BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Texas discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $20,976 in commission on an average $349,600 Texas home.
Whether you’re selling a house in Austin or Houston, the best discount real estate brokers in Texas 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 $21K on an average Texas home.
Rankings: Top 5 Texas Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the Lone Star State based on how much you can save on an average $349,600 home.
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. | Hometiva | $3,495 Flat Fee | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
3. | Heights Discount Realty | 2% Commission | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | Ideal Agent | 2% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
5. | UpNest | 4.3% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Texas
There are two types of Texas 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: 2 Best Flat Rate Discount Real Estate Companies in Texas
1. Houzeo.com: Max Savings, No Hidden Fees
#1 Discount Real Estate Service
Houzeo.comHouzeo 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 Texas’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
2. Hometiva
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
HometivaHometiva offers a simple pricing structure for listing fees based on the value of your home.
- Homes Up to $300,000 – $3,495 Fee: This base listing fee for homes in this price range, covers essential services like pricing assistance and listing support.
- Homes Up to $300,000-$500,000 – $3,995 Fee: For mid-range homes, they charge a slightly higher fee to account for additional costs involved.
- Homes Up to $600,000-$650,000 – $4,495 to $4,995 Fee: As the listing price increases, the listing fee is adjusted accordingly to cover more extensive services.
- Homes Up to $700,000-$800,000 – $5,495 to $5,995 Fee: Premium listings in this range will incur these fees to provide advanced marketing and listing support.
- Homes Over $1 Million – Custom Quote: For luxury homes, they provide a customized listing fee based on specific property needs.
👉 Our Take: The flat fee structure offers sellers transparency and predictability. However, closing costs can vary, and higher-end homes may face more expenses depending on the listing price and additional services required.
Here are some advantages of choosing their service:
- In-Home Consultation: The team meets with clients in person to evaluate the property and answer any questions. During the consultation, they provide market analysis, and pricing opinions, and develop a customized strategy for listing the home.
- Professional Home Preparation: Once the home is ready, they arrange for professional photography and deliver a premium yard sign. The home can be listed within 48 hours of the photo session, and clients will have a dedicated point of contact throughout the entire process.
- Negotiation Support: Their experienced agents guide clients through offers and contract discussions, ensuring the best terms are negotiated. They assist with inspections, and appraisals, and ensure a smooth transition to closing.
- Inspection & Appraisal Guidance: They help clients guide the inspection and appraisal process, providing expert advice on handling any issues. With their experience, they’ve likely encountered and resolved most inspection challenges.
Hometiva offers certain disadvantages:
- Limited Coverage: Hometiva offers its services in Texas across 19 cities and counties. This includes Frisco, Dallas, Irving, etc, and other surrounding areas.
- Higher Listing Fee: You pay a higher commission for a less-valued house. For instance, for a house worth $300,000, you pay $3,495 instead of a lower flat fee. This means you are paying more than 10% of the listing price.
- Lack of Flexibility in Negotiation: Some sellers may feel restricted if they want a more hands-on role during the negotiation and decision-making process.
Hometiva has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Google.
Hometiva, founded by Brandon Carrington, offers full-service real estate support to sellers in Frisco, Plano, and North Texas. With $300 million in home sales and a discount model that saves clients an average of $10,500, Hometiva is ideal for sellers wanting to reduce commissions.
Their team has received over 300 five-star reviews and saved clients over $5 million in commissions. Hometiva’s listing package is best for higher-priced homes. However, their market expertise and proven success make them a top choice for sellers.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Texas
3. Heights Discount Realty
Discounted Commission
Heights Discount RealtyHeights Discount Realty is a full-service discount brokerage. It offers a single package for sellers.
- Commission (2%): Heights Discount Realty offers services like MLS listing, a yard sign, and scheduling showings, etc.
👉 Our Take: Heights Discount Realty charges a 2% commission which is lower than the market rate. However, other discount brokerages may charge you competitively for almost the same services.
Heights Discount Realty offers various advantages:
- Market Exposure: Your home gets listed on popular websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Homes.com.
- Customer Support: The Heights Discount Realty team provides assistance 7 days a week. This makes them reliable and dedicated to their customers.
- Listing Booster: A dedicated website is provided for the listing of your house. This website includes a virtual house video, aerial drone photos, nearby places of interest, and maps.
Heights Discount Realty has some disadvantage:
- Fewer Savings: You will only save 1% commission. Whereas, other discount brokerages can offer you lower prices.
- Limited Coverage: Its expertise and network are only focused on the Texas real estate market.
Heights Discount Realty has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Realtor.com.
Heights Discount Realty was established by Ms. Teresa Adams. It is a licensed brokerage headquartered in Texas.
Heights Discount Realty creates your personalized home listing website. This website includes a virtual tour, surrounding points of interest, a property film, maps, and other features.
4. Ideal Agent
Agent Matching Service
Ideal AgentIdeal Agent is an agent matching company. It offers a single listing package for sellers:
- 2% Commission: Ideal Agent charges a 2% commission to the listing agent, which is lower than traditional rates (typically 2.5 – 3%). On an average home price of $400,000, you will be charged $8,000.
👉 Our Take: The 2% listing fee is competitive, however, the buyer’s agent still gets a 2.5 – 3% commission, bringing the total commission to around 4.5 – 5%. The savings are notable but not as significant as flat-fee brokers.
Ideal Agent stands out with several attractive offerings:
- Top Agents: The platform only works with experienced agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams Realty and RE/MAX.
- National Network: Coverage extends across the U.S., making it a versatile option for sellers nationwide.
It’s important to be aware of these potential drawbacks:
- Limited Savings: Despite the reduced listing commission, the total commission cost isn’t drastically different from standard agents.
- Agent Pool: In less populated areas there may be fewer agents to choose from, limiting flexibility.
Ideal Agent has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
» Ideal Agent Reviews: Does Ideal Agent benefit you in the 2024 market?
Steve Johnston established ldeal Agent in 2016. It is headquartered in Tampa. It offers all the traditional realtor services with a 2% commission on home sale value.
Ideal Agent lacks a modern technology system. Customers who have used their services have complained about hidden charges.
5. UpNest
Negotiable FEES
UpNestUpNest 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 an online licensed agent-matching service provider. It is headquartered in California. Move, Inc.,(Realtor.com the parent company) acquired Upnest in June 2022.
UpNest pairs you with local agents with a proven sales record. However, you may end up fixing a high commission with the agent.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Texas: How Much Will You Save?💲
Texas 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 $20,976 to sell an average $349,600 house in the Lone Star State. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $2,177 and save $18,799!
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.
Lara Shane Saved $24,000 With Houzeo, You Can Too!
Start Your Home Selling Journey
How to Find Discount Real Estate Brokers Near Me in Texas?
Here’s a list of the best discount Realtors in the most popular cities of the Lone Star State:
1. San Antonio, TX | Discount Real Estate Brokers in San Antonio, TX |
2. Georgetown, TX | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Georgetown, TX |
3. Dallas, TX | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Dallas, TX |
4. Houston, TX | Discount Realtors in Houston, TX |
5. Austin, TX | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Austin, TX |
Discount Realtors in Texas: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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 TX.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Texas 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 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 Texas
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Texas:
- 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 Texas scour the MLS for Texas 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 Texas. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $20,976 on a $349,600 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Texas?
Houzeo.com and Hometiva are the top discount real estate brokers in Texas. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Hometiva has only 120 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 Texas?
On average, traditional agents in Texas charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokerage firms in Texas charge 1% to 3%.
How do I find a discount broker near me in Texas?
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 Texas?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.