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Should I hire an agent willing to work for 1% commission?
Do discount real estate agents do everything the full price ones do?
Asked By Sally L. | Ola, ID | 2071 views | Working With An Agent | Updated 4 months ago
Answers (19)
Lisa and Greg Harris
eXp Realty, LLC
What makes you ask about 1% is my question. Are you worried about the amount the agent is making or you are netting from the sale? If yo are looking for a discount broker, do you expect them to negotiate and work as hard as an agent that knows their value and works for their commission? If an agent can get you the net you want, and still make full commission then what the agent makes does not matter! If an agent is willing to give away their worth before they have even negotiated on your behalf, how quickly are they going to negotiate your equity away on your behalf? You get what you pay for! It is about what you net and if they agent charges you 10% but over-delivers and gets you what you want out of the sale does that matter?
- 3 years ago
Helpful (2)
Unhelpful (0)
Marty & Abby Champagne
RE/MAX Market Place
1%? Umm... How is that agent going to pay the buyers agent their commissions? or any advertising? This agent would be taking a loss. I see a red flag here.
- 3 years ago
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Lynne Pruell
Realty 100 LLC
An agent taking 1% is not making a lot on the transaction. There is no room to properly advertise your home. Advertisement, professional photographers, virtual tours, etc all costs money. I would read the listing agreement carefully and find out exactly what the realtor will be offering before you sign the agreement.
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
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Al Maxwell
eXp Realty
That is certainly up to you. The commission paid to the listing agent is split up in many ways. The agent usually has to share this with his/her broker first of all. Then the agent uses the remaining amount to market, list, follow up and a million other things behind the scene. (And pay Taxes)
- 3 years ago
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Melissa Key
Woodland Realty, Inc.
The answer is NO! Discount agents also discount the amount of services they are going to provide to you. Do you feel comfortable using a "discount" doctor, dentist, CPA, or attorney? Probably not. They may be a "discount" type of job. Go with a great Broker or Agent that offers all the services you need. Best of luck!
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
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Anne Kofsky
Coldwell Banker
I have never seen that. Discount commissions come with discount services. The old saying, you get what you paid for is very true.,
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
- Unhelpful (0)
Brian Sullivan
Highgarden Real Estate
You get what you pay for.
- 3 years ago
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Jessica Owen
eXp Realty LLC
In most cases, discount agents do not offer as much as full price agents. Great marketing, photography, signs, print materials, etc are not cheap and on top of that, we are motivated by our income- that is how we take care of our family after all- so knowing that my clients are paying me well motivates me to go above and beyond for them in all aspects. However, I do know some discount agents that work very hard. I think you would just need to interview them and make a decision based on how you feel after, and make sure to read the fine print. Sometimes discount agents have hidden fees that make up for the gap in commission. Good luck with your sale!
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
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Tony Ayoub
Re/Max College Park Realty
These are discount agents they just salp the house on the MLS without a good picture or an open house, you need an agent that can bring you the most money, the commission is an investment, not a fee .
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
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Christopher Scialpa
Easy Home Sales LLC
1% is a tuff number to work with, because we have to treat the buyers agent fair in order to help the sellers get what they are asking for.
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
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Zakk Varughese
HomesRX
In general, agents who are willing to work for 1% are those agents who are inexperienced. You want an experienced agent.
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (1)
- Unhelpful (0)
Nicole Mayfield
Miller Homes Group- The A Team
In most instances, if they are discounting their commissions that much, they are likely discounting they services too
- 3 years ago
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Amanda Courtney
REP Realty Group
You get what you pay for. A 1% agent saves you money upfront, but often means minimal marketing and less negotiation power, which can lead to a lower final sale price.
💡 The Advice: Interview both a full-service agent and a 1% agent. Compare their marketing plans and track records before you decide.
💡 The Advice: Interview both a full-service agent and a 1% agent. Compare their marketing plans and track records before you decide.
- 1 month ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
Claudia Looi
Keller Williams Landmark II
You can hire a 1 percent agent, but you get what you pay for. Discount agents usually offer limited service and may not provide full marketing or hands-on support.
- 3 months ago
- Helpful (0)
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Ryan Reed
Century 21 Homestar
No, "discount" agents do not offer the same breadth of services as "full price" agents. A better way to look at the differing roles is to think of one as being "limited service" and the other as being "full service". Always focus on the level of service offered to you by an agent - not just the commission amount. Whether you hire a "limited service" agent or not depends on what your goals are. Are you seeking to maximize your sale proceeds with full service professional representation that does your heavy lifting? Then hire a full service agent. Or are you trying to tweak costs on the front end by seeking a lower commission rate? Then go with a limited service agent - but, be prepared to see the reality of a service level that matches that commission rate. What's more important to you? Saving 1-2% on agent commission or potentially leaving thousands of dollars on the table when your property has sold?
