✏️ 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.
Simple Choice Realty is a Flat Fee MLS brokerage licensed in 4 states. They have collaborated with Entryonly.com and Clickit Realty to form Homezu.
Editor’s Rating
User Rating
(8 Reviews)
Pros
- Chris Carr, Broker/Owner, is a superb broker with almost 20 years of experience.
- Seller disclosures are included.
- Customer reviews are generally positive.
Cons
- Only licensed in 4 states. You will be referred to its partners in the remaining states.
- You will be required to pay a minimum 2.1% buyer agent's commission.
- Subpar technology - listing, offers, inspections, etc. are manual.
Simple Choice Realty is a Pennsylvania-based Flat Fee MLS brokerage. Simple Choice is licensed in 4 states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware. If you’re looking to list on the MLS for a flat fee, Simple Choice is a good option.
Simple Choice Realty is more expensive compared to other listing services. Its technology is also limited to just getting you listed. You will need to either use a third party app or do most of the transaction offline. Finally, Simple Choice requires that you pay a minimum of 2.1% buyer agent commission. Of this, they keep 0.1% for themselves. This is in addition to the $399 or $799 you pay upfront.
- ✍️ Editor’s Take: For most home sellers, we recommend Houzeo over Simple Choice Realty. Houzeo allows you to set a buyer agent’s commission you prefer. Moreover, Houzeo is 100% online via web and mobile app. Compare Houzeo vs. Simple Choice Realty.
Is Simple Choice Realty Legit?
Yes. Simple Choice Realty is a legitimate company headquartered in Pennsylvania, and licensed in PA, NJ, MD, and DE. The company was founded by Christopher Carr, who has over 20 years of experience in real estate.
Simple Choice Realty has collaborated with Entryonly.com and Clickit Realty to form HomeZU. The services and packages offered by homezu.com and simplechoicerealty.com are identical.
Although Simple Choice Realty offers an online listing process, their tech lacks some essential features. You may have to perform many tasks manually, like comparing offers and providing access instructions. Other companies, like Houzeo, have digitalized these tasks.
» What’s My Home’s Value: You can know your home’s market value with Houzeo’s free Home Worth Estimator. It helps you estimate the amount you will get upon sale.
Important Things to Consider
Consider these points before hiring Simple Choice Realty.
1. Deduction from Buyer Agent Commission
Simple Choice Realty charges a flat fee from sellers. However, they keep 0.1% of the buyer agent’s commission for themselves.
2. Minimum Buyer Agent Commission
As per US law, sellers are free to set the buyer agent commission. However, with Simple Choice Realty, you will be required to pay a minimum of 2.1% buyer agent commission.
3. Simple Refund Policy
Simple Choice Realty’s refund policy is straightforward. You can cancel the listing anytime through your account without any cancellation fee.
Simple Choice Realty Coverage
Simple Choice Realty covers 4 states: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. They cover all the areas of Maryland and Delaware. However, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, their coverage is limited to select markets.
Simple Choice Realty Services
» Jump to: For Sellers | Listing Upgrades | For Buyers
For Home Sellers
Simple Choice Realty offers 2 packages to home sellers.
1. MLS Listing Only: $399
| 👍 What We Like | 👎 What We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| ✅ Online listing process | ❌ Subpar technology |
| ✅ Listing disclosure included | ❌ Minimum 2.1% buyer agent's commission |
| ✅ Free listing changes | ❌ No comparative market analysis |
| ❌ No assistance in negotiations |
👉 Our Take: We do not recommend this plan for home sellers. Instead, you should list with Houzeo. Houzeo’s Silver Plan provides you with an optimal digital experience for a flat fee of $399.
2. Contract Review: $799
In this package, Simple Choice Realty offers everything you have in the MLS Listing Only package and one purchase contract review. For every additional contract review, you pay $100 extra. Moreover, this package is only available in Pennsylvania.
👉 Our Take: This plan is not worth it. Simple Choice Realty’s agent helps you only with contract reviews. They do not assist you at other crucial stages like market analysis, and negotiations.
Listing Upgrades
You have to pay an additional fee for service upgrades not offered in their packages.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| 12-month listing | $99 |
| Upgraded customized sign | $125 |
| Combination lockbox | $50 |
| Electronic lockbox | $100 |
| Realtor.com weekly report | $25 |
| Same-day listing | $50 |
- 👉 Important: Though optional, most of these services are essential to simplify the home-selling process. So, you may have to pay between $500 to $1,000, depending on the package you select.
For Home Buyers
Simple Choice Realty offers cash rebates to home buyers. However, Simple Choice Realty is not clear on their website about the amount of the rebate.
