Houwzer Reviews: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives (2024 Update)

✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.

Houwzer is a discount real estate broker in 5 states and DC. They offer a full service at a discounted rate of 1% instead of the conventional 3%. With Houwzer, you can also avail yourself of buyer agent services, mortgage advisory, and title services.

Houwzer agents are salaried. They do everything a traditional agent does for you. Houwzer provides a web portal where you can connect with your agent for any queries related to the sale.

According to Houwzer’s website, their agents handle three times more clients than traditional agents. This may influence the extent of personalized services that Houwzer agents can provide. You should consider this before selling with them.

✍️ Editor’s Take: We recommend listing with Houzeo over Houwzer. Houzeo charges a flat fee of $399 + 0.5% at closing. So, you save thousands in commission. Compare Houwzer vs. Houzeo.

Is Houwzer Legit?

Yes, Houwzer is a legitimate real estate company founded by Mike Maher and Kevin Baird in 2014. They started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and subsequently expanded their business to an additional 5 states along with Washington DC.

In 2016, Houwzer became a certified B Corporation. This means they donate 2.5% of profits each year to area non-profits. Houwzer also requires their agents to volunteer at least 50 hours in their local communities.

As per Houwzer’s website, they have helped home sellers save $40 million in listing commissions. The company though doesn’t have a BBB accreditation.

How Does Houwzer Work?

You can list with Houwzer online. Their user-friendly dashboard ensures ease of navigation, making it accessible even for those who are less familiar with technology. As a seller, Houwzer’s dashboard helps you manage listings, showings, open houses, and offers.

If you want to sell your home with Houwzer, here’s how the process works:

• Fill Out a Questionnaire: Fill in your personal and property details. Additionally indicate if you want to refinance your home or want to buy a home as well.
• Work on Sale: Houwzer’s agents take over the sale. They help you price the home, list it on the MLS, and manage showings.
• Close on Your Home: Your agents also help you to negotiate offers and close the deal.

Typically, it takes 55 – 70 days to sell a home via MLS. You can also expect a similar timeline with Houwzer.

Houwzer Locations

Houwzer is currently available only in 5 states, and Washington, DC. They offer services in the following markets:

• Greater Jacksonville, FL
• Greater Tempa, FL
• Baltimore, MD
• Greater Orlando, FL
• Greater Philadelphia, PA
• South Jersey, NJ
• Greater DC

Houwzer’s Services

» Jump to: For Sellers | For Buyers | Other Services

Let’s look at the services offered by Houwzer to sellers and buyers:

For Home Sellers

Houwzer charges a 1% listing commission, providing savings. Their agent lists your home on the MLS and handles essential tasks. However, as they handle multiple clients, you may get less personalized assistance compared to traditional brokers.

Here’s what Houwzer Real Estate agents do for you:

For Home Buyers

Houwzer helps you through the home-buying process. As a buyer, you will have a dedicated agent. As Houwzer’s agents are salaried and don’t get a commission at closing, you are never rushed into buying a house if you aren’t 100% happy with it.

You will get the following services from Houwzer:

• Access to Houwzer’s web portal
• A customized plan for purchase
• Early access to the listings on Houwzer’s platform
• Home tours with local agents
• Negotiation with sellers
• Paperwork and closing assistance

Other Services by Houwzer

Here are some other services Houwzer provides:

• NewFound Mortgage: This is the mortgage advisory firm of Houwzer. They conduct thorough market research to identify the mortgage lender providing the most competitive interest rates for you. With Houwzer, you can apply for the mortgage online. They claim to get you pre-approval in as little as 24 hours.
• Houwzer Title: The company provides title services through Houwzer Titles. Houwzer doesn’t disclose details about this service on the website. You can email Houwzer to learn more about this service.

How Much Do You Save With Houwzer?

Houwzer charges a 1% commission instead of the traditional 3%. With that, you also have to pay a 3% buyer agent commission and other closing costs. Overall, you’ll pay 6% to 8% of your home’s sale price.

So, if your house sells for $450,000, you pay around $27,000 to $36,000 (at 1%) instead of $36,000 to $45,000 (at 3%). This saves you a good $9,000. Houwzer offers significant cost savings as compared to traditional agents.

However, you can save more with their competitors. Houzeo, for example, charges almost half the listing commission than Houwzer.

» What’s My Home’s Value: You can know your home’s market value with Houzeo’s free Home Worth Estimator. It helps you estimate the amount you will get upon sale.

Houwzer vs. Houzeo

We compared Houwzer with Houzeo on 4 metrics: savings, services, technology, and coverage. Here’s what we found:

• Savings: While Houwzer costs 1%, Houzeo charges $399 + 0.5%. So, you save almost 0.5% commission. The only downside with Houzeo is that the flat fee is paid upfront.
• Services: Houzeo provides you with virtual full-service. They assist you with pricing, negotiations, and closing. In contrast, Houwzer functions as a traditional agent, with agents available to assist you at every step of the transaction. However, the extent of in-person assistance may vary.
• Technology: Honestly, both companies do a great job with their tech. But, Houzeo’s web portal has features like offer comparison. Moreover, Houzeo’s mobile app helps you manage everything on the go.
• Coverage: Houwzer covers 5 states and Washington DC. Houzeo has extensive coverage in 47 states and Wahington DC.

