✏️ 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.
89% of buyers used real estate agents or brokers to buy homes. Additionally, 85% of sellers believe agents can secure a higher sale price for their homes. This highlights the value of professional help, but these services come with a steep cost.
Real estate companies charge a 5-6% commission on the sale price, which can amount to $24,000 for a $400,000 home. With such hefty fees, these companies must provide value that justifies the cost.
People rely on real estate companies for their market knowledge, negotiation skills, and ability to handle complex paperwork. Whether you’re considering a full-service brokerage or a tech-driven platform, here are our top picks in the Free State.
Top 6 Maryland Real Estate Companies:
-
For Home Sellers
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- Simple Choice Realty: Expert Assistance
- Redfin: Best Full Service Discount Brokerage
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For Home Buyers
- Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for Investment Properties
- eXp Realty: Best for First Time Home Buyers
- Zillow: Best For Residential Properties
3 Best Real Estate Companies for Home Sellers in Maryland
Here are the top 3 real estate companies in Maryland that help sellers maximize their savings.
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 is Maryland’s #1 real estate company. It offers maximum savings, excellent customer support, and advanced technology.
Houzeo also provides affordable listing packages to Maryland home sellers. You can list on MLS through Houzeo and save thousands in commissions while reaching a wide buyer audience.
2. Simple Choice Realty
ONE HOLISTIC PACKAGE
Listing Fee: $3995/5
Helmed by Chris Carr, Simple Choice Realty provides services to home sellers and buyers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.
Simple Choice Realty offers 2 packages:
- MLS Package – $399: It includes a listing period of 6 months with 25+ photos. The package also includes a yard sign, and required disclosures. Your listing gets syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow & Trulia, and other real estate websites.
- Contract Review Plan – $749: This is a full-service plan where an agent will assist you throughout your home selling process.
👉 Our Take: Simple Choice offers a single MLS package that covers all the basic requirements of a home seller. You can customize the package as per your needs for an additional charge.
» Chris Carr Simple Choice Realty: Chris Carr and Simple Choice Realty have 5 out of 5 stars from Houzeo home sellers.
Listing with Simple Choice Realty has certain advantages.
- Market Exposure: Your home gets listed on popular websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia.
- Free Listing Changes: You can make changes to your listing without paying any additional fees.
- State Disclosures: Simple Choice Realty provides all required listing disclosures.
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: All buyer leads are directly forwarded to you with no agent involvement.
- Add Open House to MLS Listing: You can add 2 open house ads on the MLS for no extra cost.
In our research, we found no red flags with Simple Choice Realty. Chris Carr has a stellar reputation within the broker community.
Simple Choice Realty however has a significant number of upgrades that can add up to your overall spending. If you’re opting for their MLS plan we suggest you budget for these.
» Simple Choice Realty Reviews: Check out what Houzeo home sellers have to say about working with Simple Choice Realty.
Simple Choice Realty has 5 out of 5 stars from 40+ reviews on Zillow.
Simple Choice Realty is a Pennsylvania-based flat-fee MLS listing service operating in four states. While offering MLS access, it’s pricier than alternatives and lacks advanced technology. Sellers must pay a 2.1% buyer agent commission in addition to upfront fees.
However, it’s online platform lacks key features for a smooth transaction. Sellers might find themselves handling tasks like offer comparison and property access management manually, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
3. Redfin
BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price4.2/5
Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.
- It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.
👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies are willing to offer a higher rebate.
» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
- Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
- Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
- Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.
Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.
- Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
- No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
- Agents Are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
Redfin has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of the 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, and Alternatives!
Redfin is one of the largest real estate companies in the US. David Eraker, David Selinger, and Michael Dougherty founded the company in 2004. Since 2017, Redfin has been a publicly traded company.
Redfin offers great services at lower rates. It also provides an elaborate listing agreement with an 18-day timeframe for listing your property. However, some customers have expressed concerns about the agent’s professionalism.
3 Best Real Estate Companies for Home Buyers in Maryland
Here are the top home-buying companies in Maryland to help you find your dream home.
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
Coldwell Banker is based in New Jersey and has been a trusted name in real estate for more than a century. It offers services for various property types, from residential homes to investment properties.
Coldwell Banker offers market analysis tools to help clients make informed decisions. It also provides virtual tours and detailed online listings. However, their extensive network can sometimes lead to less personalized service.
2. eXp Realty
Global Online Brokerage
Based in Washington2.9/5
eXp Realty is one of the top US real estate companies that provide a variety of services to buyers. Its agents use cutting-edge technology from the cloud-based platform and database system.
- No Service Fee: eXp Realty does not charge buyers a direct fee for using its services.
👉 Our Take: The real estate agents of eXp Realty are experienced professionals. We recommend going for this company if you want to work with a traditional real estate agent and are a first-time home buyer.
Here are some of the advantages of choosing eXp Realty:
- Local Expertise: eXp realty agents have expertise in local real estate market data. Their market insights will help you in your real estate transactions.
- Investment Advice: The agents guide you in your financial and investment decisions.
- Assistance with Negotiation: Whether it is about negotiating home offers, inspection amounts, repairs, or legal agreements, you will get a negotiator to do it on your behalf.
Here are a few drawbacks we found about eXp Realty:
- Limited Physical Offices: eXp Realty operates mostly online, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer face-to-face interactions.
- Less Personal Touch: The virtual model may offer less personalized service compared to traditional firms.
- Learning Curve: Adapting to its tech-driven platform might be difficult for some buyers.
eXp Realty has a rating of 2.9 out of 5 on Google Reviews.
eXp Realty is a modern real estate company known for its innovative approach and virtual business model. It offers a technology-driven platform that appeals to buyers looking for a more flexible real estate experience.
eXp Realty also assists with negotiating home offers, inspection costs, repairs, and legal agreements. However, the virtual model may not suit those who prefer face-to-face interactions with their agent.
