A Realtor’s Checklist: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Services Offered by 1% vs. 6% Agents
Selling Your Northshore Home? Don’t Leave Thousands of Dollars on the Table
If you’re a homeowner in Covington, Mandeville, or Madisonville, you know how much value is in your property. You’ve invested time, money, and memories into your home. But when it’s time to sell, the biggest question isn’t just “What’s my home worth?”—it’s “How much of that value will I actually keep?”
For decades, the answer has been dictated by the traditional 6% real estate commission. This fee, often the single largest expense in a home sale, has become an accepted cost of doing business. It’s a significant portion of your hard-earned equity handed over at the closing table. This is the old way of doing things, an outdated model that hasn’t kept pace with technology and modern business efficiencies.
But what if there was a smarter, more efficient alternative? A modern solution that provides the exact same full-service Realtor experience while leaving thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars in your pocket. This is the promise of the 1% commission model. The central question is one we hear often: Can you really get the same full-service experience for a fraction of the cost?
Let’s break it down with a side-by-side checklist.
Key Takeaways
- Full Service is Not a Luxury: A lower commission does not mean lower service. Core real estate services like professional marketing, expert negotiation, and contract-to-close management are standard with a 1 Percent Lists agent.
- The Difference is in the Business Model, Not the Service: We leverage technology, streamlined processes, and lower overhead to pass savings directly to you. We didn’t cut corners; we built a more efficient system.
- Tangible Savings for Northshore Homeowners: The difference between a 1% listing fee and a 3% listing fee can mean over $10,000 in savings on a typical Mandeville or Covington home sale.
- Local Roots, National Trust: 1 Percent Lists isn’t a faceless national company; we were founded right here in the Greater New Orleans area to provide a better option for our neighbors.
The Big Myth: Does a Lower Commission Mean Lower Service?
It’s a fair question. The old saying “you get what you pay for” makes many Northshore homeowners wonder if a 1% listing is a “discount” service. We’re here to show you precisely why that’s not the case. The idea that a higher price tag automatically equals higher quality is one of the biggest misconceptions in the real estate industry. High commissions are a product of an old-fashioned brokerage model, not a reflection of superior service.
The following checklist will compare the essential services every seller needs and deserves, regardless of the commission rate. This isn’t about marketing spin; it’s an objective, transparent tool for you, the homeowner. It’s designed to empower you with the knowledge to make the best financial decision for your family when selling your home.
The Ultimate Realtor’s Checklist: A Side-by-Side Service Comparison
Let’s compare the critical services offered by a traditional 6% agent versus a full-service 1 Percent Lists agent. As you go through this, check off the services you expect from your Realtor. You’ll quickly see that the core functions are identical.
Phase 1: Pre-Listing & Strategy
This initial phase is foundational. It’s where your agent demonstrates their market knowledge and helps you position your home to achieve the highest possible sale price. From pricing strategy to presentation, these steps set the stage for success.
| Service | Traditional 6% Agent | 1 Percent Lists Agent |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person Home Consultation | Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) | Yes | ✅ Yes, using the same local MLS data |
| Expert Staging & Prep Advice | Yes | ✅ Yes, tailored for Covington & Mandeville buyers |
| Vendor Coordination (Stagers, Contractors) | Yes | ✅ Yes, with our network of trusted local vendors |
As you can see, the strategic foundation is the same. Our agents are local experts who live and work on the Northshore. We analyze the same real estate market data to price your home correctly and provide actionable advice to make it shine for potential buyers.
Phase 2: Professional Marketing & Exposure
Once your home is ready, the next step is getting it in front of as many qualified buyers as possible. Modern real estate marketing is a multi-channel effort that combines professional visuals with maximum online reach. This is not an area where any seller can afford to compromise.
| Service | Traditional 6% Agent | 1 Percent Lists Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Photography | Yes | ✅ Yes, high-quality, professional photos |
| Yard Sign & Secure Lockbox | Yes | ✅ Yes, branded sign and secure lockbox |
| Local MLS Listing | Yes | ✅ Yes, full listing on the New Orleans Metro Area MLS |
| Syndication to Zillow, Realtor.com, etc. | Yes | ✅ Yes, maximum exposure on hundreds of sites |
| Property Marketing Materials | Yes (Print Flyers) | ✅ Yes (Modern Digital Materials) |
Your home will be showcased everywhere it needs to be. We invest in top-tier photography because we know that first impressions are made online. Your listing will be syndicated to all major real estate portals, ensuring that any buyer looking for a home in the best New Orleans suburbs will see your property. The service isn’t just equivalent; it’s optimized for today’s digital-first buyer.
