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Trelora reviews from customers | What is Trelora? | Selling with Trelora | Buying with Trelora | Trelora fees | Trelora vs. traditional realtors | Top Trelora alternatives
Trelora reviews summary
Trelora reviews online are generally positive. The discount real estate brokerage has a 4.7/5 rating across 1,308 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the BBB doesn’t accredit it.
Positive reviews focus on the quality of individual agents and the low listing fees. Negative reviews mention agents who are overworked, hard to reach, and seemingly unmotivated.
We think Trelora’s business model creates serious risks for customers. When you buy or sell with Trelora, you work with multiple agents and don’t get to choose who they are. The agents also handle many more transactions at once than traditional realtors.
You can find alternatives that offer better service while still providing significant savings.
When reading reviews, keep in mind that Trelora was acquired by real estate company Houwzer in 2022 and changed its fee structure from a flat fee to a percentage. Older online reviews may not reflect Trelora’s current offerings.
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Like Trelora, our free service offers a discounted listing fee, which allows you to save thousands on realtor commission. Eligible buyers can also get cash back.
But we do more to ensure you’re matched with a great agent. Unlike Trelora, we allow you to choose from multiple agents, many from top brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. And that agent will be by your side throughout your transaction.
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What is Trelora?
Trelora is a discount real estate brokerage that offers savings for sellers and buyers. It operates in eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington.
The company was founded in 2011 as a flat fee brokerage based in Denver, Colorado, and was acquired by competitor Houwzer in 2022.
After its acquisition, Trelora moved from a flat fee model to a 1% listing fee for sellers. It also offers rebates of up to $2,500 for buyers.
In August 2023, Houwzer launched a new parent company called Newfound. Several real estate brands, including Trelora and Houwzer, now fall under the Newfound umbrella.
How does Trelora work for sellers?
Selling with a Trelora real estate agent is similar to selling with a traditional realtor, but the service quality may differ.
Trelora agents handle 20 times as many transactions as traditional agents, which may leave them with less time to offer personalized support.
You also work with different Trelora agents and staff throughout your transaction instead of one listing agent. For example, the agent who helps you price your home may be different than the agent who lists it and negotiates with buyers.
Here’s how selling with Trelora works:
- Fill out a brief questionnaire on Trelora.com with your address, timeline for selling, and information about recent renovations.
- Meet with a Trelora pricing agent at your home and get a home value estimate.
- If you choose to move forward with Trelora, sign a listing agreement. Or walk away without paying any fees.
- Trelora markets your home by listing it on the MLS, arranging professional photography, and hosting open houses.
- Trelora’s agents help with negotiating offers from buyers.
- If you accept an offer, Trelora assists with the inspection, appraisal, and title.
- Negotiate a closing date and pay the 1% listing fee.
How does Trelora work for buyers?
Buying with a Trelora agent is similar to the traditional way of buying a house. The biggest difference is that you work with a team of agents instead of one. This structure allows Trelora to process more transactions, but it can create issues with communication.
Here are the steps for buying with Trelora:
- Contact Trelora and set up a buyer consultation. The Trelora agent discusses the home-buying process and asks what you’re looking for in a home.
- Receive alerts from different Trelora agents about available properties, and set up tours for homes you’re interested in.
- Make an offer and negotiate with the help of a Trelora buyer’s agent.
- Complete the inspection, appraisal, title, and mortgage with help from Trelora team members.
- Close on your new property. If you bundle mortgage and title with Newfound, you get a $2,500 check after closing. This check may take a few weeks or even months to arrive.
How much does Trelora cost?
Trelora charges a 1% listing fee, which is a substantial discount compared to the 2.5–3% that realtors traditionally charge. For example, on a $500,000 house, you’d save $10,000 by paying 1% instead of 3% to your listing agent.
