Home Sellers Are Risking Profits to Avoid Agent Fees, Report Finds

Over a third of sellers (36%) would take a below-market offer to save on commission, with 62% willing to cut 5% or more — nearly double the average 2.74% listing fee.

ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of home sellers (52%) have considered selling without an agent, but 51% who sold to cash buyer companies didn't get the profit they hoped for, according to a new report from Clever Offers, a platform owned by Clever Real Estate that allows home sellers on tight timelines to explore their selling options.

Although 73% believe an agent could get market value or more, 36% of sellers would accept a below-market offer to save on commission, with 62% of that group open to cutbacks of 5% or more.

Nearly 7 in 10 sellers (69%) say agents are the most expensive option, compared to just 9% who say the same for cash buyer companies. Over half (53%) of sellers call the commission system unfair, and 30% who skipped an agent did so to avoid fees.

84% of recent sellers say they'd change something about their sale, and 49% didn't get everything they wanted out of the selling experience.

Common regrets include wishing they had priced their home differently (38%) and not doing enough preparations on their home (35%).

Notably, 54% of sellers who chose cash buyers skipped tasks like repairs and staging, while 65% of cash buyer sales closed within a month, compared to 52% of traditional sales — important for the 24% of sellers who prioritize speed over profits.

Despite 61% of sellers viewing cash buying companies as scams, 65% of those who sold to one would do it again.

However, 67% still see agents as the best option, and 83% of those who used one would recommend it.

Unsurprisingly, 88% of homeowners have selling fears, with unexpected costs (41%) and not making enough money (36%) topping the list.

Read the full report at: https://cleveroffers.com/research/cash-buyers-vs-traditional-agents

About Clever Offers
Clever Offers is a platform that empowers sellers who need to sell quickly or for cash to compare their options and make informed decisions. Clever Offers' free service connects sellers with vetted cash buyers and top local realtors, allowing them to evaluate traditional cash offers alongside options such as cash offers with a second payment upon resale, listing on the MLS for as little as 7 days, and standard open-market listings.

About Clever
Clever Real Estate is a technology company that produces educational real estate content reaching over 10 million readers annually, and its nationwide agent matching service has a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 3,500+ customer reviews. Since launching in 2017, Clever has reached $12.5 billion in real estate sold, matched 155,000+ customers with realtors, and saved consumers over $180 million on commission fees. Clever's network spans 16,000 agents across all 50 states.

Please contact Nicole Lehman at [email protected] with any questions or to arrange an interview.

CONTACT:                                                                                                                                     

Nicole Lehman
Clever Real Estate
[email protected]
724-719-0406

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SOURCE Clever Offers