5 Best Low Commission Realtors in Houston, Texas (2026)
Houston sellers can choose among local 1% brokerages, national discount companies, agent-matching services and flat-fee MLS plans. The important comparison is not only the headline fee—it is the actual listing-side cost, any minimum, who represents you and what work remains with the seller. Sellers outside Houston can start with Eaton’s Texas seller coverage to compare all three plans and confirm the local MLS path. For seller-managed listings, read the Texas flat fee MLS comparison.
Ownership disclosure: Eaton Real Estate Company publishes this guide and is included in the comparison. This is not an independent consumer publication. To make the ranking auditable, the criteria, limitations and direct source links used on September 1, 2026 are shown below.
Independent Houston recognition: Clever Real Estate’s September 2026 Houston comparison names Eaton its Budget Pick, publishes Eaton’s 1% listing fee with no minimum, and notes that the fee is due only if the home sells. View Clever’s Houston comparison ↗
Compare Low Commission Realtor Houston Options
Understand Houston Commission
In This Guide
What Counts as a Low Commission Realtor?
A low commission real estate brokerage charges less on the listing side than many conventional full-service agents. The discount can be a percentage, a flat fee or a conditional rate tied to another transaction.
Full-Service Discount Broker
A licensed brokerage represents the seller, markets the property, handles offers and provides contract-to-close support for a reduced listing-side fee.
Agent-Matching Service
A marketplace refers the seller to a local partner agent who has agreed to a pre-negotiated listing rate.
Flat-Fee MLS
The broker enters the property into the MLS while the seller manages more of the active sale and transaction.
These models should not be treated as interchangeable. Eaton’s $99 MLS Basic and $499 FSBO Plus can cost less than percentage-based representation, but seller-managed MLS plans do not include the same representation or transaction management as 1% Full Service.
How This Houston Ranking Was Built
We reviewed the companies’ public pricing and service pages, checked whether they showed current Houston or nationwide availability, and compared the practical terms a seller can verify before making contact. The research snapshot was rechecked September 13, 2026.
35% · Price and Minimums
Published listing-side fee, minimum commission and when payment is due.
30% · Service Scope
Representation, MLS exposure, photography, negotiations and contract-to-close help.
20% · Houston Availability
Local Houston presence or clearly stated nationwide coverage with Houston agents.
15% · Clarity and Flexibility
Cancellation terms, published limitations and how clearly the company explains its model.
Correction from the earlier draft: 1 Percent Lists Lonestar Realty was removed because its official location page identifies San Antonio as its served market, not Houston. It was replaced with Clever Real Estate, which publishes nationwide availability and a 1.5% partner-agent rate. Clever’s September 2026 Houston ranking lists Eaton Real Estate Company as its Budget Pick and notes Eaton’s advertised 1% listing fee with no minimum.
A company can still be a good fit even if it ranks lower here. Sellers should obtain the Houston-specific agreement, confirm the individual agent or broker and compare the complete responsibilities before signing.
Quick Comparison: Houston Low Commission Options
| Company | Published Listing-Side Price | Model | Important Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton Real Estate Company | 1% Full Service; $99 MLS Basic; $499 FSBO Plus | Direct Houston broker or MLS-only | Photography is optional; MLS-only does not include seller representation |
| Creekstone Real Estate | 1% with a $3,000 minimum | Local Houston full service | Minimum raises the effective rate below a $300,000 sale |
| Houston Discount Realty | Advertises 1% full service | Local Houston full service | No minimum or cancellation terms were clearly published on the reviewed page |
| Clever Real Estate | 1.5% with a $3,000 minimum | Nationwide agent-matching marketplace | The actual listing agent works for a partner brokerage |
| Redfin | 2% if you only sell; effective 1% if you also buy with Redfin within 365 days | National brokerage with Houston agents | Market minimums and other terms apply; Redfin says it charges 2% first and refunds the 1% difference after a qualifying purchase closes |
Listing side only. Buyer-agent compensation, concessions, title charges and other selling expenses are separate. Pricing and terms can change; verify every proposal in writing.
Five Low Commission Real Estate Options for Houston Sellers
#1 · Best combination of price and plan flexibility
1. Eaton Real Estate Company
Eaton offers Houston sellers three choices: $99 MLS Basic, $499 FSBO Plus and 1% Full-Service representation. The 1% plan has no minimum listing fee, is paid at closing only if the property sells and can be canceled under the written agreement.
Full service includes seller representation, MLS exposure, pricing and positioning guidance, showing coordination, buyer-agent communication, offer review, negotiation help and contract-to-close guidance. The $499 FSBO Plus plan provides MLS entry but leaves inquiries, showings, offers, negotiations, title and closing coordination with the seller.
- Published price: 1% Full Service, $99 MLS Basic or $499 FSBO Plus.
- Why it ranks first here: A 1% full-service listing option alongside two clearly defined seller-managed plans.
