Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Houwzer?

Houwzer is a next generation real estate brokerage. With Houwzer, you get everything you need to successfully buy or sell a home, at a fraction of the cost from a traditional real estate brokerage. Get the top 1% of agents who do 100s of deals per year, white glove customer service, and a tech platform that streamlines the whole transaction while baking in 100% transparency.

How is Houwzer different from other brokerages?

Houwzer charges a fraction of what traditional real estate brokerages do (1% commission compared to 2-3%). We employe the top agents, rather than just contracting them, and we give them the tools to be more successful than agents at traditional brokerages. As a result, our agents do more deals than a traditional agent, giving them more experience to succeed, while delivering a better experience for our clients.

With Houwzer, you get:

Exceptional service: Explore the glowing reviews from countless satisfied clients. We’re happy to provide direct connections to references if requested.

Low fees: Buyer and Sellers save an average of $12,000 with our low, honest fee.

Top 1% agents: Our local agents specialize in every step of your sale, enabling them to handle more transactions than the national average. You’ll have an expert guiding you through every step of your transaction.

Modern technology: We built technology from the ground up that provides you with 100% transparency into your real estate transaction, while streamlining the whole process.

How is Houwzer different from other discount brokerages like Redfin?

We provide superior service at a lower cost than Redfin. Our agents gain experience faster than Redfin agents based on deal volume. This is all made possible from our in-house technology that simplifies an otherwise complicated process. You can count on our top 1% agent team, available seven days a week.

What is a low commission realtor?

A low commission realtor is a licensed real estate agent who charges less than the traditional 5–6% total commission. Houwzer’s listing fee is just 1% — full-service, with a salaried agent, professional photography, MLS listing, negotiation support, and a transaction team. Sellers save an average of $15,000+ compared to traditional 6% agents.

What is a discount brokerage, and is Houwzer one?

A discount brokerage is a real estate company that charges below the traditional 5–6% commission. Yes, Houwzer is a discount brokerage — though we believe the term sells our model short. We’re a full-service brokerage that uses in-house technology and salaried agents to deliver the same service for a fraction of the cost. You get an experienced licensed Realtor®, MLS listing, professional photography, and negotiation support, all included in the 1% listing fee.

What is a 2% commission realtor — and how does Houwzer compare?

A 2% commission realtor charges 2% on the listing side, vs. the traditional 2.5–3%. Houwzer charges just 1% — half what 2% brokerages charge. On a $500,000 home, that’s $5,000 more in your pocket vs. a 2% realtor, and roughly $20,000 more vs. a traditional 6% realtor.

How do low-cost realtors offer such low fees?

Three ways: (1) technology that automates document handling and scheduling, (2) salaried agents who don’t need a 3% commission to make a living, and (3) online operations that eliminate expensive office overhead. Houwzer combines all three. Our agents handle more transactions per year than the average traditional agent, gaining experience faster while we pass the cost savings to you.

Are low commission realtors legit?

Yes — Houwzer is a fully licensed real estate brokerage, and our agents are licensed Realtors® subject to the same regulations as agents at any traditional brokerage. The difference isn’t in our credentials; it’s in our pricing model. Houwzer has helped thousands of clients buy and sell homes across 19 states, and we maintain a 4.9-star average rating across more than 1,100 reviews on Zillow and Google.

How much can I save with Houwzer's 1% listing fee vs. a traditional 6% realtor?

On a $500,000 home, you’d pay $30,000 in commission with a traditional 6% realtor. With Houwzer’s 1% listing fee plus the typical 2–3% buyer’s agent commission, you’d pay $15,000–$20,000 total — saving $10,000 to $15,000+. The savings scale with home price: a $1M home can mean $30,000+ in savings.

How do I find a low commission realtor near me?

If you’re in one of Houwzer’s 19 service states (PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, DC, FL, CO, TX, GA, AL, AZ, IL, IN, NC, SC, OH, TN, WA), you can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at houwzer.com — your assigned agent is a salaried, full-service Realtor® who lives and works in your local market.

Does Houwzer offer a buyer rebate?

Yes. Houwzer charges buyers a 1% commission on the purchase. When the seller offers a split commission above 1% (which is typical), Houwzer rebates the difference back to you at closing — meaning you can earn thousands at closing on top of your savings. Ask your Houwzer team for details based on your specific transaction.

Fees & Commissions

What is Houwzer’s selling fee?

Houwzer charges a 1% commission to sellers, paid at closing. Compare this to 2-3% that traditional real estate brokerages charge. All with no hidden fees along the way. Our clients save $12,000 on average.

What is Houwzer’s buying fee?

Houwzer charges a 1% commission to our buyers when the seller doesn’t offer a split commission. This means our buyers would never have to pay more than 1% out of pocket. 

If the seller is offering a split commission, you may be eligible for a cash rebate. Ask for details! 

What does the listing fee cover? Are there any hidden charges?

    Our 1% listing commission pays for everything you’d expect from a traditional brokerage. Signs, photography, open houses, negotiation, contacts, etc. Learn more about selling with Houwzer.
  • We advertise your home in the MLS and on Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, Realtor.com® and 100’s of other sites.
  • We use professional photographers to photograph your home to highlight its best features and stand out.
  • We use social media marketing to attract interested buyers
  • You’ll collaborate closely with a team of skilled agents who specialize in pricing, negotiation, and contracts. They’ll be by your side throughout the entire transaction, advocating on your behalf to ensure a successful sale of your home.

What does the buyer fee cover? Are there any hidden charges?

    Our services covers everything you’d expect from a traditional brokerage. 
  • Unlimited home showings
  • Custom home alerts
  • Offer submissions and experienced negotiations advocating on your behalf 
  • A transaction management team ensuring every i is dotted and t is crossed.

How can you charge such low fees?

Our in-house technology streamlines the otherwise complicated process of buying and selling homes. This frees our team up to handle more transactions, which in turn gives our team more experience and makes the whole process more efficient. This help us to cut our costs, which we pass on to you. 

Do I need to pay anything upfront?

Never. We only get paid when you successfully buy or sell your home.

Contact

Who is on my Houwzer team?

Our team consists of experts in every stage of the process, covering pricing, negotiation, showings, and inspections. Visit the team page to get meet the individuals who will be assisting you.

How can I schedule a showing or tour of a home?

You can give us a call anytime and we’ll connect you with the top agent in your area.

How can I schedule a listing consultation?