Houwzer Reviews: Pros, Cons, Fees, and Alternatives

Key takeaway: Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage that offers a competitive listing fee of 1% and a very enticing buyer rebate of up to half the buyer’s agent commission. Still, legitimate concerns exist about the lack of personalized service due to the company’s business model.

Houwzer employs salaried agents who handle three times more clients on average than traditional agents and close hundreds of transactions annually, according to the company’s website. While these agents perform all the same duties as traditional agents, the higher client load could impact the level of personalized support you receive.

If you're in an ultra competitive market, are a first-time home buyer, or have a house that may take some extra effort to sell, you may find better overall value with Houwzer competitors.

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Houwzer at a glance

» JUMP TO: Houwzer vs. competitors | Reviews | How it works | Fees and savings | Bottom line

Who Houwzer Works best for

Houwzer is a good choice for budget-conscious home sellers and buyers who are comfortable with a team-based approach. 

Potential benefits of using Houwzer include:

• Significant savings for sellers: Houwzer's 1% listing fee is one of the lowest in the industry — saving sellers about $8,000 on a $400,000 home, when compared to the standard 3% realtor commission.
• Generous rebates for buyers: Buyers receive a rebate of 50% of the buyer agent’s commission, an uncommon benefit among discount brokerages.
• Full service: Unlike some discount competitors, Houwzer provides a complete range of real estate services, including pricing support, professional photography, and negotiation assistance.

Houwzer may not be the best fit for customers who value a direct line to their realtor or live in a competitive market where homes move fast.

Potential cons of using Houwzer include:

• Less personal service: Houwzer’s team-based model means agents handle a higher volume of transactions than traditional agents, which can lead to slower response times and less immediate access to your lead agent. 
• Limited availability: Houwzer only operates in select markets across the U.S., so it may not be an option for customers outside of those areas.

Houwzer vs.competitors

Among discount brokers, Houwzer's fees can be hard to beat — even compared to leading brands like Redfin, which charges a variable listing commission of 1.5–2% depending on the market, compared to Houwzer's straight 1% across the board. Houwzer also offers uncommonly good savings for buyers.

However, both Houwzer and Redfin have potentially overextended real estate agents, as they juggle 2-3x as many clients as a typical realtor.

Top-rated agent matching services like Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent also provide significant commission savings but generally offer a wider agent selection through their nationwide networks. Clients who find their agents through these networks get the guarantee of working with a highly vetted local agent while benefitting from prenegotiated listing fees of up to 50% off the industry average. Clever also offers buyers modest cash back savings of up to $500.

Requesting agents through these services is free and without obligation. So if Houwzer’s team-based model doesn’t suit your needs, consider these alternatives as you explore your options.

Note: Houwzer’s sister brand, Trelora, has a similar operating model, so it’s worth considering as an alternative depending on where you live. Houwzer primarily serves the West Coast, while Trelora covers the East Coast.

Houwzer reviews: What customers say

Houwzer reviews are largely positive, particularly toward the specific agents who helped individual sellers and buyers. Unfortunately, the agents themselves appear to be unhappy with the model, according to the reviews we analyzed on Glassdoor, leading to a lot of turnover.

Positive themes from Houwzer reviews

✅ Significant savings

Customers consistently highlight the cost savings of using Houwzer, especially the low 1% listing fee and the 1% buyer rebate, which many note as significantly reducing their transaction costs compared to traditional brokerages.

I spent a lot of time researching and comparing commissions and prices of many real estate companies and came to a conclusion that Matt and his company (Houwzer) offered the best deal in town. Thanks to Matt we did not have to pay exorbitant commissions but paid much smaller set amount for his services. I am glad I let Matt prove his skills because he made a big difference (in our favor) in the amount we sent to our bank. I highly recommend you let Matt sell or buy a house for you. You will be glad you did = $$$.

— Peter G., Zillow, July 2024

✅ Professional and knowledgeable agents

Many reviews praise the professionalism and expertise of Houwzer’s agents. Even though the team-based model means agents handle more clients, customers appreciate the agent’s skills in negotiating and managing the sale efficiently.

