Sell Your House Without a Realtor | Compare Discount Realtors & Cash Offers in 2025

The Lowdown On How To Sell Your House Without A Realtor

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The Real Estate Commission System Just Got Exposed — And Sellers Are Done Playing Along

If you’re looking into how to sell your house without a realtor in 2025, let’s skip the polite talk and get real.

For decades, homeowners have been strong-armed into giving up 5% to 6% of their home’s value just to get it sold. That’s $30,000 gone on a $500,000 house — handed to real estate agents, split between the one you hired and the one representing the buyer.

And guess what? You had no real say in how those commissions were structured.

But all of that changed in 2024, when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) — the organization that shaped how nearly every real estate transaction in the U.S. worked — got caught.

In one of the biggest shakeups in real estate history, a lawsuit revealed what many sellers suspected all along: the game was rigged. The NAR and major brokerages were accused of conspiring to keep commissions artificially high — locking you, the seller, into a system that cost more than it needed to.

The result? A $418 million settlement, sweeping industry changes, and a flood of home sellers asking the same question:

“Why am I still paying this much to sell my house?”

And now, many aren’t.

💣 What the 2024 NAR Lawsuit Actually Changed

Let’s break this down in plain English.

Before the lawsuit, if you wanted to list your home on the MLS (which is how most homes are sold), you were required to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent, even though that agent worked for the other party.

That’s like being forced to pay your opponent’s lawyer — and it was standard practice.

The lawsuit exposed this system as anti-competitive, saying it kept fees inflated and made it impossible for sellers to negotiate. And in late 2024, a federal judge agreed.

So what changed?

• You are no longer required to pay the buyer’s agent.
• Commissions can’t be advertised on the MLS anymore.
• Buyers now have to sign written agreements with their own agents and negotiate what they’ll pay them.

This has fundamentally shifted power back to the seller.

And with that power, sellers are exploring new, smarter ways to sell — like skipping agents altogether or using discount realtors who charge a fraction of traditional fees.

💸 How Much Do Real Estate Agents Actually Make — and How Much Comes Out of Your Pocket?

Let’s talk numbers, because that’s what this is really about.

As of 2025, the average total real estate commission in the U.S. still hovers around 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price, even after the NAR settlement. While things are shifting, the traditional pricing model is still clinging on in many parts of the country — especially where sellers don’t know they have options.

Here’s what that looks like on real-world homes:

Now here’s the kicker:
Most sellers are shocked to find out that they pay both agents — theirs and the buyer’s.

Even though the buyer has their own representation, you’re the one cutting the check for it. That’s the way the industry operated for decades. Until now.

In a traditional sale, here’s the typical split:

• 2.5%–3% to the listing agent (the one you hire)
• 2.5%–3% to the buyer’s agent (who works against your best price)

Most agents split their cut with their broker, too — so a 3% commission might only net them 1.5% in their pocket.

Still, that’s thousands of dollars coming out of your sale — money you worked for, equity you built, just disappearing.

Now imagine keeping most of that.

That’s what sellers are waking up to in 2025.

🏗️ The Hidden Costs Most Sellers Still Don’t See

Here’s something most homeowners never realize until it’s too late:
Even beyond the 5–6% commission, the real costs of using a traditional agent stack up fast.

It’s not just the commission. It’s:

• Required upgrades to “prep” the home
• Staging expenses pushed by the listing agent
• Pricing your home for agent convenience, not your net gain
• Open houses that mostly benefit the agent (not your bottom line)
• Weeks — sometimes months — of showings and price drops

And every day your home sits on the market, you’re bleeding money in holding costs — mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities. All while your equity sits locked in a system that isn’t working in your favor.

With a traditional agent:

• You lose control of the process
• You often get guilt-tripped into repairs and concessions
• And in many cases, you’re pressured to accept offers that protect their commission, not your timeline

That’s why more sellers are skipping the whole song and dance.

🔄 The 3 Paths Sellers Are Taking in 2025 (And How DealMate Supports All of Them)

Since the NAR settlement, the seller’s playbook has expanded. Most homeowners now fall into one of three groups:

🔹 1. The DIY Seller (FSBO)

These sellers go full-on “For Sale By Owner,” using platforms or flat-fee MLS services to list the property themselves. They handle their own marketing, showings, paperwork, and negotiations. This is the typical path to sell your house without a realtor most home owners will take.

🟢 Upside: You save big on listing commissions.
🔴 Downside: Most FSBO sellers end up either hiring help later… or accepting a lower price due to inexperience.

Where DealMate helps: We give FSBO sellers access to cash offer comparisons or à la carte agent support from discount brokers when needed.

🔹 2. The Smarter Agent Seller (Discount Realtor Route)

This is the middle ground. You get the help — pricing, photos, negotiations — but without the bloated commission.

