How much can I save by buying with Clever?

Eligible Clever buyers will receive a Clever Cash Back check for 0.5% of their new home’s purchase price within approximately 30 days after closing.

Clever Real Estate Reviews (2023): How It Works, Pricing, and Alternatives

Read Clever reviews | Seller savings | Buying with Clever | Who should use Clever? | Info for agents

What is Clever Real Estate?

Clever Real Estate is a nationwide service that matches you with top-rated, local real estate agents and helps you save thousands on commission fees.

Clever matches you with multiple agents from major brokerages, like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, so you can compare your options and choose the right fit. Using Clever is free, and there are no up-front costs or hidden fees. If you're a seller, you'll pay your agent only if and when your home sells. Buyers don’t pay any fees.

When you sell with Clever, you get full service and support for a low 1.5% listing fee — half the usual rate. When you buy with Clever, you also get full service and support. Plus, in most states, you can get cash back after closing to help pay for your move.

⚡ Looking for a real estate agent near you? Take this short quiz to get matched with agents in your area who work for just a 1.5% listing fee.

Clever at a glance
Customer rating	4.9 (1,995 reviews)
Listing fee	1.5% (min. $3,000)
Avg seller savings	$7,000*
Cash back for buyers	✅**
Locations	Nationwide
Compared to a 3% listing fee *On eligible purchases in 41 of 50 U.S. states

Who should use Clever?

If you're looking for the best agent to sell your home, Clever Real Estate is a great choice. Clever matches sellers with top-producing local agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams, Compass, and RE/MAX. It helps you compare options and choose the best fit.

Clever is also a good option for sellers who are looking to save money on real estate commissions. When you find your agent through Clever, you'll pay a low 1.5% listing fee, about half the usual rate! Learn how much you can save selling with Clever.

Clever also matches home buyers with top-rated, local agents who have extensive experience in their area and price range. Because sellers are typically responsible for paying the buyer's agent fee, home buyers will receive full service and support from an agent at no cost. Get matched with top buyer's agents near you.

Is Clever Real Estate legitimate?

Yes, Clever is a well-established, nationwide discount real estate company and licensed brokerage in Missouri. Clever Real Estate reviews from customers are very positive, with an average customer rating of 4.9/5 based on 1,995 total reviews. Clever has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

🔎 Clever fast facts
BBB rating	A+
Year founded	2017
Agent network size	19,000

Since launching in 2017, Clever has partnered with more than 19,000 real estate agents across the country and helped home sellers and buyers net more than $60 million in total commission savings.

How does Clever Real Estate work?

Clever’s agent matching service is fast and easy to use. Here’s how it works:

Sign up by filling out a simple form on Clever’s website.
Provide some basic info about your sale or purchase (e.g., timeline, estimated price, what you’re looking for in an agent) to help inform your agent matches.
A fully licensed Clever Concierge reaches out via phone, usually within a few minutes. They'll learn more about your needs and preferences and answer any questions you might have (note: you can opt to skip the phone call if you prefer).
Clever’s team uses your information, along with data-backed insights from its matching algorithm, to handpick the best local agents to suit your situation and needs.
You can opt to receive your agent matches via text message, email, or both. You can also view and contact them in your Clever dashboard.
Once your agent matches arrive, you can set up interviews with your agents to compare your options and choose the best fit. You can also request additional matches or simply walk away.
If you’re selling, once you choose your agent, you sign a listing agreement and hit the ground running. Your agent will provide the same full-service experience for half the typical rate!
If you’re buying, once you choose your agent, they’ll provide full service and support throughout your entire purchase. And if you qualify, you can get cash back after closing!

🤝 Clever’s Concierge Team

Every member of Clever’s Concierge Team is a fully licensed real estate agent. That means your Clever Concierge is a secondary resource for expert guidance and advice throughout your entire sale or purchase. And that’s in addition to helping match you with the perfect agent and ensuring you get a world-class selling or buying experience.

How good are Clever Partner Agents?

Clever partners with highly rated agents from top regional brokerages and major brands, such as Keller Williams, Compass, and Berkshire Hathaway.

To join Clever’s network, agents and brokers must meet the following minimum criteria:

An active real estate license
5+ years of real estate experience
Great reviews from past sellers and buyers
A proven track record of success in their local market
Excellent communication and responsiveness

Once an agent joins the network, Clever’s team continually monitors performance and customer satisfaction. If an agent doesn’t consistently deliver world-class service and results, Clever stops sending them customers.

» MORE: Why do agents work with companies like Clever?

Selling a house with Clever

Clever’s Partner Agents have agreed to lower their typical rates, but you’ll still get the same full-service experience they provide their full-commission clients.

What does full service include?
Comparative market analysis (CMA)	Help with offers and counteroffers
Pricing strategy	Home inspection and negotiation support
Advice for home staging	Help with paperwork and closing
Professional photography	Title transfer assistance
Comprehensive marketing	Ongoing expert guidance
Showings and open houses	And more!

💰 How much can I save by selling with Clever?

