Clever Real Estate Reviews 2026

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By Ashley Simon Updated October 13, 2025
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Reviewed by Steve Nicastro Edited by Katy Baker

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Clever Real Estate connects home sellers and buyers with top-rated local agents — and helps you save thousands in the process. Sellers pay just 1.5% to list, about half the typical 3% rate, while buyers can earn cash back after closing.

You can also use Clever Offers to compare instant cash offers from trusted investors alongside your agent’s list price estimate, helping you choose the best path to selling fast and for top dollar.

Clever’s service is free with no obligation. You’ll get personalized agent matches from major brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Compass — all vetted for experience, reviews, and local expertise.

You can get started today by answering a few quick questions about your home sale or search, to see your top agent and cash-offer options.

🔒 Is Clever Real Estate legitimate?

Yes. Clever Real Estate is 100% legitimate and highly rated. Founded in 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri, by Luke Babich and Ben Mizes, the company has helped over 100,000 customers buy and sell homes nationwide.

Clever holds an A+ BBB rating, over 3,400 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, and an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It’s also a licensed brokerage in Missouri, partnering with top agents from major brands like Keller Williams, Century 21, and Coldwell Banker.

All Clever partner agents are vetted for experience, market knowledge, and customer satisfaction, ensuring buyers and sellers get full-service support at a fraction of the typical cost.

💡 Tip: Get matched with a top local realtor — or explore instant cash offers — without commitment. Start your free agent search.

Clever Real Estate summary

🏢Company typeLow commission realtor
💲Listing fee1.5% ($3,000 minimum)
💵 Seller savings$7,000
💰Buyer savings$250–500
⭐Average rating5/5 ⭐ (4,037 reviews)
🔍 Review insights

🟢 Primary positive themes

  • Professional service (34% of reviews)
  • Significant savings (33%)
  • Hands-on support (28%)
  • Easy process (27%)
  • Sells fast (22%)
📍AvailabilityNationwide
Show more

Clever Real Estate offers substantial savings for both buyers and sellers. The company's consistently high customer ratings, supported by thousands of reviews, demonstrate its commitment to quality and client satisfaction.

For sellers, Clever agents offer a pre-negotiated flat listing fee of just 1.5%, significantly below the national average of 2.88%. This results in an average savings of nearly $7,000.

Clever also offers a new cash offer marketplace called Clever Offers, which streamlines the process of selling homes by connecting sellers with pre-vetted cash buyers. This free service offers a simple alternative to traditional home selling, allowing homeowners to receive competitive offers quickly and up to 100% of the home's fair market value.

Who Clever Real Estate works best for

Clever Real Estate ultimately works best for sellers and buyers who want to save on realtor commissions without sacrificing service. It's a particularly good fit for:

🏠 Sellers wanting full service on a budget. Pay just 1.5% to list with top-rated agents from brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. You’ll get everything a traditional realtor provides — professional photos, pricing strategy, and negotiation support — for about half the cost.

💰 Sellers open to cash offers. Through Clever Offers, sellers can request instant offers from vetted cash buyers and investors — and compare them to their agent’s estimated list price to find the best outcome.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Buyers who want expert guidance. Get matched with trusted local buyer’s agents who guide you through every step — from home search to closing. Eligible buyers can earn cash back after the deal closes.

🔁 Those seeking flexibility. Clever’s service is 100% free and no-obligation. You can interview multiple agents, compare options, or walk away anytime if unsatisfied.

Clever Real Estate reviews: What real customers say

Review siteRating
Better Business Bureau4.9/5 (119 reviews)
Google4.9/5 (434 reviews)
Trustpilot5.0/5 (3,484 reviews)
Average rating5/5 (4,037 reviews)

🟢 Primary positive themes

  • Professional service (34% of reviews)
  • Significant savings (33%)
  • Hands-on support (28%)
  • Easy process (27%)
  • Sells fast (22%)

With a nearly perfect 5-star rating across 3rd-party review sites, customer sentiment toward Clever Real Estate is overwhelmingly positive.

