✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
Sellers across Westchester can save thousands on real estate agent commissions. With discount real estate brokers in Texas, you can slash the traditional 6% rate down to just 2% to 3%.
The current median home price in Westchester is $339,000 The traditional 6% commission will cost you a whopping $20,340. A discount Realtor offers you similar services at just 1.5%. With a competitive buyer agent commission of 2.5%, you now have to pay only a 4% fee. That’s just around $13,560.
You can lower this amount to around $10,170 if you list on the MLS with Houzeo’s Gold plan. You also get the professional services and tools available to real estate agents at a fraction of the cost.
Rankings: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers and Companies in Westchester, IL
Rank | Discount Real Estate Broker / Company | Listing Fee | Additional Charges | Max Savings | 100% Online | Mobile App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Houzeo.com | $349 Flat Fee | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
2. | HomeLight | 2.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
3. | UpNest | 2.5% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
4. | Redefy | $3500 Flat Fee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
5. | Ideal Agent | 2% Commission | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Reviews: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers & Companies in Westchester, IL
1. Houzeo.com
#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 $11,490.
- 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 8,400+ happy customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot!
Houzeo Reviews: With over 8,400+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted discount real estate broker.
Houzeo is America’s #1 ranked real estate brokerage company. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Houzeo’s flat fee feature helps you save thousands on agent commissions. You also get dedicated customer support that makes the home-selling process much easier and effortless.
2. HomeLight
GOOD AGENT COVERAGE
HomeLightHomeLight has a network of thousands of successful real estate agents and brokers. It is an agent-matching tech-platform.
- Standard Commission: HomeLight is a free agent-matching platform. The agent you get through this platform will charge the standard commission of 2% to 3% for listing.
👉 Our Take: HomeLight provides decent agent-matching services. However, the standard listing commission means zero savings for you.
» HomeLight Reviews: The Truth You Need To Know
HomeLight offers a number of advantages to both sellers and buyers:
For Home Sellers:
- Free Agent Matching: The agent matching service from HomeLight is free for home sellers. HomeLight furnishes details of the best real estate agents in your neighborhood. Depending on the agent, the traditional 5% to 6% commission is charged.
- Estimators and Calculators: HomeLight offers Home Value Estimator, Best Time To Sell Calculator, Agent Commissions Calculator, and Net Proceeds Calculator to home sellers.
- HomeLight Simple Sale: HomeLight has a network of pre-approved buyers. If you want to sell your house fast, this option allows you to sell it to a cash buyer within 7 days.
For Home Buyers:
- Home Search Feature: Buyers can search for homes by city, zip code, or address.
- Estimators: HomeLight offers estimators like Home Affordability Calculator, Down Payment Calculator, and Closing Costs Calculator for home buyers.
In our research, we have found some red flags associated with HomeLight.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: The agents they assign may not work at your convenience. Even the listing speed will be based on the agent selected.
- Off-market Restriction: Registering on HomeLight will get you offers from agents instantly. Although the process is fast, only homes that are off-market are allowed.
HomeLight has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 237 reviews on Sitejabber.
HomeLight offers a range of services for buyers, sellers, and agents all under one roof. It claims to be a straightforward alternative to a DIY search for a real estate agent.
However, you may end up spending a lot more and the quality of agents and services would still be questionable.
3. UpNest
Negotiable FEES
UpNest- Listing Fee: 4.3% of the Sale Price (or as decided by the agent)
- Available in all major cities
4.7/5 (295+ Reviews)
UpNest is a marketplace that connects home sellers and buyers with local agents.
- Pricing: UpNest does not charge you any upfront fee. It allows their agents to discuss the pricing with you like commission, fees, discounts, etc.
👉 Our Take: UpNest introduces you to 2 to 3 agents once you register on their platform.
» Is UpNest Legit? Find out if UpNest can be the best option for your house sale.
UpNest offers certain advantages:
- No Fees: UpNest does not charge you an upfront commission. Instead, you are introduced to an agent to discuss the services and commissions.
- User-Friendly Dashboard: It has a user-friendly dashboard which makes it easy to compare agent profiles.
- No Obligation Service: UpNest connects you with multiple agents as soon as you sign up with them. If you are not satisfied, then you can simply walk away.
- Nationwide Coverage: It offers service throughout the US. It connects you with the local agent who has current market insights.
» What Is UpNest? Read the comprehensive study for UpNest to learn more details!
