Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metro home values have gone up 27% over the past year.
Also, 88% of the houses in the Sunshine State in 2021 were sold through a real estate broker or an agent. Is working with a broker really worth your time? Let’s look at the top Orlando real estate brokers and brokerages to find the answer.
What are Real Estate Brokers?
Real estate brokers and real estate agents are used interchangeably, but they vastly differ in definition. A real estate broker is a licensed real estate professional in their own right who’s also a licensed real estate agent.
The primary difference between a real estate broker and an agent is that a broker can start their own firm and hire real estate agents to work with.
For a real estate agent to become a licensed real estate broker in Orlando, they have to complete a 72-hour Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)-approved pre-licensing course, and pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Examination with a grade of 75 or higher, etc.
While real estate agents in Orlando focus on the sales aspect of the transaction, brokers specialize in the technical aspects, such as drafting purchase agreements, contracts, escrow arrangements, etc.
Average Real Estate Broker Commission in Orlando, FL
The average real estate broker commission in Orlando, FL is 5% to 6%.
This commission is split evenly between the listing and the buyer’s agent. Let’s look at the below example to understand how the average real estate broker commission is divided:
- 6% Real Estate Commission
- 3% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Broker Commission
- 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Broker Commission
- 3% Listing Agent Commission
So, effectively, the average real estate commission in Orlando is lesser because it is split between the buyer’s agent and the broker. It is possible that the buyer’s agent may be a licensed real estate broker. In that case, they earn the full 2.5% to 3% broker commission.
» Average Real Estate Commission in Florida: Find out the real estate commission of the sunshine state!
Reviews: Top Real Estate Brokers in Orlando, FL
1. Randal Longo
🔥 BEST OVERALL
Listing Fee: $229 to $1,200
5.0/5.0
(out of 38 reviews)Randal Longo
👨💼 About: Randal Longo is a licensed real estate broker based in Florida. He has been in the real estate industry for the past 12 years and covers all the major MLS’ in Florida. He has an excellent customer rating.
📛 Additional Certifications: Randal is a REALTOR associated with NAR.
He has listed more than 540 properties with Houzeo.
Houzeo.com
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS listing service.
💰 Save Thousands on Commission: Randal offers his services through Houzeo’s plans typically for a small flat fee. This will save you thousands. If your buyer is unrepresented, you save the buyer agent commission as well.
📣 Maximum Exposure: Listings get syndicated to the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and hundreds of other websites. Houzeo also has nifty social media sharing tools. No other platform gives you this much exposure.
⚡ Fast Listing & Changes: Through Houzeo, Randal offers all his services 100% online. Listing is easy and changes are fast. So you can focus on what is most important – your sale.
📱 Cutting-edge Technology: Through Houzeo, Randal provides various tech-enabled solutions. These include:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter an offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate broker/agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you to your closing.
👉 Our Take: Randal Longo is our top pick because his services deliver an unbeatable combination of savings, and tech features, and covers all the major MLS’ in Florida.
»SAVE: Start your free listing on Houzeo.com today!
- Covers all the major MLS’ in Florida
- Offers his services for a very small flat fee, saving you thousands of dollars on commission
- All his services via Houzeo are 100% online – easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers
- He has listed more than 540 properties with Houzeo alone
Houzeo has a 5 stars rating on Houzeo.com
Randal Longo covers the following MLS’ in Florida
Keys West MLS-FL, Martin MLS-FL, Northeast Florida MLS-FL, Southeast Florida MLS-FL, and Stellar MLS-FL
2. Ralph Harvey
🏡 BEST FOR SELLERS LOOKING ONLY FOR AN MLS LISTING
Flat Fee Packages: $89 - $295 4.8/5.0
(out of 88 reviews)Ralph Harvey
👨💼 About: Ralph Harvey is a broker based in Boynton Beach, Florida. Having 17 years of experience in American real estate, he has listed more than 11,000 properties so far.
🎖️ Accolades: During his career, he was ranked among the top 5 REALTORS in the country to have sold the most number of homes.
