Fathom Realty Reviews

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  Written by Franklin Schneider

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  Edited by Jessica Johansen

Fathom Realty is a traditional real estate brokerage that offers a mostly or entirely online experience. This may appeal to clients who are buying or selling out of town or don’t want much face-to-face interaction with their agent.

The company’s realtors offer full service for the typical commission rate (2.5–3%). But you can get the same full-service experience for a lower rate with a top discount broker. If you’re interested in this option, simply fill out this form to get matched with the best 1.5% agents near you.

» JUMP TO: Alternatives | Customer reviews | How it works | Is it legit? | Locations | Bottom line

Who Fathom Realty works best for

Fathom Realty could be a good option if you want an online real estate experience. Many interactions with your agent, from scheduling showings to filling out paperwork, will take place online. Fathom Realty also offers in-house mortgage and title services, which could simplify the home-buying process.

But if you want to work with your agent in person or save money, a different company will likely be a better fit.

Fathom Realty agents don’t offer any built-in savings for sellers or buyers. A company rep told us the “commissions are pretty much in line with any other normal brokerages.” However, they stressed that commissions are always negotiable. When asked about buyer rebates, the rep said, “The agent can decide to do that … but it’s not something we promote as a company.”

Other companies, like discount brokers, negotiate with agents on your behalf so you get a guaranteed lower listing fee (as low as 1.5%). Some brokers also offer built-in savings for buyers, like cash back.

Fathom Realty alternatives

Fathom Realty vs. top discount brokers

Fathom Realty offers traditional full service at a traditional price point. The top discount brokers also offer full service, just at a lower commission rate. These lower rates have the potential to save sellers thousands of dollars.

Here’s what those savings could look like on a $400,000 home sale:

	Traditional brokerage	Discount broker
Listing fee	$12,000 (3%)	$6,000 (1.5%)
Buyer’s agent fee	$12,000 (3%)	$12,000 (3%)
Total realtor commission	$24,000 (6%)	$18,000 (4.5%)
Savings	$0	$6,000

These savings don’t come at the expense of quality. Companies like Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent have some of the highest vetting standards for the agents in their networks, which makes it easy for you to find top-performing agents.

💰 Want to pay less in realtor fees? Use our free agent finding tool to connect with local realtors who charge a 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate). Fill out a short form, and compare agent matches from your inbox.

Fathom Realty vs. other traditional brokers

Fathom Realty is similar to other traditional brokerages in most aspects. It connects clients with agents who charge standard commission. A well-reviewed Fathom real estate agent will likely be just as good as an agent from any other traditional brokerage.

Fathom’s more unique offerings are its proprietary tech platform and in-house title and mortgage services.

While the tech platform is mostly aimed at potential agents, it also allows agents to offer clients an online experience. “Everything is handled in our online system,” a Fathom company rep told Real Estate Witch. “So a lot of the paperwork and everything else is virtual. You can even do virtual meetings with the agents.”

Fathom’s in-house services could result in a slightly faster or cheaper transaction for buyers, but we advise comparison shopping to make sure that’s the case.

Fathom Realty reviews: What customers say

Review site	Rating
Google	Varies across locations
Yelp	3/5 (21 reviews)
BBB	1/5 (7 reviews)

Fathom real estate reviews are generally positive across locations on Google but less so on Yelp and the BBB. Like with any large brokerage, your experience will depend on the agent you work with.

Fathom’s reviews seem to have improved over time, with the frequency of negative reviews declining in the past 2–3 years. Some of the negative reviews from 2020 to 2022 could reflect the pressure-filled pandemic market.

Positive Fathom reviews often mention an agent’s professionalism and responsiveness, as well as the speed and ease of the transaction. Negative reviews tend to highlight poor communication, rudeness, or failure to fully disclose information about a house.

✅ What customers love

Knowledgeable agents. Fathom customers often noted that they worked with professional, knowledgeable agents who gave them good advice throughout their sale or purchase.

