The Commission Question Every Buyer and Seller Should Ask
I'm Rob Luecke, managing broker at ShopProp since 2007. I've closed over 4,000 transactions across 8 states, and every week I see the same question: who actually charges the lowest real estate commission?
The answer depends on what you're actually getting. A lot of "low commission" companies sound great until you realize you're paying less for less service. Here's the real comparison — no spin, just numbers.
2026 Commission Comparison: What You Actually Pay
| Company | Buyer Fee | Seller Fee | Managing Broker? | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShopProp | From $1,995 | From $4,995 | Yes — every deal | 8 states |
| Clever Real Estate | Standard 2-3% | 1.5% (min $3,000) | No — referral network | 50 states (referral) |
| Redfin | Standard 2-3% | 1-1.5% | No — salaried agents | Major metros |
| Houzeo | N/A (sellers only) | $349-$999 (MLS only) | No — self-service | 50 states |
| HomeLight | Standard 2-3% | Referral to agents | No — agent matching | 50 states (referral) |
| Flat Fee Group | Varies | $299-$999 (MLS only) | No — MLS-only | 40+ states |
Notice the pattern? The "lowest commission" companies fall into two camps: referral services that match you with random agents (Clever, HomeLight), and MLS-only services that list your home and disappear (Houzeo, Flat Fee Group). Neither gives you a managing broker who actually works your deal.
Why the Managing Broker Difference Matters
When you hire ShopProp, I'm personally involved in every transaction. Not a random agent from a referral network. Not a chatbot. Me — a broker with 19 years of experience who has handled everything from $200K starter homes to a $10.2M estate in Atherton.
That managing broker oversight is what Clever and HomeLight can't offer at any price. They connect you with agents who pay them a referral fee. Those agents have no obligation to save you money — they're paying Clever for leads.
Real Numbers From This Month
San Mateo, CA — September 14, 2026
29 Weepingridge Ct, San Mateo, CA 94402
- Purchase price: $1,490,000
- Traditional agent commission (2.5%): $37,250
- ShopProp fee: $7,995
- Buyer saved: $29,255
Los Gatos, CA — September 2, 2026
18355 Idylwild Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95033
- Purchase price: $2,850,000
- Traditional agent commission (2.5%): $71,250
- ShopProp fee: $7,995
- Buyer saved: $63,255
Combined savings from just these two transactions: $92,510. Both buyers received full managing broker representation — disclosure reviews, negotiation strategy, closing coordination — at a flat fee.
The Percentage Trap
Clever charges 1.5% to sellers. On a $1M home, that's $15,000. ShopProp's full-service listing starts at $4,995. That's a $10,005 difference for the same service — or better, since ShopProp includes managing broker oversight.
Redfin's listing fee of 1-1.5% still costs $10,000-$15,000 on a million-dollar home. They've also absorbed Rocket Mortgage into Rocket Close, adding lending fees to the equation.
HomeLight doesn't even discount — they match you with a traditional agent and take a referral cut. The agent still charges standard commission.
8 States. 4,000+ Closings. One Flat Fee.
ShopProp is licensed in California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Hawaii, Michigan, and Colorado. We've been doing this since 2007 — longer than Clever (2017), Houzeo (2017), or HomeLight (2012) have existed.
Want to see the actual savings? Our commission savings calculator shows you the exact numbers for any home price. Or browse 335+ real closings with verified savings.
As featured in NPR, USA Today, New York Post, Brookings Institution, and Mercury News. Featured in discussions on Reddit's r/BayAreaRealEstate.