Trelora’s minimum listing fee is $3,000. Its website doesn’t mention a minimum, but the company confirmed this detail when we spoke to it directly. To get the maximum savings, you need to sell a home for over $300,000. Otherwise, the minimum fee makes your listing rate more than 1%.
You also need to offer a buyer’s agent commission, which is usually 2.5–3%. This brings your total commission to 3.5–4%. Offering a competitive buyer’s agent commission is technically optional, but it ensures that buyer’s agents are motivated to show your property to their clients.
Trelora vs. traditional realtors
On paper, Trelora agents provide the same range of services as traditional realtors. However, they deliver a very different customer experience that won’t necessarily be the best fit for everyone.
When you sell with a conventional brokerage, you’ll typically have a one-on-one relationship with a dedicated agent who’s responsible for your entire sale. They’ll guide you from the pre-listing process all the way to the closing table.
When a single agent oversees your transaction from start to finish, they know the ins and outs of your situation. This means they’re better positioned to price your home, help you choose the best offer, negotiate with buyers, and resolve unexpected issues that could put your sale at risk.
This isn’t quite the case with Trelora.
Trelora’s customer service model is riskier
Trelora’s selling process is more like an assembly line than a one-on-one relationship. Instead of working with a single dedicated agent, different Trelora team members will handle each stage of your sale. One agent will give you pricing advice, another assists with negotiations, and other team members handle tasks that don’t require a real estate license.
In theory, this approach increases efficiency, allowing Trelora to provide the same basic services as a traditional brokerage while charging a lot less. However, as the Trelora reviews below illustrate, involving more people in your sale increases the risk of problems.
For example, miscommunication between your pricing advisor and listing agent could put you at a disadvantage when negotiating with buyers. And since neither agent has the bandwidth to be completely familiar with your situation, you may receive less personalized support compared to a dedicated agent.
Trelora agents juggle 20 times more customers
Trelora’s advertised savings come primarily from using a team-based approach to close a higher volume of deals with fewer agents. This is a common strategy among discount brokers. However, it’s especially pronounced at Trelora, where agents juggle 20 TIMES as many customers as typical realtors.
Even with Trelora’s team-based customer service model, it’s impossible for an agent to handle that many customers and still provide the same level of personalized service as a traditional realtor.
Selling a house is stressful enough at the best of times. When something goes wrong, there’s just no substitute for having a dedicated agent who knows the ins and outs of your property and situation.
Trelora reviews: Pros, cons, and areas of concern
Review site | Rating |
---|---|
4.1/5 (171 reviews) | |
4.7/5 (497 reviews) | |
Yelp | 4.4/5 (130 reviews) |
Zillow | 4.9/5 (510 reviews) |
Weighted average | 4.7/5 |
Trelora reviews are generally positive. However, the company changed its pricing from a flat fee to a 1% listing fee in the past year. When researching reviews of Trelora, keep in mind that older reviews may no longer be accurate.
Recent positive reviews focus on the quality of individual agents and the savings. Some Trelora complaints mention agents who were unresponsive and seemed unmotivated to provide the best possible service.
Some Trelora agents provide excellent service
Most of the positive Trelora reviews are about individual agents providing excellent service to clients.
As this customer said, “We have been working with Trelora for the past 9 years and this is our second time working with [our agent]. And he never disappoints. He is so patient and always is looking out for our best interests. He explains everything accordingly and keeps us informed as much as possible.”
However, you don’t get to choose which agents you work with, so you have no control over how good they are. Other companies let you choose your agent.
Many customers appreciate Trelora’s cost savings
Several positive Trelora reviews focus on savings. One customer said, “We were totally shocked by how much money we could save using Trelora over a conventional agent.”
Customers don’t seem to mind Trelora’s change from a flat fee to a 1% listing fee. This discounted rate is very low and offers legitimate savings.
Trelora also changed its buyer refund from $3,000 to $2,500, but that’s still a great deal compared to what other brokerages offer.
