PROmetro Realty: Review & Ratings (July 2026)

Discount Real Estate Broker

PROmetro Realty

Central IA

PROmetro Realty is active throughout central Iowa.
Our rating Our rating: A measure of the quality and strength of a product or service on a 1–5 scale, based on key factors such as customer ratings, credibility signals, value, and flexibility.
4.8 ★★★★ Top-rated
Experience ★★★★★ 5.0
Experience Score: Measures overall level of customer satisfaction. Based on average customer ratings, total review counts, and recency of reviews across online review platforms.
Pricing ★★★★ 4.8
Pricing Score: Measures the savings potential of the company's listing fees compared to a traditional 3% listing fee. It also takes into account additional fees like an upfront fee, plus incentives like buy and sell savings.
Services ★★★★ 4.6
Services Score: Measures the variety of services a discount broker offers. The analysis checks whether they include core expected services like MLS syndication and in-person representation, as well as bonus services and add-ons like drone photography.
Track Record ★★★★ 4.9
Track Record Score: Measures how well-established and stable a given brand is. Based on number of years since first verified review and % distribution of new activity per month over lifetime.
Listing Fee $3,495
PROmetro Realty charges a nonrefundable $195 upfront fee, plus an additional $3,300 due at closing. If the house doesn’t sell, you don’t owe the extra $3,300.

💡 Upfront fees aren’t always a deal breaker, but we recommend avoiding them when you can: you have to pay them out of pocket and lose the money if things don't work out.
Est. Cost $3,495
Your estimated cost reflects the advertised upfront fee plus the additional flat fee due at closing. These are fixed costs that don’t change based on home prices.
Est. Savings $10,129
We calculate your potential savings with PROmetro Realty by subtracting your estimated actual cost ($) from the estimated fee you’d pay with a conventional realtor where the company operates. The conventional realtor fee estimate is based on the nationwide average listing fee (2.88%) and median sale price ($473,055) — or your personal estimated sale price, if provided.

PROmetro Realty was founded by David Charlson, a Central Iowa broker with over 17 years of Des Moines metro experience, to offer flat-fee pricing, honest guidance, and modern tools as an alternative to overpriced commissions. Charlson's mission is to deliver real value with zero pressure and clear communication for buyers and sellers. Full service listing packages start at $3,495.

Key Highlights

  • Perfect 5.0 average rating across 77 reviews.
  • Charges a nonrefundable upfront fee of $195 — even if the home doesn’t sell.
  • Great value for higher-priced homes (starting above ~$625,000).
  • Fee is 38% lower than average among similar companies.
  • Saves ~$10,129 on average compared to a traditional agent in same markets.
Experience ★★★★★ 5.0
Experience Score: Measures overall level of customer satisfaction. Based on average customer ratings, total review counts, and recency of reviews across online review platforms.
Pricing ★★★★ 4.8
Pricing Score: Measures the savings potential of the company's listing fees compared to a traditional 3% listing fee. It also takes into account additional fees like an upfront fee, plus incentives like buy and sell savings.
Services ★★★★ 4.6
Services Score: Measures the variety of services a discount broker offers. The analysis checks whether they include core expected services like MLS syndication and in-person representation, as well as bonus services and add-ons like drone photography.
Track Record ★★★★ 4.9
Track Record Score: Measures how well-established and stable a given brand is. Based on number of years since first verified review and % distribution of new activity per month over lifetime.

Availability

Ames, Carroll, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshalltown, Pella, Poweshiek, Tama, +1 more cities, IA

Phone

(515) 729-0560

Business Address

4150 Westown Pkwy, Ste. 102, West Des Moines, IA 50266

$

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Where PROmetro Realty is available in Iowa

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Similar low commission real estate companies nearby

How does PROmetro Realty compare?

Range of scores for 8 discount real estate brokers like PROmetro Realty

3.03.54.04.55.0
4.8
Below averageAverageAbove averageExcellent

Our expert take: Top-rated

We strongly recommend considering PROmetro Realty if you're looking for a full-service support discount real estate brokerage. It received excellent scores for customer satisfaction, pricing & savings, sales performance, and services & support.

