Which Real Estate Company Has the Lowest Commission?

If you are selling a home in South Florida, the first thing most people ask is: how much is this going to cost me? Commission is usually the biggest line item, and searching for low commission realtors is a reasonable place to start. With the median home price in Palm Beach County now well above $600,000, a single percentage point in commission is worth thousands of dollars. This guide breaks down which companies charge the least, what you give up in return, and how to decide whether a discount model actually saves you money.

How traditional real estate commission works

In a standard transaction, the seller pays a total commission that is split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. Historically, that combined rate has been 5% to 6% of the sale price. On a $650,000 home, a 6% commission is $39,000. That figure comes out of your proceeds at closing.

After the 2024 National Association of Realtors settlement, the formal requirement to offer a buyer's agent commission through the MLS was eliminated. Sellers can now negotiate buyer's agent compensation separately or decline to offer it at all. In practice, many sellers in South Florida still offer 2% to 2.5% to buyer's agents because it brings more buyers to the table, but the conversation has changed. That shift has also made discount models easier to adopt without walking away from the buyer pool.

The main low-commission companies

Redfin

Redfin is the most recognized name in discount real estate. Their listing fee is 1.5% for sellers, down from the traditional 2.5% to 3% a listing agent typically charges. You still need to factor in what you offer to the buyer's agent, so your total commission might land around 3.5% to 4% instead of 5% to 6%.

Redfin operates in South Florida, including Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade. The model is salaried agents (rather than commission-based), combined with a technology platform. Reviews are mixed. Some sellers report smooth transactions; others note that their agent handled too many clients at once to give their home individual attention.

Clever Real Estate

Clever is a referral network that connects sellers to local agents who agree to charge 1.5% (or a minimum flat fee). The agent still works in their normal brokerage environment; Clever collects a referral fee on the back end. Because the agents are full-service locals, the experience can feel more personalized than a tech brokerage. The catch is that agents who accept Clever referrals may prioritize higher-commission clients when time is tight.

Houwzer

Houwzer charges a flat $5,000 listing fee instead of a percentage. On a $700,000 home, that is less than 1% for the listing side. Houwzer is primarily active in certain East Coast markets; their Florida presence is limited compared to Redfin or Clever, so availability in all eight counties we serve is not guaranteed.

Flat-fee MLS services

These companies charge a one-time fee, typically $100 to $500, to list your home on the local MLS and Zillow without providing agent representation. You handle showings, negotiations, disclosures, and contracts yourself. Some sellers who are experienced investors or who have sold homes before manage this well. First-time sellers or those with complex properties tend to struggle with the legal and negotiation demands.

In Florida, listing a home requires a complete seller's disclosure, compliance with the FAR/BAR contract, and often navigating HOA requirements. Errors in contracts can expose sellers to liability or kill deals at the last minute.

Full service vs. limited service: what you actually get

The distinction between a full-service agent and a limited-service or discount agent comes down to three areas: pricing strategy, marketing reach, and negotiation.

Pricing strategy. An experienced agent who knows the South Florida market can set a list price that attracts multiple offers. Overpricing by even 3% often leads to a price reduction 30 days later, and homes that sit collect stigma. A price reduction frequently costs more than the commission savings.

Marketing reach. Professional photography, MLS syndication, email campaigns to buyer agents, and targeted digital ads all cost money. A flat-fee listing gets you MLS access and little else. A full-service agent invests their own marketing budget in your listing because their commission depends on it selling well.

Negotiation. In South Florida, where cash offers are common and buyers routinely ask for inspection credits or closing cost contributions, a skilled negotiator protects your net proceeds. Losing $10,000 in concessions because you lacked representation erases the commission savings quickly.

The South Florida math: why commission percentage matters more here

In markets where the average home sells for $250,000, saving 1% is $2,500. In South Florida, that same 1% is a different number.

• $500,000 sale: 1% savings = $5,000
• $750,000 sale: 1% savings = $7,500
• $1,200,000 sale: 1% savings = $12,000

On a luxury condo in Boca Raton or a waterfront home in Jupiter, the dollar difference between a 1.5% listing fee and a 3% listing fee can exceed $20,000. That makes the discount broker conversation meaningful in ways it simply is not in lower-cost markets.

At the same time, South Florida homes are expensive enough that the difference between a strong sale price and a weak one is also larger. If a full-service agent secures an extra $25,000 by running the listing to multiple offers rather than accepting the first bid, their 3% commission paid for itself. Use the home sale calculator to estimate your net proceeds under different commission and price scenarios.

