{"id":4224,"date":"2026-09-15T21:09:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T21:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/?p=4224"},"modified":"2026-09-15T21:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T21:09:13","slug":"other-companies-vs-flat-fee-agents-which-costs-you-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/other-companies-vs-flat-fee-agents-which-costs-you-less\/","title":{"rendered":"Other Companies vs Flat Fee Agents: Which Costs You Less?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"table-of-contents\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#other-companies-vs-flat-fee-agents-the-quick-comparison\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Other Companies vs Flat Fee Agents: The Quick Comparison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-percentage-commission-and-flat-fee-agents-actually-work\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">How Percentage Commission and Flat Fee Agents Actually Work<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#percentage-based-commission-explained\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Percentage-based commission explained<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#the-fixed-fee-model-explained\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">The fixed fee model explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-real-estate-agent-marketing-costs-look-like-under-each-model\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">What Real Estate Agent Marketing Costs Look Like Under Each Model<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-negotiate-real-estate-agent-fees-without-losing-service\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">How to Negotiate Real Estate Agent Fees Without Losing Service<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#understand-what-youre-actually-negotiating\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Understand what you&#8217;re actually negotiating<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#the-four-levers-that-actually-move-a-fee\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">The four levers that actually move a fee<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#a-short-script-you-can-actually-use\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">A short script you can actually use<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-to-put-in-writing-before-you-sign\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">What to put in writing before you sign<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#selling-property-with-unconditional-offers-which-model-delivers\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Selling Property With Unconditional Offers: Which Model Delivers?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#net-proceeds-exit-clauses-and-tiered-fees-what-most-sellers-miss\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Net Proceeds, Exit Clauses and Tiered Fees: What Most Sellers Miss<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#net-sale-proceeds-the-number-that-actually-matters\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Net sale proceeds: the number that actually matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#exit-clauses-your-escape-hatch-if-the-agent-underperforms\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Exit clauses: your escape hatch if the agent underperforms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tiered-commission-structures-the-hybrid-most-sellers-never-ask-for\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Tiered commission structures: the hybrid most sellers never ask for<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#run-the-numbers-before-you-sign\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Run the numbers before you sign<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"text-primary underline underline-offset-4 hover:text-primary\/80\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Last Updated: September 15, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"other-companies-vs-flat-fee-agents-the-quick-comparison\">Other Companies vs Flat Fee Agents: The Quick Comparison<\/h2>\n<p>Choosing between a traditional brand and a flat fee agent is one of the biggest financial decisions a seller makes. The core difference is simple: Other Companies charge a percentage-based commission on the sale price, while flat fee agents charge one fixed amount regardless of what the property sells for.<\/p>\n<p>With Big Mike, we&#8217;ve watched this play out across the Real Estate market for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin: 2rem 0\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.grandranker.com\/articles\/harcourts-vs-flat-fee-agents-which-costs-you-less-content-1-1789500148.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic comparing the service and cost structures of Harcourts versus flat fee agents for home sellers\" style=\"max-width: 100%;height: auto;border-radius: 0.5rem\" title=\"Other Companies vs Flat Fee Agents: Which Costs You Less?\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\"><figcaption style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;color: #6b7280;margin-top: 0.5rem;text-align: center\">Infographic comparing the service and cost structures of Harcourts versus flat fee agents for home sellers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:2rem 0;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6\">\n<colgroup>\n<col style=\"min-width: 25px\">\n<col style=\"min-width: 25px\">\n<col style=\"min-width: 25px\"><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p><strong>Factor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p><strong>Other Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p><strong>Flat Fee Agents<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Fee structure<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Percentage of sale price<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>One fixed fee<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Cost certainty<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Varies with sale price<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Known upfront<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Marketing costs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Often charged separately<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Usually bundled<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Brand network<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Large national reach<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Local or digital-first<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Best for<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Sellers wanting a household name<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>Sellers protecting equity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0px;padding: 16px 20px;border-radius: 0px 8px 8px 0px\"><strong style=\"display: block;margin-bottom: 4px;font-size: 14px\">Key Takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 15px;line-height: 1.6\">The higher your sale price climbs, the more a percentage commission costs you. A fixed fee stays the same no matter what.