DFW 1% Listings is a well-reviewed, Fort Worth-based low-commission listing team serving the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. If you're comparing them with other ways to save on real estate commission in Texas, the most common alternative structure is a true flat fee. KAT Realty is a Texas flat fee real estate service: full-service seller listing for a flat $5,999 and full-service buyer representation for a flat $4,999 — anywhere in Texas, at any price point.
This page lays out how the two models actually compare — the fee math, the fine print, and who each option genuinely fits best — so you can run the numbers for your own home before you sign a listing agreement.
DFW 1% Listings vs KAT Realty: The Short Answer
DFW 1% Listings charges a percentage: 1% of the sale price to list your home when you also buy your next home through them, or 1.5% if you only want to list. A $3,000 minimum applies. KAT Realty charges a flat $5,999 to list — the fee never changes with your sale price and there's no requirement to bundle your purchase.
The crossover is simple math. At a 1% bundled rate, a percentage fee passes $5,999 at roughly a $600,000 sale price. At the 1.5% list-only rate, it passes $5,999 at about $400,000. Above those points, the flat fee wins — and the gap grows with every dollar of home value. Below them, DFW 1% Listings' percentage can be the cheaper listing fee. Coverage differs too: DFW 1% Listings works the DFW Metroplex; KAT Realty serves all of Texas, including Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | DFW 1% Listings | KAT Realty |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | 1% (if you also buy through them); 1.5% list-only; $3,000 minimum | $5,999 flat — no percentage |
| Buyer Representation | Traditional — compensation typically seller-paid | $4,999 flat fee |
| Fee Grows With Home Price | Yes — percentage-based | No — flat at every price point |
| Purchase Bundle Required for Best Rate | Yes — 1% rate requires buying through them | No — each side priced independently |
| Coverage Area | Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex | All of Texas |
| MLS Listing + Professional Photos | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Strategy & Negotiation | Yes | Yes |
| New Construction Buyer Guidance | Builder rates on request | Yes — included |
The Listing-Fee Math: Flat Fee vs 1% and 1.5%
Here's what the listing side costs under each structure at typical DFW price points, with a traditional 3% listing commission shown for context:
| Sale Price | Traditional 3% | 1% (bundled) | 1.5% (list-only) | KAT Realty Flat Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $10,500 | $3,500 | $5,250 | $5,999 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $5,999 |
| $700,000 | $21,000 | $7,000 | $10,500 | $5,999 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $5,999 |
Figures are illustrative listing-side fees only and exclude any compensation offered to a buyer's agent, which is negotiable in every model. Savings vary by transaction structure, concessions, and commission arrangements.
Two honest takeaways. First, on a home under roughly $400,000–$600,000 (depending on whether you qualify for the bundled 1% rate), DFW 1% Listings' percentage can come in below KAT Realty's flat fee — they're a legitimate low-cost option in that range. Second, above those price points the percentage keeps climbing while the flat fee doesn't: on a $700,000 Southlake or Frisco home, list-only at 1.5% costs $10,500 versus $5,999 flat — about $4,500 more. You can model your own numbers with our Texas realtor commission calculator.
The Buyer Side
DFW 1% Listings' best listing rate — the 1% — is tied to also buying your next home through them, with buyer-agent compensation handled the traditional way (typically seller-paid). KAT Realty prices the buyer side on its own terms: $4,999 flat for full-service buyer representation, whether or not you're also selling. In some transactions, if seller-paid buyer agent compensation exceeds KAT Realty's flat fee, eligible buyers may potentially apply the difference toward allowable closing costs and prepaids, subject to lender approval and Texas regulations. On a $500,000 purchase where the seller offers 3% ($15,000), that difference is meaningful.
Who Each Is Best For
DFW 1% Listings may be the better fit if you're selling a home under roughly $400,000 in the Fort Worth area, you're comfortable bundling your sale and purchase with one team to get the 1% rate, and you value a long-established local operator — their reviews are strong and their service is genuinely full-service.
KAT Realty may be the better fit if your home is worth more than about $500,000, you want your listing fee capped no matter what the home sells for, you don't want your rate tied to buying through the same company, you're buying and want a flat $4,999 with potential rebate value, or you're transacting outside the DFW Metroplex — KAT Realty serves Dallas–Fort Worth and every other Texas market. For a broader look at the low-commission landscape, see our guide to discount real estate brokers in Texas and our comparison of 2% commission realtors in Texas.
Is a Flat Fee Real Estate Service Legal in Texas?
Yes. Flat fee real estate is fully legal in Texas. KAT Realty agents operate under the same TREC licensing requirements as traditional agents. Commission structures — percentage, flat, or hybrid — have always been negotiable in Texas, and the 2024 NAR settlement made compensation even more transparent and negotiable for buyers and sellers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DFW 1% Listings really 1%?
The 1% rate applies when you both list your home and buy your next home through them. If you only want to list, the rate is 1.5%, and a $3,000 minimum fee applies, so homes at lower price points effectively pay more than 1%.
How is KAT Realty different from DFW 1% Listings?
KAT Realty charges flat fees — $5,999 to list, $4,999 for buyer representation — instead of a percentage. The fee doesn't grow with your home's price, no purchase bundle is required, and service covers all of Texas rather than only the DFW Metroplex.
At what home price does a flat fee beat 1%?
At the bundled 1% rate, the crossover is about $600,000. At the 1.5% list-only rate, it's about $400,000. Above those prices, the flat $5,999 is the lower listing fee, and the savings widen as the price rises.
Is KAT Realty full-service like DFW 1% Listings?
Yes. KAT Realty's listing service includes MLS listing, professional photography, pricing strategy, marketing, showings coordination, contract negotiation, and closing support — it is not a limited MLS-entry or referral-matching product.
Can buyers get money back with KAT Realty?
In some transactions, if seller-paid buyer agent compensation exceeds KAT Realty's $4,999 flat fee, eligible buyers may potentially apply the difference toward allowable closing costs and prepaids, subject to lender approval and Texas regulations.
Does KAT Realty serve Dallas–Fort Worth?
Yes — KAT Realty serves the entire DFW Metroplex, including Fort Worth, Dallas, Frisco, Plano, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, and surrounding communities, along with the rest of Texas.
What happens if my home doesn't sell?
Like most listing services, fees are earned at closing. Discuss listing-term details and any applicable terms up front with any company you interview — including KAT Realty — before signing a listing agreement.
Compare a True Texas Flat Fee Alternative
KAT Realty helps Texas sellers list for a flat $5,999 and represents buyers for a flat $4,999 — full-service, statewide, with no percentage commissions and no bundling requirements. If you're weighing DFW 1% Listings against a flat fee, run the math for your price point — KAT Realty can help guide you through the process.