Trelora Reviews: Find Pros, Cons, and Better Alternatives

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  Written by Thomas O'Shaughnessy

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  Edited by Josiah Wilmoth

What is Trelora? | Trelora fees | Buyer rebates | Locations | Trelora vs. traditional realtors | Top Trelora alternatives | Check out Trelora reviews from customers

✍️ Editor’s note (Jan 23, 2023): Trelora recently changed its pricing structure for sellers from a flat $4,000 fee to a 1.5% listing fee. And its max buyer rebate amount has been reduced to $3,000. We’re currently working to update the information and advice in this review to reflect its new pricing and service models.

Trelora Real Estate is a real estate brokerage that advertises discounted commission rates for home sellers, as well as rebates for buyers. 

Sellers pay a flat listing fee of $4,000 or less, instead of the 2.5-3% that agents typically charge. However, as the Trelora reviews we’ll cover illustrate, your potential savings come with significant tradeoffs, and other discount brands may offer a better mix of savings and personalized service.

For example, sellers who work with Clever Real Estate will pay a low 1.5% listing fee. Clever’s free agent-matching service connects you with top realtors in your area, ensuring you never compromise on agent quality or support. Learn how to start saving today!

P.S. If you’re just looking for Trelora Real Estate reviews, you can find them here!

Who is Trelora best for?

Most sellers will find that Trelora isn’t the best option for their home sale. Although Trelora offers decent savings on realtor commissions, the customer service trade-offs are too large to justify.

Trelora agents work with an extremely high volume of clients, and sellers typically work with a different person during each stage of their sale. This lack of individualized attention can lead to costly mistakes and oversights during the sale. 

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.

What is Trelora?

Trelora is a discount real estate brokerage that charges sellers a flat listing fee instead of the conventional 3% commission rate that many realtors charge.

Since launching in Colorado in 2011, Trelora has expanded into select cities in six more states:

• Arizona
• Georgia
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Washington

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

Unfortunately, Trelora quickly made some enemies in the real estate industry. Prior to former Trelora CEO Joshua Hunt’s resignation in 2018, he estimated that as many as 40% of Denver agents refused to show Trelora homes.

During Hunt’s tenure, combative business tactics and controversial marketing strategy marred Trelora’s reputation among traditional realtors. However, the company has taken a somewhat less aggressive approach since Hunt’s departure.

Where does Trelora operate?

As of this writing, Trelora operates in the following areas:

Not in Trelora’s service area, or just want to see what other low commission companies are available? Check out our rankings of the best discount real estate brands — and find a low cost realtor near you!

How does Trelora work?

Trelora’s business model is similar to most discount brokerages. It advertises discounted listing fees and home buyer rebates to attract customers, then offsets the reduced rates by:

• Handling more customers per agent (up to 20x as many!)
• Reducing operating costs with a small team of salaried agents

While many discount brokerages offer percentage-based commission rates, Trelora charges a flat fee, regardless of the final sale price. This means you’ll pay the same amount whether your house sells for $150,000 or $1.5 million.

On higher-end homes, Trelora’s pricing model saves sellers thousands of dollars in listing fees compared to selling with a traditional brokerage. However, it may not save them ANYTHING on homes below $135,000.

How much does Trelora cost?

Trelora charges home sellers a flat listing fee of either $3,000 or $4,000, depending on their location.

Prepare to offer an additional 2.5-3% in buyer’s agent commission, based on what’s competitive in your area.

As the seller, you can advertise whatever buyer’s agent fee you want. However, offering a below-average buyer’s agent commission rate is risky. Realtors won’t be incentivized to show your home to buyers, so it may get less foot traffic. And the less competition you have from buyers, the harder it will be to maximize your home’s sale price.

Trelora learned this lesson the hard way. The company used to encourage sellers to offer a flat amount equal to their agent’s listing fee. The result? Nearly half of local realtors started boycotting Trelora listings, putting sellers at a competitive disadvantage.

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 20x 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.

Selling with Trelora

Selling with Trelora is a very different experience from using a traditional brokerage. However, Trelora’s team provides most of the same basic services as conventional realtors, including:

• Pricing assistance
• Professional photography
• Marketing
• Negotiation support
• Closing coordination

The biggest difference is that you won’t have a dedicated agent who oversees your entire sale. Instead, you’ll work with a different Trelora team member during each stage of the process.

Trelora’s assembly-line approach might be okay for sellers with desirable homes in high-demand markets. If your property ignites a bidding war as soon as it hits the MLS, you’ll be positioned to negotiate favorable terms even if your agent is relatively hands-off.

But if your property is unique, your situation is complex, or you encounter problems, Trelora may not be able to provide the personalized support you need.

For example, if a home inspection uncovers problems that threaten to derail your sale, do you want to be competing with 20x as many other customers for your agent’s attention?

Fortunately, saving on realtor commission doesn’t have to mean sacrificing service quality. Clever Real Estate can connect you with top-rated traditional agents in your area who offer a full-service experience — all for just 1.5%. 

Learn why Clever is the #1 alternative to Trelora!

