Redfin Fees vs Flat-Fee MLS: Real Cost on a $700k Home
Redfin's listing fee isn't the whole bill. We break down Redfin's true total against a flat-fee MLS listing on a $700,000 Washington sale.
If you're selling a home in Washington and looking to cut costs, you've probably heard about Redfin and flat-fee realtors.
- Redfin: a national brokerage with discounted listing fees, offering full-service agents and tech tools for less than traditional commissions.
- Flat-fee realtors: brokers who list your home on MLS for a one-time fee, leaving you in control of showings and negotiations.
Both can save you money compared with paying a 6% commission, but they work very differently.
This guide explores how Redfin’s discount brokerage model compares to flat-fee MLS listings. We’ll look at fees, services, and potential savings for homes in Washington. By the end, you’ll understand which route keeps more money in your pocket and how to decide which is right for you.
How Redfin Works in Washington
Redfin combines a traditional brokerage model with technology to reduce costs. Key details:
- Listing Fee: 2% of the sale price. Redfin raised this from 1.5% across every market it serves, so older comparisons you find online are out of date. It is still below the 2.5 to 3% many full-service agents charge.
- Market minimum: Redfin also charges a minimum listing fee regardless of the percentage, so on lower-priced homes the percentage is not what you actually pay. Redfin does not publish these minimums in one place, and third-party trackers put them anywhere from $2,000 in smaller markets to $9,000 in San Francisco, with Seattle reported at $6,500. Treat any specific figure as something to confirm with a local Redfin agent before you rely on it. The direction is what matters: below roughly $650,000 the minimum, not the 2%, sets your bill.
- Buyer’s Agent Commission: Still required, usually 2.5 to 3% in Washington. On a $600,000 sale, total commission is 4–4.5% even with Redfin’s discount.
- Services Offered: Full-service agents handle pricing, marketing, negotiations, and paperwork. Technology helps with scheduling tours and sharing feedback.
- Local Expertise: Licensed agents familiar with Washington markets, though higher client volume may reduce personal attention.
- Buy-and-sell rate: the listing fee drops to an effective 1% if you also buy a home through Redfin within 365 days. Note how it is paid: Redfin takes the full 2% at closing and mails you the difference after your purchase closes, so you finance the discount in the meantime. Market minimums apply here too, which is what erases the benefit on cheaper homes.
💡 Example: on a $500,000 home you would pay $10,000 to Redfin (2%) plus $12,500 to the buyer's agent. That is $22,500 total. Cheaper than a full commission, but still 4.5% of your sale price.
How Flat-Fee Realtors Work
Flat-fee MLS services charge a fixed fee rather than a percentage. Wayber charges $249 up front plus $500 at closing, $749 in total, to post your home on the NWMLS.
- MLS Listing: Licensed broker posts your property, ensuring syndication to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and more.
- Syndication: Your home appears on major portals, including Redfin’s site, even without a Redfin agent.
- Seller Responsibilities: You handle photos, pricing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork. Add-on services (photography, pricing advice, contract review) may cost extra.
- Buyer’s Agent Commission: You set this, typically 2 to 3%, to attract agents.
- Flexibility and Control: Full control over terms and pricing, with major savings from avoiding listing commissions.
👉 Flat-fee realtors appeal to confident sellers ready to DIY parts of the process. The higher your home price, the bigger your savings.
Cost Comparison
Assuming a 2.5% buyer’s agent commission:
| Home Price | Traditional (5.9%) | Redfin (2% + buyer agent) | Redfin buy-and-sell | Wayber Flat-Fee MLS ($749) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $17,700 | $13,500 | $10,500 | $8,249 |
| $500,000 | $29,500 | $22,500 | $17,500 | $13,249 |
| $700,000 | $41,300 | $31,500 | $24,500 | $18,249 |
| $1,000,000 | $59,000 | $45,000 | $35,000 | $25,749 |
- Traditional uses Washington's measured average of 5.90% total.
- Redfin charges 2% listing, plus a 2.5% buyer's agent commission you still pay.
