What Is Flat Fee Real Estate?
In a world where nearly everything is becoming more transparent and efficient, the traditional real estate commission model still lingers—opaque, costly, and outdated. Flat fee real estate offers a much-needed alternative. Instead of paying a percentage-based commission, typically ranging from 5% to 6%, flat-fee brokerages charge a consistent, predetermined rate for their services. The result? Simplicity, predictability, and savings.
At Arrivva, we’ve built our business on this model. We believe in one flat fee:
- Buy a home for $9,750
- Sell a home for $15,750
It’s that simple. No surprise charges. No bloated commission checks. Just smart, tech-enabled service with licensed oversight.
How Flat Fee Brokerages Work
Traditional brokerages charge based on your home’s price—taking a cut of your equity as compensation. That’s fine if they’re providing exceptional value, but in many cases, they’re just following scripts, posting to the MLS, and collecting a check.
Flat fee brokerages like Arrivva flip the script. Instead of charging based on your home’s price, we provide full-service representation for a set cost. That includes strategy, valuation, marketing, negotiation, and even closing coordination.
How Arrivva Works for Buyers
If you’re buying, we help you:
- Identify promising properties through automated alerts and human-curated suggestions
- Analyze each home with valuation tools and market context
- Structure offers and negotiate like a pro
- Navigate the escrow and close process, step-by-step
And the best part? You only pay the $9,750 if you close.
How Arrivva Works for Sellers
Selling your home? Here’s what we include in our $15,750 flat rate:
- A pre-listing strategy session to price your home accurately
- Professional photos and compelling listing descriptions
- Listing syndication across major platforms (MLS, Zillow, Redfin, etc.)
- Buyer coordination, open house planning, and showing feedback
- Offer review, negotiation, and deal management
In other words, everything you’d expect from a top-tier agent—without the percentage markup.
Comparing Flat Fee vs. Traditional Commission
Let’s make the numbers real. On a $1M home:
| Service Area | Traditional Agent (2.5%-3%) | Arrivva Flat Fee |
| Buy-Side Commission | $25,000 to $30,000 | $9,750 flat |
| Sell-Side Commission | $25,000 to $30,000 | $15,750 flat |
Not only do you save—sometimes tens of thousands—you also benefit from aligned incentives. Our team isn’t trying to upsell you into a bigger commission. We’re motivated by your success, not your price tag.
Real Cost Breakdown: What You Actually Save
To truly understand the value of a flat fee model, consider this:
- Buying a $1.2M home?
- Traditional buyer’s agent fee: $30,000
- Arrivva: $9,750
- You could save: $20,250
- Selling a $1.2M home?
- Traditional seller’s agent fee: $30,000–$36,000
- Arrivva: $15,750
- You could save: up to $20,250
And because you know the fee upfront, there are no surprises during closing.
Benefits to Buyers and Sellers
Flat fee real estate isn’t just about savings—it’s about service. When the incentive structure changes, so does the quality of your experience.
Benefits for Buyers
- Transparent Pricing – Pay the same flat rate whether you buy a $600K condo or a $2M home.
- Independent Advice – We’re not paid more if you buy more, which means our advice is objective.
- Licensed Oversight – Broker Fred Glick oversees every deal.
- Negotiation Strength – Get an advocate who’s focused on results, not commissions.
Benefits for Sellers
- Equity Protection – Keep more of your home’s value.
- Pro-Level Marketing – We use top-tier visuals and syndication to reach qualified buyers.
- Data-Driven Pricing – Strategic pricing backed by real data and local insight.
- Hands-On Deal Management – Offers, counteroffers, and closing—all handled by experts.
Transparency, Tech, and Broker Oversight
Arrivva’s advantage isn’t just our pricing. It’s how we deliver exceptional service:
- Dashboard Access – Clients get a private slack channel showing real-time updates.
- Valuation Reports – We provide pricing analyses on every offer or listing.
- AI-Powered Tools – Fast filtering and smarter home comparisons.
- Human Expertise – Fred Glick brings decades of experience to every transaction.
"I started Arrivva because buyers and sellers were getting gouged — and they didn’t even know it. I wanted to bring real fairness and tech to an outdated system." — Fred Glick, Arrivva Founder
Case Studies: How Much Clients Saved
Bay Area Buyer
- Home Price: $2.1M
- Traditional Fee: $52,500
- Arrivva Fee: $9,750
- Savings: $42,750
San Diego Seller
- Home Sale: $900,000
- Traditional Listing Fee: $22,500
- Arrivva Listing Fee: $15,750
- Savings: $6,750
Buy + Sell Combo Client
- Total Value of Homes: $2.3M
- Traditional Fees: $60,000+
- Arrivva Fees: $25,500
- Total Savings: $34,500+
FAQs
Talk to a Real Flat Fee Broker
Curious what a smarter real estate experience looks like?
Get in touch with Fred and the Arrivva team today. No scripts. No pushy salespeople. Just honest, tech-forward advice that saves you money.