What Is Homie? | How It Works | Homie Fees | Homie vs. Traditional Realtors | Selling With Homie | Buying | Find Homie Reviews | Best Homie Alternatives
Homie Real Estate is a low commission company that claims it can save home sellers an average of $10,000 on realtor fees.
If you sell with Homie, you’ll pay a flat listing fee of $3,000 or less, instead of the 2.5-3% that full-price realtors charge. That could mean big savings, especially if you’re selling a more expensive home.
However, as the Homie reviews we’ll cover demonstrate, you could face significant service-quality compromises. Other discount companies may deliver a better combination of savings and personalized service.
For example, our friends at Clever Real Estate offer a 1% listing fee (or a flat $3,000 fee for homes under $350,000). Their free agent matching process connects you with top full-service realtors in your area, ensuring you never compromise on agent quality or support. Learn how to start saving today!
Key Takeaways
- Homie charges home sellers a flat listing fee of $3,000 or less
- Homie agents provide no in-person services, so you’ll have to do more of the work yourself
- Homie currently operates in five states: AZ, CO, ID, NV, UT
P.S. If you’re just looking for Homie Real Estate reviews, you can find them here!
What Is Homie Real Estate?
Homie is a real estate brokerage that offers discounted listing fees for home sellers and commission rebates for buyers.
Since launching in Utah in 2015, Homie has helped customers buy and sell more than $3 billion worth of real estate. The company is Utah’s largest discount real estate brokerage, and Deloitte’s 2020 Technology Fast 500 report ranked Homie as North America’s 25th fastest-growing North American tech startup.
Home Real Estate locations
Although Utah remains Homie’s primary market, it has expanded into several additional states.
Somewhere else, or just want to compare your options? Find the best low commission real estate companies near you.
How Does Homie Work?
Homie makes money by advertising low real estate commission fees for home sellers. It offsets its discounted rates by:
- Handling more customers per agent (up to 10x as many!)
- Managing the entire sale process remotely, with no in-person support
- Offering fewer services than traditional realtors
- Upselling existing customers on add-on services from its mortgage, title, and insurance divisions
This strategy allows Homie to handle more transactions with a smaller team of agents. The company passes the savings onto customers in the form of discounted listing fees and commission rebates.
On higher-priced properties, Homie’s flat listing fee could save sellers thousands of dollars. However, it costs about as much as a traditional, full-price realtor on sales below $100,000.
| Price Point | Listing Fee* | Effective Rate | Potential Savings** |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $2,500 | 2.5% | $500 |
| $250,000 | $2,500 | 1% | $5,000 |
| $500,000 | $2,500 | 0.5% | $12,500 |
| $750,000 | $2,500 | 0.3% | $20,000 |
How much does Homie cost?
Homie charges home sellers a flat listing fee of $2,000-3,000, depending on their location.
| State | Homie Listing Fee |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $2,500 |
| Colorado | $3,000 |
| Idaho | $2,500 |
| Nevada | $2,500 |
| Utah | $2,000 |
Expect to offer up to 3% in buyer’s agent commission
While you’ll pay a much smaller listing fee when you sell with Homie, you should expect to offer a “traditional” buyer’s agent commission rate of 2.5-3%, depending on your area.
Advertising a competitive buyer’s agent fee incentivizes realtors to show your home. Offer too little, and they may encourage buyers to look at the house down the street instead.
Learn more about how real estate commission works — including the best ways to save.
Where does Homie operate?
Homie currently operates in the following areas:
| State | Areas |
|---|---|
| Arizona | Phoenix |
| Colorado | Denver |
| Idaho | Boise |
| Nevada | Las Vegas |
| Utah | Statewide |
Note: Since Homie doesn’t provide any in-person services, it may list your home even if it doesn’t have a location in your area. Contact the Homie office in your state directly to determine whether it’s an option for you.
Get a 1% listing commission with a nationwide discount real estate company!