Trelora agents may struggle to provide good service
Trelora agents handle a large volume of transactions — up to 20 times as much as a traditional realtor. Both clients and agents say the volume makes it difficult for Trelora to provide quality service, and agents say it also causes high turnover at some Trelora offices.
For example, this Trelora agent said, “I learned to never devote so much time to an employer as they never appreciate your efforts and hard work. I lost so much time with my family to ensure the operations were running smoothly. And in my life, I have never seen a company get rid of so many new employees.”
The high turnover can negatively impact the customer experience. As this client said, “I used Trelora as a seller and buyer and both quit and left the company and passed me to someone else. After we listed on MLS we barely got any interest or showings.”
Trelora agents have fewer incentives to help you get top dollar
Traditional realtors typically earn a commission, but Trelora agents are salaried employees. They earn the same amount of money no matter what your house sells for, so they aren’t necessarily incentivized to help you maximize your home’s sale price.
As one Trelora employee said, “Part of the reason to be at Trelora is to help save people money, but it means that I’m making less than some other agents would.”
This frustrated customer said, “Incompetent team of hourly workers. My Denver property has been on market nearly 100 days. Errors on Treloras part all throughout.”
Many Trelora agents are very good. But you have a better chance of finding a great agent at a brokerage that compensates agents based on performance.
The best Trelora alternatives
Although Trelora Real Estate is cheaper than a conventional brokerage, the company’s service quality trade-offs make it a riskier option than some of its competitors.
Depending on your price point, situation, and priorities, you may find better overall value with one of these Trelora competitors.
Company | Our Rating | Listing Fee | Availability | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trelora |
1% (min. $3,000)
|
AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, NC, SC, WA
|
Learn More | |
Clever Real Estate |
Our rating
|
1.5%
Min. $3,000
|
Nationwide
|
Find Agents |
Redfin |
Our rating
|
1.5%
Min. fee varies
|
26 states and Washington, DC
|
Learn more |
Ideal Agent |
2%
Min. $3,000
|
Nationwide
|
Learn More |
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking to save on realtor commissions. Its 1.5% listing fee is among the lowest of any full-service, nationwide brand. You’ll save thousands on commission while working with a top local realtor from a well-known brokerage, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. Read the full Clever Real Estate review.
Pros
- 1.5% listing fee is half the typical rate.
- Agents have strong sales records and great customer reviews.
- Free agent-finding platform with no obligation to sign with a realtor.
Cons
- Certain add-ons like drone photography and staging may cost extra.
- May not get matched with the specific realtor you want if they’re not in Clever’s agent network.
Clever Real Estate offers a 1.5% listing fee, half of what realtors traditionally charge. But you’ll still get a top local real estate agent, so you’ll save thousands without sacrificing quality.
How it works: After filling out an online questionnaire, Clever matches you with realtors in your area. You can choose to work with one of the agents, request more agent matches, or walk away with zero obligations.
Why we like it: Clever is the perfect balance of savings and quality: You get all the services and support of a traditional agent, but you pay a fraction of the typical price. By comparing agents, you ensure you’re getting the realtor who’s right for you.
Clever is available nationwide.
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Redfin is a well-known discount brokerage that operates in most major cities. The savings are impressive, especially if you buy and sell with Redfin, but some of its agents are inexperienced. And while Redfin’s tech-focused approach comes with some neat features, it also means you may get less hands-on support than you need.
Pros
- You’ll get good savings with a 1.5% listing fee.
- Redfin’s extras, like 3D walk-throughs, can help sell your home.
- If you buy and sell with Redfin, you can get a 0.5% listing fee refund.
Cons
- Agent quality and customer service are not always great.
- Minimum fees are high in some markets.
- You’ll receive less one-on-one support from your agent.
Redfin offers good commission savings, and it’s available in most metro areas. But it comes up short in terms of customer service, plus its high minimum fees negate the savings in some markets.
