Houwzer Reviews (2023): Pros, Cons, and Top Alternatives

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  Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy

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  Edited by Josiah Wilmoth

What is Houwzer? | How it works | Houwzer fees | Houwzer vs. traditional realtors | Find Houwzer reviews | Top Houwzer alternatives

✍️ Editor’s note (April 19, 2023): Houwzer recently changed its pricing structure for sellers from a flat $5,000 fee to a 1% listing fee. We’re currently working to update the information and advice in this review to reflect its new pricing and service models.

Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage that advertises commission savings for home sellers. 

Sellers pay a flat $5,000 listing fee, instead of the 2.5-3% that traditional realtors typically charge. That could mean big savings, especially on more expensive homes. 

Just be aware of the potential trade-offs before you sign: Houwzer may offer less dedicated support than a typical full-service realtor, which could adversely affect your experience or outcome. Other discount brands may provide a better combination of savings and personalized service.

For example, our friends at Clever Real Estate offer a 1.5% listing fee. 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!

What is Houwzer?

Houwzer is a real estate brokerage whose core focus is offering home sellers discounted listing fees.

Since launching in Philadelphia in 2014, Houwzer has managed more than $1 billion worth of real estate transactions. Along the way, it’s expanded into Washington, D.C., as well as select metro areas in four more states:

• Florida
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Virginia

Somewhere else? Find low commission real estate companies near you.

Houwzer aims to offer the same basic services as traditional realtors — but charge a lot less. While most brokerages charge a percentage-based commission, Houwzer advertises a flat $5,000 listing fee, regardless of home price.

At higher price points, Houwzer’s flat-fee pricing structure could translate into major savings. But, as with many discount brokerages, Houwzer’s customer service approach introduces a few potential trade-offs into the home-selling process.

If you’re looking to save on realtor fees, we recommend our friends at Clever Real Estate. Sellers who work with Clever will pay a low 1.5% listing fee in exchange for full service and support from a top local realtor.

How does Houwzer work?

Houwzer’s business model is fairly typical for discount brokerages. It advertises commission savings to attract customers, offsetting the reduced rates by:

• Handling more customers per agent (up to 3x as many!)
• Reducing operating costs with a salaried team
• Offering extra discounts to sellers who also buy with Houwzer
• Upselling current customers on add-on services from their title and mortgage divisions

Houwzer’s strategy allows it to charge a flat listing fee, saving sellers thousands of dollars if they’re selling an expensive home. However, Houwzer may cost MORE than a traditional realtor on homes below $170,000.

How much does Houwzer cost?

Houwzer charges home sellers a flat $5,000 listing fee. The company expects sellers to offer an additional 2.5% of the sale price in buyer’s agent commission.

Why 2.5%? Offering a competitive buyer’s agent fee motivates realtors to show your home to their clients. And, in most parts of the U.S., the average commission rate is 2.5–3%, though rates are declining gradually over time.

If you advertise a below-average commission rate, your listing won’t be as attractive to buyer’s agents. This could mean fewer buyers see your home, which minimizes competition and makes it harder to maximize your sale price.

Houwzer’s Buy and Sell Bundle

Houwzer offers an extra $2,500 discount for eligible customers who buy and sell with the company. 

Depending on which transaction you complete first, Houwzer will either reduce your listing fee by $2,500 or refund you $2,500 when you close on your new home.

Houwzer claims that the offer doesn’t expire. So, if you sell your current home and decide to rent for a while, you’ll still be eligible for a $2,500 refund if you buy with a Houwzer agent in the future. You’re also allowed to gift your rebate to a friend or family member.

Note that purchases qualify for rebates only if Houwzer earns at least $5,000 in buyer’s agent commission, so homes below $170,000 likely won’t be eligible.

Many companies offer rebates or cash back when you purchase a home. For example, Clever Real Estate offers cash back to eligible buyers after closing. And that’s not money deducted from a future transaction — it’s hard cash you can spend however you’d like.

Learn more and compare top rebate offers from discount brokerages near you.

Houwzer locations

Houwzer is currently available in five states, as well as Washington, D.C. Here’s where you can find this service.

Houwzer vs. traditional realtors

Houwzer real estate agents offer the same general range of services as traditional realtors. However, you may face trade-offs to your overall service quality.