- Watch for: Photography is not bundled. Professional photography is an optional $199 add-on and an Eaton yard sign is an optional $99 add-on with FSBO Plus and 1% Full Service only. MLS Basic sellers supply their own photos and cannot order either add-on.
- Buyer side: Separate, negotiable and chosen by the seller.
- Verify: Eaton’s Houston plans and terms.
#2 · Strong local full-service alternative
2. Creekstone Real Estate
Creekstone is a Houston-area brokerage advertising full-service representation for 1% with a $3,000 minimum. Its current seller page says there is no upfront cost and describes professional photography, pricing strategy, HAR MLS marketing, showing coordination, negotiation and transaction management.
Creekstone also publishes no-long-term-lock-in language and says sellers can cancel. Its local focus and clearly described service scope make it the strongest directly comparable Houston alternative in this review.
- Published price: 1% with a $3,000 minimum.
- Best for: Houston sellers who want a local 1% full-service brokerage with photography included.
- Watch for: On a sale below $300,000, the $3,000 minimum produces an effective rate above 1%.
- Buyer side: Separate and negotiable.
- Verify: Creekstone’s current seller page.
#3 · Local 1% brokerage
3. Houston Discount Realty
Houston Discount Realty advertises full-service listing representation for a 1% listing fee. Its public page describes MLS exposure, professional photos, showing management, offer negotiation, contract handling, inspections and appraisal coordination.
The reviewed page did not clearly state a minimum commission, cancellation structure or every potential additional charge. That does not mean those terms are unfavorable; it means a seller should request the actual agreement before comparing the effective price with other 1% options.
- Published price: Advertised 1% full-service listing fee.
- Best for: Sellers who want another local Houston brokerage to interview.
- Watch for: Confirm minimum fees, listing term, cancellation terms and exactly what photography is included.
- Verify: Houston Discount Realty’s current page.
#4 · Best for comparing matched agents
4. Clever Real Estate
Clever is a nationwide agent-matching marketplace rather than a traditional local brokerage office. It refers sellers to partner agents who have agreed to a 1.5% listing fee with a $3,000 minimum. Sellers can interview matches and are not charged for using the matching service.
This model can be useful for a seller who wants multiple agent introductions without negotiating the listing rate separately with each one. The trade-off is that the experience depends on the specific Houston partner agent and brokerage.
- Published price: 1.5% with a $3,000 minimum.
- Best for: Sellers who want to compare several pre-negotiated agent matches.
- Watch for: Ask who the actual Houston agent will be, what that agent includes and whether the minimum changes the effective rate.
- Verify: Clever’s current pricing FAQ.
#5 · Large national brokerage
5. Redfin
Redfin operates in Houston and publishes a current Houston agent roster. Its current savings page says sellers who only sell pay a 2% listing fee. The effective 1% rate requires the seller to also complete a qualifying Redfin purchase within 365 days.
Redfin says it charges 2% first and sends a check for the 1% difference after the qualifying purchase closes. Market minimums and other terms apply, and its public calculator notes that the listing fee increases by 1% of the sale price when the buyer is unrepresented. Sellers should compare the Houston-specific written proposal with unconditional 1% options.
- Published price: 2% sell-only example; effective 1% with qualifying buy-and-sell.
- Best for: Sellers who want a large brokerage and also expect to buy through Redfin.
- Watch for: Eligibility window, upfront rate, minimum commission and unrepresented-buyer terms.
- Verify: Redfin’s current savings terms and Houston agent roster.
Listing-Fee Examples at Common Sale Prices
These examples use the published percentage and known minimums. They compare the listing side only and do not include buyer-agent compensation or other selling expenses.
| Sale Price | Eaton 1% | Creekstone 1% / $3K min. | Houston Discount 1%* | Clever 1.5% / $3K min. | Redfin 2% sell-only* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $11,250 | $15,000 |
*Houston Discount Realty: table applies the advertised 1% rate, but the reviewed page did not clearly publish a minimum; verify the quote. Redfin: the table uses Redfin’s current 2% sell-only example. Redfin says qualifying sellers who also buy with Redfin within 365 days can receive the 1% difference after the purchase closes; market minimums and other terms apply.
For a broader explanation of listing-side versus buyer-side compensation, read Houston Realtor Commission: What Sellers Pay in 2026.
Houston 1% listings: check the minimum and photography
The same advertised percentage can buy a different package. Creekstone’s seller page, reviewed September 20, 2026, advertises a 1% listing fee with a $3,000 minimum and professional photography. Its homepage describes payment at closing and 30-day renewable agreements with no cancellation penalty.
Eaton’s 1% Full Service includes seller representation, CMA/pricing guidance, MLS management, buyer-agent communication, showing coordination and feedback, offer review and negotiation, and contract-to-close, title and closing coordination. It is paid at closing only if sold. Photography is optional at $199 and an Eaton yard sign is optional at $99. Cancellation is $0 subject to the signed agreement.
