Assist-2-Sell is a discount real estate brokerage that offers lower commission rates for both home buyers and sellers. Assist-2-Sell reviews indicate that customer satisfaction and savings vary, as each franchise sets its own pricing and service standards.
A major drawback is the lack of upfront pricing. The company doesn’t publish fees on its website, so you must contact your local office to determine the applicable fees. Before committing, check the franchise's activity level, the number of recent sales, and whether past customers had a positive experience.
Given the many low commission real estate options available, we recommend comparing Assist-2-Sell with options that offer clear pricing and stronger agent vetting.
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Assist-2-Sell reviews summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Company type | Discount brokerage |
| 📆 Founded | 1987 |
| 💲Typical listing fee | Varies by location (generally 1-2.5%) |
| 💰 Buyer savings | None offered (no buyer rebates or incentives) |
| ⭐ Average customer rating | 4.7 ⭐ (1,878 reviews) |
| 📍Availability | 30 states and Canada |
| 👍 Best for | Sellers with a highly-rated local franchise and no better low-fee alternatives nearby |
| ⚠️ Watch out for | Inconsistent service quality, unclear pricing, limited tech tools |
Who Assist-2-Sell works best for
Assist-2-Sell is known for offering an affordable alternative to traditional real estate brokerage services, but it may not be the best fit for everyone.
Assist-2-Sell operates on a franchise model, meaning each office is independently owned and operated. Fees, services, and customer ratings vary by location. While some locations have excellent customer reviews, others receive poor ratings from past customers. And there are no guaranteed savings across the brand, so you'll need to contact your local office to verify their commission rate.
While there are other low-commission brokers we recommend first, Assist-2-Sell may still be worth trying if your local franchise has particularly high customer ratings or you don’t have access to other discount brokers in your area.
Assist-2-Sell vs. competitors
Although Assist-2-Sell may be cheaper than a traditional 3% listing fee, it doesn’t clearly state those fees on its website, so you may need to sit through an agent's sales pitch before getting basic pricing info.
That lack of transparency can make it hard to know whether you’re really getting the best deal. Depending on where you live, you may have access to other discount real estate services that offer clearer pricing, stronger guarantees, and better customer experiences.
Companies like Clever Real Estate, Ideal Agent, and Redfin have broader coverage and more standardized offerings, which makes comparisons easier.
Clever Real Estate is a top alternative. Clever connects you with top-rated local agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — all for a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee (or $3,000 minimum). You'll get full service from a trusted agent while also saving up to 50% compared to the traditional 3% commission.
If you want predictable savings or a wider pool of vetted agents, it's helpful to compare several discount brokerages before choosing one.
🔍 Compare top low-fee brokers in your area. See which companies offer clear pricing, strong reviews, and full service near you. No pressure to sign and no hidden fees. View all of your options today!
Assist-2-Sell customer reviews
| Site | Rating |
|---|---|
| Zillow | 5.0/5 (453 reviews) |
| Yelp | 3.8/5 (16 reviews) |
| 4.7/5 (1,409 reviews) | |
| Weighted average | 4.7 (1,878 reviews) |
🟢 Primary positive themes
| 🟡 Areas for improvement:
|
Most customers were highly satisfied with their Assist-2-Sell experience.
Customers commonly mentioned the quality of their agents, indicating that agents are helpful, communicate effectively, and make the process of selling or buying a home easy.
A few negative reviews focus on bad experiences with particular agents.
🔎 Methodology: How we write our reviews
When evaluating real estate companies, our process includes gathering all verifiable customer reviews from 3rd party sites such as BBB, Google, Consumer Affairs, TrustPilot, and Yelp.
In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we utilize AI to analyze customer sentiment across 20 themes related to agent quality, service, communication, savings, integrity, and more, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.
| 🟢 Positive Themes | 🟡 Negative Themes |
|---|---|
| Sells Fast | Struggles to Sell |
| Easy Process | Misrepresented Services |
| Hands-on Support | Poor Communication |
| Prompt Communication | Poor Marketing |
| Market Expertise | Poor Pricing Advice |
| Professional Service | Unprofessional Service |
| Quality Marketing | Technical Issues |
| Negotiation Skills | No Refunds |
| Significant Savings | Misleading Pricing |
| Integrity | Lack of Integrity |
🟢 Positive themes from Assist-2-Sell reviews
Hands-on Support (52% of reviews). An impressive number of reviews mention the hands-on service provided by Assist-2-Sell agents. Customers specifically mention that agents are present "every step of the way" and provide support beyond just the basic requirements of buying or selling a home.
