Properkey vs
HomeSmart
HomeSmart, founded in Phoenix in 2000, pioneered the 100%-commission model where agents pay flat transaction fees — one of Arizona's biggest brokerages. Here's how it stacks up against Properkey's $0 listing fee, full MLS exposure and dedicated agent.
$0 listing fee and no listing commission. Properkey listings close through Properkey Escrow, a non-independent broker escrow operated under Properkey's DRE license; escrow fees are standard closing costs on any home sale. Properkey may also receive compensation from other parties to the transaction.
What would you keep?
Drag the slider to your home's value and compare the listing-side cost of selling with HomeSmart versus Properkey, or read the table below.
Assumes HomeSmart agent: typically 2.5–3% (2.5% shown). Buyer-agent compensation (negotiable and optional) and standard closing costs are separate and apply to every sale. Figures are illustrative; verify current pricing with each provider.
| Home price | HomeSmart listing cost | Properkey listing fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $12,500 | $0 | $12,500 |
| $750,000 | $18,750 | $0 | $18,750 |
| $1,000,000 | $25,000 | $0 | $25,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $37,500 | $0 | $37,500 |
| $4,000,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $100,000 |
Properkey vs HomeSmart, feature by feature
The side-by-side that matters: what you pay, what you get, and who does the work.
| Feature | Properkey | HomeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay to list | $0 listing fee, no listing commission | Typically 2.5–3% listing commission |
| Service model | Yes: Full-service brokerage with a dedicated agent | Yes: Full service — quality depends on the individual agent you hire |
| MLS & portal exposure | Yes: Full MLS + syndication to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and hundreds more | Yes: Full MLS + portal syndication |
| Pricing strategy & negotiation | Yes: Handled by your agent | Yes: Included |
| Contracts & disclosures | Yes: Contracts and disclosures prepared and managed for you | Yes: Included |
| Fees at closing (listing side) | Yes: No listing-side fees at closing | No: Listing commission (typically 2.5–3%) due at close — $18,750+ on a $750K home |
| Cancel anytime | Yes: Cancel anytime — no lock-in contracts | Partly: Depends on your listing agreement; often term-locked |
| Financing, escrow, insurance & management | Yes: Financing, escrow, insurance & property management in one platform | Partly: Via affiliated or partner companies, separately priced |
| Where they operate | California and Idaho (real estate) | Nationwide (franchise/branch offices) |
| Who you deal with | Yes: One point of contact from listing to close | Partly: Your individual agent — experience and availability vary widely |
Why sellers choose Properkey over HomeSmart
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Keep the commission
On a $1,000,000 sale, a 2.5% listing fee is $25,000. Properkey's is $0 — same MLS, same exposure, your equity.
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Same MLS. Same buyers.
Buyers find homes on the MLS and the portals it feeds. A Properkey listing appears in exactly the same places a big-brand listing does.
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A dedicated agent, without the fee
You still get a licensed professional pricing, marketing and negotiating your sale — the fee is what disappears, not the service.
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Built for how selling works now
Live MLS search, financing, escrow and insurance on one modern platform — not a 1990s workflow with a logo on it.
Where HomeSmart stands out: a fair look
- Huge Arizona presence — a true local heavyweight in Phoenix.
- Efficient, tech-enabled back office.
We'd rather you compare with clear eyes. When you do, $0 with a dedicated agent is hard to argue with.
The bottom line
In Arizona especially, HomeSmart is everywhere. But the model hasn't changed: the listing side typically costs 2.5–3% of your sale price. Properkey delivers the same MLS exposure and a dedicated agent for a $0 listing fee — the savings go to you, not the brokerage.
Frequently asked questions
It helps agents — they keep their full commission and pay HomeSmart flat fees. The commission itself, typically 2.5–3%, still comes out of your sale. Properkey removes it: $0 to list.
HomeSmart started in Phoenix and now has California offices. For a California seller, MLS exposure is the same either way; the difference is roughly $25,000–$30,000 in listing commission on a $1M home.
Because Properkey isn't built on listing commissions. The platform spans the whole transaction — search, financing, escrow, insurance and property management — so we don't need to take 2.5–3% (or even a flat fee) from your sale to run a great listing. You get full MLS exposure and a dedicated agent; the listing side costs you $0.
There's no listing fee and no listing-side commission — ever. Like every home sale (including FSBO), standard transaction costs still exist: escrow, title and recording fees apply no matter who you sell with. Properkey listings close through Properkey Escrow, a non-independent broker escrow operated under Properkey's DRE license, at its published escrow rates — the same category of fee you'd pay any escrow company on any sale. Properkey may also receive compensation from other parties to the transaction. Buyer-agent compensation remains optional and negotiable.
Yes. Properkey listings go on the local MLS and syndicate to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and hundreds of other sites — the same exposure a traditional 3% listing gets.
Buyer-agent compensation is negotiable and entirely your call — with Properkey and with everyone else, under the rules in place since 2024. The difference is the listing side: $0 with Properkey.
Cancel anytime. There's no lock-in contract and no cancellation fee — if Properkey isn't earning your business, you can walk away.
Compare more alternatives
The Proper Way to Sell Your Home.
Full MLS exposure. A dedicated agent. A $0 listing fee. See exactly what you'd keep.
Properkey is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by HomeSmart. All trademarks, brand names and logos are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and comparison purposes only. Competitor pricing, features and availability are based on publicly available information as of September 2026 and may have changed; please verify details directly with each provider. Savings examples are illustrative, assume the fee structures shown, and exclude buyer-agent compensation (negotiable and optional in all cases), taxes and standard closing costs, which apply to every sale regardless of brokerage. $0 listing fee and no listing commission. Properkey listings close through Properkey Escrow, a non-independent broker escrow operated under Properkey's DRE license; escrow fees are standard closing costs on any home sale. Properkey may also receive compensation from other parties to the transaction. Photography and the 3D tour are free when your home sells with Properkey. If it doesn't sell with us, you repay the media cost. See your listing agreement for the full terms. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Properkey's real estate brokerage is licensed in California and Idaho. Equal Housing Opportunity — Properkey is committed to the Fair Housing Act.
