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becoming more transparent and efficient, the traditional real estate commission model still lingers-opaque, costly, and outdated.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
What is included in the flat fee? ExpandEverything. Strategy, marketing, negotiation, and closing. There are no surprise add-ons.
Do you refund buyer commissions? ExpandYes. If the seller offers a buyer-side commission, we apply that as a closing credit.
Where does Arrivva operate? ExpandWe’re licensed across California, with deep roots in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Do I pay anything upfront? ExpandNo. Buyers pay only if they close. Sellers pay at escrow, just like with traditional agents.
Will I work directly with Fred Glick? ExpandYes. Fred personally supervises every deal and brings over 1,000 closings of experience to your side.
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.
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