UpNest has certain disadvantages:
- Lower Savings: The commission depends on your negotiation with the agent. A higher commission fixed would make you pay more.
- Uncertain Customer Service: Some customers share feedback of agents being extremely helpful and knowledgeable. However, less experienced agents struggle to answer simple questions.
» How Does Upnest Work? Agent-matching at UpNest is pretty straightforward. Check it out!
UpNest has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
» UpNest Reviews: How much will it save you in 2024?
UpNest connects you with agents in your area by utilizing technology and market data. They partner with top agents from leading national brokerage firms across the U.S.
However, your savings are not guaranteed. Your ability to negotiate would be the key factor in the deal. In other words, you may end up paying more commission, or discount rates won’t go low as you expected.
4. Redefy
IN-HOUSE SUPPORT
RedefyRedefy is one of the renowned discount real estate companies in the US. It offers 3 packages at a flat fee:
- Self-Service ($379): You get a 6-month listing period. This includes local listing, yard sign, 10 photos on the listing, etc.
- Limited Service ($499): Here, you get a 1-year listing period. This package includes a local listing, door key lock box, 25 photos on the listing, etc.
- Virtual Full Service ($2,995): This premium package offers personal consultation, full customer support, extensive marketing, etc.
👉 Our Take: Redefy offers different pricing models that suit your needs. It offers all the necessary services you need to close the sale. Along with a low flat fee, it charges you a non-refundable fee of $500. This increases the value of the package.
Redefy offers:
- Affordable Pricing: You need to pick the package that suits your requirements. Although features like local listing, email, text & live chat support, yard signs, and door lock keys remain constant throughout.
- In-House Support: You are provided with professional in-house support like home staging with accurate pricing.
- Mortgage Calculator: Redefy’s Mortgage Calculator allows you to estimate your overall mortgage, insurance, and taxes.
The disadvantages with Redefy are:
- No Refund Deposit: You have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Redefy has limited agents attending to a large volume of customers. This can hamper the service quality.
- Service Coverage: They serve only 9 states in the US (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia)
Redefy has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
Redefy is a discount real estate brokerage introduced in 2011. It is headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.
It is a licensed firm that works on the principle of a flat fee. This means for your million-dollar house you just pay a flat rate. You also need to pay $500 as a non-refundable deposit. This increases your overall package cost.
5. Ideal Agent
GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE
Ideal AgentIdeal Agent is an agent matching company. It offers a single listing package for its sellers:
- Full Service (2% Commission): Ideal Agent charges a 2% commission on the home’s sale price. On an average home price of $400,000, you will be charged $8,000 to sell your house.
👉 Our Take: Ideal Agent offers full-service assistance for home sellers. However, it does not provide any cash rebates to buyers.
» What Is Ideal Agent? Know what Ideal Agent customers have to say about their services.
Ideal Agent offers certain advantages:
- Pre-Negotiated Commission: Ideal Agent has fixed the commission with their agents. This helps sellers to focus on the important aspects of the deal like showings, staging, home inspection, etc.
- Time-Saving: You will be paired with the most capable agent. They’ll save you time and effort by giving you step-by-step assistance.
- Dedicated Concierge: Their agents will assist you at each phase of the deal, from marketing to negotiation and closing.
» How Does Ideal Agent Work? Here is a detailed explanation of Ideal Agent services.
Ideal Agent offers certain disadvantages:
- No-Multiple Matching Agent: The ideal agent matches the seller with only one agent. You don’t get to choose the agent based on your requirements.
- Sub-Par Agent: Several customers complain about being assigned agents with low reliability.
- No Buyer Support: Ideal Agent isn’t a buyer-focused platform and they do not offer any significant benefits for home buyers.
Ideal Agent has a rating of 5 out of 5 on TrustPilot.
» Is Ideal Agent Worth it? Find out how Ideal Agent can help you get higher profit.
Ideal Agent is an agent matching service that bridges sellers and buyers with licensed real estate agents in their locality. They offer a dedicated concierge but have weak technology.
Customers who have worked with them prior have complained about hidden charges as well.
What Are Discount Real Estate Brokers and Companies?
Discount real estate brokers are companies or agents who sell your home for less than the standard 2.5% to 3% commission. Such low-cost real estate agents typically offer the same services for reduced fees of 0.5% to 2% or a flat fee.
How Much Can I Save With a Discount Realtor in Westchester?
As a seller, you can save anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on the worth of your home.
Typically, home sellers pay a total of 6% as Realtor commissions to both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. Whereas, with discount real estate brokers you can pre-negotiate this at 1% to 2%.