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"how-percentage-commission-and-flat-fee-agents-actually-work\">How Percentage Commission and Flat Fee Agents Actually Work<\/h2>\n<p>Percentage-based commission is a success fee calculated as a share of the final sale price, so the agent&#8217;s income rises as the price rises. The fixed fee model replaces that percentage with a single agreed amount, quoted before the property hits the market.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"percentage-based-commission-explained\">Percentage-based commission explained<\/h3>\n<p>Under a traditional listing agreement, the agent takes a cut of the sale price. The upside is that a strong result lifts their pay too, which aligns incentives. The downside is that the cost grows with your equity, not with the effort involved.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-fixed-fee-model-explained\">The fixed fee model explained<\/h3>\n<p>A flat fee agent charges the same amount whether the home sells for less or more than expected. For sellers, that turns an unknown into a known, which makes budgeting far easier.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-real-estate-agent-marketing-costs-look-like-under-each-model\">What Real Estate Agent Marketing Costs Look Like Under Each Model<\/h2>\n<p>Marketing is where the two models diverge sharply. Traditional agencies frequently bill professional photography, signage, online listings and auction costs as separate line items on top of commission. Flat fee arrangements typically bundle these into the one fee.<\/p>\n<p>That distinction matters because marketing spend is money you pay whether or not the property sells. A seller weighing up real estate agent marketing costs should ask, in writing, exactly what the fee covers.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0px;padding: 16px 20px;border-radius: 0px 8px 8px 0px\"><strong style=\"display: block;margin-bottom: 4px;font-size: 14px\">Watch Out<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 15px;line-height: 1.6\">Ask for a full written breakdown before signing. Unbundled marketing costs can quietly add thousands to your total vendor costs.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-negotiate-real-estate-agent-fees-without-losing-service\">How to Negotiate Real Estate Agent Fees Without Losing Service<\/h2>\n<p>Negotiation starts with information, not aggression. Ask each agent to itemise their fee, then compare the total cost at your expected sale price rather than comparing headline percentages. A lower rate on a high-value home can still cost more than a fixed fee.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"understand-what-youre-actually-negotiating\">Understand what you&#8217;re actually negotiating<\/h3>\n<p>In Aotearoa, most residential listings run on either a sole agency agreement or a general agency agreement. Under a sole agency, one agency has the exclusive right to earn commission for a set period. Under a general agency, you can appoint more than one agency and only pay the one that brings the buyer.<\/p>\n<p>That single choice changes your leverage. A sole agency usually unlocks a keener rate because the agency has certainty of income. A general agency keeps your options open but rarely attracts the sharpest pricing. Decide which you want before you start talking numbers.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-four-levers-that-actually-move-a-fee\">The four levers that actually move a fee<\/h3>\n<p>Most sellers fixate on the headline percentage. Experienced negotiators work four levers instead:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The commission rate itself.<\/strong> Ask what the rate would be at a higher appraised price band. Rates often step down as the sale price climbs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The marketing contribution.<\/strong> Ask whether the agency will absorb part of the photography, signage or online listing costs if you commit to a sole agency.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The listing term.<\/strong> A shorter exclusive period (say, 60 days rather than 90) reduces the agency&#8217;s lock-in and is often traded for a better rate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The tiered structure.<\/strong> Propose a lower base rate up to a target price, then a reduced rate above it. This rewards performance without exposing you to full percentage costs on every dollar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"a-short-script-you-can-actually-use\">A short script you can actually use<\/h3>\n<p>When you sit down with an agent, try something like: <em>&#8220;We&#8217;re comparing three proposals. We like your approach, but the total cost at our expected price is higher than the others. If we sign a 60-day sole agency, can you sharpen the rate or cover the photography?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>That sentence does three things. It signals competition, it offers the agent something in return, and it keeps the conversation about total cost rather than a single number.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-to-put-in-writing-before-you-sign\">What to put in writing before you sign<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>What is included in the fee, and what is charged separately?<\/li>\n<li>What is the appraised price range you&#8217;re working from, and how did you reach it?<\/li>\n<li>What happens if the property doesn&#8217;t sell within the listing term?<\/li>\n<li>Can the fee be tiered so it drops above a certain price?<\/li>\n<li>What is the notice period if we want to end the agreement early?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For sellers learning how to negotiate real estate agent fees, the strongest lever is still competition. Get three written proposals and let each agent know you&#8217;re comparing. If you&#8217;d like a second opinion on a proposal before you sign, our team is happy to look it over, Real Estate Authority guidance for sellers sets out your rights under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, and it&#8217;s worth ten minutes of your time.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0px;padding: 16px 20px;border-radius: 0px 8px 8px 0px\"><strong style=\"display: block;margin-bottom: 4px;font-size: 14px\">Pro Tip<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 15px;line-height: 1.6\">Ask each agent to quote their fee at three price points: your low, expected and high appraisal. The pattern of those numbers tells you more about their pricing philosophy than any single rate.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"selling-property-with-unconditional-offers-which-model-delivers\">Selling Property With Unconditional Offers: Which Model Delivers?<\/h2>\n<p>Selling property with unconditional offers is where a flat fee structure can be advantageous. An unconditional offer carries no finance or building inspection conditions, so the sale is effectively locked in once signed. When a quick, clean sale is the goal, a fixed fee means the agent isn&#8217;t chasing a higher price to lift their own commission.