BREAKING NEWS: Post the NAR Settlement, Sarasota discount real estate brokers can save you almost the entire 6% commission. That translates to saving up to $29,040 in commission on an average $484,000 Sarasota home.
The best discount real estate brokers in Sarasota 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 $29K on an average Sarasota home.
Rankings: Top 5 Sarasota Discount Real Estate Brokers
We’ve listed the top 5 discount real estate brokers in the Circus City based on how much you can save on an average $484,000 home.
| Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Max Savings | 100% Online | 5-Star Reviews* | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Houzeo.com | $349 Flat Fee | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. | Flat Fee Florida Realty | $3,895 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. | UpNest | 2.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. | GetMoreOffers.Com | 1.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. | Sarasota List For Less | 3% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Types of Real Estate Discount Brokers in Sarasota
There are two types of Sarasota 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 Florida 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 Sarasota
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 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 Sarasota’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. Flat Fee Florida Realty: Flat Fee, Full Service
STATEWIDE COVERAGE
Closing Fee: $3,8955/5
Flat Fee Florida Realty is a real estate brokerage that offers a flat-fee service in Florida. They offer a single package:
- Flat Fee – $3,895: They list your home on the MLS for a flat fee. This covers property pictures, showings, lock boxes, contracts, and negotiations for a complete full-service experience.
👉 Our Take: Flat Fee Florida Realty is a good option if you are selling a high-end home. However, for lower-priced homes, their fees may be higher compared to other brokers.
Here’s what Flat Fee Florida Realty offers:
- No Upfront Fee: You pay the flat $3,895 fee once the home is sold.
- Full-Service Experience: The team handles key aspects of the selling process, including listing, marketing, negotiations, and closing process.
- Statewide Coverage: They have agents across the state who provide on-ground support.
Here are some of the downsides of working with Flat Fee Florida Realty:
- High Closing Fee: The closing fee of $3,895 is approximately 1% of the median home sale price in Florida. This is more than what other Flat Fee MLS companies might charge.
Flat Fee Florida Realty is rated 5 out of 5 stars from 30+ reviews on Google.
Flat Fee Florida Realty is one of the best discount real estate brokerages in Florida due to its charismatic founder.
Reviews: 3 Best Fixed Percent Discount Brokers in Sarasota
3. UpNest: Nationwide Coverage, Transparent Pricing
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 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.
4. GetMoreOffers.Com: Experienced Team, Not Fully Online
66% BUYER REBATE
Listing Fee: Starting at $99Get More Offers is a real estate software management system with a discount real estate broker e-commerce website. They offer three plans:
- FSBO Plan – ($99 upfront): 1-year listing on MyStateMLS (optional) and major real estate sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, etc.
- Solo Plan- ($299 upfront): Ideal for experienced sellers, includes expert transaction management and professional photography.
- Pro Plan – ($699 upfront): Includes full-service representation, expert pricing consultation, and professional photography.
👉 Our Take: Some plans can be counted as budget-friendly options, but they lack hand-holding support. However, they might be better for experienced sellers than for first-time home sellers.
Based on our research, the benefits of Get More Offers are:
- Fast Listing Entry: They have same-day listing to quickly get on the market.
- Control for Sellers: Self-representation options let sellers manage their own listings.
- 100% Online: The paperless system makes the process efficient and hassle-free.
- Market Exposure: Your home gets listed on the local MLS and displayed on all major real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
In our research, we found some red flags of Get More Offers, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Cancellation Policy: The PRO plan requires a 60-day cancellation notice, which might be inconvenient for those needing more flexibility.
- Limited Reviews: Even though Get More Offers has been here since 2005, it has no credible reviews.
- Limited Service Area: They are only available in New York and Florida.
No credible reviews were found.
GetMoreOffers.com offers flat fee MLS listings which allow homeowners to list their property. They offer various services like marketing support, broker management, same-day listing entry, and many more.
However, the process is difficult and time-consuming because they are not completely online. Additionally, you will have to pay more if you choose a different title company than Frontier Title.
5. Sarasota List For Less
GREAT LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: 2% of the sale priceSarasota List for Less is a low-fee real estate brokerage firm in Sarasota. They offer 3 packages:
- Silver Plan (2% commission): It includes listing on MLS, photography, paperwork and inspection process assistance, and installation of yard signs.
- Gold Plan (2.5% commission): It is offered to sellers who also want to buy a house. It includes all the prime plan services. Additionally, it offers drone aerial, professional photography, and more.
- Platinum Plan (3% commission): This plan includes all services offered in the gold plan. Additionally, it offers floor plan creation, agent flyer eblast, open house availability, etc.
👉 Our Take: We recommend them for their Prime Plan, as it covers all the major services which are required to sell a house.
Here are some advantages of choosing Sarasota list for less:
- Market Exposure: They provide MLS Listing with exposure to websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and more
- Optional Marketing Services: This is an additional service with different plans. It includes digital marketing, professional and aerial photography, e-brochure, and many more.
In our research, we found some red flags of Sarasota list for less, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- Not Fully Online: Sarasota List for Less is not 100% online which makes the process manual and time-consuming. You’ll have to conduct tours and communicate with buyers on your own. This may not be ideal for you if you are a first-time seller or lack time to manage your property sale.
- Mobile App: They do not offer any kind of mobile application services for their users.
No credible reviews were found.
Sarasota List for Less is a Sarasota-based real estate brokerage offering a more affordable alternative to traditional agents. They list your property on the MLS and major real estate websites, handle paperwork and inspections, and even provide yard signs – all for a flat commission rate.
However, keep in mind that Sarasota List for Less is not a fully online service. You’ll need to conduct property tours and communicate with buyers yourself. They also lack a mobile app, which might be inconvenient for some sellers.
Discount Real Estate Brokers Sarasota: How Much Will You Save?💲
Sarasota 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 $29,040 to sell an average $484,000 house in the Circus City. But, if you choose a flat-rate broker company, you save thousands. With Houzeo’s Gold plan, you only pay $2,849 and save $26,191!
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 Sarasota: Pros and Cons
Even though cheap Realtors in Sarasota 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 Sarasota than a 6% Realtor. Even if you only want to list your home on MLS in Florida, you pay a much lower fee than the typical 3% listing agent fee.
- Receive Full-Service Realtor Services: Discount real estate agents in Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota.
- Unreliable Service Quality: Discounted real estate brokers in Sarasota 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: A Sarasota 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 Sarasota
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Sarasota:
- 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 Florida will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
- Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Almost all cash buyers in Sarasota scour the MLS for Sarasota 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 Sarasota. You’ll end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission. That’s $29,040 on a $484,000 home gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Sarasota?
Houzeo.com and Flat Fee Florida Realty are the top discount real estate brokers in Sarasota. Both provide an incredible combination of savings and technology. However, Flat Fee Florida Realty 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 Sarasota, FL?
On average, traditional agents in Sarasota, charge 5% to 6% of the sale price as commission. On the other hand, discount real estate brokers charge 1% to 3% commission.
How do I find low cost discount realtors near me to sell my home?
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 Sarasota?
Yes, you can! Infact, post the NAR Settlement, you can now also negotiate buyer’s agent commissions.
