✏️ 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.
Home prices in Alabama have increased by 3.2% Y-O-Y and are now at a whopping $263,400. Simultaneously, mortgage rates have sharply declined from 7.79% in Oct 2023 to 6.63% in Jan 2024. However, the market is booming for both sellers and buyers. If you want to sell your home or buy a new one, NOW is the time to do so!
Real estate companies can help you get access to the MLS quickly. Whether you use a Flat Fee MLS company or a discount brokerage, you will receive a quick and affordable real estate transaction.
Top 6 Alabama Real Estate Companies:
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For Home Sellers
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- Matt Curtis Real Estate: Best for Local Properties
- Beycome: Expert Assistance
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For Home Buyers
- Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for First Time Buyers
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Best for Local Market
- Zillow: Best for Buying Properties
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Sellers in Alabama
Discover the best home-selling companies in the Cotton State. From lively Auburn to the beautiful Montogomery, we have found the 3 best companies for you.
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, and online showings and offers.
You can choose from 4 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Bronze Package – $399+$350 at Close: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver Package – $399+0.5% at Close: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold Package—$429+0.5 % at Close: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum Package – $449+1% at Close: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Before you list, confirm all prices on your particular state’s pricing page.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why 10,000+ Americans love Houzeo.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 5 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s listing packages get your home on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to potential buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the traditional listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent“ by 10,020+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Alabama’s #1 real estate company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Moreover, Houzeo provides affordable listing packages to Alabama FSBO home sellers. Also, its offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.
2. Matt Curtis Real Estate
Local Expertise
3% to 6% Commissions4.9/5
Matt Curtis Real Estate mainly serves Alabama. It sells a home every 24 hours and has done over $1+ billion in real estate sales.
However, they have not disclosed their pricing on their website.
👉 Our Take: If you want to sell a home in Alabama, then sell it through Matt Curtis Real Estate.
Here are the highlights of Matt Curtis Real Estate:
- Local Expertise: Matt Curtis Real Estate has sold more than 7,000+ homes in the state of Alabama. Their local expertise and exceptional service have made them the #1 real estate team for the last 3 years.
- Exceptional Service: It has a database of over 100,000 potential buyers, professional photographers, and a team of real estate experts ready to help you get top dollar for your home.
We did not find any deal breakers for Matt Curtis Real Estate.
Matt Curtis Real Estate has 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google reviews.
Matt Curtis Real Estate is one of the best real estate companies for sellers in Alabama. Its expertise, experience, and marketing can maximize your returns when selling a home.
However, many sellers have reported inconsistency from their real estate agents.
3. Beycome
Average Tech, Average Service
Listing Fee: $99 - $5994.6/5
Beycome is a “DIY” online Flat Fee brokerage that offers affordable MLS listing packages. Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC offers three Flat Fee MLS listing packages for homeowners:
- Basic Package – $99: This package will get you listed on the MLS with unlimited changes to your listing.
- Enhanced Package – $399: You get a yard sign, a featured listing on Beycome’s website, flyers, brochures, and one key lockbox. You can also add a virtual tour video to your listing.
- Concierge Service – $599 + 1% Commission: This is essentially a virtual full-service package that includes assistance till closing. They charge 1% of the sale price at closing with this package.
👉 Our Take: Beycome’s prices are reasonable, and their technology is useful. We recommend their Enhanced Package priced at $399.
Beycome offers good service in the selected states they are available in:
- Unrestricted Revisions and Edits: You can make unlimited changes in description, photos, or price adaptions in your listing. You can also easily switch to a full-service package anytime.
- Expert Assistance, if Needed: You can get expert assistance on all 7 days of the week in English and Spanish.
In our research, we came across some deal breakers with Beycome.
- You’ll Be Constantly Upsold the Title Service: Beycome also owns a title company, which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
- Average Customer Reviews: Most customers had to manage logistics, price negotiation showings, and closing all by themselves. Customers also complained about the lack of customer support and the delay in resolving issues.
- Average Technology: Beycome technology helps you with listing your home on the MLS. Leads, inspections, appraisals, etc. are managed offline so the process can be cumbersome.
- Only for Experienced Sellers: You need to have a good handle on buying and selling real estate, including closing costs and seller disclosures.
Beycome has 4.6 out of 5 stars (528 total reviews) on popular review sites like Google Reviews.
» Beycome Reviews: Know why it is not the best way to sell with Beycome in 2023.
Beycome’s MLS listing packages are reasonably priced and offer legal forms, seller disclosures, and an Open House scheduler. We recommend the $399 Enhanced Package for FSBO home sellers.