<\/p>\n<p>Big Mike&#8217;s clients Andrew Coulter and Paul Vucetich put it plainly: &#8220;Mike&#8217;s marketing effort was outstanding, presenting us with not one but two cash offers within three weeks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"net-proceeds-exit-clauses-and-tiered-fees-what-most-sellers-miss\">Net Proceeds, Exit Clauses and Tiered Fees: What Most Sellers Miss<\/h2>\n<p>Three details separate a good outcome from a costly one, and most comparison articles skip all three. Let&#8217;s walk through each properly.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"net-sale-proceeds-the-number-that-actually-matters\">Net sale proceeds: the number that actually matters<\/h3>\n<p>Net sale proceeds are what lands in your account after everything is paid: the sale price minus commission, marketing, legal fees, and any outstanding rates or mortgage. Comparing agents on commission alone is a mistake, because a low headline rate paired with unbundled marketing can leave you worse off than a slightly higher rate with everything included.<\/p>\n<p>A simple way to test this: build a one-page estimate at three price points, your low, expected and high appraisal, and run each agent&#8217;s full quote through it. The model that wins at all three is usually the right one.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"exit-clauses-your-escape-hatch-if-the-agent-underperforms\">Exit clauses: your escape hatch if the agent underperforms<\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"tiered-commission-structures-the-hybrid-most-sellers-never-ask-for\">Tiered commission structures: the hybrid most sellers never ask for<\/h3>\n<div style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0px;padding: 16px 20px;border-radius: 0px 8px 8px 0px\"><strong style=\"display: block;margin-bottom: 4px;font-size: 14px\">Watch Out<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 15px;line-height: 1.6\">Clawback clauses are the single most common source of post-sale disputes. If you sell privately or through another agency within the clawback window, you may still owe the original agency. Get the window in writing and diarise the end date.<\/span><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"run-the-numbers-before-you-sign\">Run the numbers before you sign<\/h3>\n<div style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0px;padding: 16px 20px;border-radius: 0px 8px 8px 0px\"><strong style=\"display: block;margin-bottom: 4px;font-size: 14px\">Pro Tip<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 15px;line-height: 1.6\">Diarise the clawback end date the day you sign. It&#8217;s the one date sellers forget, and it&#8217;s the one that costs them.<\/span><\/div>\n<section style=\"margin:3rem 0 2rem 0\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:1.5rem;font-weight:700;margin:0 0 4px 0\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">What is a traditional commission rate?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7;font-size:0.95rem\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Most other companies operate on a percentage-based commission, and the rate is set by each franchise office rather than published nationally. It typically sits within the standard industry range, plus GST and marketing. Because it is negotiable and varies by office, ask for the full fee schedule in writing before you sign a listing agreement, then compare it against a flat fee agents quote for your property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">How does a flat fee real estate commission work?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7;font-size:0.95rem\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">You pay one agreed amount plus GST when the property sells, regardless of the final sale price. Big Mike charges a transparent flat fee, so a higher sale price does not increase what you pay. The trade-off is that the fee is the same whether your home sells quickly at the top of the range or sits on the market for months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">Are there hidden costs when choosing a flat fee agent?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7;font-size:0.95rem\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">A genuine flat fee should cover the agency fee, but marketing is often separate. Ask exactly what is included: professional photography, listing platforms, signage, open homes and auction costs. Big Mike&#8217;s model includes full marketing support, and we put everything in writing so there are no surprises at settlement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">Is it easier to sell with an unconditional offer using a flat fee agent?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7;font-size:0.95rem\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Unconditional offers remove finance and due diligence conditions, so settlement is more certain. The agent model does not change how an offer is structured, but it does change your net proceeds. With a flat fee, more of a strong unconditional offer stays in your pocket, which is why selling property with unconditional offers pairs well with a fixed fee structure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">Does a traditional agency provide better marketing than a flat fee agent?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7;font-size:0.95rem\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Not automatically. What matters is the quality of photography, copy, online reach and open home strategy, not the size of the brand. We combine Big Mike&#8217;s 40 years of local knowledge with modern digital tools to attract buyers, and our community  point to recent sales where that approach produced multiple cash offers within weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"cta-button-container\" style=\"text-align: center;margin: 32px 0\">\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\" class=\"cta-button\" style=\"display: inline-block;background-color: #789395;color: #111827;padding: 14px 32px;border-radius: 8px;text-decoration: none;font-weight: 600;font-size: 16px\">Book Appraisal<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harcourts vs flat fee agents: compare commission, marketing costs and what you keep at settlement. Get the facts before you list your home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[27,64,30,65,34],"class_list":["post-4224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate","tag-flat-fee-agents","tag-harcourts-vs-flat-fee-agents","tag-how-to-negotiate-real-estate-agent-fees","tag-real-estate-agent-marketing-costs","tag-selling-property-with-unconditional-offers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Other Companies vs Flat Fee Agents: Which Costs You Less?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Other Companies vs flat fee agents: compare commission, marketing costs and what you keep at settlement. 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