Contact Doug Cress of Enterprise Realty doug@cress.co 212-203-5251
Flat Fee Agent Service For Connecticut Home Buyers
With our flat fee buyer’s agent service, we return a substantial portion of our commission to you, offering valuable savings.
Buyers Agent Services for a Flat Fee
As flat fee real estate agents, we charge a fixed fee for our services, tailored to the price range of the home you’re buying. Our flat fee structure provides greater discounts for higher-priced properties, resulting in even more substantial savings for buyers.
This model ensures that you’re paying a fair fee that aligns with the value of the home you’re purchasing. For example, instead of us earning a 2.5% commission on a $2,000,000 home—which would be $50,000—you might pay a flat fee of $25,000. The savings? We return the balance, $25,000, directly to you, the homebuyer as a commission rebate.
This tailored flat fee model is especially popular among savvy homebuyers in Connecticut, particularly those purchasing higher-priced homes in areas like Fairfield County or Greenwich. In these markets, buyer agent commissions can reach into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, making our services a smarter, financially savvy choice.
Why Choose a Flat Fee Agent?
Benefit from Commission Rebates
In addition to lower fees, we offer commission rebates to further increase your savings. Since the seller typically pays the buyer’s agent commission (usually ~2.5%), we pass a portion of this commission back to you. These rebates can offset closing costs, reduce your overall expenses, or even help fund upgrades for your new home.
Tailored Fees with Greater Discounts for Higher-Priced Homes
Unlike traditional agents who earn a percentage of the sale price, our flat fees are adjusted to the home’s price range. This ensures buyers of higher-priced homes benefit from even greater discounts and savings, while still receiving expert representation.
Full-Service Representation
We provide the same full-service support as traditional agents—helping you find your dream home, negotiating the best price, and managing all the paperwork. The difference? You save significantly more because our fees are tailored to your purchase price and structured to maximize your savings.
What is a Buyer’s Agent Rebate and How Does it Work?
A buyer’s agent rebate, sometimes referred to as a credit or refund, is a portion of the commission earned by the buyer’s real estate agent that is given back to the buyer after the transaction is complete. This approach allows homebuyers to lower their overall costs, especially in higher-priced deals where commission fees can add up quickly.
How Are Rebates Structured
In most real estate deals, the seller covers the total commission, usually around 5% of the home’s sale price.
This fee is divided between:
- The seller’s agent (also known as the listing agent)
- The buyer’s agent (who represents the buyer)
With a rebate arrangement, the buyer’s agent gives back a portion of their commission to the buyer after the transaction closes. In a flat fee arrangement, the rebate amount is the total buyers agent commission less the negotiated flat fee.
For example, if the buyer’s agent agrees to represent the buyers of a $4 million home purchase for a $50,000 flat fee, the buyer would receive $50,000 back at closing (assuming the total buyers agent commission is 2.5% or $100,000).
Rebates are typically provided to the buyer in one of three ways:
- Credit at Closing: The rebate is applied to reduce closing costs like title fees or transfer taxes.
- Direct Payment: The buyer gets the rebate as a check or wire transfer after the deal is finalized.
- Down Payment Offset: In some scenarios, the rebate lowers the amount the buyer needs to bring for the down payment.
What Sets Cress Apart
At the heart of our work is a dedication to creating meaningful, long-term relationships with our clients. Our flat fee buyer’s agent services reflect our unwavering commitment to prioritizing your needs. From day one, our mission is to ensure you maximize your investment and experience a smarter way to buy a home.
More Competitive Offers: In a competitive market, every dollar matters. Our flat fee buyer’s agent services give you a financial advantage, helping you make a stronger offer. Whether you use the savings to boost your down payment, lower your loan amount, or cover closing costs, our approach ensures you’re in a better position to win the home you love.
Flexible Savings: With our flat fee buyer’s agent services, the savings are yours to use however you choose. Whether it’s buying down your mortgage rate, funding home improvements or repairs, or setting aside money for future needs, our model empowers you to take control. We’re committed to helping you maximize your investment.
Real Value: With our flat fee buyer’s agent services, you’re gaining more than expert representation — you’re unlocking meaningful financial savings. We take pride in offering clients a substantial benefit that can significantly enhance the affordability of their dream home.
Experience the Difference
When you partner with us, you’re choosing an ally who prioritizes your financial success as much as you do. Our innovative flat fee approach is designed to elevate your homebuying experience and help you achieve your real estate goals with ease.
Reach out to us today to discover how our money-saving model can make a difference for you!
How Much Do You Charge?
We use a sliding scale to determine our flat fee. The higher then transaction price, the more you save.
How It Works
Our sliding scale is designed to provide greater savings on higher purchase prices. As the price of your home increases, so does the percentage of our commission you take home. This means that for higher-value transactions, you receive a more substantial rebate — putting even more money back in your pocket.
Purchase Range
Flat Fee
Rebate Amount
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the typical commission structure for residential real estate deals in Fairfield County, CT?
In Fairfield County, CT, the seller usually pays a commission of 5-6% of the purchase price, which is shared with the buyer’s broker if there is one. In some cases, the seller might negotiate a lower rate, reducing the commission to around 4%.
Will you work for a percentage of the commission rather than for a flat fee?
Yes, if you prefer to have your rebate computed as a percentage of the purchase price, we’re glad to accommodate your request. See our commission rebate pricing for more details.
If a buyer doesn’t have an agent, does the seller lower the purchase price to reflect the savings?
Without a buyer’s agent, the seller’s agent typically takes the full commission, meaning unrepresented buyers won’t see any savings. With us, you can get full-service representation, and you won’t miss out on commission rebates.
Will it cost me anything to work with you as a buyer? Are there any hidden fees?
No, there are no costs or hidden fees for buyers working with us. The seller or the seller’s broker pays the buyer’s broker’s commission at closing, from which we take our flat fee compensation.
Are commission rebates legal?
Yes, commission rebates are fully legal in Connecticut and 39 other states. You can find more information, here.
Are commission rebates taxable?
According to an IRS ruling, commission rebates generally reduce the buyer’s cost basis in the property and are not taxed as ordinary income. For example, if you receive a $25,000 rebate on a $2,000,000 home, the IRS considers the purchase price to be $1,975,000. We don’t issue a 1099 for the rebate, but we recommend consulting a tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
How much could I save by hiring you?
You can save a significant amount. For example, on a $4,000,000 home purchase with a 2.5% buy-side commission, your rebate could be $50,000.
Will other realtors work with you?
Yes, realtors are legally and contractually obligated to work with us, as they have a fiduciary duty to represent the best interests of their clients.
I’ve been searching for homes and making offers on my own. Why should I hire you?
Even if you’ve been managing the process yourself, we bring substantial expertise to the table. We provide in-depth market knowledge, years of industry experience, and comprehensive support for every transaction. Plus, we offer substantial savings vis-à-vis our ability to offer commission rebates.
Should I reach out to realtors directly to view homes not listed for open houses?
The current market etiquette is for buyer’s brokers to handle all communication and scheduling for private showings.
I don’t like realtors. Why should I consider working with you?
We get it—many of our clients share your concerns. But we consider ourselves among the rare realtors who prioritize honesty, hard work, and our clients’ best interests. While some clients initially work with us just for the rebate or discounted commission, they quickly realize the true value we bring to the table by the time their deal closes.
Does choosing a “flat fee agent” mean I’ll get lower-quality service?
Not with us. We pride ourselves on offering top-tier service without compromise, even at a lower commission rate.