As first time homebuyers, my husband and I are so grateful to have worked with Shannon. Not only is she an expert in her craft, but she is extremely knowledgeable about the market in Ocean and Monmouth county.”

— Kristen K., Red Bank, NJ, May 2024, Google

Debra was outstanding. I had a very unique situation that I needed help with and she listened to every word, and stayed super involved.”

— Scott Davis, Freehold, NJ, October 2024, Google

Fast sales and responses from agents. Many satisfied Fathom customers mentioned that their Fathom agent made it easy to sell their current home quickly while buying their next home. A lot of reviewers also said their Fathom agent responded quickly to their messages.

He responded promptly to every message I sent him (even working 3rd shift and messaging him at 1am if I could see a house the next morning).”

— Madison B., Cincinnati, OH, June 2024, Google

Everyone was so kind and very quick when we needed to handle all the things in selling then buying. It wasn’t easy.”

— Danielle W., Franklin, IN, November 2023, Google

We had 2 homes to sell within a year. We enjoyed working with her so much the 1st time we didn’t hesitate to give her a second listing. They were both sold the next day!”

— Candy C., Muskego, WI, February 2024, Google

❌ Fathom Realty complaints

Poor communication. Negative reviews sometimes describe inconsistent or unpleasant communication with agents. Make sure to vet any Fathom agent you’re considering working with. Look at past customer reviews, sales history, and other indicators to help you find a good real estate agent.

A realtor … made inappropriate comments on my property, including comments about my marital status. It was unsettling and frankly, weird. I don’t want to judge an entire real estate group over this, so I’m giving it the two star ‘could’ve been better.’ I’m sure there are other agents with this company who don’t act this way.”

— Rick A., Dallas, TX, August 2024, Yelp

She was super friendly and knowledgeable on the phone with me, and during her visit at his house. She spent about an hour at his home going over things he needed to do before listing. She seemed experienced and gave him good advice. She said she would send him a list of things to fix. After leaving, she never contacted him again. He never got the list. She completed (sic) ghosted him.”

— Jenn. Z., San Francisco, August 2024, Yelp

How Fathom Realty works

Fathom Realty for sellers

Here’s the process to sell a home with Fathom:¹

1. Contact Fathom. You can contact Fathom by phone, email, a form on its website, or by searching “Fathom realty near me,” and the company will connect you with a local listing agent. Or you can look up the nearest Fathom agent online and contact them directly.
2. Sign a listing agreement. Once you choose an agent, you’ll sign a listing agreement so they can legally represent you and market your home.
3. Get a property assessment. Your Fathom agent will look at your home and suggest any repairs or renovations that might help your sale. They’ll also give you continuous feedback based on viewings.
4. Choose a sale method. Fathom allows you to choose from three methods: a traditional market sale, a home trade-in (i.e., buy before you sell), or a fast cash sale.
5. Come up with a marketing plan. If you decide to list on the open market, your agent will put together a detailed marketing plan. They’ll perform a comparative market analysis, list your home on the MLS as a Fathom Realty listing, stage your home, arrange photography, and assist with open houses.
6. Screen buyers and negotiate. Your Fathom agent will screen prospective buyers and negotiate the highest possible price for your home.
7. Get guidance through closing. Your agent will help navigate the complex closing process, including inspections and appraisals, contingencies, and closing costs negotiation.

Fathom Realty for buyers

You can contact Fathom by phone, email, or an online form, and the company will connect you with a buyer’s agent. After you sign an agency agreement, your realtor will provide standard services throughout the buying process, from searching for homes to closing on one.²

Your agent may be able to negotiate realtor fees so you don’t have to pay the buyer’s agent commission. Previously, the listing agent would usually advertise a certain percentage that the seller would pay the buyer’s agent. This is no longer the case after a recent federal lawsuit with the National Association of Realtors.³

Additional services

In addition to traditional realtor services, Fathom offers the following:⁴

• Listing Concierge: This service repairs or renovates your home before it’s listed, with the cost coming out of the sale proceeds at closing.
• Instant Sale: Fathom arranges for you to sell your home instantly to a local iBuyer or cash buyer.
• Fathom Trade: Fathom helps you simultaneously sell your current home while buying your next home, essentially trading one for the other.
• In-House Financing: Buyers can use Fathom’s in-house lender to get quick approval.
• Cash Buy: This service helps buyers be more competitive by converting their offers into non-contingent cash offers.
• Homeownership Accelerator: Buyers can put rent payments toward future homeownership (i.e., rent to own).