He is CEO of Listwithfreedom.com
Listwithfreedom.com
🏢 About: Listwithfreedom is a company that helps sellers to list their houses on the MLS. They offer their services in all the states except WA, ID, MT, ND, MN, AK, and HI.
💲 Pricing: Listwithfreeedom.com offers four MLS listing packages to its home sellers ranging from $89 to $295. Apart from this, they retain 0.25% of the buyer’s agent’s commissions. All these packages offered by them are only for MLS listing and marketing and none of them are full-service packages.
✅ Best For: Beginners looking to list their houses on MLS through a real estate agent having an appealing track record.
- As per Zillow, along with his company, he has listed more than 11,000 properties
- As per Real Trends, he is among the top real estate agents in Florida
- He has been ranked among the top 5 REALTORS in the USA to have sold the most number of homes
Ralph Harvey is rated 4.8 stars on Zillow.
Harvey is locally based in Florida.
3. Russell Moss
🌟 GOOD CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Impressive Customer Testimonial 4.9/5.0
(out of 37 reviews)Russell Moss:
🤵♂️ About: Russell Moss has 5 years of experience in real estate and in this limited time, he has gathered good customer reviews. As per realtor.com, he has listed 255 properties.
🎖️ Accolades: Russell has been ranked #10 by RateMyAgent.com in Florida
Moss & Company
🏢 About: Established by Russell Moss, Moss & Company is a brokerage based in Florida. Apart from selling houses, they also assist Floridians in renting their properties.
🙋♀️ Customer Satisfaction: Brokers and agents associated with Moss & Company have been praised by sellers and buyers for their constant guidance, professionalism, and is available throughout the process.
📌 Service Areas: Russell covers 21 counties and around 7 cities in FL.
✅ Best For: Beginners and people who need constant guidance throughout the process.
- Russell Moss has been ranked #10 by RateMyAgent.com in Florida
- Moss & Company’s agents have been appreciated by several customers for their professionalism and knowledge of the local market
Russell Moss’s company Moss & Company Realty, Inc is rated 4.9 stars on Google.
Russell Moss covers 21 counties and 7 cities in Florida.
Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent
A real estate broker is a licensed real estate agent with additional training and licenses to employ other real estate agents in their brokerage firms. In contrast, a real estate agent is only licensed to assist a real estate transaction, and cannot hire other agents or open a brokerage firm.
Realtors in FL are real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR), the largest trade association in the U.S. Bound by the NAR’s Code of Ethics, Realtors promise to be transparent, honest and uphold their clients’ best interests in all transactions.
There are thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers across the nation, with varying levels of service quality, so it is ideal to hire a local real estate broker when selling a house for the first time.
Selling a house by owner may seem daunting but high tech FSBO sites like Houzeo.com have intuitvely digitized the contingencies like listing paperwork and made the process seamless.
The best part – you don’t pay the traditional 6% real estate commission! You can use Houzeo’s 100% online platform to list your house, manage home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.
💲Save 3% Listing Agent Commission
Sell your home hassle-free with Houzeo’s technology for a $349* Flat Fee
START YOUR MLS LISTING NOW
How to Find a Real Estate Broker in Orlando?
By being methodical about it.
Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts.
National brands offer nationwide coverage but service quality may not be guaranteed in each office. You will be yet another lead in the marketing funnel while a real estate agent is assigned for your listing.
In contrast, if you choose a local real estate broker, you could save on the time and effort substantially. Real estate commissions, however, still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker.
If you are radical enough to adventure selling a house for sale by owner, then flat fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time, and the 100% online platform makes the comprehensive listing paperwork seamless.
🏡 FSBO SOUNDS INTERESTING? Check out how to sell your house as an owner in Florida & save thousands in commissions!
Reviews: Best Brokerages in Orlando, FL
1. Beycome – Flat Fee Online Brokerage, Orlando
BEST FLAT FEE BROKERAGE IN FL
Listing Fee: $99-$499
4.4/5.0
(out of 241 reviews)Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC
🏢 About: Established in 2016, Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC is a Florida-based brokerage, that serves several other states. They offer flat fee MLS listing packages apart from full-service packages.
💲Packages: Beycome offers 3 packages ranging from $99-$499.
