HomeLight Reviews 2025

HomeLight is a free service that connects home buyers and sellers with local real estate agents.

After answering a few questions about your sale or purchase, the company recommends partner agents in your area. You can interview them to find the right fit — or walk away if the matches don’t work out.

Its biggest advantage is speed. HomeLight can match you with agents in minutes, saving a lot of time compared to searching on your own.

Where it falls short is value. Competing services not only connect you with experienced agents just as quickly, but they also offer built-in savings on realtor fees.

For example, Clever Real Estate makes it easy to find a top local agent, and it offers a 1.5% listing fee (half the traditional rate) — saving sellers $7,000 on average. If you're interested in this option, just answer 5 short questions, and we'll send personalized agent recommendations to your inbox.

What is HomeLight?

• 🧭
  How it works: The service matches home buyers and sellers with local agents
• 💵
  Fees: Standard 2.5–3% of the home sale price per agent
• ⭐
  Customer rating: 3.9/5 across 765 reviews
• 📍
  Locations: Nationwide
• ✅
  Benefits: Free service, quick matches, established company
• ⚠️
  Downsides: No commission savings, persistent outreach after signing up

Want options that include built-in savings? Explore alternatives.

Services: How does HomeLight work?

HomeLight’s agent matching process is straightforward for both buyers and sellers:

1. Enter your info. On HomeLight’s website, share details about the home you want to buy or sell, including your price range, location, and timeline.
2. Get matched instantly. You’ll receive up to three local agent matches right away. If none seem right, you can request two more, giving you up to five total options.
3. Compare agent profiles. Each agent’s profile shows their brokerage, years of experience, sales history, achievements, and a map of their transactions in your area.
4. Connect with agents. A HomeLight concierge will usually reach out within a few hours by phone or email to review your matches and can send additional options if requested. You can contact agents directly through the online dashboard, by email, or by phone.
5. Decide who to work with. If you hire an agent, you’ll sign a standard listing agreement or buyer agency agreement before moving forward.

HomeLight’s algorithm generates agent matches based on factors like your price range, location, past transaction volume, list-to-sale price ratio, and prior reviews. While this data-driven approach is efficient, concierges don’t personally verify how well each agent fits your specific needs, which can sometimes lead to mixed results.

The online dashboard is easy to use and helps you compare agents, send messages, and track your sale or purchase progress.

However, expect a high volume of communication — many reviewers say they received frequent calls, texts, and emails from HomeLight and its agents. Some users appreciate the quick responses, while others find it excessive.

Aside from its agent matching platform, HomeLight also provides services for cash offers, home trade-ins, and home loans. Learn about HomeLight's additional services.

Fees

You don’t pay anything to use HomeLight — the service is free, as with all agent matching companies.

If you end up working with a HomeLight agent, you’ll still owe standard real estate commission. Rates vary by market, but expect to pay around 2.5–3% of the home’s price to your listing agent, plus another 2.5–3% to the buyer’s agent.

In the past, sellers typically covered both sides of the commission. But after the 2024 NAR settlement, MLS listings can no longer advertise a set buyer’s agent fee. Instead, buyers must sign an agreement with their agent and can later negotiate for the seller to cover some or all of that cost as a concession. While sellers aren’t required to pay it, many still do to attract buyers.

Unlike a few competitors, HomeLight doesn’t offer pre-negotiated savings. You can try negotiating the commission rate directly with your agent, but most won’t cut it by more than 0.5–1%.

Want a guaranteed lower commission rate? A company like Clever Real Estate may be a better fit. Clever has pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fees with top agents from brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, so you get full service for thousands less. Get matched with the top low-commission agents near you.

HomeLight agents

HomeLight doesn’t appear to require agents to meet any performance criteria. Anyone with a realtor license can join its network, so agent quality can vary.

However, HomeLight does pay attention to feedback — if an agent isn’t doing well, HomeLight is less likely to send clients their way. That helps ensure most agents provide solid service.

Reviews suggest that agent quality is generally strong. Positive feedback often highlights professionalism, quick sales, and helpful support. Negative reviews mostly mention spam calls or the company's misleading marketing, rather than problems with the agents themselves.

HomeLight also has a large, nationwide network, which gives you more agents to choose from. Having more options increases your chances of finding an agent who’s the right fit — someone who has local market expertise, experience in your price range, and a communication style that works for you.

HomeLight reviews from customers

HomeLight reviews are generally positive, with a 3.9 out of 5 rating across 765 online reviews.

Many customers were pleased with their agent matches. They thought their agents met expectations and helped make the real estate transaction easier and less stressful. Some customers also liked how easy it was to use HomeLight’s website and compare agents.

The most common complaint is about HomeLight's misleading marketing for its home value estimator and its cash buyer program. Customers said they signed up for these services and didn't receive the promised services, but instead got inundated with calls and emails from agents.

Here are some examples that highlight top HomeLight review themes:

Positive HomeLight reviews

✅ High-quality agents

Many reviews mention individual agents by name and highlight their dedication, support, and effectiveness at selling fast and for the desired price.

✅ Positive experiences with the agent matching service

Reviewers appreciated that HomeLight made it easy for them to find good local agents and provided helpful customer service.

HomeLight reviews complaints

⚠️ Large volume of calls and emails

One of the most common complaints was about the volume of communication customers received from HomeLight and its agents.

