Ideal Agent Reviews 2025

Ideal Agent is an online platform that matches home sellers with dedicated, full-service real estate agents who charge reduced 2% commissions. Customer ratings tend to be positive, with reviewers praising their agent's communication and effectiveness at selling their home.

However, Ideal Agent may not offer the best value compared to competitors, some of which offer both lower listing fees and a wider selection of agents, giving you the freedom to choose the best fit. 

⚡ Need a top-notch agent at a better rate? Answer a few quick questions to get matched with top local agents offering pre-negotiated listing fees of just 1.5% through Clever Real Estate. Compare agents from the major brands like Keller Williams, Berkshire Hathaway, and RE/MAX — with no added fees or obligation to move forward.

Ideal Agent reviews

Source	Average Rating	Review Count
BBB	5.0/5	117
Google	4.8/5	462
TrustPilot	5.0/5	6,387
Yelp	2.1/5	9
Total	5.0/5	6,975

Ideal Agent has a solid 5.0/5 average customer rating from 6,975 reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and the Better Business Bureau.

Themes most commonly mentioned in Ideal Agent reviews

Theme	Portion of Reviews	Percent Positive
Communication and Professionalism	53%	✅ 99%
Guidance and Support	45%	✅ 99%
Results	43%	✅ 100%
Real Estate Expertise	29%	✅ 99%
Agent Selection	28%	✅ 99%
Ease of Transaction	22%	✅ 98%
Savings Value	13%	✅ 95%

Most Ideal Agent reviews highlight the quality of the realtors the company connects them with. In particular, customers note that agents are highly knowledgeable and have excellent advice for selling quickly and for a better price — supporting Ideal Agent' states's claim that they work with the top 1% agents from brands like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker.

While a few scattered reviews mention poor experiences with their agent, Ideal Agent seems to actively uphold agent performance standards. In response to a recent negative customer review, Ideal Agent wrote that they removed a particular agent due to several instances of negative feedback.[1]

Here's how Ideal Agent reviews break down.

In online reviews, customers consistently praise Ideal Agent's ability to connect them with high-quality, experienced local real estate professionals — many of whom are top-performers in the markets, just as Ideal Agent claims. 

• "Ideal Agent matched us with Ed, whose experienced and hard working team helped us"
• "When Ideal Agent advertises, 'we hook you up with top local agents', that is 100% accurate."
• "They hooked me up with one of the top 1% agents in my area"

Reviews also mention the speed and efficiency of the agent matching process, as well as the fact that customer support didn’t end when the seller was matched with an agent. Instead, Ideal Agent checked in to ensure that there were no issues during the home sale process. 

• "I was amazed how quickly and efficiently they connected me to an experienced realtor in the same area"
• "Submitted online request, was connected to fabulous local agent with in hours"
• "My agent was great and Ideal Agent was there with me through the whole process.”

Ideal Agent customers consistently highlight the guidance, support, and communication they receive from knowledgeable, professional agents. 

Agents are described as responsive, accessible, and proactive in their communications — keeping clients informed "every step of the way." Many customers also note that their agents went above-and-beyond in offering support, especially when selling remotely or dealing with complicated situations.

• "He stayed in contact with us throughout the whole process. Days, nights, and weekends, it didn't matter, he was always there!"
• "The agent, Kim, was very professional, kept me informed and was available to answer all questions or concerns"
• "Their guidance through the maze that is the California real estate practice and process was very much needed and appreciated"
• "She advised us, assured us, calmed me down when I was a bit panicked"
• "He held my hand throughout the entire process and every decision I had to make, was informed because of Mark!"
• "I was selling a property out of state and I couldn't have done it without them."
• "He went above and beyond any realtor we've used in the past"
• "She was very helpful, she wanted to help with anything and everything"

Realtors in Ideal Agent's network are also highly praised for their real estate expertise, helping clients price and position their homes appropriately for the market and negotiate favorable terms.

• "From evaluation to inspection to negotiation Mark was incredible. He knew how to price the property and how to market it."
• "Lisa consistently valued my house at $850K ($100K over the other 2 agents). She was right."
• "The agent recommended listing the house about 80K more than I thought it would sell for based on Zillow. She knew the neighborhood and the market that attracted."
• "Priced and marketed our home so well that we sold for $20K more than we thought we would get"
• "When disagreements over the inspection came up she was able to moderate those and get them resolved perfectly"
• "He was super knowledgeable about the housing market and construction"
• "Mike was spot on on his estimate of the property value"

Savings is only mentioned in 13% of Ideal Agent reviews, which is a relatively low percentage compared to other low commission competitors.

