As per March 2022 Wisconsin real estate report, the median home price increased by 10.2% in the last one year. The average home price in the state was marked at $253,500 in March 2022 compared to $230,000 in March 2021.
The spike clearly denotes that the real estate industry in Wisconsin is booming like many other states. It is thus imperative to understand which real estate brokers and brokerages in Wisconsin can help home sellers and homebuyers in their real estate needs.
👁️🗨️ Sneak Peek: Wisconsin Top Real Estate Brokers
Here is a list of Wisconsin real estate brokers that top our charts:
Real Estate Broker | Specializes in | 100% Online | Experience (In Years) | Customer Ratings | Listing Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Leslie Boyea, Quorum Realty | Flat Fee MLS, Full Broker Services | ✅ | 15 | 5/5 (21 reviews) | $349 Flat Fee |
2. Stacey Hennessey, Century 21 Affiliated | Listing and Buyer Agent | ❌ | 10+ | 4.9/5 (115 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
3. Linda Sanderfoot, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group | Latest technology, tools, and services | ❌ | 22 | 5/5 (8 reviews) | 3% or more of home's sales price |
What is a Real Estate Broker?
Real Estate broker is often confused with real estate agent and both are often used interchangeably. This is actually wrong. Both the terms have different definitions and have different jobs. Here’s a summary table highlighting the differences between the two:
Real Estate Agents | Real Estate Brokers |
---|---|
Have basic real estate license | Have advanced real estate broker license |
They have limited expertize related to real estate transactions. Helping in offers and counter offers, completing paperwork, etc. are some of the features their job requires. | Real Estate Brokers have additional expertize compared to a real estate agent involving – drafting purchase agreements, contract review, escrow arrangements, etc. |
Real Estate Agents are not licensed to start their own brokerage | Brokers can start their own brokerage when compared with the real estate agents |
- 💡 FACT: Real estate agents need to work with a real estate broker to gain required experience to become a broker. They usually don’t work independently. When a real estate agent passes the broker license exam, they become a licensed real estate broker.
» SAVE: There is another term used frequently in the real estate industry apart from real estate agents and real estate brokers i.e. Realtors. A Realtor is a real estate broker or agent who is a member of National Association of Realtors (NAR) and strictly follows NAR’s code of Ethics.
Wisconsin Real Estate Broker Commission
The average real estate commission in Wisconsin is typically 6% of the sales price. It is typically split evenly (50-50) between the seller (listing) and the buyer agent.
Here is the breakdown:
Total Listing Commission | Listing Agent Commission | Listing Broker Commission |
3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
Total Buying Commission | Buyer’s Agent Commission | Buyer’s Broker Commission |
3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
It is important to note that a real estate broker or agent may work for a brokerage. In such a case, the commission is split with the brokerage as well. Different brokerages have different split percentage criteria.
» MORE: Will real estate commissions keep falling sharply in 2024?
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🏆 Reviews: Best Real Estate Brokers in Wisconsin
1. Leslie Boyea, Quorum Realty
👨⚖️ About: Leslie Boyea is one of the top brokers in Wisconsin especially Green Bay area. With over 15 years of experience, Leslie is known to provide full broker as well as Flat Fee MLS services. Her expertize lies in relocation services, listing agent, buyer agent, conventional loan scenario, and much more.
✅ Customer Service: Leslie provides maximum exposure to the properties by listing them on local MLS at a discounted price. She also claims to provide better services than most For Sale By Owner or FSBO platforms.
🤝 Affiliations: Leslie Boyea is a manager in Quorum Realty and is also affiliated with Houzeo.
🏢 About Quorum Realty: Quorum Realty is known for providing Flat Fee MLS services which helps sellers in saving thousands of dollars. Though they operate on discount real estate model, there is no compromise on the quality. Sellers can work directly with the REALTORS or real estate brokers and their properties will be listed on local MLS and Realtor.com. Like other real estate companies, sellers can get extra features like negotiations, contract reviews, etc. as per various listing plans.
🏢 About Houzeo.com: Empowered by Houzeo, Leslie provides a multitude of services related to Flat Fee MLS. With Houzeo’s cutting-edge technology, she can help you save thousands of dollars in commission. Your property will get maximum exposure with Houzeo’s nifty social media sharing tools.
Through Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS platform, Leslie can help you –
💰 Save Thousands on Commission: Houzeo’s plans are typically a small flat fee. This will save you thousands. If your buyer is unrepresented, you save the buyer agent commission as well.