Be sure to interview at least 1–2 other agents in addition to PROmetro Realty to find the best possible fit for your situation and needs. Compare top local discount realtors here →

Detailed scoring breakdown

Top 1%
Ranking
National Ranking: How this company’s customer experience score compares to similar discount brokers — locally where we have enough data, otherwise nationwide. “Top 1%” means it ranks higher than about 99% of comparable companies.
77
Reviews
Solid sample Reviews: We analyzed this company’s 77 reviews — a solid sample, comfortably above our 20-review reliability floor, so its average rating is a reliable signal.
Very fresh
Recency
4 reviews in 6 months Recency: How current this company’s reviews are, based on a freshness score that weights how recently they were posted. Right now they rate as very fresh — the badge shows how many landed in the past 6 months.
Stable
Trend
Holding steady Trend: How this company’s average review rating over the past 6 months compares with its all-time average. Right now it’s holding steady — recent reviews are in line with its longer-term average.
Customer Experience Summary

Customer score: PROmetro Realty's Customer Score is 5.0 out of 5.0 (Excellent), which is in the top 1% compared to 8 similar companies where it's available and top 1% nationwide.

Overall rating: Lifetime average rating is 5.0, based on 77 reviews. 77 total reviews is a solid sample size, suggesting the 5.0 average rating is a highly reliable service quality indicator.

Recency: We consider this review data very fresh. 4 reviews (5% of all reviews) were posted in the past 6 months. The median review age is well below our "freshness" threshold of 12 months.

Complaints: No concerns.

Trend: The company's recent average rating (5) is nearly identical to its all-time average (5), showing stability over time.

Interpretation: Solid evidence supports consistently excellent customer experiences and outcomes. Confidence in this assessment is based on the available review data.

Sentiment Analysis Summary

Across 77 reviews, sentiment is consistently positive — reviewers surfaced 8 recurring positive themes and no significant concerns. PROmetro Realty earns positive notes across quality agents (91.0%), great customer service (79.0%), and local market expertise (71.0%). Reviewers describe skilled professionals who handled the work with confidence; they also point to support they could rely on.

Based on 77 reviews — moderate confidence in these signals.

What customers talk about

Click any theme to see what reviewers are saying

Pricing Summary

PROmetro Realty has a 4.8 pricing and fees score. This reflects an exceptionally competitive price point and potential savings compared to similar discount brands.

Fee type Hybrid (upfront + flat)
Flat fee at closing $3,300
Upfront flat fee $195
Sell and buy savings None identified
Buyer rebate None identified
Transaction coordination fee None

Estimate your cost & savings

Enter your home’s estimated sale price to see what you’d pay with PROmetro Realty.

Enter a sale price between $100K and $10M.

Services Summary

PROmetro Realty has a 4.6 services and support score, which is very strong relative to similar discount brokerages. It provides most of what we expect from a full-service brokerage — including a dedicated agent, in-person representation, MLS syndication, and pricing assistance.

Standard services Core services we expect from any full-service brokerage — like a dedicated agent, MLS listing and syndication, pricing strategy, and contract support.

  • Dedicated agent
  • In-person representation
  • MLS listing & syndication
  • CMA & pricing strategy
  • Professional photography
  • Offers & negotiating assistance
  • Paperwork & contract support
  • House showing coordination
  • Yard sign
  • Lockbox for door
  • Closing support
  • Digital marketing
Included Unverified (couldn’t confirm) Not included
Top 25%
Ranking
National Ranking: How this company’s track record score compares to similar discount brokers — locally where we have enough data, otherwise nationwide. “Top 25%” means it ranks higher than about 75% of comparable companies.
12.6 yrs
Active
Since 2013 Active: How long the company has been verifiably active — based on the earliest review or activity our team could confirm. The badge shows the first confirmed year.
3
Platforms
Moderate coverage Platforms: Distinct review platforms (Google, Yelp, BBB, etc.) where the company has a confirmed presence. This company is active on 3 platforms — moderate coverage of the major review sites.
1 wk
Since last review
Still active Since last review: How recently the most recent review was posted. This company is still active — its last review was 1 wk ago.
Track Record Summary

Track record score: PROmetro Realty has a 4.9 track record score, placing it in the top 10% locally and in the top 25% nationwide. This score reflects the company's years in business, consistency over time, and online presence. A 4.9 score indicates consistently strong historical performance signals typical of top-tier companies.

Lifespan: PROmetro Realty has at least 12 years of verified activity, with third-party performance data going back to 2013. That's about 2 years longer than the typical discount real estate brokerage across its local markets, and 5 more years vs. the nationwide average.

Activity levels: PROmetro Realty is a highly active company. We verified 4 new reviews in the past 6 months (5% of its total review count). Available data indicates a consistently active, stable business.

