Discount Realtors: Are They Worth It?

Posted on Sep 14, 2026 / Posted in Selling

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There are close to 70,000 real estate agents in Greater Toronto, some of whom advertise themselves as “discount agents” or “1% agents” (because they charge a 1% commission rate). On paper, this may seem like an exciting proposition, but it comes at a cost.

If you’re selling your house in today’s market, working with a cheap or low cost real estate agent means a major risk of leaving money on the table. Instead, the best way to maximize your net returns is by doing things the right way, i.e. choosing the right Realtor for the job.

As a multi-generational real estate team that’s been in business for more than four decades, we’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. In this blog post, we’ll explore the risks and trade offs that come with hiring a discount real estate agent, and other home selling insights you need to know.

Our team has sold thousands of GTA homes.
Learn more about our approach to selling

Understanding the Role of a Real Estate Agent

If you’ve never sold a house before (or it’s been a while), you may not have a full grasp of an agent’s role and why it’s so important.

Hiring a Realtor isn’t just some item on a checklist. It’s arguably the most influential detail in your home sale. On top of guiding you through the often complex listing process, it’s an agent’s job to get your house sold. And in today’s market, that’s easier said than done.

Sellers no longer have the upper hand in GTA real estate. Rather than waiting for buyers to come to you, accomplishing a high result home sale requires insider knowledge and proven strategies. That’s where your agent makes all the difference.

Selling your house? Explore these related blogs for more advice!

What Should a Realtor Cost?

Like any high-skilled profession, Realtors’ services come at a cost, typically a predetermined commission rate applied to the final sale price of your home. So, what does the average agent charge in commission?

In Ontario, Realtor commission rates can vary somewhat widely, with most agents charging somewhere between 3% and 8%. This may sound like a big gap, but there’s a reason for it.

Agents don’t pick their commission rates at random. Rather, their costs directly reflect the level of service they provide. Just like a house, a great real estate agent is an investment. You get back what you put in.

What’s the Deal With Discount Agents?

Outside of the average range for Realtor fees, there are a few agents out there who charge an ultra low rate of 1% or 2%. This may sound enticing at first, but it’s not all upside.

Remember, an agent’s commission is a reflection of their approach. If someone is charging a discounted rate, there’s usually a reason for it.

A 1% commission agent won’t be investing the same amount of time, effort and resources into your listing compared to an average agent (let alone the top professionals in your area). Cutting corners in this way can negatively impact your sale in more ways than one.

Not only could your house take longer to sell, but you could also be leaving some serious money on the table. In fact, there’s a good chance that the returns you miss out on would be greater than the money you save by hiring a low cost agent in the first place.

On the hunt for more home selling tips? Check out these other blog posts!

What Working With a Top Agent Looks Like

Now that we’ve talked about the dangers of hiring a discount real estate agent, let’s look at the flip side of the coin: what you get when you work with the best possible Realtor.

At the Lino Arci Team, we believe in selling houses the right way. Having perfected the selling process over more than 40 years, our results speak for themselves.

Not only are we Vaughan, Ontario’s number one team in terms of sales production, but our listings sell four times faster than the average agent.

When you work with us, you enjoy a low stress, completely personalized experience. We’ll guide you through the entire process from start to finish, taking every opportunity to maximize your odds of a fast, top dollar sale.

Sell Your House With Lino Arci

Only a top market leading agent can help you sell quickly and for the best price possible. That’s where we come in. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our approach to selling and how we can help you reach your goals.