Compare Bay Area low-commission realtors
A small difference in a listing fee can mean thousands of dollars on a Bay Area home. The useful comparison includes the work you receive, any minimum commission and the conditions behind the advertised rate. Here is how Eaton’s referral option with Louis Fong of Equitas Homes compares with three widely advertised alternatives.
What this comparison covers
Eaton is introducing its own referral option, so this is a commercial comparison, not an independent ranking. Eaton may receive referral compensation from a participating brokerage when a transaction closes. You choose whether to proceed, and the receiving brokerage confirms your services and fee in writing.
Competitor figures below were checked against their published pages on November 2, 2026. They describe listing-side charges, with separate conditions for minimums, additional services and buyer-agent compensation.
Compare the published listing fees
| Option | Listing fee | Conditions that matter |
|---|---|---|
| Eaton introduction to Louis Fong Our referral option | 1% | Full-service Bay Area representation through Equitas Homes, subject to property acceptance and a written agreement. Louis has confirmed no minimum listing price at present and no additional brokerage fees for the discussed listing arrangement. Confirm any direct-buyer terms separately. |
| Clever | 2% in California | Its seller-services page specifies 2% for California and says rates may not be guaranteed below $150,000. Obtain the current local quote and minimum. |
| Redfin | 2% San Francisco standard rate | The published San Francisco minimum is $9,000. A conditional 1% rate requires also buying with Redfin within 365 days. Minimums and other terms apply. |
| Ideal Agent | 2% | Its FAQ lists a $4,000 fee for homes below $200,000. The receiving agent’s agreement establishes the services. |
Clever advertises a national starting rate of 1.5%, and its general FAQ still mentions a $3,000 minimum. Its seller-services page specifically lists California at 2%, which is the regional rate used here. Confirm the applicable minimum in your quote.
Redfin’s San Francisco row is a published market reference; confirm which market applies to your address. Its partner-agent transactions have different terms, and an unrepresented buyer increases its listing fee by one percentage point. All commissions are negotiable.
What those percentages mean on a $1 million sale
| Scenario | Listing-side amount | Difference from 1% |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Fong through Eaton at 1% | $10,000 | — |
| Clever at its published California 2% | $20,000 | $10,000 |
| Redfin at its San Francisco standard 2% | $20,000 | $10,000 |
| Redfin at the conditional 1% rate | $10,000 | $0 |
| Ideal Agent at 2% | $20,000 | $10,000 |
These are calculations at the stated rates, not quotes or predictions of your final proceeds. They exclude buyer-agent compensation, transfer taxes, title and escrow charges, preparation costs, concessions and other negotiated expenses. Redfin’s reduced-rate example assumes you satisfy its qualifying purchase and other conditions. A different sale price, local quote or minimum can change the comparison.
Compare the work behind the fee
Equitas describes broker-led pricing, MLS distribution, professional photography and other media, open houses, showing coordination, negotiation, disclosure work and escrow oversight. Louis also confirmed transaction-tracking access for the Eaton arrangement. Ask how those services will be scheduled for your property and who will respond when an offer arrives.
Clever’s published full-service package includes photography, marketing, showings, negotiation and closing coordination. Redfin also describes photography, MLS marketing, an open-house schedule and transaction support. With any option, obtain the actual preparation and marketing plan before signing.
Compare paid extras carefully. Equitas advertises staging that is prepaid and reimbursed at closing; that does not make staging free. Repairs, inspections and other third-party expenses need their own approval and budget.
Full-service representation or an MLS-only listing?
These choices divide the work differently. With full-service representation, your agent advises on pricing and offers, manages negotiations and helps keep the transaction moving. An MLS-only service primarily provides listing exposure while you take responsibility for more of the sale.
When comparing a flat fee with a percentage, write down who handles inquiries, property access, disclosures, contract changes and inspection negotiations. A low upfront charge may fit an experienced seller with time to manage those tasks. Review our California flat-fee MLS guide for questions to ask providers.
Seven questions to settle before you choose
- What is my complete listing-side charge? Request the percentage, any dollar minimum and administrative or transaction fees.
- What happens with an unrepresented buyer? Ask about added coordination charges and who the broker represents.
- What marketing is included? Confirm photography, floor plans, video, open houses and any paid advertising.
- Who handles physical access? Agree on showings, lockbox arrangements and scheduling around your household.
- What preparation costs extra? Separate staging, repairs and inspection expenses from brokerage compensation.
- How do I receive updates? Establish the contact person, feedback process and access to transaction milestones.
- What are the agreement and cancellation terms? Read the listing duration, termination provisions and any reimbursement obligations.
Use the same questions with every candidate. That produces a clearer comparison than treating every “full-service” label as an identical package.
Which option fits your sale?
Start with Eaton’s referral option if you want to explore a named local broker at a 1% listing-side fee. Your request comes to Eaton first; we confirm the location and proposed introduction.
Compare Clever if reviewing several matched agents is useful to you. Review Redfin’s qualifying offer if you also expect to buy with Redfin within its required timeframe. Include Ideal Agent if you want another matched-agent proposal to compare.
Then assess the person and plan: relevant property experience, availability, communication and proposed pricing. A lower fee improves the arithmetic at the same sale price and service costs; it does not establish the eventual sale price or result.
Choose the right Bay Area starting point
Louis has confirmed Bay Area coverage for Eaton inquiries. Confirm your address and property needs before relying on a particular service arrangement. Explore the San Francisco and Bay Area guide, the San Jose and Silicon Valley guide, or Oakland listing options.
Eaton receives the request and coordinates the introduction. Equitas Homes provides the local representation under its own agreement. You can review the proposed fee and services before choosing whether to list.
Seller questions
Is 1% the total cost of selling my Bay Area home?
No. It is the listing-side fee. Buyer-agent compensation and other sale costs are separate. Equitas also publishes a separate direct-sale program with additional coordination charges for an unrepresented buyer, so confirm the terms that would apply to your listing.
Does Louis have a minimum listing price?
Louis confirmed that there is currently no minimum listing price for the discussed Eaton arrangement. That statement concerns property eligibility; it should not be read as a separate promise that no minimum dollar commission could apply. Review the written quote.
Who receives my request and represents me?
Eaton receives your request first and helps arrange the introduction. If you proceed, the participating local brokerage confirms the services, fee and representation in its agreement. Louis Fong is identified by Equitas Homes with California DRE number 01151598.
Why does this guide show both 2% and 1% for Redfin?
Its published San Francisco standard listing rate is 2%. The reduced 1% offer depends on also buying with Redfin within 365 days and meeting its other conditions. Minimum commissions still apply. Ask Redfin which terms cover your specific property and plans.
Am I committed when I request Louis through Eaton?
No. The request starts a conversation and an availability check. You can review the proposed services and written terms before deciding whether to sign a listing agreement. The request itself does not establish seller representation.
Why does this Bay Area comparison use 2% for Clever?
Clever’s seller-services page specifically lists California at 2%, while other pages promote a national starting rate of 1.5%. We use the California figure for this regional example and recommend confirming the rate and minimum for your address.
Get a Bay Area proposal through Eaton
Tell us where the property is and what help you want. Eaton receives the inquiry and helps confirm Louis’s availability.
Request Louis through Eaton →