Redfin uses a team-based model instead of having your agent oversee every part of your sale. This approach makes the process more efficient, which allows Redfin agents to handle a higher volume of customers. But you may face misunderstandings or mix-ups when working with multiple people.
And while some Redfin agents are good, others are new and inexperienced. With relatively few realtors in its network, you run a higher risk of getting stuck with a less-than-stellar realtor when you sell with Redfin.
Redfin is available in major markets in Washington D.C. and the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia.
Listing Fee
Our take
Overview
Locations
Ideal Agent does a good job of vetting its agents, and it offers decent savings for sellers. But it has a limited service area and a small agent network, which limits your ability to choose the best agent for your situation. Alternative services, like Clever, offer the same service — but with better savings, more coverage, and more agents.
Read the full Ideal Agent review.
Pros
- Matched with top-performing realtors.
- 2% listing fee is a slight discount.
Cons
- Fewer agents makes it harder to compare your options.
- Limited coverage outside of big cities.
- Mediocre savings compared to other brands.
Ideal Agent matches sellers and buyers with traditional agents. The company negotiates 2% listing fees with its realtors and screens them for quality and experience.
A 2% listing fee is decent, but you could save more with the 1.5% that Clever and Redfin offer.
Ideal Agent’s partner realtors are good, but there aren’t very many of them, and they’re mostly located in big cities. There’s no guarantee Ideal Agent will have a realtor in your area, and if they do, you’ll get matched with only one.
Ideal Agent is available nationwide.
Answers to Trelora FAQ
How does Trelora work?
Trelora Real Estate charges sellers a 1% listing fee with a minimum fee of $3,000. Since the company earns less money from each customer, it offsets its discounted rates by having its salaried agents handle 20 times more transactions than the average realtor. How does Trelora stack up against the competition? Check out our rankings of the best low commission companies.
How do you buy a house through Trelora?
When you buy a house with Trelora, you'll work with a team of Trelora employees rather than a single, dedicated realtor. One or more "showing agents" will accompany you on home tours, while your "buyer's agent" will provide remote support for writing an offer and negotiating with the seller. You may coordinate with other Trelora team members for things like scheduling inspections, finding a lender, and shopping for title insurance. Want to save when you buy? Learn how to get a cash-back refund when you find your dream home.
How does Trelora market your property?
If you sell with Trelora, the company will market your property similarly to a traditional brokerage. This includes listing your house on the MLS, advertising your listing on social media sites, and hosting open houses. Looking to save when you sell? Learn how to find a 1% commission realtor.
What states is Trelora in?
Trelora is currently available in select cities in eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington. Selling somewhere else? Find low cost realtors near you!
Why did the owner of Trelora step down?
When Trelora founder Joshua Hunt stepped down as CEO in December 2018, neither he nor the company provided a clear explanation for his resignation. "I have always known that, at some point, I may not be the best person to run the company, and the time has come to find a leader who can maximize and unlock Trelora's true potential," Hunt said at the time.
Under Hunt's leadership, Trelora developed a combative relationship with conventional real estate brokerages. By his own estimate, 40% of traditional realtors refused to show Trelora listings. Hunt's abrasive rhetoric didn't help. Shortly before he resigned, he boasted that Trelora would make traditional realtors "sh*t themselves." Since Brady Miller succeeded Hunt as CEO, Trelora has appeared to tone down its controversial tactics.
Related links
If you’re considering Trelora pros and cons, it’s important to compare all of your discount broker options. Read the following resources to learn about other ways to save.
What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Commission Fees? Trelora offers cheap listing fees, but it’s not the only company offering realtor commission discounts. Find out which company charges the lowest commission fees.
Discount Real Estate Brokers and Agents: Everything You Need to Know: Selling with a discount real estate broker like Trelora 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 to top-rated real estate agents in their area. Learn how their free agent-matching service can help you sell with full-service realtors for just 1.5%.
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