- Basic Package: Here they allow you to upload maximum pictures on the Miami MLS, keep your listings live until sold, give you free access to legal forms and disclosures, and a lot more, for just $99.
- Enhanced Package: For $299 they provide you with one photography session, flyers & brochures, a key lockbox, yard sign, digital advertising, etc.
- Concierge Package: It is priced at $499 and they claim that they will guide you through every step until your house is sold. One thing should be noted that here they charge a 1% additional fee at closing.
🖥️ Technology: Beycome offers a powerful dashboard to its users. Through this dashboard, sellers can schedule open houses, manage homes, handle communications, manage offers, online, etc. Owing to the use of technology on a massive scale, Beycome is one of the very few virtual full-service listing services in Florida.
➕ Additional Services: Depending on the package you opt for Beycome offers various other additional services to its customers. For instance, yard signs, customizable flyers and brochures, key lockbox, full marketing support, fully immersive 3D tour, drone pictures, and a lot more.
✅ Best For: Sellers looking to list their house on MLS and are comfortable with using technology for the same. New sellers who need full virtual support can also opt for Beycome.
- Upload maximum pictures on the MLS
- Customer Service 7/7
- Full access to legal forms and disclosures
- Virtually full-service
- Drone pictures with their Concierge package
- Good coverage in FL
Beycome is rated 4.3 stars on Google Reviews
Beycome covers the following MLS’ in FL:
- Emerald Coast MLS
- Pensacola MLS
- Central Panhandle MLS
- Franklin and Gulf MLS
- Tallahassee MLS
- Lake City MLS
- Gainesville MLS
- Northeast Florida MLS
- St. Augustine & St. Johns MLS
- Flager MLS
- Daytona MLS
- Space Coast MLS
- Indian River MLS
- Beaches MLS
- Miami MLS
- Keys MLS
- Florida Gulf Coast MLS
- Heartland MLS
- Stellar MLS
- Hernando MLS
- Citrus MLS
- Dixie-Gilchrist-Levy MLS
2. Mainframe Real Estate, Orlando
Best Independent Brokerage in Florida
#1 Independent Brokerage in Downtown Orlando 4.4/5.0
(out of 43 reviews)Mainframe Real Estate
🏢 About: Found in 2012, Mainframe Real Estate is a Central Florida real estate brokerage. They have recorded sales worth $400 million in 2021 across 150 zip codes in FL.
🤵♂️ Agents: Agents working with Mainframe Real Estate have an experience of 10 years (on average) and they are also known for selling their listings fasted. As per Stellar MLS data for Orlando, their agents sell their listings 67% faster. Mainframe facilitates its agents with advanced software to offer and manage their services better.
👩💻 Automated Back End (ABE): ABE is software that enables Mainframe’s agents to manage several things on one single dashboard. This includes managing transactions, tracking commissions, interacting with other stakeholders, getting documents e-signed, etc.
🎖️ Accolades: In 2021, Mainframe Real Estate was ranked among the top 1% of Central Florida Broerkages. Apart, they are also the #1 Independent Brokerage in Downtown Orlando.
✅ Best For: Sellers/buyers looking for a technologically advanced independent brokerage in FL.
- Experienced agents/brokers
- Good customer reviews
- Offers good technology to its agents through which they can serve their clients efficiently
- Limited Coverage in FL
Mainframe Real Estate is rated 4.4 stars on Google reviews.
Mainframe Real Estate offers high service in the following areas of FL:
- Orlando
- St. Pete
- Tampa
- New Smyrna Beach
Apart, they have MLS access in the following areas:
- Jacksonville
- Ocala
- Cocoa Beach
- West Palm Beach
3. Real Estate State Force
📣 TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED Brokerage
Offer unique marketing tactics 4.9/5.0
(out of 32 reviews)Real Estate State Force (RESF)
🏢 About: Found in 2004, RESF is a high technology brokerage headquartered in Coral Gabbles, Florida. They have 450 agents working under their aegis.
Selling With RESF
✖️ Services Covered by Them: RESF takes care of marketing, scheduling showings, scheduling video and photography, and coordinating the final details of the contract to closing.