How to negotiate commission with any agent

Most sellers do not realize that commission is always negotiable. Here are approaches that work.

1. List at a slower time of year. Agents competing for fewer listings in the summer or just after the winter season tend to be more flexible on rate.
2. Offer to buy through the same agent. If you are selling and buying simultaneously and the agent represents you on both sides, asking for a reduced listing commission is reasonable.
3. Ask about tiered structures. Some agents will work for 2.5% if the home sells above a target price, which aligns their incentive with yours.
4. Prepare your home before listing. A home that shows well and requires minimal agent effort to market often gets more flexibility on rate. Agents know a clean, priced-right listing sells itself faster.

You do not need to use a discount brokerage to get a fair commission. Most full-service agents in South Florida have room to negotiate, especially if the listing is straightforward.

When discount brokerages make sense

Discount models work best in specific situations.

• Your home is in a high-demand neighborhood where properties sell within days regardless of marketing. In this case, reduced service matters less.
• You have prior real estate experience and can manage contracts and negotiations yourself.
• You are selling a property you know well, like an investment property you have sold before in the same complex.
• The market is heavily tilted toward sellers and multiple offers are likely with minimal effort.

Discount brokerages are a worse fit when the home needs pricing strategy, when there are known issues that require careful disclosure, or when the seller does not have time to manage the process themselves.

What "buyer's agent commission" means for sellers now

After the 2024 NAR settlement, sellers are no longer required to offer a buyer's agent commission in the MLS. But declining to offer anything can reduce the pool of buyers whose agents are willing to show the home, particularly at lower price points.

In South Florida, most buyer's agents still expect some compensation. The current market norm is roughly 2% to 2.5% offered to the buyer's side. Some sellers negotiate this down to 1.5% or even $5,000 flat on higher-priced properties. The key is understanding that this negotiation now happens openly, which gives sellers more control than they had before.

If you want to explore your options before listing, the home value tool gives you a starting estimate, and our agents can walk you through current commission norms in your specific market.

Alternatives to discount brokerages

If your primary goal is to net more money from the sale, there are paths beyond just reducing commission.

Cash buyers. Selling directly to a cash buyer eliminates agent commissions entirely, along with most closing costs. The trade-off is that cash offers typically come in below market value. For sellers who need certainty and speed, this can still net more than a traditional sale with a difficult buyer. See Florida cash home buyers for how this works.

New construction trade-in programs. Some builders offer trade-in programs where they purchase your existing home at a fixed price when you buy new construction, simplifying the transaction at a known net figure.

As-is sales with minimal repair concessions. A competent agent can list your home as-is, set expectations clearly in the listing, and price accordingly. This limits post-inspection negotiation and often produces a cleaner net than a traditional sale with extensive repair credits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the lowest commission a real estate agent will take?

Most discount brokerages charge 1% to 1.5% on the listing side. Individual agents may go as low as 1% in exchange for minimal services, or 2% for full service on a straightforward listing. Flat-fee MLS companies charge a fixed amount, often $200 to $500, with no agent representation included.

Does using a low commission realtor mean my home will sell for less?

Not always, but the risk exists. Studies on Redfin's early model found homes sold for slightly less on average compared to traditional agents, though the savings sometimes offset that gap. In competitive South Florida markets, pricing strategy and negotiation skill often matter more than the marketing budget, so the agent's local expertise is the key variable.

Is Redfin available in Palm Beach County and Broward County?

Yes. Redfin operates in the South Florida metro area, including Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Their agent coverage can vary by specific market, so it is worth confirming local availability before signing a listing agreement.

Can I offer 0% to the buyer's agent?

After the 2024 NAR settlement, you are no longer required to offer a buyer's agent commission. However, offering zero may deter buyer's agents from showing your home, which can reduce competition and lower your sale price. Most South Florida sellers still offer 1.5% to 2.5% on the buyer's side to stay competitive.

How do I compare my net proceeds between commission options?

The easiest method is to run the numbers with a calculator. Factor in your expected sale price, the listing commission, buyer's agent commission, closing costs (typically 1% to 2% in Florida outside of commission), and any repairs or staging costs. The home sale calculator on this site lets you plug in these figures and see your estimated net.

Are there any risks to using a flat-fee MLS service in Florida?

Yes. Florida has specific disclosure requirements, including the FAR/BAR contract, homeowner association disclosure rules, and seller property disclosure forms. Without agent guidance, sellers can miss required disclosures, accept unfavorable contract terms, or mismanage inspection responses, all of which can lead to legal liability or a collapsed deal. Flat-fee services are lowest-risk for experienced sellers with straightforward transactions.