Homie is a discount real estate brokerage serving Arizona and Utah which replaces the traditional 2.5–3% listing fee with a flat $5,500 rate ($11,000 for homes over $1 million). That pricing structure can mean major savings, especially if you sell a higher-priced home.
But there’s a catch: Homie provides limited in-person support, and sellers are expected to handle many of the tasks a traditional realtor would normally take care of.
By comparison, conventional agents typically offer more hands-on service, including pricing guidance, staging advice, open house coordination, and in-person negotiations. However, those extra services come at a premium, often thousands more in commission.
This guide compares Homie’s low-cost, tech-driven model with the full-service approach of a traditional realtor to help you decide which option is right for your sale.
Bottom line: Better alternatives to Homie exist
Homie isn’t your only option for saving on commission, and it may not be the best one. Flat-fee services like Homie offer limited support and only operate in a few states. Meanwhile, low commission realtor services connect you with experienced, full-service realtors nationwide, often at discounted rates.
Our top pick is Clever Real Estate, which pre-negotiates low 1.5% listing fees with top-rated agents from major brokerages. Buyers may also qualify for cash back after closing, with no hidden fees or obligations. It’s a smarter way to save, without sacrificing service. Simply fill out this short quiz to get matched with local agents today!
Homie vs. realtor: what’s the difference?
When comparing Homie to a traditional real estate agent, the biggest differences are cost, service level, and how much work you're willing to take on.
- Experience: Homie agents work remotely, so you’ll manage much of the selling process, like scheduling showings and filling out listing details. Traditional realtors offer in-person support, helping with everything from staging advice to negotiations.
- Seller savings: Homie charges a flat $5,500 listing fee (or $11,000 for homes over $1 million), which can be much cheaper than the typical 2.5–3% commission. However, it's not always the lowest-cost option. You can find full-service agents who charge just 1.5% through services like Clever Real Estate.
- Buyer savings: Homie no longer advertises a standard commission rebate. Buyers may save if they bundle Homie’s affiliated services, but those deals aren’t guaranteed or clearly outlined. By contrast, some companies offer guaranteed cash back for eligible buyers—no bundling required.
- Services: Homie offers essential real estate services, including MLS listings, pricing support, and professional photos. However, sellers are responsible for many tasks, such as setting up showings and completing forms. Homie’s buyer services are more comprehensive, but buyers must still write their own offers.
- Agent quality: Agent quality can vary in any brokerage. Homie agents are licensed and professional, but often handle more clients due to the flat-fee model. If you want more personalized service, consider using a service that screens agents for experience and customer satisfaction.
Ultimately, Homie can be a good fit for experienced sellers in hot markets, but others may find more value, support, and savings through a vetted low-commission agent.
Selling a home with Homie vs. realtor
💡 Key takeaways
- You typically pay conventional realtors a 2.5–3% listing fee.
- Homie charges a $5,500 flat listing fee—the more expensive your home is, the more you'll save.
- Selling through Homie is more like a for sale by owner (FSBO) experience than a realtor-supported sale.
- Either way, you still likely have to pay the buyer's agent commission when you’re the seller of the house.
Homie vs. realtor pricing
| Service | Listing fee | Estimated savings |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional realtor | 2.5% ($11,250) | $0 |
| Homie | $5,500 | $5,750 |
| Clever | 1.5% ($6,750) | $4,500 |
*Based on a $450,000 home sale. Savings compared to a 2.5–3% traditional listing fee.
For homes under $1 million, Homie charges a flat $5,500 listing fee. That’s a major discount compared to the typical 2.5–3% listing commission.
On a $450,000 home, a traditional agent would cost you $11,250. Listing with Homie instead could save you $5,750. The higher your home’s value, the more you stand to save. But on lower-priced homes—especially under $150,000—those savings shrink.
However, Homie isn’t the only way to save. Clever Real Estate offers full-service agents for just 1.5%, letting you save thousands while getting hands-on guidance and support from top agents at brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. On that same $450,000 home, listing with Clever could save you $4,500—without sacrificing service.
Also, remember that sellers are typically responsible for paying the buyer’s agent commission, which often ranges from 2.5% to 3%. You'll likely pay the buyer's agent fee using any abovementioned services.
Homie vs. realtor: seller services and support
Selling with conventional agents
With a conventional agent, you can expect a thorough walk-through, well-researched comparable market analysis valuations, and reasonable suggestions for improvements and renovations to help you sell for more. They'll make themselves available whenever a qualified buyer shows interest.
Traditional agents get paid when your home sells, and the higher the price, the more they earn. This compensation model motivates them to help their sellers get the best price for their homes.
Selling with Homie Agents
Homie agents handle more volume than a traditional realtor, which means less time for each client. It also makes the relationship more transactional. High volume and quick turnaround are some of the main reasons Homie can afford to offer such low flat fees to sellers.