When you sell with a traditional brokerage, you have a dedicated real estate agent. They can provide personalized support through every step of the transaction based on your situation.

Houwzer’s customer service approach has some notable differences.

Houwzer agents handle 3x more customers

You’ll still have a Houwzer real estate agent in charge of your sale, but they may be more hands-off compared with traditional realtors.

According to Houwzer, each of its salaried agents manages more than 30 transactions per year. That’s roughly 3x as many as the average realtor.

Houwzer spins this as a positive, suggesting its agents have “more experience” closing deals. In practice, you’ll likely be competing with far more other customers for your agent’s attention. This could be an issue if you ever need hands-on support — which is pretty common when selling or buying a home.

Team-based approach increases the risk of mistakes

Houwzer compensates for its agents’ heavier workload by offloading tasks that don’t require a real estate license to other team members.

This strategy may increase efficiency, but it also increases the risk of mixups and delays. The more people involved in your sale, the more likely that individual team members will miscommunicate or have blind spots that lead to mistakes.

When you’re navigating a home sale, you’ll typically run into many time-sensitive issues. From disagreements over an inspection report to tracking the status of an earnest money deposit, it helps to have an agent who knows the ins and outs of your sale completely.

Luckily, saving on commission doesn’t have to mean sacrificing on service! Our friends at Clever can connect you with top-rated traditional agents in your area who offer a full-service experience — all for just 1.5%. 

Find out why Clever is the #1 alternative to Houwzer!

Selling with Houwzer

In general, the Houwzer selling experience should be comparable to selling with a traditional realtor. A Houwzer team member will guide you during each stage of the process — from deciding on a list price to signing your closing papers.

Along the way, they’ll provide service and support like:

• Pricing
• Professional photography
• 3D home tour online
• Direct mail advertising
• Negotiating with buyers
• Closing coordination

The main difference is that you’ll work with multiple Houwzer team members throughout your sale and may receive less personalized attention from your listing agent.

Houwzer’s approach is best suited for desirable homes in competitive markets. If properties like yours are generating bidding wars and “selling themselves,” you may not have much difficulty maximizing your home’s sale price.

But if your home is unique or your selling situation is complicated, you may have a better experience working with a dedicated realtor who has the bandwidth to give your sale the attention it needs.

Buying with Houwzer

If you buy with Houwzer, you’ll experience the same potential service trade-offs as sellers. A Houwzer agent will guide you through the purchase process, but they may provide less personalized support than a traditional realtor.

Although Houwzer offers sellers discounts on listing fees, it doesn’t advertise any savings for buyers who aren’t selling a home, too. 

In lieu of built-in savings, Houwzer touts its agents’ local expertise and salary-based compensation structure. Since its agents don’t earn commission, Houwzer claims they provide a “pressure-free” buying experience.

However, unlike Houwzer, many other discount services offer home buyer rebates to eligible customers. Qualifying buyers receive a portion of the buyer’s agent commission back as a closing cost credit or cash.

For example, our friends at Clever offer a cash-back rebate to eligible home buyers. And since Clever only works with top-selling realtors from major brokerages like Keller Williams and Century 21, you’ll never have to choose between savings and service.

Contact Clever today to see how much you can save!

Houwzer reviews: Pros and cons

Houwzer offers several advantages compared with conventional, full-price real estate brokerages. However, only after you weigh the pros and cons can you decide if Houwzer is your best option — or if another discount service provides better value.

Pro: Potential savings for many home sellers

The biggest advantage to selling with Houwzer is that its flat-fee pricing model offers steep discounts to many home sellers.

Houwzer charges every seller a $5,000 listing fee, so the more expensive your home, the more you could save compared with listing with a traditional realtor.

Pro: More services than other flat-fee brokerages

Some discount brokerages that advertise flat listing fees offset their low rates by offering fewer services. For example, some require you to host your own open house. Others won’t even have an agent tour your home before recommending a listing price!

Not so with Houwzer. While its agents are more hands-off compared with traditional realtors, customers can still expect a similar range of services from local agents.

Con: Hands-off approach isn’t right for everyone

To take advantage of Houwzer’s potential savings, you may have to compromise on how much support you get through the selling process.

That’s a fair trade for many sellers, particularly ones who:

• Have lots of experience selling real estate
• Are selling desirable homes in hot markets

However, as this Houwzer review illustrates, the company’s approach isn’t right for everyone. If your home is in less-than-perfect condition, you’re selling in a buyer’s market, or you just want more personalized support, you may find better overall value elsewhere.