📣 Gain 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.
Houzeo is the most powerful real estate website. Its advanced features 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 agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you to your closing.
Leslie Boyea has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Houzeo.
Leslie caters following MLS’ in Wisconsin:
- Central Wisconsin Board of Realtors (CWMLS)-WI
- Door County MLS-WI
- Greater Northwoods MLS-WI
- Metro MLS-WI
- NorthStar MLS-WI
- Realtor Association of NorthEast Wisconsin (RANW) (WIREX) MLS-WI
- Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin MLS-WI
- South Central Wisconsin MLS (SCWMLS)-WI
- 💡 FACT: You don’t need to be a real estate broker to access Houzeo technology, and can list on the MLS within 8 business hours. Get started here to sell FSBO with Houzeo!
2. Stacey Hennessey, Century 21 Affiliated
👨⚖️ About: Operating in Fox Cities in Wisconsin, Stacey Hennessey is a popular real estate broker. Stacey has sold over $370 million worth of properties and has over a decade of experience. She has won multiple awards in her illustrious career and is a certified ABR and CRS.
✅ Customer Service: Stacey is one of the top producers in the industry. Her dedication and hard work makes her a favorite among the clients. As per some of the reviews, the clients have stated to work again with Stacey for their next real estate transactions.
🏅 Accolades:
- Century 21 President’s winner for top quality service
- Over $370 million properties sold
- Nearly 2000 satisfied customers
- Quality service winner and within top 10 Century 21 Global Producers
- ABR and CRS certified
- Double Centurion Winner
- Quality Service Pinnacle Producer
🤝 Affiliations: Stacey Hennessey owns Stacey Hennessey & Co. and is affiliated with Century 21 Affiliated.
🏢 About Stacey Hennessey & Co. (Century 21 Affiliated)
Century 21 Affiliated is a real estate company that deals in home buying, selling, relocation, and much more. Stacey Hennessey & Co. is attached with Century 21 Affiliated and have closed thousands of home sales since its inception. With Stacey Hennessey & Co., you get the option to sell, buy, and search for lenders for your home.
Stacey Hennessey & Co. also deal in condos and vacant lands in Wisconsin. Century 21 Affiliated has been named #1 franchise of Century 21 multiple times. Stacey Hennessey & Co. work as In-person Full Service REALTORS that take care of E2E selling and buying process. Though Century 21 Affiliated is available in many states, Stacey Hennessey & Co. are available in Wisconsin only.
💰 Affordability: Working with Stacey Hennessey & Co. may cost you traditional 3%-6% broker commission. Though, we don’t have an exact data as of now.
👉 Want to save on REALTOR® commission? Here are 11 best FSBO websites you can choose from in 2023
Stacey Hennessey & Co. are exposed to the technology available as part of Century 21 tech stack. Special focus laid on real time information and in-depth market analysis. Market evaluation also forms an important part of the features.
We couldn’t find any concrete data about the technology used at Century 21 Affiliated. As the franchise deals with in-person support, a part of the process is manual.
Stacey Hennessey has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Zillow Reviews.
Stacey Hennessey & Co. caters to Fox Cities and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
💲 You Don’t Need A Fancy Luxury Broker
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3. Linda Sanderfoot, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
👨⚖️ About: Linda Sanderfoot has been helping clients in the real estate industry from the past 22 years. Linda believes in client-first philosophy that makes her one of most loved real estate professional. Her hard work and extensive knowledge in the real estate domain has helped thousands of customer both from selling and buying perspective. She has expertize in property listing, relocation services, investment properties, and more.
✅ Customer Service: Linda Sanderfoot lays special importance on technology, tools, and services to help the clients in the best possible way. Her patience and proactiveness has been appreciated by a number of customers. The way she handles the paperwork and other tough tasks as part of the home selling and buying process makes her reliable and popular. Her service ranges from first time sellers/buyers to more experienced customers.
🏅 Accolades:
- E-Pro certified
- ABR, CRS, SRES, GRI, and ASP
- #1 agent in Wisconsin from 2011-2014
- Pinnacle Award Winner
🤝 Affiliations: Linda Sanderfoot is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.
🏢 About Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group is one of the most popular franchises of Coldwell Banker. They have over 1700 real estate professionals and around 60 offices. They operate in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
They claim to be the #1 Coldwell Banker franchise affiliate in the states they operate.