Homie vs. Traditional Realtors
Homie claims that it “provides everything you would get with a traditional agent,” but that’s a bit misleading.
Although Homie’s agents offer most of the same basic services, sellers should expect to compromise on personalized support — and do more on-the-ground legwork themselves.
Homie agents provide zero in-person support
The biggest disadvantage to selling with Homie is that your agent will provide ZERO on-the-ground support during any stage of the sale process.
✍️ Editor’s Note
Homie’s business model relies on handling more customers with a smaller team. This is possible primarily because its listing agents spend their day at the office, interacting with customers only over the phone and by email. They don’t offer time-intensive services like in-home pricing consultations or open houses.
Unfortunately, this light-touch customer service approach creates additional risks for sellers.
For example, your Homie agent will price your home without ever viewing it in-person. They’ll use market data, public records, and your description of the property’s condition to give their best estimate of its value. But without seeing it up close with a realtor’s expert eye, they may overlook unique features or other information that would help them price it more accurately.
Why is this a problem? A mispriced home could take longer to sell — or end up selling below its actual value. And if your agent values it too low, you’re essentially leaving money on the table.
Homie agents juggle 10x more customers
Like many discount brokerages, Homie requires its agents to work on more transactions at once than traditional realtors.
How many more? Homie CEO Johnny Hanna says the company’s full-time agents close around 120 deals per year, which is 10x as many as the average agent.
Hanna frames this statistic in a positive light, suggesting it means Homie agents are “more experienced” than their peers. However, in practice, it means your agent will be juggling 10x as many other customers at once.
If your sale gets complicated and you need extra support, your agent simply may not have the bandwidth to give you the same level of personalized guidance as a traditional realtor.
Looking for a less risky way to save on real estate commission? Our friends at Clever Real Estate offer a free agent-matching service that connects you with top-rated realtors in your area. Clever’s partner agents offer a full-service experience — all for just $3,000 or 1%.
Contact Clever today to see how much you can save!
Selling With Homie
When you sell with Homie, your agent will handle most of the services offered by traditional realtors. However, you may have to roll up your sleeves and take on a few DIY projects.
Homie will handle tasks like:
- Listing your home on the MLS
- Arranging professional photography
- Installing a yard sign and lockbox
- Managing paperwork and closing coordination
But it will be on you to write up a personalized listing description that attracts buyers. Want to host an open house? You’ll have to do that too.
And remember: your agent will provide remote support for pricing your home, fielding offers, and negotiating with buyers, but they’ll have a much heavier workload than a traditional realtor.
As a result, your agent may be less familiar with the ins and outs of your situation. And since they’ve never seen your house up close, they may be at a disadvantage when negotiating with a buyer’s agent who has.
Is Homie Worth It? 🤔
Homie’s light-touch approach is best for desirable homes in high-demand areas. If properties like yours are “selling themselves,” you may not need as much personalized support from an agent. If you’re in a buyer’s market, your house needs TLC, or your selling situation is complicated, you may have a better experience with a realtor who can devote more time and attention to your sale.
Buying With Homie
If you buy with a Homie agent, you may be eligible for a commission rebate worth up to $2,500. The company applies the refund to your closing costs, which can help defray your out-of-pocket home buying expenses.
To qualify for a rebate, you must get pre-qualified for a mortgage with Homie Loans. However, eligible buyers still earn the rebate even if they choose another mortgage provider, so shop around to make sure you get the best rate!
✍️ Editor’s Note
Home buyer rebates are subject to numerous conditions, including state regulations and lender approval. Always ask your lender and agent about eligibility restrictions before you start the purchase process!
In exchange for the chance to earn a commission refund, you may face potential service tradeoffs as a buyer with Homie.
Homie doesn’t provide much support during the initial stages of your buying process. To streamline costs — and help its agents handle more customers — the company asks buyers to do their own research and compile a list of homes that they want to tour.
