Search

Discount Real Estate Agent

Full-service representation with $5,000 flat fee or 1% listing commission.

Property_Location

Start With a REALTOR®

Why Even Talk About “Discount”?

Traditional commission models often cost sellers approximately $25,000 on a $1M home. That’s why discount real estate models have gained traction: you still get MLS® exposure, professional marketing, and negotiation support — but you don’t automatically pay 2.5% on the listing side. When those pieces include pricing strategy, offer management, and paperwork support, we treat that as full-service representation, even when the listing fee is discounted compared to the traditional 2.5% model.

According to the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO):

“Commissions are not fixed by law or by RECO. The seller and the brokerage must agree on the commission rate or fee in writing.”
(Source: RECO, Working with a Real Estate Professional, 2024: RECO Consumer Guides)

This means a 1% or flat-fee model is legal and recognized under Ontario real estate law, provided it is documented in a representation agreement.

What “full service” means here

  • Traditional full-service REALTOR®: End-to-end pricing, marketing, negotiation, and paperwork support, typically at ~5% total commission (often 2.5% listing + 2.5% buyer side).
  • PropertyMesh full-service flat fee ($5,000): Same core representation as a traditional 2.5% listing agent, but the listing fee is a fixed amount instead of a percentage.
  • PropertyMesh 1% full-service listing: Full-service representation with enhanced prep and staging, at a 1% listing commission for eligible price ranges.

The Oversight You Don’t See Elsewhere

Unlike models that may pool clients among various agents, PropertyMesh ensures dedicated representation.

Every single file runs through Faiza Ahmed, Broker (RECO #4791581) at International Realty Firm, Inc. (Brokerage #4799095).

She checks:

  • Is the agent licensed and in good standing?
  • Do they actually know this type of property?
  • Have they got a clean compliance record?

Trust in Real Estate Services Act.

The law specifies that you cannot:

  • Trade in real estate as a brokerage unless you are registered as one.
  • Trade in real estate as a broker unless you are a registered broker employed by a brokerage.
  • Trade in real estate as a salesperson unless you are a registered salesperson employed by a brokerage.

This means your commission may drop, but your consumer protections remain the same under provincial law.

Homes marketed on MLS® benefit from maximum exposure to buyers, which typically increases the potential for showings and competitive offers.

This addresses the misconception that “mere postings” struggle to sell — MLS® distribution and professional oversight remain central.

Are Discount REALTORS® Legit? Let’s Talk About It

Yes — legitimacy in Ontario real estate isn’t about the commission model, it’s about licensing, compliance, and oversight.

The difference between agents often lies in their evaluation criteria and compliance history. We’ve built a full guide on how to vet a REALTOR® for experience, local expertise, and compliance history.

Read our guide on how to evaluate a real estate agent

If an agent passes those checks, there is a strong foundation for a professional and compliant transaction.

That’s why our model is broker-supervised — so you don’t just get “cheap,” you get experienced + vetted.

Where Does Discount Work Best?

  • Toronto condos + mid-range homes → high buyer traffic, multiple offers.
  • Burlington/Vaughan/Durham suburbs → family homes where staging matters.
  • Rural properties → doable, but needs careful pricing and zoning-savvy marketing.
Transparency Matters

Steering: A Known Industry Concern

⚠️ The Reality

“Steering” is a known concern in the real estate industry. While the Ontario RECO Code of Ethics strictly prohibits agents from directing clients away from properties based on commission, the reality can be complex.

Regulators and researchers have noted that perceived differences in commission can sometimes influence behaviour, even when the rules are clear.

🛡️ The PropertyMesh Approach

We plan around this reality instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.

Our discount and low-commission models are designed so that the buyer’s agent co-operating commission remains competitive and clearly disclosed on MLS®.

"We focus on direct-to-buyer exposure so motivated buyers find your home based on its features, not on how the commission is split."

That’s why agents from PropertyMesh keep buyer-side co-op fees competitive while lowering the listing side only. This balances seller savings with strong buyer-agent cooperation.

Our Listing & Pricing Strategy Workflow

Step 01

Property Evaluation

  • Comprehensive home walk-through
  • Identify upgrades & improvements
  • Highlight unique selling points (USPs)
Step 02

Market Analysis & Pricing

  • Detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
  • Review of active, sold & expired listings
  • Data-driven pricing strategy
★ Competitive pricing strategy
★ Positioning for multiple offers
★ Psychological search-range matching
Step 03

Preparing Your Home

  • Professional staging (Included in Tier #2)
  • Staging consultation (Included in Tier #1)
  • Professional photography
  • Virtual Tour
Step 04

Marketing Strategy

  • Full MLS® / Realtor.ca syndication
Step 05

Launch Campaign

  • "Coming Soon" pre-market awareness
  • High-impact first week exposure
  • Open House as agreed in listing strategy (Tier #2 Only)
Step 06

Offers & Negotiation

  • Offer presentation strategy
  • Skilled negotiation for terms & price
  • Management of conditions & deposits
Step 07

Closing Support

  • Weekly showing feedback & metrics
  • Real-time market updates
  • Agile strategy adjustments

How “Full Service” Works at PropertyMesh

Most traditional brokerages that offer “full-service REALTOR®” typically charge between 4-5% in Ontario of the sale price (combined listing + buyer side) to handle pricing, MLS® exposure, showings, negotiations, closing paperwork and sometimes include professional staging as part of the package.