Clients who do mention the savings generally have positive things to say. Many reviews express initial skepticism about receiving quality service at a reduced commission rate, followed by relief and satisfaction that they received good service despite the savings. 

• "Using Ideal Agent saved us approximately $18K in realtor fees"
• "We saved a minimum of $17,500, and as much as $28,000, if we would have had to pay the going rate of 6%."
• "Can't beat getting a top notch real estate professional for a reduced commission."
• "I wondered how they could sell at such a low commission, but I wonder no more"
• "We saved thousands of dollars in reduced percentage commission"
• "Saved us a lot of money and we don't feel like we received discounted service"

However, a small number of customers (5%) complain that the advertised 2% commission wasn't entirely accurate — either because the realtor tried to renegotiate or because the seller ended up paying a significant buyer's agent commission on top of their listing fee. 

• "tried to talk me into listing at 3%, NOT the 2% they advertise"
• "The 2% was ONLY if the listing agent also sold the house"
• "still paid over 4% commission, where I believed that would be the top rate"
• "His commission rate when the house finally closed was over 4%"

Ideal Agent customers are consistently pleased with the outcomes from their home sales. Many customers mention that their homes sell within days or even hours of listing, frequently for above asking price. Reviewers also express experiencing smooth transactions from listing to closing. 

• "Ken hustled and we had a solid full price offer in 3 days"
• "Rene made the whole process of selling my house so easy and so fast"
• "This was the most successful, easiest house sale I've ever experienced"
• ""I have never had a sale or purchase of anything, not even shoes, go so smoothly""
• "Within 24 hours of listing I had incredible offers for my home and closed with a cash offer"
• "House sold in 4 days, with one bidding day, several offers all above asking price"
• "We had 2 offers on second day and closed Within 30 days of being on the market at full price"
• "We sold our house in 4 days, above asking too!"

Top Ideal Agent alternatives

Ideal Agent connects sellers with top agents for a 2% listing fee and earns stellar reviews for service quality. However, it only offers one agent match and no buyer incentives, which limits flexibility. If you're looking to compare more options or save more on commission, consider these top alternatives:

• Clever Real Estate offers a low 1.5% listing fee and full-service agents from top brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. You can compare multiple agent matches, and buyers may get cash back in eligible states. It’s a top choice for those who want savings and service.
• UpNest is a realtor marketplace where agents compete for your business. Fees vary, but some agents offer reduced commissions or buyer rebates. It offers more choice than Ideal Agent but less pricing certainty than Clever.
• Redfin offers 1.5–2% listing fees and a robust tech platform, but service quality varies. Agents are salaried and team-based, which may lead to a less personalized experience. Reviews are also mixed compared to Clever or Ideal Agent.
• 1 Percent Lists offers a low 1% listing fee with full service, making it a great pick for budget-conscious sellers. However, agent quality and availability vary by location. Unlike Clever, it doesn’t offer buyer rebates or multiple agent matches, and some offices may have minimum fees.

These alternatives offer more flexibility, potential savings, or agent choice than Ideal Agent — making them worth considering if you want to compare services before committing.

What is Ideal Agent?

Ideal Agent is an online platform owned by Steve Johnston. It was founded in 2016 and is based in Tampa, Florida. In 2023, it earned national recognition by ranking 91st on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.[2]

The company helps sellers find real estate agents in their area who have agreed to work for a discounted rate of 2%, lower than the national average commission rate of 2.82%. 

Ideal Agent isn’t a brokerage and doesn’t directly employ agents — instead, it partners with top-performing agents from well-known brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, and others. The company claims to work only with agents in the top 1% of their local markets, and its customer reviews largely back that up.

After submitting your information, a concierge contacts you, gathers details about your home sale, and introduces you to a single recommended agent in your area. If you’re unhappy with the match, you can request another — but options may be limited, especially in smaller markets, since Ideal Agent maintains a relatively small network to preserve its quality standards.

In addition to pairing home sellers with a real estate agent, Ideal Agent's customer support team remains in contact during the home sale process to ensure that customers are satisfied and any issues are resolved.