Con: Overextended agents may provide subpar service

Houwzer agents handle about 3x as many customers as traditional realtors. The company uses a team-based model to help its agents manage the increased workload, but this approach can only go so far.

Overextended agents can’t devote as much attention to your sale, which increases the risk of mistakes that could cost you money — or even put your entire sale at risk.

One specific Houwzer complaint that appears time and again is subpar communication. Negative reviews suggest that when agents get too busy, they don’t always have the bandwidth to respond to customers promptly.

Con: Limited savings on less expensive homes

Houwzer’s flat-fee pricing model helps you save big on higher-end homes, but the discounts are limited on less expensive properties.

Below $200,000, Houwzer costs about the same as — or more than — a traditional brokerage that charges a 2.5-3% listing fee. And unless your home sells for more than $500,000, you may find better savings with a company that offers full-service support for a discounted commission rate.

Find out which companies offer the lowest realtor commission fees!

Area of concern: Fewer incentives to help you get top-dollar

Compared with traditional realtors, Houwzer’s salaried agents have less direct financial incentive to help you maximize your home’s sale price.

Most brokerages pay their agents on commission, which is generally beneficial for sellers. Since your agent’s income depends on your home’s sale price, they should be motivated to help you sell it for top-dollar.

In contrast, Houwzer agents earn a salary. And according to job listings, the company rewards agents with bonuses based on the total number of homes they sell. In other words, Houwzer agents have a clear incentive to help you sell your home — but little direct motivation to make sure you get the best price possible.

This seller felt that his Houwzer agent encouraged him to list his home for less than it was worth so that it would sell more quickly.

Area of concern: Add-on services may not be the best value

Another way Houzwer makes money is by persuading existing customers to use its other in-house services. These include:

• Houwzer Title, a title and settlement company
• Houwzer Mortgage, an in-house mortgage broker

Buying or selling a home can be an overwhelming process, so it’s convenient to use these services rather than shopping around for a mortgage lender and title company. Just remember that though Houwzer has cheap listing fees, that doesn’t mean their other services offer the best value.

We recommend comparing Houwzer’s rates against other local companies to ensure you’re getting the best combination of rates and service quality.

Best Houwzer alternatives

Although Houwzer offers genuine savings at higher price points, it comes with some trade-offs. Depending on your priorities and individual circumstances, you may find better value with one of these Houwzer competitors.

Houwzer vs. Clever Real Estate

Clever is a free agent matching service that offers big commission savings WITHOUT the service-quality compromises that may come with Houwzer’s team-based model.

How? Clever pre-negotiates low rates with traditional realtors from major brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. With Clever, you can sell with a top-rated, full-service agent for a 1.5% listing fee. Eligible buyers will also receive cash back after closing.

Find out how much you can save with Clever today!

Houwzer vs. Redfin

With nationwide brand recognition and a proven savings model, Redfin is worth considering if discounted listing fees are your top priority. Redfin’s 1.5% commission rate is more expensive than Houwzer at many price points, but it’s available in more areas and offers more savings opportunities for home buyers.

Learn more about selling and buying with Redfin.

Houwzer vs. REX Real Estate

REX is a discount brokerage that claims it can save home sellers up to 50% on realtor commission. REX’s strategy involves eliminating the buyer’s agent fee by marketing its listings on social media and other digital platforms rather than advertising them on the MLS. Unfortunately, this approach is risky — and customer reviews suggest it has a high failure rate.

Learn more about selling with REX.

Related Links

If you’re considering using a Houwzer real estate agent, it’s important to compare all of your discount broker options. Read on to learn about other ways to save.

What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees?: Houwzer advertises cheap listing fees, but it’s not the only brokerage that offers savings on realtor commission. Find out which company charges the lowest listing fees.

Discount Real Estate Brokers and Agents: Everything You Need to Know: Selling with a discount real estate broker like Houwzer is often a very different experience from using a traditional realtor. Learn more about how discount brokers work and how to decide which company is the best fit for your situation.

Clever Real Estate: Must-See Reviews: Clever connects home buyers and sellers with top-rated real estate agents in their area. Learn how their free agent-matching service can connect you with full-service realtors who charge a listing fee of just 1.5%.