3. Zillow
Largest Marketplace
Based in Washington1.1/5
Zillow is the most visited real estate website. Zillow provides an exceptional home buying, renting, and selling 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 lets you list your property for free and is great for exposure, but your information is stored as a lead in their marketing funnel. Essentially, the bargain is your confidential data in exchange for Zillow’s “free” listing.
» Zillow Offers Reviews: Everything you need to know about Zillow
Key Features of Zillow:
- Your Listing is Updated in Real-Time: On Zillow, you do all the listing changes which reflect immediately, instead of waiting for a listing agent to do it for you.
- Free Listing: Zillow provides free For Sale By Owner listing. But, all FSBO listings on Zillow are hidden in the ‘Other Listings’ tab. This has lowered the success rate of free Zillow FSBO listings drastically.
- Zestimate: Zillow’s home value estimate is a tool for pricing your home. It incorporates data from the MLS, market trends, location, etc. to give you an accurate property value.
Zillow has some major drawbacks that home sellers should be aware of.
- Unsolicited Calls From Listing Agents: Your information will become an FSBO lead for Listing Agents. You will get numerous unsolicited calls from these agents asking you to list with them.
- Inaccurate Tool: Many users have faced inconveniences in selling their homes due to Zestimate’s inaccuracy.
- Poor Customer Reviews: A staggering number of customers have complained regarding their disappointing experience with Zillow.
Zillow has a rating of 1.1 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
Zillow was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. It is one of the most popular real estate websites in America. The company extracts data from top MLS platforms, allowing buyers to view listings directly.
Additionally, Zillow’s user-friendly interface makes home searches convenient and extensive. It also offers a Zestimate home valuation tool, which provides estimated property values based on market data.
Best Real Estate Companies to Work for in Maryland
When you choose a real estate company to work for in Maryland, it’s important to consider how the commission is split. Most real estate agents get paid a commission which is then divided between the agent and the brokerage.
For example, if you sell a $300,000 home with a 6% commission split equally between buyer and seller agents, you’d get 3% or $9,000. With a 60/40 split, you’d receive $5,400 before taxes. Some brokerages now offer salaries and benefits, so it’s worth exploring various options.
Here’s a comparison of top real estate brokerages in Maryland:
| Brokerage | Commission Split | Best For |
| Keller Williams | 70/30 | Agents seeking higher commissions and more educational resources. |
| RE/MAX | 95/5, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 (capping system) | Agents who want customized commission splits and desk fees. |
| Century 21 | 50/50, 70/30 + 8% franchise fee (capping system) | Agents who want brokerage brand recognition. |
| Coldwell Banker | 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 (capping system) | Agents who need marketing, lead generation, and other tools. |
| Compass | 50/50 | Agents who want access to a wide range of online resources and tools. |
What to Consider When Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage to Work For?
- Franchise vs. Independent Choices: Franchises like RE/MAX and Keller Williams offer a nationwide presence and provide more support and training. Independent real estate firms offer more freedom but may have fewer resources.
- Company Reputation: Research the brokerage’s market presence and reputation. A reputable company can help with lead generation.
- Support and Resources Offered: Some brokerages provide mentorship programs and free advertising, while others offer minimal support. You can also visit company events to get a feel for the work culture.
- Scope for Specialization: Consider the brokerage’s niche and how it aligns with your interests and local opportunities in Maryland’s real estate market.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Company in Maryland?
You can choose the best real estate companies based on these factors:
For Sellers:
- Strong Technology: A company’s website should have robust technology that can make selling a house more efficient. Also, look for features like virtual tours, professional photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can help you with smooth real estate transactions. Find a company that aligns with your preferences and also has 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 Buyers:
- Property Listings: Look for a company with access to many property listings on the MLS. This way, you’ll see all the listings in the area you like.
- Buyer-Friendly Tools: Look for a company with useful online tools. It will help you compare houses, learn about neighborhoods, and also figure out how much your mortgage payment could be.
- Experienced Agents: Seek a company with agents who have experience with buyers. They should be able to guide you through every step, from looking at houses to finally buying one.
Are Real Estate Companies in Maryland Worth It?
Yes! Real estate companies in Maryland are worth it. Top companies offer advanced technology, a large network of agents, and maximum savings. This is where Houzeo stands out as a smart choice for sellers in Maryland.
Houzeo offers a flat fee listing service that saves sellers thousands of dollars in commissions. With user-friendly tools, it is ideal for homeowners looking to sell their homes quickly.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We have got you covered. Check out how you can list your property on the MLS with Houzeo.
How to List on MLS With Houzeo?
5 Easy Steps to List with Maryland’s Best Real Estate Company
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best real estate companies to sell your home with in Maryland?
Houzeo is the best real estate company for home sellers in Maryland. It offers sellers maximum savings, dedicated customer support and 100% online experience. Simple Choice Realty and Redfin are some of the other options to sell your home.
» Best Real Estate Companies in Maryland: Find out the top companies in Maryland.
What are the best real estate companies for buyers in Maryland?
The best real estate companies for home buyers in Maryland are Coldwell Banker, eXp Realty, and Zillow. They offer buyers various services and tools such as property comparisons, virtual showings, and mortgage calculators.
What is the best luxury real estate company in Maryland?
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is considered one of the best luxury real estate companies in Maryland. It offers services like home staging, high-resolution photography, drone footage and virtual tours.
How can I sell my property quickly in Maryland?
You should set a competitive price, enhance curb appeal, and highlight your home features effectively to sell your house fast in Maryland.