Once you’re ready to look at homes, you can schedule showings through the Homie app or website. A Homie buyer’s agent will accompany you on home tours, help you put together offers, and negotiate with the seller on your behalf.
But remember that since Homie agents handle such a heavy workload, they may be more hands-off than a traditional realtor.
Homie Reviews: Pros and Cons
Homie reviews are generally positive, with an average customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on reviews across Facebook, Google, and Yelp.
The company’s light-touch customer service model offers much lower listing fees than conventional, full-price real estate brokerages. That said, it’s a good idea to weigh Homie pros and cons carefully. Only then will you discover whether it’s your best option, or if another low commission real estate company provides superior value.
Pro: Flat listing fee leads to big savings
Homie’s main selling point is its cheap listing fees. Satisfied customers consistently report that the company’s pricing structure delivers genuine savings.
As this Homie review illustrates, though, customers may encounter a few “bumps along the way” in terms of service quality. But many sellers feel the savings more than compensate for the less-than-spectacular parts of the experience.
Homie tends to be a good fit for DIY-inclined sellers who are comfortable managing more of the sale themselves but still want access to an agent when they need support.
Con: Agents provide limited support
The most common Homie complaint is that the company overpromises and underdelivers. While Homie’s marketing claims sellers get “everything” they’d expect from a traditional agent, that’s simply not the case.
Negative Homie reviews consistently warn that sellers have to do a lot more work than if they’d listed with a traditional brokerage.
This seller saved money with Homie, but ultimately felt that the listing fee discounts weren’t worth the service quality compromises they experienced.
Con: Overextended agents may not provide five-star service
Another common Homie complaint is that agents manage too many customers at once, and can’t devote proper time and energy to each sale.
Time and again, dissatisfied customers highlight that overextended Homie agents communicate poorly. This can create issues when sellers encounter problems that need to be addressed immediately.
Given how difficult their agent was to contact, this seller felt their Homie experience was similar to selling “for sale by owner” — just a lot more expensive.
Subpar communication isn’t just frustrating. It can also put a potential sale at risk. Many negative Homie reviews come from buyers who wanted to purchase Homie homes but found it difficult to get in touch with the listing agent.
Area of concern: Homie’s add-on services may not be the best value
While Homie’s main business is helping sellers and buyers navigate real estate sales, it also makes money by encouraging existing customers to use its other in-house services. These include:
- Homie Loans: Homie’s in-house mortgage business
- Homie Title: A title and settlement company
- Homie Insurance: An independent insurance brokerage
- Homie Provider Marketplace: A referral network for electricians, landscapers, home inspectors, and other local contractors
Buying or selling a home can be an overwhelming process, so it’s convenient to use these in-house services rather than getting estimates from local companies yourself.
But, while Homie might have cheap commission rates, it doesn’t necessarily offer the best value when it comes to home loans or insurance. As this Homie review illustrates, you may experience issues in service quality.
![Homie Facebook review: "I wanted to recommend Homie, but honestly, I can't. Their integrity and customer service are both severely lacking. Homie title misappropriated the funds from our escrow and sent them to the wrong place. 2 months later, we are still trying to get the correct entities paid. This has been an incredible hassle and they have offered nothing to us by way of compensation, but have asked us to do a considerable amount of work to correct their mistake. Save yourself some trouble and go with a more reputable company.
I will note that we liked working with [our realtor]. He did a great job. This review is only about Homie Title."](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7MnyC5UtwO5UChPJb4HUVOtHks-EjyUaRJ2rd6KJlFZ-ux_D0bdCRF_nC5WqMjLFSoasQA7igMJWOHWR_Ie5VHvzcTHXHhCpkb9ZJFZWJmcaOML3y2HeecMoYUk9dMBSj1ZpqBZo)
The Best Homie Alternatives
While Homie Real Estate is cheaper than a conventional brokerage at most price points, the company’s service model makes it a riskier option than some of its competitors.
