Picture this: you sell your home for $300,000. You feel good about the deal -until you get to the closing table and realize $18,000 of your equity is gone. Not to repairs, not to upgrades, not even to your next down payment. Just to a commission fee that hasn’t changed since the 1990s.
The truth is, the 6% commission model is outdated. It made sense when real estate agents were advertising in newspapers, hand-delivering MLS books, and relying on fax machines. But today, buyers find homes online, marketing tools are cheaper, and sellers are more informed than ever. So why are you still paying like it’s 1995?
A Quick History Lesson: Where 6% Came From
Back before the internet, agents really did hold all the keys. MLS data was private, marketing required expensive print campaigns, and exposure meant physical legwork. In that world, a 6% commission covered the heavy lifting.
Fast forward to 2025: buyers are finding homes on Zillow or Realtor.com, social media ads cost pennies compared to print, and sellers can check comps in seconds. The system evolved -but commission rates stayed the same.
Why 6% No Longer Makes Sense
Here’s the reality today:
- Marketing costs have dropped. Professional photos, online ads, and digital listings make marketing faster and cheaper.
- Buyers are self-sufficient. Most buyers discover the homes they want online before they ever talk to an agent.
- Sellers are informed. With public pricing data and access to market trends, sellers are no longer in the dark.
So why should you give away thousands of dollars when the process doesn’t require what it used to?
What 1% Lists Indiana Does Differently
At 1% Lists Indiana, we kept the full service but ditched the outdated fee.
✔️ MLS exposure
✔️ Professional photos and marketing
✔️ Showings and open houses
✔️ Negotiations and closing guidance
You get everything you’d expect from a traditional agent -without the bloated price tag. Instead of 6%, you pay just 1% to list your home.
The Real Savings
Our average client saves $8,250 at closing. That’s not pocket change. That’s a:
- Down payment on your next home
- Semester of college tuition
- New car
- Big dent in student loans or credit cards
To put it in perspective:
- Sell for $300,000 → Traditional 6% = $18,000
- With 1% Lists Indiana = $3,000
Savings: $15,000 back in your pocket.
Common Questions (and Honest Answers)
- Will I get less service? Nope. We’re full-service Realtors -nothing gets cut except the outdated fee.
- Will buyer’s agents avoid my listing? No. Buyer’s agents still get their side of the commission. Your home gets equal exposure.
- So what’s the catch? There isn’t one. We just believe in giving Indiana homeowners a smarter option.
Why It Matters in Indiana
In Columbus and across the Midwest, homes typically sell in the $250k–$350k range. At 6%, you’re giving away $15k–$21k. That’s money that could stay in your community, your family, your future -not disappear into an outdated system.
Time to Sell Smarter
The 6% commission model is stuck in the past. Indiana homeowners deserve better.
So here’s the question: Do you really think 6% is justified today? Or is it time to move on?
If you’re ready to sell your home the smarter way and keep more of your hard-earned equity, 1% Lists Indiana is here to make it happen.