Clever sellers save about 50% on listing fees — or about $7,000 on average. Clever offers some of the lowest listing fees and biggest average commission savings for a full-service real estate brand in the U.S.^[1]

» SAVE: List with a top agent for just 1.5%

All Clever Partner Agents have agreed to provide 100% full service and support for a low 1.5% listing fee. That’s up to half the typical 2.5–3% rate most agents charge for the same level of service.

You should expect to offer a buyer’s agent commission as well to incentivize agents to show your home. Typical buyer’s agent commission rates vary by location and home type, and buyer’s agent commission is negotiable — but 2–3% is a common range nationwide.

In other words, when you sell with Clever, you can expect a total commission fee between 3.5–4.5% — which is 20–35% less than the current average realtor commission rate of 5.4%.

On a $500,000 home sale, finding your agent through Clever could save you approximately $7,500!

	Traditional agent	Clever
Listing fee	$15,000*	$7,5000
Buyer’s agent fee**	$15,000	$15,000
Total commission	$30,000	$22,500
Total savings	$0	$7,500
Assumes a 3% listing fee *Assumes a 3% buyer’s agent fee

📢 A few quick (but important) notes about Clever's fees

You never pay Clever a fee.
Clever sellers pay their Clever agent only if and when the agent successfully sells their home.
Clever buyers never pay a fee to anyone because the buyer's agent fee typically comes out of the seller’s sale proceeds.

» MORE: Learn more about Clever's savings

Buying a house with Clever

When you buy with Clever, you’ll get matched with a local, full-service buyer’s agent from a major brand or regional brokerage.

In addition to all of the services you’d expect from a traditional buyer’s agent — like showings and help with offers, negotiations, paperwork, and closing — you’ll also get:

Real-time MLS alerts: Instant notifications when a home matching your criteria is listed on the MLS.
On-demand showings: Tour any MLS listed home whenever you’d like. You can see a property in as little as one hour.
Clever Cash Back™: If you’re buying in a qualifying state, we give you money back to help cover your move.

Where is Clever Cash Back available?

Clever Cash Back is available in 41 out of 50 U.S. states. Buyers in the following states aren't eligible for Clever Cash Back:

Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee

Clever Cash Back purchase price criteria

When you:	Clever Cash Back
Buy with Clever	$250
Buy and sell with Clever	$500

🔎 Advantages of cash back over commission rebates

Some discount real estate brands, like UpNest, advertise “commission rebates” — also known as “home buyer rebates” — which come directly out of the agent’s commission fee. Unfortunately, they’re subject to numerous terms and restrictions.

Cash back rewards, like Clever Cash Back, usually come out of the agent matching service’s referral fee, which means less red tape and complications for you.

✅ Cash back	⛔️ Buyer rebates
Legal only in certain states	Legal only in certain states
Doesn't require lender approval	Usually requires lender approval
Can be spent however you want	Issued as credits and can be used only in certain ways (e.g., to cover closing costs)
Guaranteed in full on eligible purchases	Never guaranteed in full

» MORE: Learn how home buyer rebates and cash back programs work

How does Clever make money?

When a Clever Partner Agent closes a deal for a Clever customer, Clever takes a portion of that agent’s commission on the sale. This is called a referral fee, and it's how all agent matching services make money.

As a consumer, you benefit from this arrangement because it allows Clever to offer its agent matching service for free.

Agents benefit because it’s a low-risk, low-cost way for them to boost their real estate transaction volume, reputation, and revenue stream.

Why do real estate agents work with Clever?

One of the biggest expenses for real estate agents is finding new customers, since many sellers don't know how to find a good real estate agent. Clever provides a steady stream of introductions to serious and motivated potential clients, which helps agents spend more time closing deals instead of looking for clients.

In effect, the higher volume of transactions — and zero up-front costs (agents pay Clever a referral fee only if and when a deal closes) — means agents can charge less and earn more. Those savings are passed along to sellers and buyers in the form of a reduced commission rate or cash back after closing.

The increased volume of business also helps agents build their brand in their local real estate market. This boost to their stats, visibility, and reputation ultimately helps them get more traditional, full-commission referrals and listings.

💡 How can I be sure I’ll really get full service?

Clever’s Concierge Team continually monitors its Partner Agents’ performance. If they see or hear about a Partner Agent skimping on service or support, that agent is removed from Clever’s network. Additionally, agents live and die by their reputations. One bad online review from a mistreated customer could impede their ability to attract new business for years.

Clever Real Estate reviews from real customers

Clever Real Estate reviews online are overwhelmingly positive. Clever has an average customer rating of 4.9/5 across 2,000+ reviews on independent review site Trustpilot.

Below are a few excerpts from recent Clever Real Estate reviews from real customers. You can view all of Clever's reviews on Trustpilot.