These sellers are pragmatic. They know they need a pro, but they refuse to overpay. They use DealMate to:

• Vet proven discount agents
• Compare commission structures transparently
• Avoid being upsold into traditional pricing

🟢 Upside: You save thousands while still getting support
🔴 Downside: You’ll still do a bit more legwork than with a full-service agent

🔹 3. The Zero-Hassle Seller (Cash Offer)

Some sellers just want to be done. Divorce, inheritance, relocation, foreclosure, burned out on repairs — they don’t want to list, stage, or show.

With cash offers through DealMate:

• No repairs
• No showings
• Close in 7–10 days

🟢 Upside: Fast, simple, no commissions
🔴 Downside: May sell slightly below full market value — but you avoid 6% fees, 2+ months on market, and carrying costs.

🧠 Why Sellers Are Ditching Traditional Agents in 2025

After the NAR settlement hit the news, something changed. Not just in the industry, but in the mindset of homeowners.

People don’t trust real estate agents the way they used to.

That lawsuit confirmed what many suspected — that the system wasn’t built to help them. It was built to protect agent incomes.

So now, sellers are asking better questions:

• “Do I really need to pay 6% to sell this house?”
• “Can I sell it myself — or find someone to help for less?”
• “What’s the difference between a ‘discount realtor’ and a traditional one, really?”

And more importantly:
“Why am I paying more for the same service?”

🧩 Real Seller Scenarios: What Makes Sense for YOU?

Let’s break this down into real-life scenarios, so you can see exactly where you fit — and how DealMate supports your goals.

🔍 Scenario 1: You’ve Got a Move Deadline and No Time for Games

You’re relocating for work or downsizing after the kids move out. You don’t have 60+ days to sit around waiting for an offer — and you’re not about to spend $15,000 fixing up bathrooms to meet HGTV expectations.

Solution: Compare cash offers first. You might be surprised how close to retail they land — especially when you subtract holding costs, repair bills, and agent commissions.
DealMate lets you see offers side-by-side from buyers ready to close fast.

🔍 Scenario 2: You Want Max Profit But Refuse to Overpay for Help

You’re not desperate. Your house is in decent shape, and you want top dollar — but you’re not giving up $30K to an agent.

Solution: Use a discount realtor. With DealMate, you’ll get matched with agents offering 1% or flat-fee listings, not 3%. These are full-service pros who cut costs, not corners.
You’ll get exposure, negotiation support, and paperwork help — without getting fleeced.

🔍 Scenario 3: You’re a First-Time Seller Who Doesn’t Know Where to Start

It’s your first time selling a home. The process is confusing, and you don’t want to get screwed. But you also don’t want to fall into the trap of hiring a “friend of a friend” realtor who charges full commission for half the effort.

Solution: Let DealMate do the vetting. We surface data-driven agent matches who have closed deals in your zip code, have strong reviews, and offer fair pricing.
You stay in control the entire time, and you decide how much help you want.

📊 Real Talk: Cost Comparison Table (2025 Numbers)

📌 Key Insight: You don’t have to trade value for cost savings. You just need a platform that lets you compare options transparently — and that’s exactly what DealMate delivers.

🔥 What Are Discount Realtors — and Why Are Sellers Flocking to Them?

A discount realtor (also called a discount real estate broker) is a licensed agent who charges less than the traditional 2.5%–3% commission — often significantly less — while still offering full or near-full service.

They aren’t “cheap” agents. They’re efficient, tech-savvy, and often work with modern brokerages built to scale and keep overhead low.

Here’s what discount realtors might offer:

• A 1% or flat-fee listing commission
• Professional photos, listing on MLS, showing coordination, and negotiation support
• Same exposure as traditional agents, but with sane pricing

For example:

• Instead of paying $30,000 on a $500,000 sale…
• You might pay $5,000 to $10,000 and walk away with more equity

So what’s the catch?

There isn’t one — as long as you’re using a vetted, experienced agent. Which brings us to…

🚀 How DealMate Helps You Sell Smarter — Without the High Commission Nonsense

DealMate isn’t just another listing platform. It’s a modern tool designed for one purpose: helping home sellers like you keep more of your money & sell your house without a realtor.. IF that’s what makes sense for your situation.

We built DealMate because the old system just doesn’t make sense anymore — and after the 2024 lawsuit, it’s clear the industry is overdue for disruption.

Here’s how we help you cut through the noise and sell on your terms:

1. 💼 We Match You with Top-Performing Discount Realtors

You don’t have to scroll through endless agent profiles, chase reviews, or wonder who’s legit. We’ve already done that.
We partner with real agents who consistently close deals, deliver excellent service, and agree up front to work for lower commissions — often 1% or less.

These agents are still full-service. But they’re focused on volume, tech, and modern efficiency — not bloated office rent and billboard ads.

2. 💵 Want to Skip the Agent Entirely? Compare Cash Offers

Need speed?
Got a property that needs work?
Just want to be done with it?

DealMate also lets you compare offers from vetted cash buyers in your area — fast. You’ll see real offers from serious investors or buying groups who are ready to close quickly, often in as little as 7–10 days.

We don’t force you into one option — we lay them all out, side-by-side.