In return, buyers need to do the legwork of searching for homes. Simple Choice Realty’s agents come into the picture once they are ready to visit the property.
Reviews of Simple Choice Realty
Simple Choice Realty has a 3 out of 5-star rating on Yelp. However, these ratings are based on only a few reviews. So, we cannot vouch for their service quality based on these ratings.
Simple Choice Realty Positive Reviews
✅ Kerry was happy with the savings offered by Simple Choice Realty’s services.
Chris Carr at Simple Choice Realty made selling our parents’ home a piece of cake! I recommend this service to anyone who is interested in saving money in selling a house. As soon as I listed the house on the MLS, realtors started calling me left and right. I put a lockbox on the door, took down the realtors’ names and contact info, and they started showing the house to prospective buyers.
Source: Yelp
✅ Mark appreciated Simple Choice Realty’s supportive staff and user-friendly platform.
Listed with Simple Choice Realty, most user-friendly, great staff to work with , We have done dozens of transactions with this company and we recommend them hands down. Thank you Chris and Robin look forward to working with you again in the future.
Source: Zillow
Simple Choice Realty Negative Reviews
❌ Kim highlighted that the buyer and buyer agents had to contact Christopher. They could not connect with Kim directly.
In order for someone who was not working with a realtor to look at my home, they had to contact him. (He says he does not then become the buyers agent.) In order for other realtors to look at the home, they have to contact him also. (He says he does not get a cut from them.) Not one person contacted me during those two weeks.
Source: Yelp
Pros and Cons of Simple Choice Realty
Let’s evaluate the pros and cons of Simple Choice Realty to see if they are an ideal choice for you.
👍 Pros
Simple Choice Realty offers some benefits to home sellers and buyers.
- Experienced Broker: Chris Carr, Simple Choice Realty’s broker, has over 20 years of experience in real estate. His knowledge will help you get the best deal for your house.
- Free Listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing without paying any additional fees.
- State Disclosures: Simple Choice Realty provides all required seller disclosure forms.
👎 Cons
During our research, we found certain limitations of Simple Choice Realty.
- Minimum 2.1% Commission: With Simple Choice Realty, sellers have to pay a minimum 2.1% buyer agent commission.
- Expensive Plans: Simple Choice Realty’s plans are overpriced compared to their competitors.
- Limited Coverage: The company only operates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.
- Limited Technology: Although Simple Choice Realty offers an online listing process, they lack a platform to help you schedule showings or manage offers. You also need to compare offers manually to get the highest and best offer.
- Buyer Don’t Contact You Directly: As per customer reviews of Simple Choice Realty, buyers contact Chris.
Simple Choice Realty Competitors
» Jump to: Simple Choice Realty vs. Houzeo | Simple Choice Realty vs. Flat Fee Group | Simple Choice Realty vs. List With Freedom
1. Simple Choice Realty vs. Houzeo
With Simple Choice Realty, you don’t have to pay a commission if there is no buyer agent involved in the transaction. However, if there is a buyer’s agent involved, you need to pay a minimum of 2.1% commission.
With Houzeo, you get transparent pricing and comprehensive services. You are free to choose the buyer agent commission, with no minimum amount. Moreover, their web technology and mobile app make home selling a breeze.
| Simple Choice Realty | Houzeo | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $399 + 0.1% (from buyer agent's commission) | $399 Flat Fee |
| Customer Rating | 3.0 stars (2 reviews) | 4.9 stars (5,111 reviews) |
| Coverage | 4 states | 47 states + Washington D.C. |
| Unlimited Listing Changes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Showings Management | ❌ | ✅ |
| Offer Management | ❌ | ✅ |
| Counter an Offer | ❌ | ✅ |
| Request Highest and Best Offer | ❌ | ✅ |
| Home Inspection Dashboard | ❌ | ✅ |
2. Simple Choice Realty vs. Flat Fee Group
Flat Fee Group is a network of licensed brokers working in 48 states and Washington D.C. Their packages and services vary from state to state.
Flat Fee Group’s cheapest package in any state usually offers better services than Simple Choice Realty’s. However, a limitation of working with Flat Fee Group is that you may lack the technology to simplify your FSBO journey.
3. Simple Choice Realty vs. List With Freedom
List With Freedom is a licensed brokerage in 46 states. So you can list with them regardless of your location. Be careful though; Listwithfreedom.com packages may seem cheap, starting as low as $149. However, they also charge you an additional fee of 0.25% at closing.
Best Flat Fee Companies Near You
If you reside outside Simple Choice Realty’s coverage area, here are the top flat fee companies that serve your state.
Other Options You Should Consider
- Sell to an iBuyer: iBuyers purchase homes needing minimal repairs in as-is condition. They can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast.
- Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. They also let you skip listing on the MLS.
- Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself, saving thousands in agent commissions. Many FSBO websites will also help you with the paperwork.
Is Simple Choice Realty Worth It?
We recommend listing with Houzeo over Simple Choice Realty. Simple Choice Realty does not offer many essential services, like assistance in pricing and negotiations.
Moreover, Simple Choice Realty has limited technology, so you may have to put manual effort into tasks like offer comparison. Lastly, they only offer services in select markets of 4 states.
On the other hand, Houzeo lets you list on the MLS and offers everything you need to sell a house. Moreover, you get access to their web technology and mobile app that makes home selling quick and easy. With near-nationwide coverage, Houzeo is an ideal FSBO partner for most home sellers.
» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 5,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
📞 Need Help? Schedule a FREE Consultation
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the Simple Choice Realty MLS Listing package offer?
The MLS Listing Package by Simple Choice Realty provides some basic services for $399. However, for the same price, Houzeo offers you a better deal. Moreover, their web technology and mobile app make the home selling a breeze!
2. Can I list my house on the MLS without an agent?
Yes, You can list your home as For Sale by Owner on the MLS by hiring a reliable MLS listing service like Houzeo. Houzeo helps you save on the listing agent's commission while providing all sorts of features you may need. Learn more about Houzeo.
3. Is Flat Fee MLS worth it?
Yes, definitely. Flat-fee MLS services like Houzeo will not only make the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) process easier for you but will also save you thousands of dollars otherwise spent as a listing commission. Check out Houzeo reviews.
Flat Fee Listing Services Near Me
| Region | Cash Home Buyers |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | MLS My Home | Brokerless | Fizber | Flat Fee Group | MLS My Home | Brokerless Inc | UnReal Estate |
| Near-Nationwide | List With Freedom | Homecoin | Flat Fee Realty | Buyself Realty |
| Northeast | Simple Choice Realty | Realmart |
| Midwest | Lake Country Flat Fee | Madcity Homes | Broker Direct MLS | Ohio Flat Fee MLS | Reozom | Flat Fee Pros | Kermath Realty | Modern Way Realty | Flat Fee MLS Realty | Circle One Realty | Congress Realty |
| South | FlatList.com | ListingSpark | Creek View Realty | Mr. Lister Realty | Mink Realty | List Now Realty | Listingly | Adams Family Real Estate | Simply List |
| West | Savvy Lane Reviews | Lowes Flat Fee Realty | By Owner Oregon |
Reviews
(8 Reviews)
-
James Short
Verified Reviewer
Chris was very responsive to all of my questions
-
Nicole Lysak
Verified Reviewer
25th Oct 2023
I use Chris Carr and his team at Simple Choice for all my listings in the states he is a broker in. They are responsive, professional, and their portal is incredibly easy to navigate. Keep up the good work Chris and team!
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Ron B
Verified Reviewer
25th Oct 2023
I listed and sold my house through Simple Choice in 2021. I paid the $399, but did not pay 2.1% commission. A number of potential buyers did contact Chris@SimpleChoice, and he simply referred them to me, no commission required. He responded to inquiries within an hour or two at most, 7 days/week. For agents, I negotiated with them separately, some wanted 4%, others would have settled for 1%…it was between them and us. In the end, we sold it directly with no commission…the best of both words… listed on MLS for max exposure, no hardwired 4-6% commission. I’d do it again. Ron
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Nicole Lysak
Verified Reviewer
25th Oct 2023
I use Chris Carr and his team at Simple Choice for all my listings in the states he is a broker in. They are responsive, professional, and their portal is incredibly easy to navigate. Keep up the good work Chris and team!
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Paige Roller
Verified Reviewer
25th Oct 2023
We have sold 2 houses using Simple Choice. Chris was very helpful during both transactions, answered any questions we had, gave us direction when we asked. After selling our first house using Simple Choice, the process was so easy and smooth, a few years later we listed through them and sold another home. We have zero real-estate knowledge or experience, and we had no problem navigating the process. I would fully recommend them, and if we ever move again- we would use them again.
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Steve I
Verified Reviewer
27th Oct 2023
My experience with Chris and Simple Choice Realty has been superb. I ahve listed and sold several properties now with Chris and his brokerage. His responses to my questions are lightening fast and I plan to use his services many more times in the future. Highly recommended.
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Ken Klinvex
Verified Reviewer
28th Oct 2023
Chris Carr was fantastic! He helped me every step of the way through a complex process and was always available. Great service and value. I highly recommend!
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Pat
Verified Reviewer
28th Oct 2023
Great service. Sold our place quickly and everything was smooth with simple choice. Will definitely use again.