Saved $10,000

I was very nervous about using Clever at first but I am so glad I did. It saved me over $10.000 at closing. I had a very very
good team helping me sell my late sisters home. There were very few issues and we were able to close 11 days early. I would highly recommend using Clever. The seller and buyer agent fee savings is definitely worth it. instead of paying 6% I only paid
3% which really saved thousands at closing. Very happy customer and I will use them again and again for all my buying and selling needs.

“Using Clever made everything simple”

I wanted to sell my house fast and without a hassle of trying to find myself a realtor on my own. I found Clever and got matched
with two real estate agents in my area. The agent I chose had 10+ years of experience and was great to work with. While dealing with the agent directly, Clever's staff checked in to make sure everything was going smooth and to make sure I had no issues.
Overall, using Clever made everything simple and I would recommend and use them again.

“They do precisely what they claim”

I read about Clever in a business publication and kept wondering what the catch was. After using this service I can promise you there isn’t
one. They do precisely what they claim. They lower commissions on real estate transactions. Clever provides a choice of multiple real estate agents and their concierge service follows through to insure satisfaction. Bottom line, Clever saved me $9,000
in commissions. I’m recommending this service to everyone in my family.

Find the perfect agent, save thousands!

Try Clever’s free agent-matching service today.

Compare Clever to alternatives

Clever and its mystery shoppers spent more than 1,500 hours researching real estate agent matching services and discount brokerages to deliver the best reviews in the industry. Our reviews are continuously updated to ensure you have the latest information to inform your decisions.

Read on to see how Clever compares to the competition.

Company	Built-in savings?	Avg. rating
Clever	✅	4.9
Redfin	✅	3.7
Ideal Agent	✅	4.9
UpNest	❌	4.6
HomeLight	❌	4.5

Due to its nationwide coverage, top-rated agents, and best-in-class rates, Clever is a great choice for most home sellers looking to save on realtor fees without sacrificing service. It's also a great choice for most buyers looking for a top-rated agent and some cash back.

That said, it’s always worth evaluating several options before making a final decision to get the best fit and value.

» MORE: Which real estate company has the lowest commission?

Redfin vs. Clever

Redfin is a well-known discount brokerage that advertises 1.5% listing fees for sellers, though minimum fees apply. It also offers commission rebates for buyers in select markets.

Redfin agents are salaried, in-house employees who handle roughly three times more customers than the typical realtor, which may limit their ability to provide hands-on service and support. With Clever, you’ll work directly with a top-rated local agent from a conventional brokerage like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Century 21.

» MORE: Read the full Redfin review

Ideal Agent vs. Clever

Like Clever, Ideal Agent is a free, nationwide service that matches you with top-rated local agents and negotiates commission discounts on your behalf. But there are some important differences.

Ideal Agent pre-negotiates 2% listing fees with its partner agents — while sellers who work with Clever pay just 1.5% in listing fees.

Ideal Agent also matches you with only one agent. With Clever, you’ll get multiple agent matches to compare so you can choose the best fit.

Additionally, Ideal Agent offers no cost benefits for buyers. Clever offers cash back for eligible buyers.

» MORE: Read the full Ideal Agent review

UpNest vs. Clever

UpNest is an online real estate platform where local agents submit proposals and compete for your business. The idea is that the artificial competition drives savings, meaning discounted rates for sellers and rebates for buyers. But these savings aren’t guaranteed and tend to be relatively limited.

We enlisted the help of mystery shoppers to try out UpNest’s service. Our shoppers found that the price quotes in most proposals were generally comparable to market rates. The lowest listing fee was 2% vs. the typical 2.5–3% rate. In other words, UpNest’s best case scenario didn't match Clever’s 1.5% listing fee.

» MORE: Read the full UpNest review

HomeLight vs. Clever

HomeLight is a well-known agent matching service in the U.S., and, like Clever, it matches you with top-rated local agents for free.

Both services are fast and easy to use, give you multiple agent matches so you can compare options, and work with full-service agents from major brands and top regional brokerages. In fact, Clever and HomeLight work with many of the same agents.

There’s one major difference: HomeLight offers zero built-in cost savings.

When you find your agent through HomeLight, you’ll pay the full listing commission — likely whatever the competitive rate is in your area (usually between 2.5–3%). In short, Clever can help you work with those same top-rated agents for half the price!

» MORE: Read the full HomeLight review

Next steps: Talk to a real estate expert

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house and weighing your options, Clever can help!

Our fully licensed Concierge Team is standing by to answer your questions. They offer free, objective advice about how to sell or buy your next home, given your specific goals and situation.

Give us a call at 1-833-2-CLEVER, or contact us via the form below.

Additional resources

It’s also worth exploring other home selling approaches before choosing to list with a discount brokerage. These resources can help you understand all of your options so you can make a more informed decision.

How to become a Clever Partner Agent

👋 Looking to grow your real estate business?

Are you a top agent? Join thousands of realtors growing their business with Clever.

✅ Qualified clients ready to buy or sell.

✅ Grow your brand with more listings.

✅ Clever is free to join — never pay for a lead up front.

Ready to see if you qualify to join Clever's partner network?

» JUMP: Go back to the top of this page