💰 Affordability: Working with Linda Sanderfoot may cost you traditional 3%-6% broker commission. Though, we don’t have an exact data.
We couldn’t find any concrete data about the technology used at Coldwell Banker. Though we think that technology used in Coldwell Banker is accessible by agents of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group as well.
For every transaction, real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker are supported by the extensive resources and the global reach of the Coldwell Banker® brand.
Let’s look at the “Coldwell Banker Agent Advantage”:
- Coldwell Banker Suite of Technology: Innovative products for agents ranging from big data solutions to helping them price properties and identify buyers, marketing luxury properties, etc.
- Coldwell Banker eMarketing Center
- Listing and Post-Listing Presentations
- Enhanced Listing Syndication tools
- Calendar of Events
- Single Sign-on
- Email integration via MS Office 365 or Gmail
- DocuSign Rooms and ZipForm Plus
Linda Sanderfoot has a rating of 5 out of 5 on Zillow Reviews.
Linda Sanderfoot caters – Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Greenville, Kimberly, Freedom, New London, Oshkosh, and other surrounding areas.
💲 You Don’t Really Need A Real Estate Broker
You can sell your home yourself with Houzeo technology!
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Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent
Sr. No. | Defining Features | Real Estate Agent | Real Estate Broker | REALTOR® |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Explanation | A real estate professional possessing the license to assist people in buying, selling, or renting real estate. | A real estate professional having in-depth knowledge of the field, who has obtained a license after completing additional coursework beyond the agent level. | Real estate agents or real estate brokers can become realtors by becoming members of the NAR. They follow the NAR Code of Ethics and are held to a higher standard than real estate agents and brokers. |
2. | Training | No additional training is required except the completion of the prelicensing coursework | Required to undergo additional training pertaining to contracts, insurance, taxes, and ethics | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
3. | Eligibility | Required to pass the pre-licensing exam to obtain an agent’s license | Required to have some experience working as an agent and obtain a broker’s license after completing additional coursework | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
4. | Mode of Operation | Real estate agents are required to work for a broker or a brokerage. | Brokers can either start their brokerage or work independently as agents. | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
5. | Responsibility | Seller agents are required to help the seller price the property, host open houses, be present during the inspection, provide contract assistance, etc. | Brokers are required to oversee other agents working for them and hold other roles depending on whether they are a Principal Broker, Managing Broker, or Associate Broker. | Same as a Real Estate Agent and/or Broker |
- 💡 FACT: Anyone who is a member of the NAR is licensed to use the REALTOR® trademark as part of their name.
It is usually recommended to take the help of a local real estate broker when you are selling a house in a particular city. This is due to the fact that a local agent would be aware of everything like the neighborhood, prices, taxes on selling a house in Wisconsin, and other important factors from the real estate perspective. Also hiring Wisconsin home inspectors can be beneficial for the buyer in thoroughly validating the property’s value.
There are 3 options in the selling process i.e. using help of a real estate broker, going FSBO, or using Flat Fee MLS service. Selling a house fast with the help of a real estate broker may cost you around 6% as commission fees which is quite high. Next, selling a house by owner in Wisconsin will require your full involvement, taking care of every aspect of the transaction.
The last method is using Flat Fee MLS services like Houzeo which is 100% online and makes most of the processes digitized. The platform takes care of many features like listing your house on MLS and other real estate websites, managing home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.
» Staging your Home: Check out what is home staging and how is it useful for you.
Types of Licensed Real Estate Brokers in Wisconsin
Types of Brokers | Description |
---|---|
1. Flat Fee MLS Brokers > | A flat fee MLS broker has an upfront fee of $199-$999. They list your property on the MLS and provide customizable services on an ala carte basis. » MORE: Find Flat Fee MLS Brokers in America |
2. Flat Rate or Discount Brokers > | A flat rate or discount broker offers all the services of a traditional broker for a discounted flat rate. This can range anywhere between $2000 to $8000. » MORE: Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in America |
3. Low Commission Brokers > | A low commission broker charges a lower commission than a traditional broker. Even if the buyer agent commission remains standard, their listing broker commission ranges between 0.5% - 1.5% of the selling price. » MORE: Low Commission Brokers in America |
4. Virtual Full-Service Brokers > | Virtual full service brokers provide all services from listing, documentation, negotiation, showings, to closing 100% online. They may have a set upfront fee or a commission. » MORE: Fine Your Virtual Full Service Partner Brokers |
5. Traditional In-person Brokers > | A traditional in-person broker is a real estate professional that provides all services for the buyer and seller for a commission of 3%-6%. Luxury real estate brokers may charge more than 6%. » MORE: Know About How to get Preapproved for a Mortgage |
How to Find The Best Real Estate Broker Among Multiple Brokers in Wisconsin?