Online presence: PROmetro Realty has a very strong online presence. It has moderate coverage across major online review platforms, with 3 verified profiles (Google, Yelp, and Zillow). Profile activity is distributed, with 53% of its 77 reviews appearing on Zillow and the rest across its other active profiles.

Interpretation: PROmetro Realty has a very strong track record. It's been in business for many years; Activity has been very consistent, month to month, over its lifespan; Activity levels in recent months have been solid; It has an excellent online presence. Our assessment is based on a decent amount of verified data.

Online Presence
Zillow 41 reviews (53%)
Google 35 reviews (45%)
Yelp 1 review (1%)

How PROmetro Realty compares to alternatives

Company Overall rating Listing fee Reviews Active since
This company
PROmetro Realty
4.8
★★★★★★★★★★
Top-rated
$3,495
5.0 (77)
2013
1 Percent Lists Evolution
5.0
★★★★★★★★★★
Top-rated
1%
4.8 (23)
2016
Ruby Realty
4.7
★★★★★★★★★★
Recommended
$3,995
4.8 (18)
2017
Space Simply
4.7
★★★★★★★★★★
Recommended
$2,495
4.4 (13)
2016

PROmetro Realty reviews

Rating distribution

5 stars 100%
4 stars 0%
3 stars 0%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%

What 77 reviewers talk about

77 reviews

Filter by transaction type

Click a segment to see what that group talks about most.

Top themes across all reviewers

Quality agents
91%
“We had such a wonderful experience with david and have so many positive things to say about him as a realtor. … david was absolutely invaluable to the buying and selling of our homes and we recommend him very highly!”
Read review on Google
Great customer service
79%
“Both my husband and i were pretty new to the whole buying and selling process and david was extremely knowledgeable and answered every one of our questions. david also gave us wonderful advice when needed and was with us every step of the way with both the selling of our old…”
Read review on Google
Local market expertise
71%
“David also gave us wonderful advice when needed and was with us every step of the way with both the selling of our old property and the buying of our new.”
Read review on Google

No recurring concerns surfaced across these 77 reviews — a very strong trust signal.

Frequently asked questions

Before committing to any discount real estate broker, ask these key questions to ensure you're getting the service level you need:

  1. What's your experience in my area? Ask for recent sales in your neighborhood and how their sale prices compared to list prices.
  2. What services are included in your fee? Get specific details about what's covered in their listing fee. Some discount brokers offer full service while others charge extra for certain features, like pro photography or open houses.
  3. Will I work directly with you? Some discount realtors will assign you to another agent or support staff. Confirm whether you'll have in-person, hands-on realtor support, especially if you want a full-service option.
  4. How do you market listings? Verify they list on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and major sites like Zillow and Realtor.com. Ask about their digital marketing strategy and whether they use social media or paid advertising.
  5. What's your average time to close? Compare this to your local market average. A good discount broker should match the local average or beat typical timelines.
  6. Can I see recent client reviews? Look for verified reviews on Google, Zillow, or other trusted platforms. Pay close attention to how they respond to negative feedback.

The best way to find the right agent is often through a matching service that's already vetted candidates for you. Clever Real Estate connects you with experienced, full-service agents from top brokerages who offer a 1.5% listing fee — giving you traditional agent expertise at discount broker savings. Compare top local agents near you!

The main difference is the listing commission fee, but service levels can also vary. Traditional agents typically charge 2.5-3% listing commission and provide full-service support including marketing, showings, negotiations, and closing assistance. Their higher commission often covers extensive advertising and dedicated support staff.

Discount real estate brokers charge reduced commissions (often 1% commission, 2% commission, or flat fees) by operating more efficiently, using technology, streamlined processes, or higher transaction volumes to stay profitable at lower rates. Many offer the same core services as traditional agents, while others provide limited support.

A discount realtor isn't automatically a worse choice. The best low commission realtors maintain high service standards while passing savings to clients. However, it's important to verify exactly what's included in their fee structure, confirm they have strong local market expertise, and check their customer reviews for pros and cons.

Reputable full-service discount real estate brokers usually include these essential services:

  • MLS listing and syndication to major real estate websites (Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.)
  • Professional photography (typically 20-40 photos)
  • Comparative market analysis (CMA) and pricing strategy
  • Yard sign, lockbox, and showing service
  • Offer review and negotiation assistance
  • Contract and paperwork management
  • Closing coordination and support

Some discount realtors provide premium services at no cost or for an extra fee:

  • Open house hosting
  • Premium photography packages (drone shots, virtual tours, 3D walkthroughs)
  • Staging consultation or rental furniture
  • Extensive print marketing (postcards, brochures, magazine ads)
  • In-person showing attendance (some use lockboxes and self-showing instead)

Always ask for a detailed service breakdown in writing before signing a listing agreement. The best low commission realtors are transparent about what's included versus what costs extra.