3. 🧠 You Stay in Control the Entire Time

• No high-pressure pitches.
• No mystery fees.
• No bait-and-switch games.

You can talk to agents, compare offers, or walk away — no commitment. Just real data and a smarter way to sell.

And all of this exists for one reason:
Because home sellers have been getting the short end of the stick for too long.

🔍 Why Home Sellers Are Taking Back Control in 2025

Think about how much has changed in just the past few years.

• People buy cars online without a dealership.
• They manage entire businesses from a phone.
• They invest, pay bills, order groceries — all without middlemen.

Why should selling your house still feel like you’re stuck in 1998?

DealMate is part of the future of real estate — one where:

• You get options instead of obligations
• You pay for value, not tradition
• And you actually keep more of the equity you earned

Traditional agents will try to convince you that selling a home is too complex to do on your own or with a discount broker.

But the truth? It’s just not.
And the data backs that up.

❓ FAQs: Everything Home Sellers Are Asking in 2025

Q: How do discount brokers make money if they charge less?
A: Volume and efficiency. Most discount brokers work smarter — not harder. They rely on streamlined processes, modern tools, and often work with more clients per month than traditional agents. They make the same or more while saving you thousands.

Q: What are the risks of selling without a realtor?
A: If you’re not careful, you could underprice your home, miss critical legal documents, or get out-negotiated by a buyer’s agent. That’s why DealMate offers support tools and agent matches even if you want to go FSBO — so you’re never flying blind.

Q: Does DealMate cost anything to use?
A: No. DealMate is completely free for sellers to use. You’ll never pay to compare agents, evaluate your options, or receive cash offers. You only pay a commission if you choose to work with an agent — and even then, it’s at a heavily reduced rate.

Q: Can I switch between options once I’ve started?
A: Absolutely. You’re never locked in. If you start with cash offers and decide you want to list instead — or vice versa — DealMate supports a flexible approach. Sellers pivot all the time based on market feedback, and DealMate makes that seamless.

Q: Can I really sell my house without a realtor in 2025?
A: Yes, and more people are doing it every day. You can sell directly to a buyer (especially if you use a platform like DealMate to get cash offers), or you can list the property yourself. However, if you want support — marketing, negotiating, paperwork — using a discount realtor is often the smartest hybrid approach. You get help and keep more equity.

Q: What’s the difference between a discount realtor and a regular agent?
A: A discount realtor does everything a traditional one does — but charges far less. The best ones are just as experienced and connected, but they focus on efficiency, technology, and volume instead of big commissions. DealMate only connects sellers with proven high-performing discount agents, not newbies or part-timers.

Q: What exactly did the NAR lawsuit change?
A: In short:

• You’re no longer required to pay the buyer’s agent.
• Commission offers can’t be displayed on the MLS.
• Buyers must now sign clear agreements with their own agents — and negotiate how much they’re paying them.

These changes broke open the system, giving sellers more freedom and options than ever before.

Q: Are discount brokers legit? Why do they charge less?
A: 100% legit — many of them are actually more tech-forward and results-driven than traditional agents. They charge less because they’ve streamlined operations, rely less on bloated brokerages, and often work with more clients per month, which lets them scale their income without charging every seller full commission.

Q: What makes DealMate different from other real estate platforms?
A: Most platforms either:

• Lock you into working with a specific agent
• Try to upsell you with hidden fees
• Don’t offer cash offers and discount agents side-by-side

DealMate is about choice.
We let you compare every option — from 1% commission listings to as-is cash offers — all in one place. No pressure, no gimmicks, just clarity.

⚡ This Isn’t Just About Commission — It’s About Control

Let’s be blunt: the commission structure is just the surface.

This is really about who controls the deal.
For years, traditional real estate agents controlled everything:

• The pricing advice
• The marketing decisions
• The negotiations
• Even the perception of what was “normal” to pay

But in 2025, that power dynamic has flipped. You’re in charge.

You can list with a discount broker.
You can negotiate commission terms.
You can bypass the MLS entirely and go straight to cash buyers.
And thanks to the NAR settlement, you no longer have to subsidize someone else’s agent just to get your house sold.

Platforms like DealMate don’t just help you save money — they put you back in the driver’s seat.

It’s your house. Your equity. Your decision.

For decades, the real estate machine made you feel like selling a home had to be complicated and expensive.

Not anymore.

👉 With DealMate, you can:

• Slash commissions with proven discount agents
• Sell fast for cash without showings or repairs
• Compare every option — in one place, on your terms

You don’t need permission to sell smarter. You just need the right partner.

🔑 Sellwithdealmate.com

📚 Cited Sources

1. Reuters – NAR $418M Settlement Approval (Nov 2024)
   👉 https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/judge-approves-us-realtor-groups-418-mln-sales-commission-settlement-2024-11-26/
2. FastExpert – Real Estate Agent Commissions by State (2025)
   👉 https://www.fastexpert.com/blog/real-estate-agent-commissions-by-state/
3. National Association of Realtors – Official Settlement FAQ
   👉 https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/nar-settlement-faqs