Houwzer Real Estate Reviews

On Google, we found Houwzer reviews for Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Here are Houwzer Google reviews state-wise:

We found many positive customer reviews for Houwzer Real Estate praising their services. But, Houwzer’s bad reviews depict some common complaints regarding the lack of personal assistance.

Houwzer Reviews: Praises

✅ Bo applauded Houwzer’s agent’s outstanding service. He praised the agent’s responsiveness, attentiveness, and high competence in real estate transactions.

✅ David expressed satisfaction with Houwzer’s realtor, for guiding the sale of three houses. He emphasized significant cost savings on commissions without compromising on quality service with Houwzer.

Houwzer Reviews: Complaints

❌ Tom was frustrated with poor customer service, communication, and an unresponsive attitude from his Houwzer agent. He was dissatisfied with the agent’s lack of incentive to sell and reluctance to discuss a new offer.

❌ Avi expressed disappointment with Houwzer. The company’s agent lacked experience selling higher-priced homes in the local neighborhood.

Houwzer Reviews: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of working with Houwzer.com:

👍 Pros

• Commission Savings: Houwzer provides you with an affordable way to sell a home. They only charge a 1% listing commission.
• Houwzer’s Dashboard: You can use this dashboard to chat with your agent and track the listing process.

👎 Cons

• Lack of Personal Assistance: Houwzer’s agents handle multiple clients at once. This results in a lack of personal assistance. This is also reflected in Houwzer’s reviews.
• Lack of Information: Houwzer has not disclosed any details of their mortgage advisory and title service. For that, you have to contact their customer service.
• Risk of Miscommunication: Houwzer does not align you with a single agent. You have to deal with multiple agents at different stages of the home-selling process. This can easily lead to miscommunication.
• Limited Coverage: Houwzer Inc. serves only in Florida, Maryland, South Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC.

Houwzer Competitors

» Jump to: Houwzer vs. Redfin | Houwzer vs. Prevu | Houwzer vs. Homie

1. Houwzer vs. Redfin

Houwzer and Redfin are discount real estate brokerages. While Houwzer charges 1% listing agent commission, Redfin charges 1.5%. Redfin offers a discount of 0.5% on listing commission if you buy and sell with them.

Both companies offer similar services. Redfin outperforms Houwzer in terms of coverage. While Houwzer is limited to 5 states and DC, Redfin has near-nationwide coverage.

2. Houwzer vs. Prevu

Houwzer and Prevu offer comparable services. Houwzer charges a 1% commission and Prevu charges 1.5%. So, you save more with Houwzer. Houwzer boasts superior technology, while Prevu provides extensive in-person support.

It’s important to note that the companies have distinct coverage areas. So, you can choose a company based on your location and preferences.

3. Houwzer vs. Homie

Homie has a straightforward approach with a flat $5,000 fee instead of a commission. Houwzer earlier used to charge the same flat fee. Now, they have transitioned to a commission-based model, charging 1%.

So, if your house’s price is less than $500,000, Houwzer will offer more savings. If it’s more than that amount, Homie offers a better deal.

Discount Realtors Near Me 🔎

Looking for more options? We’ve compiled a list of the best discount real estate brokers in each state. Click on your state to check them out!

Other Options You Should Consider

• Sell to iBuyers: iBuyers make an offer on your property within 24-48 hours and can close within 7 days. Most iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad are also known to offer the fair market value (FMV) of your property. If you’re wondering how to sell your house fast, iBuyers can be a great option.
• Sell FSBO With Flat Fee MLS Services: Flat Fee MLS websites will help you list and sell a house by owner and save thousands in listing agent commission. Many Flat Fee MLS websites will make your listing live within 24-48 hours. They provide maximum exposure, professional services, and paperwork assistance.
• Sell to “Cash for Houses” Companies: Unlike iBuyers, “cash for houses” companies help you sell your house as-is fast. They can even close within 7 days or on any date you choose. Cash-for-houses companies also make cash offers for homes outside metro areas or in difficult-to-sell locations.

Should You Consider Houwzer Real Estate?

Houwzer offers great savings on listing agent commissions. Their online dashboard helps you keep track of your sales. But we feel that for the price you pay, you deserve a more personalized approach.

Due to Houwzer’s salary-based model, your agent might not be as invested in your sale. You may find them unavailable at the crucial stages. Many Houwzer reviews also highlight this issue.

We recommend you to list with Houzeo. Houzeo helps you save top dollar on commission. They are ideal for sellers who need guidance in their real estate transactions. Houzeo’s stellar technology and excellent customer support will make your home-selling experience a breeze!

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 7,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5.

 

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