Table of Contents
Key takeaways:
- HomeLight’s core offering is its agent-matching service that pairs home buyers & sellers with real-estate brokers in their area.
- Its vast network of agents gives greater coverage and more options.
- Its service is majorly automated. But while pairing is done quickly, its reliance on the automated processes may result in poor matches.
What is HomeLight?
HomeLight matches home-buyers and sellers with their local realtors. The service is free and with over 28,000 agents in its network, HomeLight is one of the biggest of its kind in the US.
When you register on its website, a list of local agents will come up in minutes. Users can set up interviews, evaluate options & pick what fits their bill. In case, they don’t like any recommendations, they can simply move out.
Agents on the website are ranked based on their statistics. Everything from the number of houses they have sold to their notable achievements is listed in their ratings. Agents on HomeLight have local connections, are excellent negotiators, and know how to land you that perfect deal.
Even for sellers, local agents are a boon. They are highly knowledgeable about the laws, will help them wade through the series of paperwork, and will get you a good price for your house.
Also read: Alien Tape Reviews
HomeLight Features
Data-based matching: The agents are recommended based on their sales history. So, you may not get matched with a top-notch agent, but with one that has experience selling homes similar to yours.
Objective recommendations: HomeLight reviews over 27 million transactions to make sure that the agent you get is the best of the best.
Multiple choices: Once you have logged in your address, at least three realtors will be shown to you. The choices are many.
Quick and hassle-free: You will get matched in seconds. All you go to do is enter your address and contact number.
Agent interviews: HomeLight allows you to interview the recommended agents and ensure that you get the right match.
Consultants: The platform also has consultants who can answer all the queries of buyers and sellers. These consultants can also be used by realtors, as they collect information on buyers/sellers and pass it on to the chosen broker.
How does HomeLight make money?
Like all agent-matching services, HomeLight’s matching service is free for sellers and buyers. When you pick an agent on HomeLight, they are basically referring that agent to you. This agent pays a referral fee to HomeLight. So, if you end up selling your house successfully through an agent referred by HomeLight, you will have to pay the realtor his/her commission.
HomeLight Reviews: The real side
The website has an average rating of 4.7 across its 1,000+ reviews. This is moderate for an agent matching service. Here’s what users had to say about the platform:
Pros
A wide array of choices: HomeLight reviews reveal that the website matches three agents right off the bat. You can interview and compare them. If you are unhappy with the initial choices then the service gives you more matches – at just the click of a button.
Extensive coverage: The platform has relatively greater coverage in rural areas and small towns than its rivals. The quality of these agents is also quite high, thanks to HomeLight’s algorithm.
Streamlined user experience: HomeLight’s dashboard is user-friendly and enables comparison shopping by giving detailed information about each agent on its dashboard. Not all agent-matching services have a dashboard with customized information.
Cons
No guaranteed savings: While the service is free to use, it won’t save you a lot. Unlike some of its rivals, HomeLight doesn’t offer built-in savings for buyers and sellers. Mostly, you’ll be shelling out the full listing fee to your real estate agent. This typically falls between 2.5-3% of the sale price. This is pretty much the same you’d pay a realtor you found on your own. You can work with discount real estate brokers instead, if you want to save on these commissions.
The automated process can bring poor matches: While the process is fast (faster than all rivals), HomeLight reviews show that it misses nuances. However, so much dependence on tech sometimes results in bad matches glitches and delays. While data is crucial, speaking with a human concierge helps in finding the right fit. HomeLight’s system may match you with the top-selling agent, but what if that realtor turns out to be a misfit for your needs.
Spam alert: Expect to be bombarded with texts, calls, and emails after signing up. HomeLight Reviews show several complaints about receiving a plethora of texts and calls. These are from both HomeLight & the recommended realtors.
Final word
Working with HomeLight has some genuine benefits if you want to work with a realtor. But be wary of the drawbacks that accompany. A service is a good option for those who are moving to a new location and sellers who want to sell their homes real soon. But discount seekers and those who are loyal to their realtors, probably shouldn’t go for it.