Beycome’s technology is limited and won’t help you with scheduling, appraisals, and closings. You’ll have to be very diligent and manage leads manually.
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Buyers in Alabama
Explore the top home-buying companies in Alabama. From Tuscaloosa to Dothan, you can discover affordable homes.
1. Coldwell Banker Realty
MOST SUCCESSFUL INVESTORS
Based in New Jersey4.9/5
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is an American full-service real estate brokerage.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you do not have to pay any fee to avail services of Coldwell Banker.
👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker is great for buyers because of its long-standing experience and wide property selection. It is especially helpful for those looking to invest in popular areas or unique properties.
Key features of Coldwell Banker include:
- Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
- Lender Assistance: It helps you to find a lender for pre-qualification according to your affordability.
- Home Search: With MLS and other tools, agents find your ideal home based on your preferences and budget.
- Finance Assistance: It helps with down payments, mortgage prequalification, and getting your finances ready to buy a house.
- Strong Agent Network: Your agent can find many property options for you as they have good connections with other real estate agents.
Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:
- Less Flexibility in Negotiation: The company’s established policies might offer less flexibility in negotiating commission rates.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: While many agents are experienced, the quality of service can vary depending on the specific agent assigned.
- Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions and unresponsive agents.
Coldwell Banker is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars from 200+ reviews on Trustpilot
Established in California, Coldwell Banker has changed the way people buy homes. They offer buyers financing options to ensure they have their financial ducks in a row when preparing to buy a house.
However, it’s advised you conduct due diligence on an agent before you appoint the agent to represent you.
2. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
💫 Luxury Listings
Based in Minneapolis, MN2.5/5
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage franchise in the US. Headquartered in Minneapolis with over 44,000 real estate agents and 900 offices, BHHS makes over $136 billion annually in residential real estate transactions.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you can register with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for free of cost.
👉 Our Take: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides its services to all kinds of home buyers whether you are a first-time home buyer or a luxury home buyer.
» Selling a House: Things you need to know!
Key highlights of BHHS include:
- Search Tool: BHHS provides you with a search tool so you can browse through a variety of homes available in the market.
- Assistance in Paperwork: The agents handle all paperwork for you in relation to buying a house.
- Market Knowledge: BHHS agents provide practical knowledge and guidance based on years of local market expertise. With in-depth property and community information, they help you finalize your dream home.
- Mortgage Calculator: They provide a mortgage calculator by which you can figure out the monthly payments of a home mortgage loan, based on your desired home’s sale price.
- Start to Close Assistance: BHHS agents are experienced in handling all phases of the purchase process, including home inspections.
Few red flags we found about Berkshire Hathaway include:
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Since BHHS franchises are independently owned and operated, agent experience differs from one location to another.
- Poor Reviews: Customers have complained about delayed transactions and a lack of communication from the agent’s end.
Berkshire Hathaway has a rating of 2.5 out of 5 from 60+ reviews on Best Company.
Berkshire Hathaway is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is known for selling high-end luxury properties. It provides buyers with unlimited access to their daily updated listings with pictures, details, property features, and nearby amenities to help them choose the best home.
Moreover, you can also opt for their email updates that apprise you of new homes on the market. However, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty offers its services mainly in Austin and nearby areas.
3. Zillow
Largest Marketplace
Based in Washington1.2/5
Zillow is one of the most visited real estate websites. It provides an exceptional home buying and renting experience.
- Zillow Premier Agent: You can connect with an agent representing a particular property and get their commission rates on request. Typically, a buyer agent charges a 2%-3% commission on the sale price.
👉 Our Take: Zillow is a popular choice for home buyers for its vast listings and easy-to-use tools. The platform offers valuable tools like Zestimate® for estimating property values and interactive maps for exploring neighborhoods.
Here are the key features of Zillow:
- Extensive Listings: Zillow offers a wide range of property listings, including homes for sale, rentals, and foreclosures.
- Mortgage Calculator: It allows you to compare mortgage rates from various lenders. You can pre-qualify for a loan through Zillow Home Loans.
- Zestimate Tool: It provides estimated property values to help gauge market prices.
Here are some drawbacks of Zillow:
- Outdated Listings: Some property listings may not be updated in real time, leading to outdated information.
- User-Generated Content: Home details and photos heavily rely on user input, which can sometimes be inaccurate.
- Overwhelming Ads: The site has numerous ads and promotions that can be distracting.
