Houwzer Reviews With real estate commissions often reaching 5-6% of a home’s sale price, many sellers are seeking alternatives that save money without sacrificing service. Enter Houwzer, a real estate company that’s challenging traditional brokerage models with its flat-fee and salaried-agent approach. By charging a set fee for listing services and focusing on streamlined processes, Houwzer aims to reduce costs for both buyers and sellers. This 2024 update of the pros and cons of Houwzer, its unique services, and its position in the real estate market. If you’re considering selling or buying a home and want to understand how Houwzer compares to other options, this guide will provide the details you need to make an informed decision.

What is Houwzer?

Houwzer is a modern real estate brokerage that operates on a unique salaried agent model rather than the traditional commission-based structure. Founded in 2015 in Philadelphia, they’ve expanded to several major metropolitan areas across the United States.

Quick Facts ✓

• Business Model: Salaried agents + Fixed fee structure
• Listing Fee: $5,000 flat fee
• Buyer’s Agent Commission: Standard 2.5-3%
• Service Areas: Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Orlando, and other select markets
• Additional Services: Mortgage, title, and insurance services

Is Houwzer Legit?

Houwzer is a legitimate real estate brokerage founded in 2015, known for employing salaried agents instead of commission-based ones. This model allows them to offer significant savings to clients—averaging around $12,000 per transaction—by charging a flat listing fee and reducing the buyer’s broker commission12. Their high customer satisfaction rates are reflected in a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of nearly 80, indicating strong client loyalty and positive experiences.

How Houwzer Works?

Houwzer operates on a straightforward model:

• Salaried Agents: Unlike traditional brokerages that rely on commission-driven agents, Houwzer’s full-time agents focus on providing quality service without the pressure of sales quotas.
• Flat Fees: They charge a flat fee of $5,000 at closing plus a reduced buyer’s broker commission of 2.5%, significantly lower than the industry standard4.
• Technology Integration: Houwzer utilizes proprietary technology to streamline the buying and selling process, offering a one-stop-shop for real estate transactions, including mortgages and insurance

Houwzer’s Services

For Sellers

Houwzer offers a modern approach to real estate that aims to save sellers money while providing comprehensive support throughout the selling process. Here’s an overview of the key services Houwzer provides to home sellers.

• Pay a flat $5,000 listing fee regardless of home price

Standard services included:

• Professional photography
• MLS listing
• Marketing materials
• Dedicated agent support
• Showing scheduling
• Negotiation assistance
• Settlement coordination

For Buyers

Houwzer provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to assist home buyers in understand the real estate market efficiently and cost-effectively. Their unique business model, which employs salaried agents instead of commission-based ones, emphasizes customer satisfaction and transparency throughout the buying process.

• Traditional buyer’s agent services at no direct cost
• Access to Houwzer’s technology platform
• Option to bundle mortgage and title services

How Much Do You Save With Houwzer?

Houwzer stands out in the real estate world with its flat-fee listing model, allowing home sellers to save thousands of dollars compared to traditional brokerage fees. Rather than charging the typical 5-6% commission, Houwzer charges a fixed fee (often around $5,000) for listing a property, plus a 2.5-3% commission for the buyer’s agent. This flat-rate structure can translate to significant savings, particularly for higher-priced homes.

Houwzer vs. Houzeo

We compared Houwzer with Houzeo on 3 metrics: Business Model, Service Level, and Cost Structure. Here’s what we found:

• Business Model: Houwzer employs salaried agents while Houzeo primarily offers a platform for self-service listings.
• Service Level: Houwzer Reviews provides full-service support throughout the transaction process; Houzeo focuses on empowering sellers to manage their listings independently.
• Cost Structure: Both aim to reduce costs for clients but through different approaches—Houwzer through salaried agents and Houzeo through DIY listings.

Houwzer vs. reAlpha

Houwzer  and reAlpha represent two distinct approaches to real estate investment and transactions, each catering to different market needs.

• Focus Area: reAlpha specializes in short-term rental investments while Houwzer targets traditional home buying and selling.
• Agent Compensation: Similar to Houzeo, reAlpha does not employ salaried agents but rather focuses on investment opportunities in real estate.
• Market Approach: Houwzer emphasizes customer service and savings in transactions; reAlpha centers on investment returns from rental properties

Houwzer Reviews and Complaints

Houwzer got 4.8 stars rating and 385 reviews in Google

Houwzer got Positive review:

We sold out third house with Houwzer in 1 year. Howard Smith was realtor throughout and always provided solid and timely advice on all 3 sales. Having a knowledgeable realtor does matter. The bonus is that we saved significant $$$ on realtor commissions and still came out ahead on sale price.

Houwzer got Negative  review:

These complaints suggest that while Houwzer offers cost savings, potential clients should carefully consider their service expectations and individual needs before choosing this brokerage.

Houwzer Reviews: Pros and Cons

Here’s a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of using Houwzer.com:

Pros

• Commission Savings: Houwzer Reviews offers an economical way to sell your home with a 1% listing commission, significantly lower than traditional rates.
• User-Friendly Dashboard: The platform features a dashboard that allows you to communicate with your agent and monitor the listing process seamlessly.

Cons

• Limited Personal Assistance: Houwzer agents manage multiple clients simultaneously, which can lead to a lack of personalized support, as reflected in customer reviews.
• Insufficient Information: Details regarding their mortgage advisory and title services are not readily available; customers must contact support for more information.
• Risk of Miscommunication: Since clients interact with various agents throughout the selling process, this can increase the likelihood of misunderstandings.
• Geographic Limitations:  Houwzer Reviews operates only in select areas, including Florida, Maryland, South Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Should You Consider Houwzer Real Estate?

Houwzer Reviews offers good savings on listing agent commissions, charging only a 1% fee. Their online dashboard allows you to track your sales easily. However, for the price you pay, you might expect more personalized service.

Because Houwzer uses a salary-based model for their agents, they may not be as invested in your sale. Some clients have reported that agents can be unavailable during important moments in the process, which is a common concern in reviews.