Is Fathom Realty legit?

Yes, Fathom Realty is legit. It was founded in 2010 by Josh Harley and went public on Nasdaq in 2021.⁵

Fathom operates in all but 12 states and plans to expand nationwide. It offers a generous commission split for agents and has increased the number of realtors in its network to over 12,000 as of Q2 2024.⁶

The company continues to grow its services and technology, acquiring providers like Verus Title to offer more comprehensive services for buyers and developing intelliAgent, a proprietary technology platform for agents.^7,8

Fathom Realty locations

Fathom Realty Group has agents in the following states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana

Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico

North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin

You can find Fathom agents near you by visiting the company’s agent finder page.

Fathom Realty news and updates

In November 2024, Fathom Holdings continued its rapid expansion by acquiring Arizona-based My Home Group, the 27th largest brokerage in the US by transaction volume.⁹

In October 2024, Fathom-owned subsidiary Verus Title, a provider of title insurance and settlement services, expanded into its 29th state.¹⁰

In September 2024, Fathom Realty earned the top spot for agent satisfaction among the top 40 US real estate companies.¹¹

Bottom line: Should I use Fathom Realty?

Fathom Realty is worth looking into if you’re interested in a tech-centric experience, willing to pay full commission, and in one of the 38 states it serves. The company has generally positive reviews, and it offers several peripheral services that could make your home sale or purchase more convenient.

We recommend interviewing at least 2–3 agents before choosing one. Look at individual agent qualifications and services instead of deciding based on brand. If you want to lower your transaction costs, consider comparing a few Fathom agents with agents who offer lower commission rates.

FAQ

Related reading

What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? Redfin is one of the largest discount brokerages in the US, but some competitors offer more value at lower price points. See how the top companies compare.

Realtor Fees: Who Pays the Commission and How Much Is It? For many years, the real estate commission was traditionally paid by the seller. But a recent federal lawsuit has dramatically altered this arrangement.

How to Find a Real Estate Agent: The quality of your home buying or selling experience depends largely on the quality of your agent. Learn how to compare agents to find the right fit for you.

Sources

1. Fathom Realty, “Thinking of Selling Your Home?” accessed Nov. 12, 2024. ↩︎
2. Fathom Realty, “Thinking of Buying a Home?” accessed Nov. 12, 2024. ↩︎
3. National Association of Realtors, “What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers,” May 24, 2024. ↩︎
4. Fathom Realty, “Fathom Offers,” accessed Nov. 12, 2024. ↩︎
5. Fathom Realty, “Investor FAQ,” accessed Nov. 12, 2024. ↩︎
6. Fathom Holdings, “Investor Presentation,” Sept. 2024. ↩︎
7. Fathom Realty, “Fathom Holdings Completes Acquisition of Verus Title,” Nov. 30, 2020. ↩︎
8. Fathom Realty, “Fathom Realty Launches intelliAgent 2.0,” Jan. 25, 2022. ↩︎
9. PR Newswire, “Fathom Holdings Expands National Footprint with Strategic Acquisition of Arizona-Based My Home Group,” Nov. 4, 2024. ↩︎
10. PR Newswire, “Fathom Holdings’ Subsidiary, Verus Title, Expands Into Rhode Island,” Oct. 8, 2024. ↩︎
11. PR Newswire, “Fathom Realty Earns Top Ranking for Agent Satisfaction Among Nation’s Largest Real Estate Companies,” Sept. 25, 2024. ↩︎