As a home buyer, you get a buyer’s rebate – a type of cashback received after the sale. A typical buyer rebate is 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price. For example, Redfin offers a buyer rebate of 0.5% to clients who sell and buy with Redfin within 1 year.
Types of Discount Brokers in Westchester
The four major types of real estate discount brokerages and companies in Prairie State are as follows:
1. Flat Fee MLS Companies: Flat Fee MLS companies get you on the MLS for a small flat fee saving you thousands in commissions. The Best Flat Fee MLS listing companies like Houzeo can get you on the MLS within 24 hours, or even faster!
2. Flat Rate Full-Service Companies: These companies charge a fixed fee instead of the regular 3% commission. This amount can be anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. A flat-rate Realtor is perfect for homes priced on the higher end.
3. Low-Commission Estate Agents: Low-commission discount brokers offer full-service packages at only 1% or 2%. They cover everything from listing, negotiations, and pricing. They are also called 1% commission Realtors, or 2% commission brokers, etc.
4. Virtual Full Service: A virtual full-service discount broker handles everything online. All services including negotiation and marketing support are at no additional cost.
Pros and Cons of a Discount Realtor
Here are the pros and cons of discount Realtors:
Pros ✅
- Reduced Fees: You’ll pay less for listing agent fees. While standard brokers typically charge at least 3%, discount brokers may charge as little as 0.5% to 1%.
- Full Access to Basic Services: You receive the same services as you would with a traditional agent. They assist with home pricing, marketing, and negotiations.
- Streamlined Process: A low-cost Realtor provides similar services as traditional agents. They streamline the process of listing your property on the MLS, marketing the property, negotiating offers, and assisting with paperwork.
Cons ❌
- Not Enough Savings: Some discount brokerages may charge hidden fees or sell their services a la carte. This might add to your expenses.
- Not for First-Time Sellers: Most discount real estate brokerages are digital, so you rarely talk to anyone in person. A first-time seller or buyer who needs some hand-holding may not be able to get benefits.
- Lack of Personal Attention: Discount Realtors handle multiple clients at once to make up for the reduced commission rate. They may not be able to provide personalized services.
- High Cancellation Fee: A discount realty company can charge a minimum withdrawal fee within a specified period. Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.
Who Should Use a Discount Broker?
Discount brokers are ideal for:
- Sellers on a Tight Budget: Homeowners who wish to save money should list with a low-fee Realtor. This can help them save big.
- Real Estate Investors: Real estate investors who frequently trade homes can benefit from low-commission discount brokers.
- House Flippers: Home flipping is a strategy where an investor purchases a property to renovate it and sell it for a profit. Home flippers can save thousands on agent commissions by selling via discount brokers.
Alternatives to Discount Real Estate Agents in Westchester
Here are some options if you do not want to opt for a discount Realtor in Westchester.
- List With a Full-Service Realtor: If you need hand-holding, we recommend you hire a full-service in-person Realtor. You’ll get all the professional help you need, but you will end up paying a full 5% to 6% commission.
- Sell to an iBuyer: Many iBuyers, like Opendoor and Offerpad, purchase hundreds of homes in Westchester markets. iBuyers can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast in Illinois.
- Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers and companies make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Cash buyers let you skip the hassle of listing on the MLS, inspection, appraisal, etc.
- Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites in Illinois will help you list and sell a house by owner and save thousands in listing agent commission.
Are Discount Brokerages Worth It?
YES! There are various advantages to using a low-cost real estate agent. Using an affordable brokerage can save you at least $8,000 to $10,000.
There are several discounted real estate brokers on the market today, each with its own set of advantages. Examine factors such as listing fees, listing time, services provided, customer service, and coverage before you choose one.
With Houzeo, you can get your home on the MLS in 24 hours, for a small flat fee. You get extra savings and services like, access to offers dashboard, showings management, and many more.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
Houzeo is the #1 For Sale By Owner website in the U.S. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo would help you crack the deal faster in 5 steps.
How to List on MLS With Houzeo?
5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo as FSBO
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best discount real estate brokers in Westchester, IL?
Houzeo.com and Homelight are the top discount real estate brokers in Westchester.
How much is the real estate agent fees in Westchester, IL?
On average, traditional agents in Westchester, 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 do a Google search, go with an agent from one of the national discount brokers like Redfin, or list your home using Houzeo. With Houzeo, your home will be listed on the MLS without the added expense of a listing agent.