discount Real Estate Brokers?
Maryland 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: 3 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Brokers in Maryland
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.
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 Maryland. 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. Assist 2 Sell
A POPULAR FRANCHISE
Listing Fee: Flat Fee $2,995 Onwards5/5
Assist 2 Sell is a full-service flat fee brokerage that provides services throughout the U.S.
- Flat Rate (as low as $2,995): Assist 2 Sell charges a flat fee of as low as $2,995 for selling your home if the buyer comes directly through Assist 2 Sell. This fee may vary based on the price of your home and its location.
👉 Our Take: Assist 2 Sell charges a non-negotiable flat fee to the home seller based on the house’s value. The company’s fees differ by its offices’ locations. Comparing the pricing with other discount brokerages can help you save more.
Here’s are the benefits of Assist to Sell:
- Positive Reviews: Assist 2 Sell has positive reviews at most of its locations.
- Helps with Paperwork: Assist 2 Sell helps you with all the paperwork and escrow processes. Moreover, it also assists with arranging inspections and appraisals.
- Maximum Exposure: Assist 2 Sell markets your property on hundreds of top real estate websites. This increases the visibility of your house and its chances of getting sold quickly.
Assist 2 Sell has a few drawbacks:
- Obscure Pricing: Assist 2 Sell doesn’t express transparency in its pricing. Based on the location, its pricing changes from a flat fee on the property price to a percentage of the sale price and agent commissions depending upon the location.
- Lacks Personal Attention: A single agent handles multiple clients to compensate for lower commissions. This may result in a lack of personal assistance.
- No Guarantee of Savings: Every agent at Assist 2 Sell sets their own commission structure, indicating differences in payable commissions, which may not always save you money.
Assist 2 Sell has a 5 out of 5-star rating on Zillow.
Assist 2 Sell is a full-service discount brokerage that charges a flat fee to list your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
They offer services like paperwork assistance, property marketing, and arranging inspections, helping you sell your home efficiently. With positive reviews and a wide range of services, Assist 2 Sell can be a cost-effective option for home sellers.
3. Mr. Lister Realty
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: Starts at $5504.9/5
Mr. Lister Realty is a flat fee discount brokerage based in Maryland. It provides four MLS listing packages.
- Quick List – ($550): Includes a basic MLS listing for one year with 20 photos.
- Seller’s Choice – ($750): Includes 30 photos, a professional sign, settlement sheet/HUD/ALTA review, closing cost calculations, and more.
- Discounted Full Service – ($995 + 1%): Includes virtual agent support, a photo shoot, the agent will help to determine the list price, negotiation assistance, and more.
- Full Service Plus – ($1 + 1.75%): Includes complete agent services, including full transaction coordination with no upfront fees.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the full-service package as you get agent assistance throughout the transaction. It also provides features like professional photography for your home and closing costs assistance.
Based on our research, the benefits of Mr. Lister Realty are:
- Flexible Options: There are different packages that provide flexibility for sellers with various needs.
- Comprehensive Support: Full-service options include help with inspections, appraisals, and offer negotiations.
- Market Exposure: Along with the MLS, your home will be displayed on real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
- Professional Photography: Their full-service and full-service plus package comes with a professional photo shoot of your property.
Here are some limitations we found with Mr. Lister Realty:
- Fewer Services: The ‘Quick List’ and ‘Sellers Choice’ packages offer very few services. You can upload only 20-30 house pictures and you get limited agent support. This could hamper your selling experience.
- Expensive Full-Service Package: Their full-service package is expensive as it costs $995+1% listing fee. So if your home costs $500,000 you will end up paying around $6,000 in listing fees alone!
Mr. Lister Realty has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google.
Mr. Lister Realty is a flat fee brokerage based in Maryland. Their packages start from $450 and vary based on the services provided.
The basic packages lack several essential services such as agent assistance, negotiations, closing cost calculation, etc. While the full-service package may be expensive for home sellers.
Reviews: 2 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Maryland
4. Houwzer: 1% Fee, Lack of Personalized Assistance
BEST FOR LOW VALUE HOMES
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price4/5
Houwzer is a full-service discount Realtor. It offers:
- 1% Commission: Houwzer charges a fixed 1% listing fee on the total home sale price. This includes the charges for signs, photography, open houses, negotiation, etc.
👉 Our Take: The 1% commission is a little steep for the services they provide. You can consider a Flat Fee MLS in Florida alternative for more savings and better tech.
Based on our research, the benefits of Houwzer are:
- Market Exposure: Your listing will be displayed on sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
- Unlimited Showings: Houwzer’s agents are available seven days a week. You can schedule as many showings as you want.
Here are some limitations we found with Houwzer:
- Not Ideal for High-Value Homes: Houwzer’s package might not be ideal for luxury homes. For example, selling a house worth $1 million would still mean paying $10,000 in commission.
- Less Personalized Service: Houwzer agents handle multiple clients due to the flat-fee model, which means you might not get personalized attention.
Houwzer has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
» Houwzer Reviews: Check out our detailed reviews on Houwzer.
Houwzer is a discount Realtor that operates in 13 states. Their easy-to-navigate dashboard lets you chat with agents and track your listings. They provide services from real estate photography to closing.
5. Redfin: 1% Fee, Nationwide Coverage
#1 Nationwide Brokerage
1% Listing Fee3.7/5
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 Maryland.
How Much Will You Save With a Discount Real Estate Broker in Maryland?
You could save up to $10,311 when selling a median-priced $429,600 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Maryland.
However, if you pay a standard 3% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $12,888 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 | $429,600 | $429,600 |
| Listing Fee | $12,888 | $2,577 |
| Savings | $0 | $10,311 |
» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews to know why it is one of the best discount real estate brokers in Maryland!
Pros and Cons of Discount Realtors in Maryland
Discount real estate brokers in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland, providing exposure to a maximum no. of buyers.
❌ Cons
- Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Maryland may charge hidden fees for additional a la carte services. You must do your research and opt for the best discount Realtors in MD.
- Inconsistent Service: Some discounted brokers in Maryland 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 Maryland
Here are some other options to consider for selling a house in Maryland:
- 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 Maryland that provide MLS access.
- Cash Buyers: Cash buyers in Maryland, 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 Maryland?
The top discount real estate brokers in Maryland are Houzeo.com and Assist 2 Sell. However, Houzeo stands #1 with its 4.9-star rating based on thousands of customer reviews compared to Assist 2 Sell's 440+ reviews.
How much is the real estate agent fees in Maryland?
On average, traditional agents in Maryland charge a whopping 3% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Maryland charge a flat fee or a fixed percent of 1%.
How do I find a discount real estate broker near me in Maryland?
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.