- 4 hours ago
- Helpful (0)
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Tony Ayoub
Re/Max College Park Realty
These are discount agents they just salp the house on the MLS without a good picture or an open house, you need an agent that can bring you the most money, the commission is an investment, not a fee .
- 3 years ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
Penn Henderson
NextHome Paradise Realty
Great question, Sally, and the short answer is: usually not.
Here's the reality of what often gets cut when an agent drops to 1%:
Marketing:
Professional photography, videography, 3D tours, targeted digital advertising, print materials — these cost real money. At 1%, something has to give, and marketing is usually the first to go. Your listing deserves to look its best, especially in a competitive market.
Time and attention:
Discount brokerages often run high volumes to make the math work. That can mean less responsiveness, less negotiation muscle, and less hand-holding through what is likely one of the biggest financial transactions of your life.
Buyer agent cooperation:
If the total commission is only 1%, there may be little to nothing offered to the buyer's agent. That can quietly discourage agents from showing your home, which shrinks your buyer pool.
Experience and expertise:
Top-producing agents don't work for 1%. The agents willing to do so are often newer, less experienced, or operating inside a high-volume discount model where your listing is one of dozens.
The bottom line, Sally: A skilled agent typically nets you more money even after a full commission, because of stronger pricing strategy, better marketing, and sharper negotiation. The cheapest option rarely delivers the best outcome.
I'm not licensed in your area, but If you're thinking about buying or selling on the Big Island, I'd love to show you what full-service representation actually looks like:
https://pennhenderson.com/buying
https://pennhenderson.com/selling
Mahalo,
Penn
Here's the reality of what often gets cut when an agent drops to 1%:
Marketing:
Professional photography, videography, 3D tours, targeted digital advertising, print materials — these cost real money. At 1%, something has to give, and marketing is usually the first to go. Your listing deserves to look its best, especially in a competitive market.
Time and attention:
Discount brokerages often run high volumes to make the math work. That can mean less responsiveness, less negotiation muscle, and less hand-holding through what is likely one of the biggest financial transactions of your life.
Buyer agent cooperation:
If the total commission is only 1%, there may be little to nothing offered to the buyer's agent. That can quietly discourage agents from showing your home, which shrinks your buyer pool.
Experience and expertise:
Top-producing agents don't work for 1%. The agents willing to do so are often newer, less experienced, or operating inside a high-volume discount model where your listing is one of dozens.
The bottom line, Sally: A skilled agent typically nets you more money even after a full commission, because of stronger pricing strategy, better marketing, and sharper negotiation. The cheapest option rarely delivers the best outcome.
I'm not licensed in your area, but If you're thinking about buying or selling on the Big Island, I'd love to show you what full-service representation actually looks like:
https://pennhenderson.com/buying
https://pennhenderson.com/selling
Mahalo,
Penn
- 6 days ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
Michael Miller
HomeFound Group
Ive mentioned this in another answer. You get what you pay for! If you are going to list your home significantly below market value then you don't need to hire an agent for more than a small commission. If you are looking to net the most money on your purchase or sale then be wary of the 1% agent. It's surprisingly expensive to be a good agent!
- 3 days ago
- Helpful (0)
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Marcus Butler
CENTURY 21 Beutler & Associates
Hi Sally,
You may find a very ambitious 1% listing agent that offers a lot, but typically agents who only charge 1% aren't going to offer a comprehensive marketing strategy that other agents who are charging more would. Effectively marketing a home, and giving the listing the attention it deserves, requires time and money. At 1%, I cant image there being much room for a marketing budget or time commitment. In short - from my experiences, the answer is no.
You may find a very ambitious 1% listing agent that offers a lot, but typically agents who only charge 1% aren't going to offer a comprehensive marketing strategy that other agents who are charging more would. Effectively marketing a home, and giving the listing the attention it deserves, requires time and money. At 1%, I cant image there being much room for a marketing budget or time commitment. In short - from my experiences, the answer is no.
- 3 months ago
- Helpful (0)
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More Information
-
Beware of Discount Real Estate Agents
Agents Work On Commission
This means that they make a percentage of the sale price of the home. Commission jobs assume that the work of the agent helped sell the home and achieve the price it sold for. That is why they typically get a commission and not a flat rate.
Because of this, many home buyers and sellers look for discount real estate agents. Discount real estate agents are agents that are willing to accept a commission rate that is below what is expected. The typical percentage an agent makes is 3% the sale of the home.Some agents will give a discount and still offer the same level of service. This might happen if they aren't fully booked, are just starting out or have another strong desire to work with a specific client.
Discount Agents Often Discount Service
If an agent is offering a rate that is well below average, for example an agent is willing to work for 1% commission, this could be a red flag. The old adage, you get what you pay for, is true in real estate. Agents that offer steep discounts might be having trouble getting clients.
Great Agents Are Worth the Price
Top real estate agents don't have to offer a discount because the value they bring to a client is worth the price they charge. So if you are looking for a real estate agent, beware of discount agents and brokerages. There is usually more to the story than just a good deal.
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