- "She was present and supportive through the entire process - every step of the way - and continues to be a wonderful resource with whatever we need, even post-close."
- "Tim went above and beyond to ensure our home sale went exactly as we had hoped… His expertise, constant availability, and exceptional customer service set him apart."
- "Many times I needed help with other things related to the sale and even help with things after settlement and he was always there with the necessary answers."
Professional service (34% of reviews). The professionalism of Assist-2-Sell agents also stands out among reviewers. Reviews often highlight agents' friendliness, reliability, and ability to maintain professional composure while remaining personable and approachable. There's a particular emphasis on the combination of professional expertise with a patient, non-pushy approach that makes clients feel comfortable throughout their transactions.
- "Not pushy, professional in every sense, detail oriented, and beyond courteous and prompt."
- "Marty has a great demeanor, he is not aggressive, and instead of trying to impose his will upon us, he presented us with ideas and options and let us choose the path we were most comfortable with."
- "She patiently, competently, and professionally led us through the initial stages of preparing the house for sale."
- "He was calm and professional, and didn't make the process feel frantic or pushy like some agents we had met before."
Market expertise (33% of reviews). Customers also frequently praise Assist-2-Sell agents for their understanding of local markets, their ability to price homes correctly, and their capacity to provide valuable advice based on their experience. Reviews emphasize how this expertise translates to tangible benefits like better selling prices or finding the right home.
- "Her knowledge of the area and market is exceptional. She does her homework and will present you with comps that suggest the best price to sell your home."
- "Due to his hard work, knowledge and experience, we sold our home for tens of thousands more than we could have anticipated."
- "Reg and Craig have an unparalleled amount of knowledge of the real estate, development, and the governing laws in the mountain counties."
Prompt communication (32% of reviews). Prompt communication is another theme frequently mentioned in Assist-2-Sell reviews. Customers specifically highlight agents' proactive updates throughout the process and prompt responses to questions and concerns.
- "Every time I called or texted she responded immediately. She treats us with incredible respect and courtesy and is an EXCELLENT communicator."
- "She was super responsive even when she was busy! I'm pretty sure we emailed back and forth at 10:30 at night!"
- "They answer their phones in a timely manner - they actually pick up their phones at all hours. even on vacation."
- "She responded to all of our questions quickly and thoroughly - she always followed up when she said she would, kept us updated, and addressed things we didn't even know to ask."
Easy process (27% of reviews). Customers also praise Assist-2-Sell for making a complex and stressful transaction feel simple and manageable. There's a strong emphasis on agents guiding customers from start to finish, handling any complications that arise, and making the buying and selling "easy," "seamless," and "stress-free."
- "We have sold three homes in our lives in three states and this was the easiest, most professional sale we've ever done."
- "She anticipated any potential road blocks in the process and helped us prepare for and eliminate them before they occurred."
- "Lisa worked tirelessly on my behalf, communicated every step of the way, and was proactive in getting ahead of issues to make the negotiation and close as seamless as possible."
🟡 Assist-2-Sell complaints and areas for improvement
Unprofessional service (4% of reviews). A small subset of Assist-2-Sell customers raised concerns around a lack of professionalism from particular agents. The complaints center around rude behavior, poor communication, a lack of integrity, and condescending treatment.
- "The seller verbally abused us on multiple occasions and the agent did nothing to stop her."
- "They were incredibly rude and snarky on the phone."
- "They want to work the price up not to take care of the customers, but to take care of the agent."
- "Extremely unprofessional! Condescending, lacks integrity and has no ethics whatsoever."
It's important to note that since Assist-2-Sell franchises are locally owned, inconsistent service isn’t entirely the company’s fault. Each franchise operates independently, so agent quality may vary depending on the location.
How Assist-2-Sell works
Assist-2-Sell offers full-service representation and brokerage services for buyers and sellers. However, because Assist-2-Sell offices operate as independent franchises, it’s important to review your local agent’s customer reviews to ensure that past customers received the level of support and guidance you desire throughout the transaction.
What to expect as a seller
Service offerings vary between locations. The main Assist-2-Sell website mentions the following listing packages, but it’s unclear how many offices offer them. Contact your local Assist-2-Sell office to verify the services it provides.