Customers repeatedly express satisfaction at the quality of agents they find through Clever and at the ability to choose from among several agents Clever sends their way. Customers also appreciate the significant cost savings and positive results, with many home sellers mentioning that they can sell quickly, often for above their asking price.

Clever Real Estate testimonials

We reviewed customer testimonial videos published on Clever Real Estate’s official YouTube channel, where recent home sellers shared their experiences using Clever’s agent matching service and its cash offer platform, Clever Offers.

🎬 Customer testimonial: Clever Real Estate

In this short video, a Clever customer shares how easy it was to get connected with a top local agent and start the selling process:

“Clever got in touch with us right away on the same day, and we picked an agent immediately. We were really happy with them, and I'd recommend them to anybody.”

New to Clever? List with a vetted local agent for a low 1.5% listing fee. See your matches now.

🗣️ Customer testimonial: Clever Offers

After dealing with three floods in five years, this homeowner needed a fast, reliable way to sell his house as-is. The traditional route wasn’t an option, so he turned to Clever Offers.

“The process was quick and immediate. Very quick offers. Clever vetted the buyers already, so I felt a lot more comfortable. I’d recommend Clever based on responsiveness — it’s a good place to start and get the ball rolling.”

Need to sell fast? With Clever Offers, you can compare multiple cash offers and choose the best fit. Start your free offer comparison today.

Primary themes from Clever Real Estate reviews  

🟢 Professional service (mentioned by 34% of reviewers). A primary theme among Clever reviews is the high level of professionalism demonstrated Clever's partner agents, who are frequently described as courteous, competent, personable, experienced, and respectful.

  • "She is professional, respectful, and has been a tremendous support to us in this very stressful life event."
  • "We could not be happier with the level of expertise and professionalism of this agent."
  • "The agent was very experienced, professional, ethical and had my best interests in mind."
  • "Her technical competence and professionalism was refreshing."
  • "Best real estate experience ever. Our agent was so professional and helpful in every way."

🟢 Significant savings (mentioned by 33% of reviewers). Customer reviews consistently emphasize the substantial cost savings offered through Clever's reduced commission model. Customers also express satisfaction at receiving full-service representation despite the lower fees.

  • "Saved thousands on the sale of our home without compromising service by using Clever."
  • "The difference amounted to over a $10K savings!"
  • "We saved $20,000 in commissions"
  • "For half or a third of what I would have paid for another agent, I got a full-service realtor."
  • "We also were not hit with any surprise fees."

🟢 Hands-on support (mentioned by 28% of reviewers). Reviews for Clever Real Estate frequently emphasize agents' consistent support throughout the entire selling process. Customers especially appreciate their agents' accessibility, proactive assistance with challenges, and willingness to go above and beyond the basic responsibilities of a realtor.

  • "She went far beyond her responsibilities to help us get ready to sell and helping us remove stuff we could not get out without her assistance."
  • "The agent stayed on top of things and was always there to advise when setbacks occurred."
  • "Living out of state, she took the worries away and took them on herself."
  • "Every challenge we encountered in getting our home ready for sale he had a resource to solve it."
  • "They took care of everything in the sale of our home while we were living out of state."

🟢 Easy process (mentioned by 27% of reviewers). Customers also appreciate how easy and stress-free Clever makes the home-selling process, from agent matching through close.

  • "Everything was exactly as advertised and was so easy, I was more than satisfied, I was impressed and thankful."
  • "The whole process was seamless. He and his team handled everything - all we had to do was show up and sign the papers."
  • "The showings were automated with potential buyers' agents scheduling via an online application. SEAMLESS!"
  • "Every step was just as described. Could not have gone any smoother."
  • "The company is a perfect example of how 'everything that used to be done' can be disrupted. Including, paperless and automations in the selling process."