Phase 3: Showings, Negotiations & Offers
This is where an agent’s skill and experience truly matter. Managing buyer interest, gathering feedback, and negotiating offers are high-stakes tasks that directly impact your final net proceeds. A great agent acts as your advocate, strategist, and expert negotiator.
| Service | Traditional 6% Agent | 1 Percent Lists Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Manage & Schedule Showings | Yes | ✅ Yes, seamlessly managed |
| Collect & Share Buyer Feedback | Yes | ✅ Yes, proactively gathered and shared |
| Present & Explain All Offers | Yes | ✅ Yes, presented clearly and concisely |
| Expert Negotiation on Your Behalf | Yes | ✅ Yes, data-backed negotiation for the best outcome |
Our agents are seasoned negotiators dedicated to achieving the best possible price and terms for you. We handle every inquiry, schedule every showing, and present every offer with a detailed analysis. This is a crucial part of the full-service experience, and we provide it on every single listing. We believe you deserve expert representation without paying an exorbitant fee for it.
Phase 4: Contract to Close
Getting an accepted offer is a major milestone, but the work is far from over. The period from contract to closing involves navigating inspections, appraisals, financing contingencies, and a mountain of paperwork. This is where an agent’s diligence and communication skills are critical to prevent deals from falling apart.
| Service | Traditional 6% Agent | 1 Percent Lists Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Manage All Contract Paperwork & Deadlines | Yes | ✅ Yes, meticulously managed |
| Coordinate with All Parties (Lender, Title, etc.) | Yes | ✅ Yes, acting as the central point of communication |
| Navigate Inspection & Appraisal | Yes | ✅ Yes, guiding you through with confidence |
| Handle Repair Negotiations | Yes | ✅ Yes, expertly handling any post-inspection items |
| Ensure a Smooth Path to Closing | Yes | ✅ Yes, full support all the way to the closing table |
From the moment you accept an offer until the keys are exchanged, your 1 Percent Lists agent is your project manager. We coordinate with the buyer’s agent, the lender, and the title company, ensuring every deadline is met and every detail is handled. Our commitment is to provide a smooth, stress-free path to a successful closing.
The Verdict: Full Service is the Standard, Not the Upgrade
As the checklist clearly shows, the essential, full-service tasks required to sell your home successfully are identical. The only significant difference is the amount of your equity you get to keep at the end of the day.
So, how is this possible? It’s simple. We built a better business model. 1 Percent Lists leverages modern technology and streamlined processes to create efficiencies that traditional brokerages can’t match. We have lower overhead and a higher volume of satisfied clients, which allows us to charge a fair, sensible commission. We don’t cut corners on service; we cut out the bloat and inefficiency of the old 6% model. We believe homeowners in our community deserve to keep their equity.
The 1 Percent Lists Difference: A Louisiana Original
We’re not just another low-cost real estate broker. 1 Percent Lists was born right here in the Greater New Orleans area. Our original office, founded by Grant Clayton, pioneered this model of providing full service for only 1 percent commission. We saw that our friends and neighbors were losing too much of their home’s value to outdated commission structures, and we created a better way.
That local, common-sense solution has now grown into a trusted national brand with over five dozen franchises across the country. But our roots are firmly planted in the Northshore community. We understand the markets in Covington, Mandeville, and Madisonville because this is our home. From the unique appeal of Beau Chêne in Mandeville to the waterfront lifestyle of Eden Isles in Slidell, our local expertise is unparalleled. We started this to provide a better, more affordable option for our neighbors.
A Real-World Example: What You’ll Save in Mandeville
Let’s make this tangible. The numbers speak for themselves. The Mandeville housing market is strong, and your equity matters.
Imagine your beautiful Mandeville home sells for $450,000.
-
Traditional 6% Commission: $450,000 x 6% = $27,000
(This is typically split 3% to the listing agent and 3% to the buyer’s agent.) -
1 Percent Lists Commission: With us, your total commission is structured differently. You pay our 1% listing fee and still offer a competitive commission to the buyer’s agent (let’s use 2.5% for this example).
- Listing Fee: $450,000 x 1% = $4,500
- Buyer’s Agent Fee: $450,000 x 2.5% = $11,250
- Total Commission: $15,750
Total Savings: $27,000 – $15,750 = $11,250
That’s over $11,000 back in your pocket for the exact same full-service Realtor experience. What could you do with that extra money? Put it toward your next home, invest it for the future, or take a well-deserved vacation. The choice is yours because the equity is yours.
Your Next Step: Keep Your Equity
You’ve seen the checklist. You’ve seen the savings. The traditional 6% commission is no longer the only option for homeowners who demand full service and expert representation. You can have it all: a dedicated local agent, comprehensive marketing, skilled negotiation, and a smooth closing process, all while saving thousands.
Ready to see how much you can save without sacrificing service? Contact us today for a complimentary, no-obligation home valuation. Find out what your Covington, Mandeville, or Madisonville home is worth and get a clear breakdown of your potential savings. It’s time to sell smarter.