📣 Unique Marketing Strategy: RESF is known for its unique marketing tactics that involve the use of social media, HD virtual walk-throughs, aerial videos, and grassroots branding campaigns
🔢 Frequently Opted by Florida Home Sellers: As per customer reviews, several home sellers have opted for RESF’s real estate services more than once.
Buying With RESF
⌛ Quick Purchase: As per customer reviews, homebuyers have appreciated RESF’s agents who helped them in finding their desired property in a short period.
✅ Best For: Sellers looking for a unique marketing strategy to market their house.
🔎 Explore: 18 Creative Ways to Market a House For Sale
- Apply unique marketing tactics such as drone photography, HD virtual walkthrough, etc. to market your house
- Led by Jorge L. Guerra Jr., who has been bestowed with a lot of accolades
- Good customer ratings on various reviews sites like Google reviews and Yelp
- One of their agents had very poor ratings on one of the review sites and three other reviewers supported it
Real Estate State Force is rated 4.5 stars on Google reviews.
RESF serves at the following places in FL:
- South Miami, FL
- Miami, FL
- Coral Gables, FL
- Pinecrest, FL
- Key Largo, FL
- Brickell, Miami, FL
- Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, FL
4. The Keyes Company
🏡 TOP BROKERAGE FOR BUYERS IN FL
Good Coverage in Florida 4.7/5.5
(out of 16 reviews)The Keyes Company
About: Established in 1926, The Keyes Company in Florida has more than nine decades of experience in the Florida real estate market. They have more than 3,500 REALTORS working with them.
Selling With Keyes Real Estate
📣 International Exposure: Keyes Company’s partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® lets them showcase your property to the international network of brokerages.
💲 Free Home Evaluation: They offer free home evaluation on their website. Through this, you can come to an approximate value of your house along with the number of buyers in your vicinity who are looking for a similar property. They also provide information about nearby sales.
Buying With Keyes Real Estate
🆕 Ideal For First Time Buyers: The Keyes Company and their REALTORS take care of everything when buying a house – right from finding a house to closing.
➕ Additional Services for Buyers: They also provide buyers with access to title, mortgage, insurance, and property management services.
Relocating With The Keyes Company
📦 Local as well as International Relocations: They have a Global Relocation & Corporate Services Division dedicated to taking care of relocations. They offer concierge services designed exclusively for their clients.
🔢 Types of Relocations handled: They offer both personal as well as corporate relocations.
✅ Best For: Sellers/buyers looking to sell/buy in Florida locally. Customers looking for a good relocation company can also choose them.
- They have more than 3,500 REALTORS associated with them
- Good coverage in Florida
- They offer free home evaluation
- They also deal in commercial real estates
- Few of the tenants looking for rentals have reported poor services
The Keyes Company is rated 4.7 stars on Google reviews.
Keyes real estate majorly covers South Florida real estate markets. Their offices are located at the following places in Florida:
- Miami-Dade
- Broward
- Palm Beach
- Martin
- St. Lucie
- Volusia
- Collier Counties
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage in Orlando?
For Home Sellers
Approximately 89 percent of homeowners use the services of a real estate agent or broker when buying or selling a home, making the selection of the most qualified agent critical to a successful real estate transaction.
| Parameters | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Inquire | When choosing a real estate broker or agent, inquire about their knowledge of the local market and your property type. |
| 2. Marketing strategy | Question the marketing strategy, methods of communication, references, and connections a broker has with other real estate professionals before making a decision. |
| 3. Full-time Professional | Make certain to hire a professional who is available on a full-time basis. |
| 4. Guidance | Ideally, a realtor will be able to guide you through the process of searching for and purchasing a house. |
| 5. Local Realtor | Local realtors who work for themselves should not be dismissed. They may have more intimate knowledge of a community, than a large real estate company |
In addition to the questions listed above, and the trends of the real estate market, there are several other factors to consider when hiring a real estate agent or brokerage.
Availability of Real Estate Agents or Brokerages: While there are competent part-time agents who sell properties, you must hire someone who can show your home at a time that is convenient for you.