🟢 Sells fast (mentioned by 22% of reviewers). Reviews indicate consistently rapid sales with Clever agents, with many customers noting that their homes sold within days or even hours of listing. Customers frequently mention receiving multiple offers above asking price, suggesting effective pricing and marketing strategies on the parts of their agents.

  • "Had multiple offers the first day and sold in 14 days"
  • "In three days we had 19 showings and seven offers, ALL ABOVE ASKING PRICE!!!"
  • "The house was under contract within 13 days of listing, with 5 bids and we closed 1 month later for $20k over asking"
  • "Our home was on the market for less than 24 hours and in escrow for an easy 30 days"
  • "We couldn't sell our house for 11 months, and then with the agent they chose, we sold in less than a month"

Clever Real Estate vs. alternatives

Company
Customer Rating
Listing Fee
Availability
5.0
4,037 reviews
1.5%
Min. $3,000
Nationwide
Find Agents
On realestatewitch.com
Good for finding high-quality agents
5.0
6,470 reviews
2%
Min. $3,000
Nationwide
Learn More
On realestatewitch.com
Good for comparing your options
4.7
9,858 reviews
Varies by agent
Avg. is 2–2.5%
Nationwide
Learn More
On realestatewitch.com
Largest agent network
3.9
765 reviews
Varies by agent
Avg. is 2.5–3%
Nationwide
Learn More
On realestatewitch.com
Best for 'buy and sell' savings
2.7
456 reviews
1.5–2%
Min. fee varies
Nationwide
Learn more
On realestatewitch.com

Clever is our top pick among low commission real estate companies, standing out for its commitment to service and savings.

The company ensures its partner agents meet strict quality standards, including verifying their sales history and customer ratings before accepting them into their network. The company also continually monitors agents' performance to ensure customers are satisfied with the service.

In addition to having a 5-star rating across thousands of customer reviews, Clever’s 1.5% commission rate is one of the lowest in the industry — undercutting other well-rated competitors on our list.

How Clever Real Estate works

Clever Real Estate connects you with top agents from both local and nationally known brokerages like Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and more.

When you request an agent through Clever, you'll get several options to compare. Regardless of who you choose, you'll receive a pre-negotiated listing commission rate of just 1.5%, or cash back savings when you buy.

Clever partner agents are carefully vetted to ensure they have ample real estate experience, excellent reviews, and a strong track in the markets they serve.

To be a part of Clever's network, agents sign an agreement stipulating they must provide 100% full service to all clients referred through Clever.

The agent matching process

To get matched with a listing agent through Clever, you complete the following steps:

1. Fill out an online form: Enter your zip code on Clever’s website. Then, answer a few basic questions about your property, how many agents you want to interview, your address, estimated market value, and the best time to connect with an agent.

2. Clever concierge reaches out: You'll get contacted to learn more about your situation, answer any questions, and provide more information about Clever's services.

3. Agent matching begins: Clever will search through its network of 19,000 partner agents to find the best matches based on your location, needs, and agent experience.

4. Introductions: You’ll receive both an email and group text with agent introductions, including links to their brokerage, Zillow profile, and social media for easy comparison.

5. Schedule interviews: You can meet with your recommended agents and choose to interview them in person or over the phone.

6. Get started: After choosing and signing with your agent, you can start the home sale process, with Clever providing ongoing support throughout.

For buyers, the agent matching process is simple: Clever will first ask about the type of property you're looking for, your price range, and your timeline for purchasing.

On the next page, you'll select the number of agents you'd like to interview and your preferred time for contact.

If you're not already working with a mortgage lender, Clever will offer to match you with one. After you submit the form, Clever’s team will send agent introductions within two hours.

Selling with Clever Real Estate

When you sell with a Clever partner agent, you’ll get the same service and support you’d expect from a traditional listing agent charging full commission.

