Redfin is the name most people think of when they hear "discount real estate." But here's what most buyers and sellers don't realize: Redfin still charges a percentage-based commission — and they don't put a managing broker on your deal.
ShopProp does both differently. And the savings gap is significant.
The Fee Comparison
| ShopProp | Redfin | |
|---|---|---|
| Seller Listing Fee | $4,995 flat (Full Service) | 1.5% of sale price |
| Buyer Fee | $1,995 flat | Varies (typically 2-2.5%) |
| Managing Broker? | Yes — every deal | No — salaried agents |
| Years in Business | 19 (since 2007) | 20 (since 2006) |
| National Press | NPR, USA Today, NY Post | Widely covered |
Why Percentages Still Don't Make Sense
Redfin charges 1.5% to list your home. Sounds low — until you do the math:
| Home Price | Redfin 1.5% | ShopProp Flat Fee | You Save with ShopProp |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $7,500 | $4,995 | $2,505 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,000 | $4,995 | $10,005 |
| $2,000,000 | $30,000 | $6,995 | $23,005 |
| $5,000,000 | $75,000 | $7,995 | $67,005 |
| $7,150,000 | $107,250 | $7,995 | $99,255 |
That last row isn't hypothetical. ShopProp recently handled both sides of a $7.15 million Irvine sale for $15,990 total. Redfin at 1.5% listing alone would have been $107,250. Our clients saved over $99,000 — on just the listing side.
The Managing Broker Difference
Redfin uses salaried agents. They handle volume — lots of transactions, lots of clients at once. It's efficient, but it means your deal is one of many on their plate.
ShopProp puts a licensed managing broker on every single transaction. That's a higher license level than a standard agent — more education, more experience, legal authority to oversee your deal. It's the difference between a staff attorney and a senior partner.
On a $2 million home, you're making the biggest financial decision of your life. ShopProp gives you the senior partner for $6,995. Redfin gives you a salaried agent for $30,000.
The Buyer Side: Redfin's Rebate vs ShopProp's Rebate
Redfin used to offer buyer refunds but has scaled them back significantly. Today, Redfin buyer agent commissions vary by market and aren't always transparent.
ShopProp is clear: $1,995 flat buyer fee. The rest of whatever the seller offers as buyer agent compensation comes back to you at closing. Period.
On a $1 million home with 2.5% offered ($25,000): ShopProp charges $1,995 and returns $23,005 to you. That's not a "refund" or a "rebate program" — it's the fundamental business model.
The CMA Tool: Something Redfin Doesn't Offer
Redfin has its own estimate — another black-box number. ShopProp has ShopProp Intelligence: an interactive CMA tool that shows you the actual comparable sales and lets you adjust each one for condition, location, view, and lot size.
You can't do that on Redfin. You can't do that on Zillow. You can only do it on ShopProp.
Real Results
- $342,000 saved — Irvine, CA ($7.15M, buyer + seller)
- $247,000 saved — Atherton, CA ($10.2M home, NPR story)
- $170,255 saved — Tiburon, CA ($7.13M home)
- $120,000 saved — Palo Alto, CA (Mercury News story)
4.9 stars on Yelp. 117+ reviews. Managing broker-led since 2007.