Trelora Full Service Plus

In addition to its standard selling package, Trelora offers a premium option called Full Service Plus. For a 2% listing fee, the company provides the following additional services:

• 3D walkthrough
• Custom website and marketing strategy
• Paid ads
• Staging consultation
• Drone photography
• Professional home cleaning
• Contractor coordination

At 2%, this plan costs almost as much as listing with a conventional brokerage — but carries a lot more potential service quality tradeoffs.

And compared to Trelora’s standard package, Full Service Plus seems expensive for what you get. On a $500,000 home in Colorado, the premium plan costs $10,000 — more than triple the price of the standard listing package.

Given the limited savings, most budget-minded sellers are likely better off choosing Trelora’s flat fee package and shopping around for premium services included in the more expensive plan.

Buying with Trelora

Trelora also offers savings for home buyers. Qualifying buyers could receive a check for 50% of the buyer’s agent commission after closing, up to a maximum of $6,000.

Since it’s a cash-back rebate, you can use it however you want. Replenish the savings you used to cover your down payment — or spend it on something more exciting, like a new set of kitchen appliances!

Be aware that home buyer rebates are subject to numerous conditions, including state regulations and lender approval. Ask the Trelora office in your area for details about eligibility restrictions before you start the buying process.

Learn more about how to get a home buyer rebate.

Trelora reviews: Pros, cons, and areas of concern

Trelora offers a few advantages compared to traditional, full-price real estate brokerages. But it’s important to weigh Trelora pros and cons carefully. Only then can you decide if Trelora is your best option, or if another discount service provides better value.

Pro: Flat listing fee leads to big savings

A consistent theme among positive Trelora reviews is that the company’s flat-fee pricing structure delivers genuine savings, especially at higher price points.

As this review illustrates, Trelora may be a good fit for sellers who are willing to take a more hands-on role in their transaction in exchange for the company’s low rates.

Unfortunately, as another first-time seller learned, those savings may come at the expense of service quality.

Pro: Solid commission rebates for eligible buyers

If you buy a home with a Trelora agent, you may qualify for a commission rebate worth half of the buyer’s agent commission — up to a maximum of $6,000.

This repeat buyer said the extra savings made both of the homes they purchased with Trelora more affordable.

Con: Mistakes and oversights are more common with team-based approach

The most common Trelora complaint is that the company’s high-volume, team-based approach leads to a frustrating customer experience.

In particular, less-than-stellar communication appears time and again in Trelora reviews. Even satisfied customers comment that the experience is much less customer-friendly compared to using a traditional realtor.

Con: Limited savings for less expensive homes

Trelora’s flat-fee pricing structure offers limited savings on less expensive homes.

In markets where Trelora charges a $4,000 listing fee, you’d pay an effective commission rate of 1.6% on a $250,000 house. That’s a lot cheaper than using a traditional realtor, but it’s middle-of-the pack compared to other discount brands. 

Considering the potential service quality compromises, sellers with less expensive homes may find better overall value with one of Trelora’s competitors.

Area of concern: Trelora’s reputation may put sellers at a disadvantage

Another common Trelora complaint is that the company’s poor reputation causes friction between it and other brokerages. As one Trelora agent explained in a Glassdoor review, “The company has historically taken a combative approach to the industry and that makes it difficult to work with other agents.”

Trelora’s abrasive strategy affected its customers, too. Realtors from other brokerages began refusing to show the company’s listings to buyers, which made it more difficult for sellers to get top dollar for their homes.

Trelora seems to have toned down its combative tactics since Brady Miller replaced founder Joshua Hunt as CEO. As a result, the company’s brand may have fewer reputation issues in newer markets like Missouri and Georgia.

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

Traditional realtors typically earn a commission after a sale, 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.

For example, this seller felt that Trelora pushed them to price their home far below market value so that it would sell quickly.

The best Trelora alternatives

Although Trelora Real Estate is cheaper than a conventional brokerage, the company’s service quality tradeoffs 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.

1. Trelora vs. Clever Real Estate

Clever is an agent-matching service that offers big commission savings WITHOUT the service-quality compromises that typically come with discount brokerages like Trelora.

It pre-negotiates low rates with traditional realtors throughout the U.S. With Clever, you can sell with a top-rated, full-service agent from major brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX for a 1.5% listing fee.  Eligible buyers may also receive cash back at closing. 

We think Clever is your best alternative to Trelora. Find the top agents in your area now!

2. Trelora vs. Redfin

With nationwide brand recognition and a proven savings model, Redfin is definitely worth considering if discounted listing fees are your top priority. Its 1.5% commission rate is more expensive than Trelora at most price points, but Redfin is more established and doesn’t carry the same reputation issues.

Learn more about selling with Redfin.

3. Trelora vs. SimpleShowing

SimpleShowing is a discount brokerage that charges a 1% commission to home sellers. It offers solid listing fee savings and rebates for home buyers. However, it has some of the same tradeoffs as Trelora, including agents that may be too busy to provide personalized customer service.

Learn more about selling with SimpleShowing.

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%.