» Top Real Estate Agents: Check out the top real estate agents to sell your home fast.
Offer Suggestions: Other desirable features attract buyers in an area like pools, screened-in porches, etc. Pools, screened-in porches, and other desirable features are known to attract buyers to the area. They will advise on which rooms or features to emphasize or de-emphasize.
Similarly, ask the agent if there are any improvements you could make to the house to make it more desirable. The best agents will often make these suggestions without your input.
Local Real Estate Brokerages: Hire or retain a local expert. These agents will also be aware of the typical selling and listing prices in the area.
Other than that, ask a local brokerage or your friends and family if they know anyone who has sold many homes or businesses there. Also, other ideas include looking through local real estate publications to see which agents have the most listings.
» Sell My House Fast in Florida: Check out the quick ways to sell your Orlando home fast
For Home Buyers
In contrast, an inexperienced agent may make things more difficult for you (and your wallet) than they need to be during the home buying process.
There is a specific set of abilities that distinguishes the best real estate agents from the rest when it comes time to buy a house. Is there a list of these abilities? Let’s find out
| Point to Remember | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Good Communication | Look for an agent who is a good communicator and can answer all of your questions about the home-buying process. |
| 2. Reliable Experience | When interviewing real estate agents, be sure to not only inquire about the length of time they have been in the business of buying and selling homes, but also inquire about their specific experience. |
| 3. Strong Local Market Knowledge | Each market is unique. In order to navigate the nuances of your local market, you'll need a real estate agent who is familiar with local market trends and patterns. Choose a real estate agent who has a track record of quickly placing buyers in homes (and getting them a great deal, too). |
| 4. Positive Reviews | Online reviews are a great resource when choosing a realtor. Read as many reviews as you can before choosing a real estate agent, and look for past clients who have only positive things to say about their experiences. |
| 5. Personal Rapport | Ultimately, you want a realtor you like. You'll be spending a lot of time together, so choose someone you enjoy being around and who truly understands your needs. |
Final Word
Selling or buying a house is a cherished experience in every individual’s life. Choosing an inefficient brokerage and in turn, the broker can mar your overall experience and can cause grave financial losses.
Also, while selling your house you will have to shell out a 6% agent commission. But this still would not guarantee good customer service.
To save yourself from this problem you can choose Houzeo.
| 💻 Houzeo’s tech-centric broker partners charge just the upfront flat fee, and no commission for all DIY plans (except in minimum service states) |
| 👩🏻💻 Offers typically are routed to the brokers. Houzeo’s Offers Platform allows your broker to present the offer to you instantly |
| 💰 Houzeo Offers Platform allows sellers to Counter an Offer and Request Highest & Best Offers Online |
| 📱 Houzeo Showings is available both on Houzeo’s website and on the Houzeo mobile app (learn more) |
| 🕛 Available only on weekdays up to 1 pm, and only in select MLS’. After you’ve purchased the Gold or Platinum plans, email support@houzeo.com with the subject line “Expedited Listing Request: “. Service is free for Gold and Platinum plan customers |
Find Your New Home in Orlando With Houzeo
With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of homes for sale in Orlando on Houzeo.
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best website For Sale By Owner in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a broker in Orlando, FL?
Real estate brokers in Orlando, FL are agents who complete a 72-hour Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)-approved pre-licensing course, and pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Examination with a grade of 75 or higher. They are also expected to activate their license by filling out the DBPR RE 13 Broker Transaction form.
How much do real estate brokers make in Orlando, FL?
Real estate brokers in Florida earn about a 1.5% commission for every sale.
What does a real estate broker do in Orlando, FL?
Brokers in Orlando, FL are licensed real estate agents who can own and run their brokerages and hire real estate agents to work for their brokerage firms. They oversee their associates and make sure that their clients are getting the best possible service.
Recommended for Buying a House
- Buying a House in Florida: Home buying can be an overwhelming process. Check out out guide to buy a house in Florida.
- Best Time to Buy a House in Florida: Find out when you should consider buying a house in Florida
- Best Mortgage Lenders in Florida: Mortgage lenders finance home buyers. Check out the best mortgage lenders in Florida