Don't rely solely on information from the broker's website. Take these steps to independently verify their reputation:

  1. Check multiple review platforms. Search for the company and individual agent on Google Reviews, Zillow, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns in both positive and negative feedback.
  2. Verify licensing. Confirm the agent and brokerage are properly licensed in your state. Most state real estate commissions offer free license lookup tools online.
  3. Look for complaint history. Check with your state's real estate regulatory board for any disciplinary actions or formal complaints.
  4. Assess review recency and volume. A discount broker with 100+ recent reviews is more reliable than one with 5 reviews from three years ago. Fresh reviews indicate active business and current service levels.
  5. Read negative reviews carefully. All businesses get some complaints. Focus on how the company responds and whether you see repeated patterns (poor communication, hidden fees, etc.).
  6. Ask for references. Request contact information for 2-3 recent clients in your area. Reputable discount real estate brokers should be willing to provide these.
  7. Check sales data. Ask to see their recent sales in your neighborhood. Compare their sale prices and time-on-market to comparable homes sold by traditional agents.

Be cautious of brokers with no recent reviews, reviews only on their own website, consistently vague or generic testimonials, or reluctance to provide verifiable references.

Not all low commission realtors operate the same way. Choose the right type based on your experience level, available time, and comfort with negotiation:

Full-service discount brokers offer the same services as traditional agents (dedicated support, professional marketing, in-person showings, negotiation assistance) but at reduced rates (typically 1-2%). They achieve lower commissions through efficiency and higher transaction volumes. This model is best for most sellers who want to save on commission.

Flat-fee real estate agents charge a fixed fee regardless of home price, typically with full traditional agent services. This model is most beneficial for sellers with higher-priced homes.

Flat fee MLS listing services list your home on MLS for a one-time fee ($99-$500) but provide minimal additional support. You manage the entire sale yourself — essentially selling for-sale-by-owner with MLS access. This model is best for experienced sellers in hot markets.

How we review and rate discount real estate brokers

Clever reviews and rates discount real estate brokers across the U.S. to help home sellers find the best combination of savings and service quality. Our evaluation process combines quantitative analysis with direct verification to assess how well each company delivers value compared to other discount realtors in the same market.

Our research process

  1. Identifying companies. Our team uses public business directories, online search, and manual research to identify all active discount real estate brokers advertising services in each viable market.
  2. Gathering review data. We aggregate customer ratings and reviews from Google, Zillow, Yelp, and other trusted platforms. We analyze overall ratings, review volume, recency of feedback, complaint patterns, and trends over time to assess customer satisfaction.
  3. Verifying pricing. We display fee structures by reviewing publicly available rate information on their websites, confirming directly with the companies, and calculating savings estimates based on their commission rates compared to traditional agents in the same market. When exact pricing isn't available, we clearly note this in our review.
  4. Confirming services. We verify service offerings through company websites, direct inquiries, and cross-referencing with customer reviews that mention specific features. Our service checklist covers 20 standard and premium features that impact the selling experience.
  5. Regular updates. We continuously monitor review platforms and update our data to reflect the most current information, including recent rating trends and any changes to pricing or services.

Our scoring model

Each company receives an overall rating based on four weighted factors:

  • Customer Experience (35%) — Do past clients recommend the company? Are recent reviews positive and consistent?
  • Pricing & Fees (30%) — How much does the service cost relative to other brokers? Are there rebates or discounts?
  • Services & Support (20%) — Does the company offer the same level of service as a traditional agent? Any extras?
  • Track Record (15%) — How long has the company been active, and how steady is their review activity over time?

We regularly update our data and rankings to reflect the most recent information, helping you find the best mix of support and savings for your needs.

About the author — Jamie Ayers

Jamie Ayers leads content product at Clever Real Estate and specializes in evaluating discount real estate brokerages and agent matching services. His research helps home sellers navigate commission savings options and make informed decisions when choosing a real estate professional.

Jamie has managed digital publications across multiple industries, including real estate technology, commercial development, and financial services, bringing a data-driven approach to real estate company reviews. His analysis and expert advice on real estate services have been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and BiggerPockets.

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