- The Redfin buy-and-sell column applies the effective 1% rate. It ignores market minimums, which Redfin sets locally and does not publish centrally. On the two cheaper rows a minimum would very likely apply and push the real figure higher, so treat those as a best case for Redfin.
- Flat-fee MLS = $749 ($249 up front + $500 at closing) + 2.5% buyer commission.
💡 On a $1M home the flat-fee route costs $19,251 less than Redfin's standard rate and $9,251 less than its buy-and-sell rate.
Service Differences
Redfin
- Full-service support: pricing, staging, negotiation, and paperwork.
- Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs included in many packages.
- Advanced tech for scheduling tours and analytics.
- Lower fees than traditional agents, but still percentage-based.
- Some agents juggle many clients, reducing responsiveness.
Flat-Fee MLS
- MLS listing + syndication to all major portals for a single fee.
- Optional add-ons (photos, broker consults).
- You manage pricing, showings, and negotiations.
- Minimal ongoing support.
- Biggest potential savings, especially at higher home values.
Pros and Cons
Redfin – Pros
- Lower listing commission than a traditional agent (2% against 2.5 to 3%).
- Full-service agent with pricing, marketing, and negotiation.
- Technology platform for tours and analytics.
- Recognizable brand.
Redfin – Cons
- Total cost is still 4.5% of your sale price once the buyer's agent is paid.
- Service quality varies by agent workload.
- The 1% rate requires buying with Redfin within 365 days, and arrives as a rebate after that purchase closes.
- Market minimums raise the effective rate on lower-priced homes, and are not published centrally.
- Less control over sale details.
Flat-Fee Realtors – Pros
- No percentage listing fee, so dramatically lower costs.
- Full MLS exposure + syndication.
- Control over pricing, showings, and negotiations.
- Pay only for add-ons you want.
Flat-Fee Realtors – Cons
- More responsibility: manage inquiries, tours, and negotiations.
- Time-consuming for some sellers.
- Learning curve for first-time sellers.
- Limited guidance unless you buy extra support.
Which Saves More in Washington?
Savings depend on your home’s value and your willingness to DIY.
Example: $700,000 home, with the buyer's agent paid 2.5%:
- Traditional (5.9%) = $41,300.
- Redfin (2% listing + 2.5% buyer) = $31,500.
- Redfin buy-and-sell (1% + 2.5% buyer) = $24,500.
- Flat-Fee MLS ($749 + 2.5% buyer) = $18,249.
👉 Flat-fee MLS beats Redfin by $13,251 against its standard rate and $6,251 against its buy-and-sell rate.
When to Choose Each Option
Choose Redfin If:
- You want full-service support at lower cost.
- You prefer to delegate paperwork, negotiations, and showings.
- You are also buying through Redfin within 365 days, and your home is worth enough that the local market minimum does not erase the discount.
- Convenience matters more than maximum savings.
Choose Flat-Fee MLS If:
- You’re comfortable handling showings, pricing, and negotiations.
- You want maximum savings on higher-priced homes.
- You value flexibility and control.
- You have prior real estate experience (or are willing to learn).
💡 Hybrid tip: List with a flat-fee MLS service, then hire a real estate attorney or transaction broker for limited consultation. You’ll still save thousands.
Related Resources
Conclusion: Choose the Model That Maximizes Your Equity
Redfin and other discount brokerages can reduce costs while providing professional service. But Redfin’s model still ties your costs to your home price and requires paying buyer’s agent commissions.
Flat-fee MLS services offer full MLS exposure for a fixed cost, consistently saving more money. While you’ll take on more responsibility, many sellers find the trade-off worthwhile.
👉 If maximizing equity is your goal, a flat-fee MLS service like Wayber is the clear winner. Start today with Wayber’s platform for transparent pricing and local expertise.
Ready to put this into practice?
Wayber is a licensed Washington brokerage. List on the NWMLS from $249 to start plus $500 at closing, or hand the whole sale over. You still choose what the buyer's agent gets.