We spoke with Thorsteinn S., who sold his home with a Clever agent in the Seattle, Washington area. Thorsteinn told us that his agent provided more hands-on service and support than any realtor he'd paid 3% to before. His listing agent provided the following services:

  • Comparative market analysis (CMA) and pricing strategy
  • Connection with a pre-listing stager
  • Professional photography
  • Full listing on the MLS and hundreds of other real estate sites
  • Showings and open houses
  • Help with offers, counteroffers, and negotiations
  • Contract and paperwork support
  • Closing and title coordination

Thorsteinn told us that his agent's pricing and marketing strategy were instrumental in procuring four offers just days after his home was listed on the MLS.

Marc P, a Trustpilot reviewer, was also impressed with the knowledgeable agent Clever paired him with. Despite the discounted listing fee, Marc's realtor provided top-notch service, including professional photography, resulting in his home selling in just one day for well above the asking price.

Clever’s concierge team will check in with you and the agent continuously to ensure your agent delivers the promised service and support. Thorsteinn told us that Clever's customer service team kept in touch with him throughout the process and that the communication was all very straightforward.

Buying with Clever Real Estate

As a buyer, you can expect to receive the following services, typical of a buyer's agent:

  • Real-time MLS alerts
  • On-demand house tours
  • Help with offers and counteroffers
  • Support during the inspection and any renegotiations
  • Final walk-through and closing coordination, and more

With Clever’s Cash Back program, eligible buyers can get up to $500 after closing: $250 for buying, or $500 if you buy and sell with a Clever agent. This rebate is available in most states for homes priced over $50,000, though some states don't allow commission rebates.

Other Clever Services

In addition to its core agent matching service, Clever offers title and escrow services through its subsidiary, Clever Closings. Its interactive portal allows clients to monitor their escrow process in real time, providing access to important documents, seamless communication with all stakeholders, and fraud protection.

For homeowners who need to offload a property quickly or as is, Clever also provides connections to reputable cash buyers and other sell-fast solutions through its Clever Offers program. This free service connects you with the best offers from leading cash buyers and presents alternative selling routes that might yield a higher payout than a typical cash offer.

How much can I save with Clever?

By using Clever Real Estate, sellers can save up to 50% on listing fees compared to traditional agents. Clever charges a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee, significantly lower than the typical 2.5–3% most brokerages charge.

Clever's listing fee1.5% of home sale price
Nationwide average listing fee2.5–3% of home sale price
Amount saved with Clever1–1.5% of home sale price

For example, a traditional 3% commission on a $400,000 home would cost $12,000, but with Clever, you’d pay only $6,000 — a savings of $6,000. On a $600,000 home, you'd save $9,000 in listing fees.

On average, Clever sellers save around $7,000 on their home sale, while still receiving full-service support from top agents. In addition to the listing fee, sellers may need to cover the buyer's agent commission, which is negotiable and ranges from 2-3% nationwide.

💡 Why do Clever's partner agents work for just 1.5%?

You may wonder why any real estate agent — especially one with a solid track record — would agree to work for a 1.5% commission when the standard rate is 2.5–3%. In fact, Clever’s 1.5% model is a win-win for both agents and customers.

Here’s why: Agents usually invest much time and money on marketing to attract clients. Clever handles this by providing agents with pre-qualified leads, meaning they don’t have to spend as much on finding new business. As a result, agents can take on more clients with less effort, and the savings get passed on to you. Everyone benefits from this efficient setup.

Clever Real Estate news and updates

Clever has made significant strides recently, with key developments in its services, partnerships, and industry recognition:

  • In April 2025, Clever announced that it had reached a milestone of $500 million in home sale transactions through its new platform, Clever Offers. The program connects sellers needing a quick sale with vetted cash buyers and top-performing local agents, ensuring they get a fair price without compromising on speed.[1]
  • In March 2025, Clever's Drake Shadwell was named one of HousingWire's Rising Stars for 2025. Shadwell has been instrumental in growing Clever Offers, which now generates nearly 30% of the company's total revenue.[2]
  • In February 2024, Clever Real Estate launched Clever Title, a full-service title and escrow company.[3]
  • In January 2024, Clever acquired Gravy Technologies, a startup that built a rewards platform for home buyers.[4]
  • In October 2023, two of Clever's executive team members received the HousingWire Insiders Award.[5]
  • Clever launched a product for mortgage lenders called Clever Pro in July 2023.[6]
  • In June 2023, Clever was named the number 1 real estate agency on Trustpilot.com.[7]
  • In May 2023, Clever raised $2 million in funding and ranked #65 on Inc.'s List of Fastest-Growing Companies in the Midwest.[8]

Bottom line: Should I use Clever Real Estate?