How Ideal Agent works

Getting matched with an agent

1. You can request an agent by filling out an online form on IdealAgent.com. The form asks for details like the type of property you're selling, its estimated value, and your preferred selling timeline.
2. You’ll receive a phone call from an Ideal Agent concierge. The concierge will discuss the benefits of working with the company and gather more information about your needs. They'll use this information to match you with a qualified agent from Ideal Agent's network.
3. The concierge then connects you to your agent via email. Your agent will follow up with a personalized introduction and schedule a time to talk.
4. If you decide to work with the agent, you'll sign a formal listing agreement and start the selling process. During this process, an Ideal Agent representative will check in via phone to see how things are going.
5. If you’re unhappy with your match, you can request a new agent. But because of Ideal Agent's small network, your options may be limited. If you choose not to sign a listing agreement with your agent, you can walk away.

Selling with Ideal Agent

We confirmed via phone call that Ideal Agent requires agents in its network to offer full-service representation for home sellers. Typically, this includes:

• Pricing guidance, including a comparative market analysis (CMA)
• Professional photography
• Comprehensive marketing
• Professional photography
• Advice for home staging
• Showings and open houses
• Home inspection and negotiation support
• Help to review offers and make counteroffers
• Title transfer assistance
• Help with paperwork and closing

Buying with Ideal Agent

Ideal Agents doesn't advertise its service to home buyers or offer buyers any savings. Customers looking for a more buyer-friendly brokerage may wish to look elsewhere.

Several well-rated real estate companies offer savings in commission maximums or home buyer rebates, which may be applied toward closing costs or simply given as cash after closing.

How much does Ideal Agent charge?

Ideal Agent charges sellers a 2% listing fee, slightly lower than the average real estate commission of 2.82%. However, it's higher than many other low-commission real estate options.

There is also a $3,000 minimum fee. This won't impact most sellers, but it does mean that if you sell a home for less than $150,000, you would pay $3,000 instead of 2% of the sale price.

Unlike several other discount brokerages that offer financial incentives for home buyers, Ideal Agent gears its savings exclusively toward home sellers. Buyers who use the platform to find an agent will pay the prevailing commission rate for their market.

🤔 What about the buyer's agent commission?

As a seller, remember that you might need to pay the buyer's agent a commission — something that not all customers realize when they see Ideal Agent's advertised 2% commission rate.

Previously, sellers could set the commission rate they paid to buyers' agents, but after a 2024 NAR lawsuit and settlement, buyers now negotiate a commission rate directly with their agents and write it into their representation agreement before touring homes.

Despite this shift, many buyers still can’t afford to pay their agent directly, meaning they’ll ask the seller to cover that fee as a closing concession. Failing to offer buyer agent compensation could result in fewer showings, weaker offers, or longer time on market, especially for first-time or cash-strapped buyers.

Not offering buyer agent commission can be done, but it should be part of a strategic pricing and negotiation plan. In most cases, offering it as a seller-paid concession creates clarity, avoids surprises, and helps attract more qualified buyers, says Shane Parker of S&P Realty.

The average buyer's agent commission nationwide is 2.75% of the home's sale price, though it varies by location. According to data from Redfin, buyer agent rates have fallen slightly since the NAR settlement.[3]

Ultimately, whether or not you offer buyer agent compensation (and how much) should align with your pricing strategy, local norms, and your willingness to negotiate.

Bottom line: Is Ideal Agent right for you?

Whether Ideal Agent is right for you depends on whether you mesh well with the agent you get matched with and the emphasis you place on commission savings.

Customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the caliber of agents Ideal Agent matches them with. And since the service is free to use, there's no downside to signing up and seeing who you are paired with.

Where Ideal Agent may come up short is in savings. Its 2% listing is only marginally lower than the industry average, and there are no financial incentives for buying with an Ideal Agent realtor.

In our opinion, Ideal Agent is absolutely worth checking out. However, we also suggest contacting a couple of other low-commission brokerages for comparison. Alternatives like Clever Real Estate have equally high customer ratings but charge lower 1.5% listing fees, plus modest cash back rewards for buyers. So you could potentially save a lot more while still getting a top-notch agent.

Remember, you're hiring the individual, not the brand. Go with the agent that offers the best combination of experience, savings, expertise, and rapport.

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