For example, 1% of $250,000 is $2,500, while a competitor’s $3,000 minimum would determine that competitor’s fee. At $500,000, a 1% base fee is $5,000; photography and other inclusions still matter. These are listing-side illustrations, not complete closing-cost estimates. Buyer-agent compensation is separate, negotiable and chosen by the seller.
Need MLS exposure while managing the sale yourself? Compare Texas $99 MLS Basic and $499 FSBO Plus before choosing representation. Confirm every company’s current written terms.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Low Commission Realtor
Ask every company the same questions and compare the written answers:
- Is this full seller representation or MLS entry only?
- What is the listing-side rate, dollar minimum and total brokerage fee?
- When is the fee due, and is anything paid before the listing is active?
- Who provides pricing guidance and prepares the MLS presentation?
- Are professional photographs, signs or lockboxes included?
- Who coordinates showings and follows up with buyer agents?
- Who reviews and negotiates the complete terms of each offer?
- Who manages inspection, appraisal, title and contract deadlines?
- Can the seller cancel, and is there a cancellation fee?
- Is buyer-agent compensation clearly shown as a separate, negotiable decision?
Seller tip: Compare the likely net and the work you must perform—not just the advertised percentage. A low fee can be valuable, but a service mismatch can cost more than the commission savings.
Full-Service Discount Broker vs. Flat-Fee MLS
A full-service discount broker represents the seller and remains involved through pricing, launch, showings, offers, negotiation and closing. A flat-fee MLS service focuses on MLS exposure while the seller performs more of the active sale.
Eaton’s 1% Full-Service plan and $499 FSBO Plus plan make that distinction explicit. The $499 FSBO Plus fee is due after the listing is live in the MLS and the seller has reviewed it. The fee is non-refundable once paid. This option is for sellers prepared to manage inquiries, access, negotiations, contracts, title and deadlines themselves.
For a direct service comparison, see 1% Full-Service vs. Flat-Fee MLS.
Related Houston Seller Guides
Houston Realtor Commission
Understand listing-side fees, separate buyer-agent compensation and 2026 Texas rules.
Cost to Sell in Houston
Review title charges, taxes, concessions, payoffs and a worked seller-net example.
Houston Listing Options
Compare 1% Full-Service representation with the seller-managed $499 FSBO Plus plan.
Official Sources Reviewed
Pricing and service claims were rechecked against the following public pages on September 13, 2026:
- Eaton Real Estate Company — Houston listing options
- Creekstone Real Estate — Houston seller pricing and services
- Houston Discount Realty — advertised 1% full-service listing
- Clever Real Estate — pricing FAQ
- Redfin — current 2% sell-only and conditional effective 1% terms
- Redfin — Houston agent roster
- 1 Percent Lists — Lonestar Realty location and served market
- National Association of REALTORS® — offers of compensation
- Texas Real Estate Commission — 2026 buyer and tenant representation changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best low commission Realtor in Houston?
There is no universal best choice. Under the disclosed criteria on this Eaton-published page, Eaton ranks first for its unconditional 1% full-service fee with no minimum and its separate $499 FSBO Plus option. Creekstone is a strong local alternative with photography included and a $3,000 minimum. Sellers should compare the individual broker, agreement and responsibilities.
Can I sell a Houston home with a 1% listing fee?
Yes. Eaton, Creekstone and Houston Discount Realty publish 1% listing options. Their minimums, photography, cancellation terms and service structures differ, so the effective cost and seller responsibilities should be confirmed in writing.
Is Realtor commission fixed in Houston?
No. Broker compensation is negotiable and is not set by law. The listing-side fee and any buyer-agent compensation should be explained separately in the applicable agreements.
Does a 1% listing fee include buyer-agent compensation?
Not on the plans compared here. The published percentage refers to the listing side. Buyer-agent compensation, if offered or negotiated, is separate and should be evaluated with the complete offer and seller net.
Which Houston options have minimum commissions?
Creekstone publishes a $3,000 minimum and Clever publishes a $3,000 minimum. Eaton states that its 1% full-service plan has no minimum. Houston Discount Realty’s reviewed page did not clearly publish a minimum, and Redfin says minimums and terms apply, so sellers should request Houston-specific figures.
Is flat-fee MLS the same as full-service representation?
No. Flat-fee MLS generally provides listing entry while leaving more work with the seller. Full-service representation includes an agent or broker actively representing the seller through the transaction.
Compare the Agreement, Not Just the Advertisement
Start with the actual property, expected sale price and level of support you want. Then compare the listing fee, minimum, included services, cancellation terms and who will personally handle the transaction.
Disclosure: Eaton Real Estate Company publishes this comparison and is ranked in it. The page uses public information rechecked September 13, 2026 and may not capture later changes or property-specific quotes. Listing fees, minimums, services, cancellation terms, buyer-agent compensation, concessions and closing costs are negotiable or contract-dependent. Verify current terms directly with each company. REALTOR® is a membership mark and may not apply to every company or license holder mentioned. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.