You can save a whopping $9,371 when selling a median-priced $312,400 home in Wisconsin. But how? With a discount real estate broker in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin Discount Real Estate Brokers
As Wisconsin’s real estate market continues to rebound post-Hurricane Idalia, home sellers are exploring ways to cut costs. With rising repair and insurance premiums, sellers want to retain more of their home sale profits.
One effective way to do this is to sell with a discount real estate broker in Wisconsin. They offer lower commission rates and services compared to traditional Realtors. We’ve ranked the top 5 discount brokerages in the Badger 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. | Lake Country Flat Fee | $3,995 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 3. | Benefit Realty | 3.5% or 3.9% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | Ideal Agent | 2% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | Redfin | 1% | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Types of Discount Real Estate Brokers
Wisconsin 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 Companies in Wisconsin
1. Houzeo.com: Max Savings, No Hidden Fees
#1 Discount Real Estate Service
Listing Fee: $399+$350 at closingHouzeo 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 Wisconsin. 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. Lake Country Flat Fee
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: $3,995Lake Country Flat Fee is a discount real estate brokerage. It offers all the services similar to a traditional broker.
- Full-Service Flat Fee Listing ($3,995): This package allows you to list your house for 6 months and upload 50 MLS photos. You get all the services from listing on MLS to negotiations and closing.
👉 Our Take: Lake Country Flat Fee offers a full-service package that is pricier than some competitors. Consider carefully if the Flat Fee structure benefits your specific property value and if their limited coverage area suits your needs.
Lake Country Flat Fee offers certain advantages:
- Flexible Listing Terms: The 6 month listing period can be extended or canceled for no extra charge.
- Comparable Market Analysis: Lake Country Flat Fee compares recently sold properties and current active listings to help you price your home competitively.
- Free Listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing like changes in price, photos, text, etc for no additional fees.
Lake Country Flat Fee has some disadvantages:
- Expensive Package: The only package that Lake Country Flat Fee offers will burn a hole in your pocket. Other Flat Fee MLS companies offer similar services but at a reasonable rate.
- Limited Coverage: The company only operates in Southeast Wisconsin.
Lake Country Flat Fee has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google.
» Is Lake Country Flat Fee worth it? Read this comprehensive review to learn more about this brokerage.
Paul and Kris Liebe established Lake Country Flat Fee in 2002. It offers its services in 9 counties across Southeast Wisconsin. This includes Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Dodge, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha.
Lake Country Flat Fee offers only one package worth $3,995. This is quite expensive compared to other players in the market. Moreover, the company doesn’t cover the entire state of Wisconsin.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Wisconsin
3. Benefit Realty
COST EFFECTIVE
Listing Fee: 1.9% of Sale PriceBenefit Realty is a full-service Realtor offering significant savings with:
- Fixed Commission: It charges a fixed 1.9% listing fee or a minimum of $2,850. For a $500,000 home, that’s about $9,500, which includes open houses, negotiations, market analysis, photography, and more.
👉 Our Take: The 1.9% commission is competitive for full-service real estate. However, Flat Fee MLS services provide greater savings.
Based on our research, the benefits of Benefit Realty are:
Here are some limitations we found with Benefit Realty:
- Minimum Commission: Even on lower-priced homes, you must pay at least $2,850.
- Limited Service Area: Benefit Realty is only available in southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
- Not Ideal for High-Value Homes: Benefit Realty might not be ideal for luxury homes. For example, selling a house worth $1 million would still mean paying $19,000 in commission.
- Limited Reviews: Despite being in the business since 2008, Benefit Realty does not have enough reviews.
Benefit Benefit Realty has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
Angela Calteux-Kallay is an experienced broker and the owner of Benefit Realty. It offers 2 discount real estate packages. Out of two packages, one package includes buyer agent representation. Therefore, you can save on your buyer agent commission.
Benefit Realty may be a wise choice for sellers. However, they do not provide any major benefits to buyers.
4. Ideal Agent
Agent Matching Service
Listing Fee: 2% of Sale PriceIdeal 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. Redfin
#1 Nationwide Brokerage
1% Listing FeeRedfin 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, headquartered in Seattle, was founded in 2002 by Mr. David Eraker. It covers 80+ markets in the US. They have an operating business license in New York as Redfin Real Estate.
It provides an elaborate listing agreement with a marketing plan for your home. However, this agreement specifies an 18-day timeframe for listing your property. Additionally, some customers have expressed concerns about the agent’s professionalism.
How Much Will You Save With a Discount Real Estate Broker in Wisconsin?
You could save up to $3,373 when selling a median-priced $312,400 home with a Flat Fee MLS service in Wisconsin.
However, if you pay a standard 3% commission fee, you’d have to pay a whopping $9,371 to your listing agent. But, with Houzeo’s Gold plan, you will only pay $249 with a 1% charge at closing.
| Details | Traditional Realtor (3%) | Houzeo’s Flat Fee |
| Median Sale Price | $312,400 | $312,400 |
| Listing Fee | $9,371 | $2,041 |
| Savings | $0 | $3,373 |
How to Find Discount Real Estate Brokers Near Me in Wisconsin?
Here’s a list of the best discount Realtors in the most popular cities of the Badger State:
| 1. Kenosha, WI | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Kenosha, WI |
| 2. Milwaukee, WI | Discount Real Estate Brokers in Milwaukee, WI |
Pros and Cons of Discount Realtors in Wisconsin
Discount real estate brokers in Wisconsin 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. Plus, you’ll get full access to features and tools for a low fee.
- Full-Service Support: Discount real estate agents in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, providing exposure to a maximum no. of buyers.
❌ Cons
- Hidden Fees: Some discount brokerages in Wisconsin may charge hidden fees for additional a la carte services. You must do your research and opt for the best discount Realtors in WI.
- Inconsistent Service: Some discounted brokers in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Here are some other options to consider for selling a house in Wisconsin:
- 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 Wisconsin that provide MLS access.
- Cash Buyers: Cash buyers in Wisconsin, 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.