Depending on your situation, needs, and priorities, you may find better overall value with one of these Homie competitors.
| Company | Average Rating | Locations | Listing Fee | Buyer Incentives | Average Savings* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homie | 4.2 (1,069 reviews) | AZ, CO, CT, ID, NV, UT | $2,000-3,000 | Yes | $9,500 |
| Clever | 4.9 (1,110 reviews) | Nationwide | $3,000 or 1% | Yes | $7,375 |
| Redfin | 3.2 (287 reviews) | Nationwide (select markets) | 1.5% (min. fees vary) | Yes | $5,550 |
| Trelora | 4.7 (943 reviews) | AZ, CO, NC, SC, WA | $3,000-4,000 | Yes | $8,500 |
1. Redfin
If you want to save on realtor commission but aren’t comfortable sacrificing on-the-ground support, Redfin may be a good fit. Redfin’s 1.5% commission rate is more expensive than Homie’s flat listing fee at most price points, but its agents provide in-person services like pricing consultations and open houses.
Learn more about selling with Redfin.
2. Trelora
Like Homie, Trelora is a discount brokerage that charges a flat listing fee for sellers in Arizona and Colorado. With rates starting at $3,000, Trelora costs more than Homie in some locations. However, its agents provide more in-person support, which may make it a better fit for less experienced sellers.
Learn more about selling with Trelora.
3. Clever Real Estate
Clever is a free agent-matching service that offers big commission savings WITHOUT the service-quality compromises that come with Homie’s hands-off sales approach.
This company pre-negotiates low rates with traditional realtors from major brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. With Clever, you’ll sell with a top-rated, full-service agent for a 1% listing fee — or $3,000 if your home sells for less than $350,000. Eligible buyers may also receive a cash refund with Clever Cash Back.
Find out how much you can save with Clever today!
Related Links
Homie isn’t the only real estate company that offers discounted listing fees, so compare your options! Read on to learn about Homie alternatives that offer bigger commission savings, better service quality, or both.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?: Homie’s listing fees are cheap, but how do they stack up against the competition? Find out which discount service charges the lowest commission rates.
Discount Real Estate Brokers and Agents: Everything You Need to Know: Selling with a discount real estate broker like Homie is often a very different experience from using a conventional realtor. Learn more about how discount brokers work.
Clever Real Estate: Must-See Reviews: Whether you’re buying or selling, Clever can help you find top-rated real estate agents in your area. Learn how its free agent-matching service can connect you with full-service realtors who charge just $3,000 or 1%.
FAQs about Homie
What is Homie Real Estate?
Homie is a discount real estate brokerage that charges flat listing fees, instead of the 2.5-3% commission rate that conventional realtors typically charge. With listing fees as low as $2,000, it's a lot cheaper than selling the old-fashioned way, but customers often face service quality tradeoffs. Find more low-fee brokerages near you.
How does Homie work?
Homie creates commission savings by advertising low rates to attract a larger number of customers. It compensates for its discounted listing fees by offering reduced agent support, requiring agents to handle 10x as many clients as traditional realtors, and upselling current customers on its in-house mortgage, insurance, and title services. Looking to save on realtor fees? Find 1% commission real estate agents in your area.
How much does Homie cost?
Homie fees vary from $2,000-3,000 by market. In addition to the flat listing fee, most sellers will also have to offer a conventional buyer's agent commission rate of 2.5-3%. See what companies charge the lowest real estate commission fees.
Is Homie worth it?
When you sell with Homie, you'll likely trade commission savings for personalized service. That makes it best-suited for sellers of desirable homes in seller-friendly markets. However, online Homie reviews note that the limited support can be frustrating and may lead to mistakes, oversights, and delays. Find other ways to save on real estate commission.
Does Homie list on the MLS?
Yes, Homie Real Estate will list your home on the local MLS, which helps maximize the number of potential buyers who see your property. Learn more about how discount brokerages like like Homie work.
Leave a Reply