It is not easy. Simple! You will need to be methodical and will have to do a thorough research and analysis for the process. Taking recommendations from friends and family can be a good option, but the final decision will rest on you.
Here’s what you can do to find the right real estate broker In Wisconsin:
💻 Use Zillow or Wisconsin REALTORS to find the brokers in your specific area. Check their expertize and skills before making a decision. |
⏲️ Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts. Post that you can visit the profile of brokers to understand if they fit the bill. |
👱 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. Choose a local real estate broker and you could substantially save on time and efforts. However, real estate commissions still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker. |
💰 Flat Fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time. If you are going FSBO, then Houzeo could prove to be a great option for you. It is a 100% online platform that makes the comprehensive listing paperwork and other processes seamless. |
💲 Save 3% Listing Fee by Selling FSBO
Save thousands in commission by listing on the MLS with Houzeo Technology!
START YOUR MLS LISTING NOW
👁️🗨️ Sneak Peek: Top Wisconsin Real Estate Brokerages + Companies
Company | Specializes in | 100% Online | Customer Ratings | Coverage |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Houzeo | Flat Fee MLS Platform, Virtual Full-Service Packages | ✅ | 4.9/5 (2,883 reviews) | Nationwide |
2. Shorewest Realtors | Best for Luxury properties | ❌ | 3.9/5 (14 reviews) | Localized |
🏆 Reviews: Best Real Estate Brokerages and Companies in Wisconsin
1. Houzeo: Best Flat Fee MLS Platform
🏢 About Houzeo: Houzeo is the most popular and competitive platform for sellers looking for full service affordable companies that will give maximum savings with minimum real estate agent interaction. Also, it is considered to be the best Flat Fee MLS and FSBO provider in the US real estate market.
⚡ Package Customization: You can customize the listing packages as per your requirements and even opt for services like contract review, pricing assistance, professional photography, and more as per the requirement.
⭐ 5 Star Reviews: Houzeo has superior reviews on popular websites like Google and Trustpilot.
🏆 Best For: Zero hidden fees, MLS exposure, 100% automated process, Listing within 8 business hours with Houzeo Concierge, Buyer leads directly shared with the seller, Counteroffer feature, and Affordable full-service packages` No other real estate company comes close to offering such features.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $3.5 billion transactions in 2021
💰 Affordability: Houzeo is an advanced tech platform that allows home sellers to list their homes on the MLS for a small flat fee. A seller works with a listing agent who doesn’t typically charge a commission. This saves you almost 50% of the agent commissions right away.
The pricing for Flat Fee MLS services in Wisconsin using Houzeo varies from $319 – $449. This is much lower than the traditional 3% listing commission.
Houzeo uses cutting edge technology to offer unmatched services to their clients.
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any 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 agent.
- Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing.
- Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google and Trustpilot.
Houzeo is available nationwide.
2. Shorewest Realtors: Best For Residential & Commercial Properties
Best for Residential & Commercial Properties
Top real estate company for residential and commercial properties in WI(14 Reviews)
🏢 About: Shorewest Realtors was founded in 1946 under the name “Wauwatosa Realty”. The company has 26 offices and over 1000 associates in Wisconsin today. It claims to be Wisconsin’s largest home seller and expert in the local real estate market. Shorewest Realtors has both residential as well as commercial real estate brokers to cater Wisconsin.
👨⚖️ Advantage: Shorewest Realtors is one of the exclusive real estate companies in Wisconsin with a rich history. The company deals in both residential and commercial sales. It also caters to farms, condos, luxury, and duplex sales. The company is known for relocation and mortgage related real estate services.
Selling With Shorewest Realtors: As a seller, you have little to do when working with Shorewest Realtors. All the negotiations with buyer and buyer agent, contract reviews, etc. are taken care by the company through their knowledgeable and professional real estate brokers. The company also provides Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help sellers set the right price of their property. Shorewest keeps you updated with all the steps while selling a property by providing a checklist.