[My agent] kept me informed at every stage, promptly answered my questions, and was always available to address any concerns. His transparency and honesty made me feel confident and at ease during the entire selling process. What truly impressed me was his commitment to achieving the best outcome for me. He went above and beyond in negotiating with potential buyers, ensuring that I received the best possible offer. His dedication and hard work paid off, as my house sold quickly and at a price that exceeded my expectations.

— Juan R., July 2024, Zillow

Houwzer complaints

❌ Service tradeoffs

While Houwzer enjoys mostly positive reviews, complaints revolve around Houwzer’s team-based approach, where agents manage a much higher volume of transactions compared to traditional agents. 

Houwzer views this as a positive, suggesting its agents have “more experience” closing deals. In practice, you’ll likely be competing with many other customers for your agent’s attention. 

Multiple reviews mention gaps in communication and a lack of attention from agents, which can prove costly in fast-moving or complex transactions.

I had an extremely disappointing experience with [my agent]. After we made an offer on a property, which he accepted, he completely ignored me for two days—no calls, no emails, nothing. I was left in the dark, trying to reach him repeatedly without any response.

— Jodeh N., Google, September 2024

❌ Overextended agents

Some of Houwzer's harshest criticism actually comes from people inside the company. Agents express frustration with long hours, burnout, and a chaotic internal system. According to Glassdoor, less than half of reviewers would recommend working at Houwzer to a friend (as of October 2024).

There’s no marketing. You get what you pay for. The listing agents are spread so thin, that they make countless mistakes on the listings. They don’t know about the properties they’re selling. It’s churn and burn.

— Former employee, Glassdoor, September 2023

I worked on average 60-80 hours a week, I could never take time off and because I was salaried there was no overtime. Unlimited PTO was a joke, when you did take time off the manager would still call you.

— Former employee, Glassdoor, February 2024

How Houwzer works

Houwzer’s service model differs from traditional realtors in that you work with a team of agents instead of one dedicated agent. There are 1–2 salaried realtors dedicated to each of Houwzer’s locations, as well as several other associate agents and specialists that help support each real estate transaction. 

While Houwzer agents may be more hands-off, customers can still expect a full range of real estate services — including help with pricing, showings, offers, negotiations, and closing.

Selling a home with Houwzer

When you sell with Houwzer, you can generally expect the process to follow that of a traditional home sale:

1. Book a consultation with a Houwzer pricing agent to discuss a pricing and marketing strategy. This will generally include a comparative market analysis as well as advice on staging and home prep. 
2. If you choose to sign on with Houwzer, your pricing agent will arrange for a professional photographer to visit your home.
3. Your Houwzer agent and their team will handle your MLS listing, marketing, showings, and open houses. Once you have an offer you'd like to accept, your Houwzer listing agent will finalize the contract with the buyer's agent.
4. Your Houwzer agent and team will then guide you through your home’s appraisal, inspection, and closing.
5. At closing, you’ll pay a 1% listing fee or a minimum of $3,000.

Buying a home with Houwzer

Buyers can also expect a full service experience with Houwzer:

1. Submit an online form to book a consultation with a Houwzer buyer agent.
2. To start touring homes with Houwzer, you’ll need to sign a buyer agreement, but it can be canceled at any time.
3. You can schedule showings through Houwzer’s app; a showing agent will take you to unlimited showings.
4. If you find a home you like, a Houwzer buyer’s agent will help you make an offer and negotiate any changes to the original contract following inspection and appraisal results.
5. Houwzer's transaction management team will stay on top of deadlines and compile all the paperwork needed to close.
6. At closing, you’ll pay a 1% buyer broker fee. If the seller offers more than that, you’ll get the additional commission as a rebate.

Compare top home buyer rebate offers from discount brokerages near you.

Additional Houwzer services

Houwzer fees and savings

The standard realtor commissions varies somewhat by market but typically adds up to 5–6% of a home's final sale price, with 2.5–3% going to a listing agent and another 2.5–3% going to a buyer's agent.