MLS for LessTM: This package provides a comparable experience to selling with a traditional brokerage, but at a lower cost. Assist-2-Sell posts your house on the local multiple listing service (MLS), and a dedicated agent oversees your entire transaction. While specifics may vary by location, with a full-service MLS package, you can typically expect the following services from your realtor:
- Comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Pricing guidance
- Staging advice
- Professional photography
- Listing description and MLS listing
- For-sale sign and lockbox for buyer’s agents
- Guidance during due diligence (i.e., inspections, appraisals, financing)
- Help evaluating offers and negotiating terms
- Support through closing
Direct to BuyerTM: Assist-2-Sell helps you find a buyer who doesn't have a buyer’s agent. That way, you won't have to pay a buyer's agent commission (BAC), saving you an additional 2–3%. However, studies have shown that refusing to pay BAC can shrink your buyer pool by as much as 90%,[1] making it harder to sell quickly and for the best price.
Paperwork Only: You find a buyer, and then Assist-2-Sell acts as a transaction coordinator. It helps you draft a purchase agreement, complete legal documents, and arrange the pre-closing process. We recommend getting quotes from local real estate attorneys, who may provide the same services for less.
What to expect as a buyer
You can purchase a home with an Assist-2-Sell buyer’s agent, and they’ll provide full-service support, just like a traditional agent.
However, Assist-2-Sell doesn’t offer any built-in savings for buyers.
In contrast, many of Assist-2-Sell’s competitors offer home buyer rebates. If you qualify, you may receive a portion of the buyer’s agent commission back as a credit or cash. These rebates can help offset closing costs and other upfront expenses associated with buying a home.
» Find out which company offers the best home buyer rebate
How much can I save with Assist-2-Sell?
| Cost category | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| 💲 Assist-2-Sell listing fee | 1-3% of sale price (varies by office) |
| 🏠 Traditional listing fee | 2.5-3% of sale price |
| ✅ Potential savings | Up to 2% of sale price |
Each local office sets its own listing fee. After reviewing several franchise locations, we determined that most offices charge 1–2.5%, which is reasonable.
That said, the savings aren’t guaranteed. The best discount real estate brands, like Clever Real Estate and Redfin, guarantee listing fee savings no matter which agent you work with. With Assist-2-Sell, each agent sets their own commission structure (there’s no universal standard).
💰 Want to pay less in realtor fees? Use Real Estate Witch to connect with local realtors who charge a 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate). Fill out a short form, and compare agent matches from your inbox.
Assist-2-Sell news and updates
Here’s a quick look at Assist-2-Sell’s history and how the brand has changed over time.
How did Assist-2-Sell get started?
Assist-2-Sell launched in 1987 with a single office. The company grew by promoting lower fees than traditional brokerages and offering full-service support at a discounted rate.[2][3]
Did Assist-2-Sell help pioneer discount real estate?
Assist-2-Sell and Help-U-Sell helped shape the early discount brokerage model. Both believed that advertising low commissions would bring in enough customers to stay profitable through higher volume.
How large did Assist-2-Sell get at its peak?
By 2006, Assist-2-Sell operated more than 630 franchise locations across 46 states and Canada. It was one of the largest discount real estate brands in the country.[4][5]
Why did Assist-2-Sell shrink after 2008?
The 2008 housing crash led to many franchises closing. Since then, Assist-2-Sell has faced difficulty competing with tech-focused discount brokers like Redfin, which offer stronger online tools and a broader reach.[6]
Are any Assist-2-Sell franchises still performing well?
Some locations continue to thrive. In 2024, the Marinette and Menominee franchise ranked No. 2 in small market sales and No. 8 overall among 115 offices. Broker Francine Kitkowski offers full service for a flat $2,995 fee in Wisconsin and Michigan.[7]
Bottom line: Should I use Assist-2-Sell?
Pros
- Lower listing fees
- Full-service support
- Some franchises have strong reviews, track records
Cons
- Pricing varies by office and is not published online
- Service quality depends entirely on your local franchise
- No guaranteed savings
Most people will find better value with a different discount broker than Assist-2-Sell.
We recommend using Assist-2-Sell only if:
- None of the top national discount brokers are available near you
- Your local Assist-2-Sell agent has upfront pricing, high customer ratings, and a solid track record of home sales in your area
- You already know and like the agent in your area
Regardless of which broker you choose, we recommend comparing multiple agents to ensure you find the best fit.
Related reading
If you’re considering the pros and cons of Assist-2-Sell, it’s important to compare all of your discount broker options. We recommend consulting the following resources to explore additional ways to save.