At PropertyMesh, our tier #1 $5,000 flat fee listing service and our tier #2 one percent real estate option – the Premium Full-Service REALTOR® (1% Listing), also known as the “one percent REALTOR®” model – are different in price, not in representation. In both tiers, sellers receive the core services associated with traditional full-service listings – pricing strategy, MLS® / REALTOR.ca exposure, showing management, offer negotiation, and closing support.

The primary difference is our streamlined fee structure between Tier 1 and Tier 2 is how much preparation and staging is bundled in, not whether you are properly represented.

Choose the Service Level That Fits Your Sale

Transparent fees, clear deliverables, and the right level of support — from pricing strategy to closing.

Tier #1
Flat-Fee Full-Service REALTOR® (Listing Side)
$5,000 Fixed/Flat Fee*

  • Listing on MLS

  • Home evaluation & pricing strategy

  • Professional photography

  • Virtual tour

  • Staging consultation

  • Negotiation on your behalf

  • Closing support

Tier #2
Premium Full-Service REALTOR® (1% Listing)
From 1% of Sale Price*

  • Everything in Tier #1

  • Professional cleaning (as agreed upon)

  • Move existing furniture (as agreed upon)

  • Professional staging

* For our full-service listing options, we collect a $500 listing deposit when you sign the Listing Agreement. If your sale successfully closes through that listing, the $500 is credited toward your commission on closing. If the listing is cancelled, expires, or the property does not sell, the $500 deposit is not refunded. It helps cover direct costs such as MLS® setup, photography coordination, and administration. There is no additional commission payable if no sale occurs.

Note: Tier #2 (Premium Full-Service 1% Listing) is available when the property’s list price is $1.2M+ in the Listing Agreement. For listings under $1.2M, the Tier 2 commission is 1.25%+, agreed in writing.

Select the commission structure that best suits your financial goals. Both options are discounted versions of traditional full-service listings — Tier 1 covers full representation with essential prep, while Tier 2 adds premium cleaning and professional staging.

Are Discount REALTORS® Legit — and Should You Sell with One?

REALTORS® that connect with clients via PropertyMesh, provide the same professional service as REALTORS® charging 2.5% — MLS® syndication, targeted marketing, skilled negotiations, among other services — even though they work at a very discounted rate. For many sellers, it’s a way to save thousands in commission while still getting full representation and strong market exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why pay 1% if commission is negotiable?

In Ontario, commission rates are fully negotiable by law.

At the national level, the Canadian Real Estate Association reinforces this through its Pledge of Competition:

“Commission rates or fees members charge for services offered to the public, and the division of those fees among cooperating members, are solely the choice of those providing the services.”

This means a 1% listing model is entirely legal and supported by Canada’s competition framework, provided it is transparently disclosed in the signed representation agreement.

Q: What about cashback for buyers?

Rebates and incentives are permitted under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, (TRESA), provided they are disclosed in writing and paid through the brokerage trust account.

Q: Will I sacrifice negotiation power?

Not with PropertyMesh. Our oversight protocols ensure your representation remains rigorous.

Q: Do discount models affect buyer-side cooperation?

“As a professional, I typically caution sellers to avoid reducing buyer agents’ commission due to their ability to first see the backend of the MLS system; however, the choice is always theirs.”
— Faiza Ahmed

We sold our property in Toronto with PropertyMesh team. Very happy with their real estate agent’s service. Will definitely work with them.

Mary Perruccio

Sold with PropertyMesh

We proudly serve clients across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, including:

  • City of Toronto: Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke
  • York Region: Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Whitchurch-Stouffville, King City
  • Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon
  • Halton Region: Oakville, Burlington, Milton
  • Durham Region: Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, and surrounding communities
  • Waterloo Region & Beyond: Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes and subject to change without notice. Actual services, commission rates, and incentives may vary and are governed solely by the terms of your signed Listing Agreement or Buyer Representation Agreement. Errors and Omissions Excepted (E&OE). Variations in terminology across this site do not alter the terms of your written contract. All market examples, savings calculations, and competitor fee estimates are for illustrative purposes only. Real estate commissions are negotiable, not set by law, and vary by location and brokerage. Comparisons do not guarantee specific outcomes. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Professional Affiliations