Houwzer’s fee structure is designed to deliver significant savings for both buyers and sellers. 

Houwzer charges a 1% listing fee to home sellers, with a $3,000 minimum. Selling a $400,000 home through a traditional real estate agent would cost close to $12,000 to list. With Houwzer, it would be $4,000 — that’s savings of about $8,000! On a $180,000 home, you’d pay the minimum fee of $3,000, but that’s still less than the $5,000 it would cost to sell with a traditional agent. 

Buyers can also save with Houwzer, which isn’t typical of a discount brokerage. In instances where the seller doesn't wish to pay the buyer's agent commission, Houwzer charges a 1% buyer broker fee, compared to the 2.5–3% average. In cases where a seller does offer to cover the buyer's agent commission, Houwzer provides a rebate of up to 50% on anything over the 1% minimum. 

When compared to alternatives, Houwzer’s fees are among the most competitive in the industry. However, buyers and sellers looking for broader agent selection or more hands-on support might consider other low-commission options.

Is Houwzer legit?

Yes, Houwzer is a legitimate real estate brokerage offering reduced commission rates for home sellers and buyers. Houwzer also provides in-house mortgage and title solutions to its clients.

The company was founded in 2015 by Mike Maher and is headquartered in Philadelphia. Since its launch, Houwzer has expanded into several key markets, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. 

Houwzer has earned a reputation as a real estate disruptor for its low commission model and team-based approach.In 2023, Houwzer acquired competitor Trelora 

Houwzer locations

Houwzer is available in select markets in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and Washington DC.

Houwzer news and updates

Houwzer, founded in Philadelphia in 2014, has facilitated over $1 billion in real estate transactions since its launch.

In 2022, Houwzer acquired competitor Trelora, and formed a new parent company, Newfound. Both companies work similarly but operate in different states.

In 2023, Houwzer's pricing structure for sellers changed from a flat $5,000 fee to a 1% listing fee.

Also in 2023, Houwzer's parent company, Newfound, launched HomeRise, a flat fee MLS option for sellers who want to pursue even greater savings by selling without a realtor.[1]

Bottom line: Should I use Houwzer?

Houwzer is a strong option for sellers looking to save on commission fees. However, commission rates aren’t the only factor to consider when choosing a realtor. According to recent research, 1 in 3 home sellers felt their realtor failed to meet expectations — highlighting the importance of evaluating an agent’s track record alongside their fees.[2]

When choosing a real estate agent, consider the overall value the agent will bring to the table. For example, will the agent handle showings, negotiations, and marketing directly, or will they fall to less experienced associates? Will they be experienced enough to price your home accurately and hands on enough to market it aggressively to buyers? Will the agent be available to you if you need to act quickly on an important decision? And will they do all of this for a reasonable commission rate?

To make the best choice, compare Houwzer with other low-commission options to find the right balance of savings, service, and expertise.

Related reading

Best 2% Commission Realtors Near Me. A 2% real estate commission can save you thousands of dollars on your home sale. Find the best brands in your area.

Top-Rated Low Commission Realtors Near You. Save on realtor fees with low commission realtors charging 1.5% vs. 2-3% listing fees.

Best Discount Real Estate Brokers for Big Savings. See our top picks for discount real estate brokers that offer commission savings and great service.

Methodology

The Real Estate Witch team evaluated Houwzer 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 make an informed decision about whether Houwzer is right for your next real estate transaction.

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

• Cost and savings. We compared Houwzer’s pricing model to top competitors and average prices across the U.S., including the average listing fee, minimum fees, and any buyer incentives offered.
• Customer service. We performed an in-depth analysis on Houwzer’s customer reviews across review sites. We broke down the sentiment of reviews, looking at themes around agent responsiveness, expertise, and meeting customer expectations.
• Ease of use. We evaluated how efficient it is for customers to find, compare, and select an agent through Houwzer, evaluating their agent network size, technical platforms, communication methods, and post-transaction support.