Buying With Shorewest Realtors:
Shorewest Realtors lay equal importance on buying process as well. You can talk to and interview the buyer agents to choose the best one for you. All the steps right from selecting the homes to visiting them to sending offers to closing, everything is taken care by your Shorewest broker. The buying steps could be complex but Shorewest Realtors claim to make the process easier by helping the buyers at every step.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $3.26 billion transactions in 2021.
💰 Affordability: Shorewest Realtors brokers typically charge 5%-6% as commission fees which is similar to many other real estate companies.
With shorewest.com, customers can find homes by location, price range, etc. There is also the capability to display guided home tours through the platform. Buyers get the details of open houses and access to mortgage calculator easily.
With myShorewest, buyers can do a lot like saving and customizing property search and even get emails when a new property is listed. The company also have a technical system using which the properties are shared with all the associates of the company.
Shorewest Realtors has a 3.9 out of 5 rating on Google.
Shorewest Realtors caters following MLS’: Metro MLS, RANW MLS, Greater Northwood MLS, and South Central Wisconsin MLS.
Alternatives to Wisconsin Real Estate Brokers & Brokerages
Apart from the real estate brokers and brokerages, you can take other routes as well for your real estate transaction in the state of Wisconsin:
📈 Sell FSBO with Flat Fee MLS | Going FSBO with Flat Fee MLS service in Wisconsin gets you on the local MLS and the listing also gets syndicated to other real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com, etc. which increases the chances of the exposure of your listing. With FSBO/Flat Fee MLS platforms like Houzeo, you can get multiple offers and also compare the highest and the best offers from potential buyers. There is an opportunity to negotiate the sale price, closing costs, etc., and save substantially in commissions by choosing a Flat Fee MLS platform or low commission real estate agent. One more way is that you can take help of Wisconsin discount real estate brokers to save on commissions. » MORE: How to List on the MLS by Owner Without a Realtor |
📲 Take Help of iBuyers | iBuyers are instant buyers. These companies have created a level-playing field with full cash offers and technologically advanced platforms. Wisconsin too have options of iBuyers. The important point is that you get a reasonably fair cash offer instantly, and you can close within a matter of a few days. » MORE: Top iBuyers in 2024 |
🤑 Companies Buying Houses for Cash | If you are not ready to spend thousands of dollars on repairs or closing costs, then you can choose “we buy houses for cash” companies. These companies help sell your house fast for cash, but they’ll pay pretty less i.e. 30% to 70% of your home’s market value. » MORE: Companies Buying Houses for Cash in 2024 |
💲 You Know Your Home Better Than Any Real Estate Broker
Trust your gut, and sell your home yourself with Houzeo technology!
START YOUR MLS LISTING NOW
Wisconsin Real Estate Brokers & Brokerages: Is 3% Listing Fee Worth It?
The Flat Fee MLS models catering companies like Houzeo make a lot of difference when it comes shelling out big bucks. With Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo you can list your house by owner in Wisconsin at a small flat rate. This means that you don’t have to spend 3% commission.
The comprehensive paperwork that comes with listing a house has been intuitively digitized on Houzeo, and you can finish all listing formalities in under is 1-2 hours max.
» Cash House Buyers Wisconsin: Check out the top cash buyer companies in WI.
Find Your New Home in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 the best FSBO and Flat Fee MLS platform in the United States.
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo.com reviews and learn why it is one of the best free websites to list for sale by owner in America.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is broker commission in real estate?
Broker commissions in real estate are the fees that the real estate broker charges for their services during property transactions. The average broker commission rates are 5% to 6% of the home's sale price. You can certainly negotiate the commission rates, but keep in mind that a lower buyer agent's commission rate can make them ignore your property. Typically, the buyer's agent commission is 2.5% to 3%.
2. How much do real estate brokers make in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin real estate brokers (listing and buyer agent) typically make a good fortune with combined commission rates between 5% to 6% of the home's sales price. There are also real estate brokers that sign-up for Flat Fee MLS services for just listing the property on the MLS. By opting for Flat Fee MLS listings for multiple customers, they are able to keep a good sum of money.
3. How to get real estate brokers license in Wisconsin?
There are some defined conditions to become a broker in Wisconsin. Read Here for more details.
4. How to start a real estate brokerage in Wisconsin?
Starting a brokerage is not an easy task. Different counties in Wisconsin and other states may have different rules for starting a brokerage. Here is an example of how to start a brokerage in Greater Milwaukee area.