Selling a home often raises a lot of questions about pricing, marketing, fees, and the overall process.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions Austin homeowners ask when considering selling with Todd Hower Realty.
How does your flat fee compare to a traditional commission?
Traditional listing commissions in Austin are typically around 3% of the sale price. Todd Hower Realty provides full-service representation for a $9,000 flat listing fee.
Example Fee Comparison on a $900,000 Austin Home Sale
| Traditional 3% listing commission | $27,000 |
| Todd Hower Realty flat listing fee | $9,000 |
| Estimated additional equity retained | $18,000 |
Actual savings vary based on sale price and negotiated buyer-agent compensation.
How much does it cost to sell my home with Todd Hower Realty?
Todd Hower Realty provides full-service representation for a transparent flat fee when selling a home in Austin rather than charging a percentage of the sales price.
Our structure includes a flat listing fee for representation plus a listing launch fee and professional photography. Buyer agent compensation is negotiated as part of the offer and is not predetermined in our listing agreement.
This approach allows sellers to receive complete professional representation while protecting more of their equity.
Do I have to pay your fee before closing?
No. You pay Todd Hower Realty after your home sells, closes, and funds.
Unlike some flat fee services that require payment upfront, our representation fee is paid at closing just like a traditional brokerage commission.
What services are included in your flat fee?
Our service includes the same professional representation you would expect from a traditional full-commission listing brokerage.
Services include:
• market analysis and pricing strategy
• professional photography recommendations
• MLS listing and syndication to major home search websites
• showing coordination and buyer agent communication
• marketing strategy and listing management
• contract negotiation
• transaction management through closing
Our goal is to provide complete representation while using a transparent fee structure.
Do sellers still offer compensation to buyer agents?
Buyer agent compensation is determined during the negotiation process and written directly into the purchase offer.
There is no preset amount required in our listing agreement. As part of representing our sellers, we review and negotiate these terms within the offer to reach an agreement that works for both parties.
Will buyer agents still show my home if I use a flat fee brokerage?
Yes. Buyer agents show homes based on what is best for their clients, and listings represented by Todd Hower Realty are entered into the MLS just like any other listing.
Buyer agent compensation is negotiated through the purchase offer, which allows buyers and sellers to determine the terms that work best for them.
The most important factors influencing showings are pricing, presentation, and how well the home is positioned in the market.
Is this the same as a limited-service MLS listing?
No.
Limited-service MLS companies typically only place your home in the MLS and leave the rest of the process to the homeowner.
Todd Hower Realty provides full representation from pricing strategy through negotiations and closing.
Does the flat fee model work for higher-priced homes?
Yes. In many cases, higher-priced homes benefit the most from a flat fee structure because the cost of representation is not tied to the sales price.
Our approach has been used successfully across a wide range of price points throughout the Austin market.
Why wouldn’t every seller choose a flat fee brokerage?
Flat fee representation works very well for many sellers, but it is not the right fit for every situation.
Some homeowners prefer the traditional percentage-based commission model, especially if they are more comfortable with a compensation structure that increases with the sales price. Others simply choose the model they are most familiar with.
At Todd Hower Realty, our approach is designed for sellers who want full-service professional representation while protecting more of their equity through a transparent flat fee structure.
During a consultation, we review your property, goals, and current market conditions to determine whether our model is the right fit for your situation.
What happens if my home doesn’t sell?
If your home does not sell, you are not obligated to pay the representation fee since it is only paid at closing.
During the listing period we will review pricing, market activity, and buyer feedback to adjust strategy as needed to help achieve a successful sale.
Should I talk to a realtor before deciding to sell my home?
Yes. Many homeowners schedule a consultation simply to better understand their home’s current value, market conditions, and what preparing for a sale would involve.
A professional evaluation can provide insight into pricing, competition in your neighborhood, and the timing that might make the most sense if you decide to move forward.
There is no obligation to list your home. Many sellers use this conversation as a way to explore their options before making a final decision.
How do I get started?
The first step is a consultation to review your property, discuss current market conditions, and determine a pricing and marketing strategy.
You can schedule a consultation to receive a professional evaluation and learn how our flat fee representation model works.