⚠️ Bait-and-switch tactics

Many reviewers were frustrated that the service they signed up for — like receiving a home valuation or cash offers — seemed to actually just be a way for HomeLight to get leads for agents.

Credibility: Is HomeLight legit?

Yes, HomeLight is a legitimate company. HomeLight Real Estate is the largest agent-matching service in the U.S. and a licensed brokerage in California. All agent-matching services are legally required to have an active brokerage license.

HomeLight was founded in San Francisco in 2012 by Drew Uher, who still serves as CEO. The company is now headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

It’s backed by several well-known venture capital firms, including Zeev Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Crosslink Capital, and 500 Startups. In 2021, it was valued at $1.6 billion.[2]

In 2024, HomeLight raised $20 million of new funding for its Buy Before You Sell program.[3] This program has expanded to most states,[4] and Orchard and American Pacific Mortgage now use it to power their own trade-in services.[5][6]

HomeLight has earned recognition across the real estate industry. It received the HousingWire Tech100 Real Estate award in 2020,[7] appeared on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Startup Employers in 2022,[8] and made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies that same year.[9] In 2024, HomeLight’s VP of Growth, Nick Friedman, was named one of HousingWire’s Insiders.[10]

The company also runs its own awards program to spotlight top-performing agents in its network.

HomeLight Real Estate vs. top competitors

These companies are top alternatives to HomeLight’s agent network. Like HomeLight, they connect you with full-service realtors — but they also offer low commission rates.

Clever Real Estate has strict agent vetting, matches you with multiple top local realtors, and provides full concierge support. It also pre-negotiates a low 1.5% listing fee, which can save sellers thousands compared to the standard 2.5–3% you’d typically pay with a HomeLight agent. Eligible buyers may also receive cash back at closing.

Ideal Agent matches customers with agents in the top 1% of their local markets. It offers a reduced listing fee of 2%, which can lead to decent savings but isn't as low as Clever's rate. One drawback is that you’ll only get matched with one agent, limiting your ability to compare and find the best fit.

UpNest works differently by having agents submit proposals and compete for your business. This process can drive down commission costs, though savings aren’t guaranteed. The platform makes it easy to compare multiple options side by side.

Additional HomeLight services

💵 HomeLight Simple Sale: Connect with local cash buyers

HomeLight Simple Sale — sometimes referred to as HomeLight Cash Offers — is a free service that helps you sell your home directly to a property investor or flipper. It’s designed for people who want to sell fast or sell as is.

You’ll enter basic details about your home, such as its age and condition, and HomeLight will compile multiple preliminary cash offers so you can compare and choose the best one.

Most cash buyers will still conduct an in-person inspection. If any issues come up, the final offer may be lower than the initial one — and typically well below market value.

Some customers report being contacted repeatedly by agents when requesting a cash offer. Several reviewers felt the service functioned more as a way to connect sellers with agents than with actual cash buyers.

If you have trouble getting a cash offer through HomeLight, consider trying a comparison service like Clever Offers, which can help you receive multiple cash offers without the pressure to list with an agent.

🔁 HomeLight Buy Before You Sell: Unlock your equity to buy first

HomeLight's Buy Before You Sell program works like this:

1. You get pre-qualified to tap into a portion of your current home equity, enabling you to submit a strong, non-contingent offer on a new home without having to sell your current home first.
2. You can move into your new home right after completing the purchase.
3. HomeLight then partners you with an agent to list and market your previous home over the next 90 days.
4. If it doesn't sell within that period, HomeLight will buy your house for a predetermined amount and continue to try to sell it on the open market.

The program doesn't require any up-front costs, but HomeLight charges 2.4% of the old home's sale price at closing.

We didn’t encounter any glaring issues with HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, but nothing stood out about it, either. We recommend comparing HomeLight's program to other home trade-in services, like Knock.

Orchard used to offer a competing home trade-in service, but now the company's Move First program is powered by HomeLight's Buy Before You Sell product.[5]

🏦 HomeLight Home Loans: Get approved before making an offer

Most lenders only provide pre-approval letters, but HomeLight Home Loans completes full underwriting before you even bid on a home. By guaranteeing financing upfront, HomeLight allows you to make contingency-free, competitive offers to maximize your chances of securing the property you want.

The online loan application can be approved in as little as 30 minutes in qualifying states. HomeLight has dedicated mortgage advisors to help you select the best home loan product for your situation from a range of offerings.

HomeLight Home Loans advertises lower rates than major banks, but we recommend shopping around to ensure you get the best rate.

Bottom line: Is HomeLight Real Estate right for you?

HomeLight is a solid option for quickly finding a local agent. You'll get a few agent recommendations almost instantly. It's a free, no-obligation service, so there’s no risk in trying it out and comparing agents.

However, HomeLight may not have strict standards for the agents it allows into its network. Some competitors, like Clever Real Estate, have high vetting requirements. Agents must have at least five years of experience, a successful sales record, and high customer reviews.

HomeLight also doesn't offer any built-in savings for sellers or buyers. You’ll likely pay the average real estate commission, just as you would if you found an agent on your own.

Clever, on the other hand, pre-negotiates 1.5% listing fees with the agents in its network. That's half the traditional commission rate, and it saves sellers an average of $7,000. Buyers in eligible states get cash back at closing.

If you decide to use HomeLight, we recommend comparing it to a matching service that offers low commission rates before choosing which agent to work with.

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