Pros

  • Low 1.5% listing fee
  • Free, no-obligation matching
  • Vetted, top-rated agents
  • Strong third-party ratings and reviews

Cons

  • Agent quality and fit can vary by market
  • Buyer rebates aren’t available in every state
  • Minimum fee applies on lower-priced homes

Based on our research of Clever Real Estate and other popular agent matching services, we think Clever offers the best overall service for most buyers and sellers. Clever’s partner agents are consistently high quality, its savings for sellers and buyers are the best in the industry, and you can try it for free with zero obligation. Simply fill out this short quiz to get matched with top agents today!

The only thing to remember is that Clever's minimum commission is $3,000, so if you sell a house for less than $200,000, you'll pay slightly more than 1.5%. While a $3,000–5,000 minimum is fairly typical among low-commission realtors, you may want to compare costs to see if you can find a better deal with another discount broker.

🔎 Methodology: How we write our reviews

We start by gathering all verifiable customer reviews from trusted third-party sources, including the BBB, Google, Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and Yelp.

Next, we use AI sentiment analysis to evaluate each review across 20 potential themes — both positive and negative — related to agent quality, communication, service, savings, and integrity. This process helps us identify what real customers like (and don’t like) about their experience.

🟢 Positive Themes🟡 Negative Themes
Sells FastStruggles to Sell
Easy ProcessMisrepresented Services
Hands-on SupportPoor Communication
Prompt CommunicationPoor Marketing
Market ExpertisePoor Pricing Advice
Professional ServiceUnprofessional Service
Quality MarketingTechnical Issues
Negotiation SkillsNo Refunds
Significant SavingsMisleading Pricing
IntegrityLack of Integrity

To ensure an accurate depiction of the customer experience, we run every review through AI to check for mentions of each positive and negative theme. We then tally the mentions to calculate the percentage of all reviews that reflect a given theme. The positive and negative themes with the highest percentages of mentions are displayed, along with representative quotes pulled from actual customer reviews.

Themes that are mentioned in less than 2% of reviews are not considered representative of the typical customer experience and are automatically excluded. Therefore, companies with overwhelmingly positive reviews may not have any negative themes displayed, and vice-versa.

Our review criteria for low-commission brokerages

While Clever is our top pick among low commission real estate companies, we don't recommend choosing a realtor based solely on the brand. So feel free to compare its services and ratings to other companies we recommend.

The Real Estate Witch team evaluated Clever Real Estate on various factors, including savings, customer service, online reviews, agent quality, and how it compares to the competition. Our mission is to empower you to decide whether Clever Real Estate is right for your next real estate transaction.

We regularly update all our reviews to ensure they are accurate and relevant. We aim to help you find an agent to get you the best possible value when you buy or sell your home.

Our low-commission real estate brokerage rankings are based on three key criteria:

💰 Cost and savings: We compare each brokerage’s pricing model to national averages and top competitors. This includes listing fees, minimum charges, and any cash-back or rebate programs for buyers.

⭐ Customer experience: We analyze thousands of verified customer reviews across major platforms using AI sentiment analysis to identify patterns in satisfaction, responsiveness, and agent professionalism.

⚙️ Ease of use: We assess how simple it is for customers to connect with qualified agents, including the size of the agent network, onboarding speed, communication tools, and post-sale support.

Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased insights so you can choose an agent who delivers the best combination of service, savings, and results.

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