Homie assigns you a realtor, but you’ll also interact with their office team. You’ll receive a home value report to help set your list price. The Homie market analysis uses the recent sales prices of comparable homes in your area. But that doesn’t work for everyone. It’s only helpful for houses with standard floor plans, features, and square footage. If your home has unique circumstances, it may be difficult to account for those with a Homie analysis.
Homie then lists your home on the MLS, their proprietary listing app, Instagram, Facebook, and other listing sites. You’ll get a yard sign and a lockbox for advertising and showings. Services also include professional photography, virtual 3D tours, 2D floor plans, and drone footage.
Buying with a home with Homie vs. realtor
💡 Key takeaways
- With Homie, you can earn commission rebates but only if you use their suite of add-on home buyer services.
- An agent-matching service like Clever Real Estate can pair you with a traditional agent who offers a rebate with no strings attached. You can shop around to get the best rates for your loan and insurance.
- Traditional agents actively search for homes that meet your search criteria and support you when making an offer.
- When you use Homie, you initiate the offer process with their online tool, which can lead to customer service delays.
Savings with Homie vs. realtor
As a buyer, you don't pay your agent out of pocket. Instead, the seller usually covers their commission through concessions. However, some agents are willing to share part of their commission with their customers through buyer rebates.
Homie has a buyer rebate program, but you must sign up for other services to earn it. It offers a 50/50 commission split to buyers who meet these conditions:
- Finance the new home with Homie Loans
- Use Homie Title for your closing settlement
- Get a home insurance quote from Homie Insurance
Some conventional buyer’s agents are now sharing their commissions with home buyers to remain competitive. But you still have to shop around and then negotiate a decent rate.
Note: Rebates and cash back are currently only allowed in 42 out of 50 U.S. states. Find out if you're eligible for a home buyer rebate.
If you’re buying a home, review all your options. Compare rates and savings from different sources to snag the best deal. Getting back $4,000 or $5,000 isn’t a good trade if you’re paying tens of thousands more over the life of your mortgage because you didn’t get the lowest interest rate.
Services and support from Homie vs. realtor
When you buy with Homie, you receive most of the same services from a conventional agent. However, your Homie agent's support level may not be as great as an agent with a standard workload because Homie realtors handle so many clients simultaneously.
Buying with conventional agents
Traditional agents identify and show you homes for sale that meet your conditions. Then, they draw up an offer when you find a house you want and negotiate with the selling agent as necessary. Finally, they assist you through closing after you secure a successful bid.
Buying with Homie agents
You can start the offer process with Homie's online tool when you find the right home. Of course, you can contact your agent if you have problems, and they'll review it when you're done. But that causes delays, and drafting a winning offer with no experience is challenging.
Unfortunately, it can also lead to missing out on the perfect home, especially in a seller's market. When there's fierce competition, you need an agent who stays on top of listings, notifies you, and submits professional offers immediately. That urgency is best delivered by a dedicated agent incentivized to make the sale. Conventional agents who work for commissions match that profile better than Homie's salaried realtors.
Homie Cash
If you’re buying a home in Homie’s service area, you can apply for Homie Cash to enhance your offer. This finance program loans qualified buyers temporary funds to back an all-cash offer when they find the home they want. Most sellers prefer cash offers over mortgage contingencies. So, offering cash can sweeten the deal and help you beat the competition.
However, it may be an expensive strategy because you'll still need to secure a mortgage to pay for the home. So, you'll be closing out two loans and paying fees on both.
Homie vs. realtor availability
Homie is available in Arizona and Utah. Previously, it was also available in Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada. It's unclear why it no longer covers those three states.
The problem with conventional realtors is narrowing your options and finding the right needle in that colossal haystack.
We always recommend starting your agent search with Clever. Clever Real Estate can help by matching you with vetted agents for free with no obligation. Check out their bios and reviews to narrow your choices, then interview your top selections.
Summary: Homie vs. Realtor
How Homie compares
- Agent pay: Conventional agents work for commissions (2.5–3%). Homie agents earn salaries and charge sellers a flat $5,500 listing fee.
- Availability: Traditional agents are available in all markets nationwide. Homie only serves two states (Utah and Arizona).
- Workload: Homie agents handle a much higher volume of clients than typical agents, which can mean less time and attention for your sale.
- Support: Homie’s selling agents offer remote support. Traditional agents typically offer tailored support, personal attention, and hands-on assistance.
- Value: Sellers confident with a DIY approach like Homie’s can save more money with a flat-fee MLS service.
💰 Want savings and support? Go with Clever. Clever Real Estate matches you with top-rated local agents who offer full service for just a 1.5% listing fee—thousands less than the traditional 2.5–3% rate. Find your agent with Clever today!