Zillow has a rating of 1.2 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
» Zillow Offers Reviews: Everything you need to know about Zillow.
Zillow is the most popular real estate website in America. It was founded in the year 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle.
Moreover, Zillow extracts data from top MLS platforms. It helps buyers view the listings directly on the platform.
Best Real Estate Companies To Work For in Alabama
A real estate company employs licensed agents to represent local buyers and sellers. As a real estate agent, you must consider the following factors in a real estate company – commissions, training, agent equity, revenue share, profit share, and technical support.
1. eXp Realty
eXp Realty, a cloud-based platform is a booming real estate brokerage that has garnered a reputation for being a great workplace. It has a 4.3 rating out of 5 on Indeed.
- Commission Split: The agents keep 80% of the commission and 20% goes to eXp. After the agents hit the $16,000 cap in their anniversary year, they retain 100% of the commission.
- Revenue Share: eXp Realty’s Revenue Share Program lets agents earn a percentage from the revenue of the agents they’ve sponsored.
- Agent Equity: eXp agents are rewarded with shares of EXPI stock upon accomplishing specific goals.
- Training Program: eXp Realty runs the 2-week Fast Start training program for its new agents. This holistic curriculum has been rated a 4.8 out of 5 by agents who have completed the program.
- Technical Support: eXp Solutions offers agents cutting-edge tools to make the real estate transaction seamless.
The Rise of eXp Realty: Check out how eXp Realty is beating Compass and Keller Williams
2. Keller Williams Realty
Keller Williams Realty is one of the largest residential real estate firms in the US. It has opportunities for both new and experienced real estate agents. It has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Indeed.
- Commission Split: From the commission, 64% goes to the agent, 30% goes to KW Market Center and 6% is to be paid by the agent as a franchise fee ($3,000 is the cap). Once an agent hits the cap, the commission goes entirely to the agent.
- Profit Share: KW’s Profit-Sharing Program lets agents earn a portion of the profit from the agent they’ve referred.
- Training Program: KW provides a training program that teaches agents the core principles of running a successful real estate business.
- Technical Support: KW Command is a CRM software that equips agents with the necessary tools to handle real estate transactions from start to close.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Company in Alabama?
You can choose the best real estate company in Alabama based on these factors:
- Strong Technology: A company’s website should have robust technology that can make selling or buying a house faster and more efficient. Also, look for features like virtual tours, high-quality photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can help you with smooth real estate transactions. Find a company that offers prompt and also have helpful customer service.
- Maximum Exposure: Find a company that will give maximum exposure to your property. This could also include an MLS listing, social media advertisement, and customizable yard signs.
For Real Estate Agents
A real estate agent must consider the following points while browsing real estate companies in Alabama.
- Commission Model: Real estate agents and Alabama Realtors work on commissions. When you sell a house, you split the profits with your broker. A broker charges varied commissions. Some brokers do offer salaried positions, but they are rare.
- Commission Breakdown: Let’s say you sell a $300,000 home where the average commission in your area is 6%. This 6% is split between the buyer and seller’s agents. Now you’re down to 3%, or $9,000. A 60/40 commission splits mean you get 60% of $9,000, or $5,400. Of course, this is pre-tax.
- Training Modules: Most real estate companies provide training courses to their agents. Franchise companies like RE/MAX, and Keller Williams offer programs to train agents.
- Tech Support: Top real estate companies equip their agents with the latest technology to keep them on par with the competition. Most companies have automated systems to help agents keep track of clients, leads, and emails.
- Marketing & Advertising: Real estate companies also provide agents with high-quality digital and print materials, custom graphics and ads, professional photography, and database management systems to ensure exposure to the customer’s property.
Final Word
Real estate companies help you ace your home selling or buying journey. However, we suggest you conduct thorough research before you choose a real estate company in Alabama.
The basic requirements for a good real estate company are experienced and dedicated agents, maximum savings, tech-savvy, and quick transactions. With Houzeo, you get all these factors on one single platform.
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.
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 it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best real estate company in Alabama?
The best company in Alabama is Houzeo. It offers sellers maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, 100% online experience, and listing exposure.
» Best Real Estate Companies in Alabama: Find out the top companies in Alabama.
What are the best real estate companies for buyers in Alabama?
The best real estate companies for home buyers in Alabama are Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Coldwell Banker Realty, and Zillow. They offer home buyers various services and tools such as virtual showings, mortgage calculators, and more.
How can I sell my property quickly in Alabama?
You should set a competitive price, enhance curb appeal, and highlight your home features effectively to sell your house fast in Alabama.
