Mellohome Reviews

What is Mellohome?

Mellohome is a loanDepot affiliate that connects sellers and pre-approved buyers with local realtors and other home services.

The company's stand-out offering is its Grand Slam program. This exclusive service gives home buyers cash back after closing if they purchase a home through a Mellohome network real estate agent and finance through loanDepot. You could qualify for up to $8,000 if you're a verified first-time home buyer.

Mellohome can help you streamline the overall transaction by keeping everything in-house. But it’s unclear how Mellohome vets agents and determines which ones to recommend. And by limiting yourself to Mellohome’s partners, you may not get the best deal on each service.

What’s more, you’ll have to negotiate terms and fees directly with the agent, which can lead to you paying higher commissions. Other matching services do that for you, pre-negotiating fees as low as 1.5% with top-rated agents.

Mellohome alternatives

These companies are top alternatives to Mellohome’s agent referral service. Like Mellohome, 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 Mellohome 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 agents, and many are high quality. However, customer reviews suggest experiences with agents can be mixed.

Mellohome services

Agent referral service

Here's how Mellohome connects you with an agent:

1. Contact Mellohome by phone or via online form. A concierge team member will respond within a few days to collect some information about your needs.
2. Buyers must be pre-approved for a mortgage or can pre-qualify for a one through loanDepot. There are no requirements for sellers.
3. Mellohome uses your information and its proprietary data to hand-pick a vetted local real estate agent for you.^[1]
4. Customers work directly with the agent to find or sell a home, with the support of a concierge member and a loan consultant. You’ll have to negotiate a separate contract directly with the agent.
5. After closing, customers may be eligible for cash back through loanDepot’s Grand Slam program, depending on the transaction.

Mellohome’s agent-referral service can be helpful if you already have a loan through loanDepot, or if you want to keep the entire transaction within one company. Its Grand Slam program rewards you with thousands in cash back for doing so (more below).

But you’re only matched with one agent, so you have less control over who you’re working with. It’s also unclear if you can work with someone else if the agent doesn’t fit your needs. And while the matching service is free, you’ll have to negotiate terms and realtor commissions directly. Some agents, such as those in large brokerages, have little wiggle room in their fees.

Grand Slam program

Mellohome’s Grand Slam program gives customers cash back after closing if they purchase a home through a Mellohome network real estate agent and finance through loanDepot.^[2]

You can qualify for up to:

• $3,500 if you sell through a Mellohome agent OR buy with Mellohome and finance through loanDepot
• $7,000 if you sell AND buy with a Mellohome agent and loanDepot financing
• An additional $1,000 if you’re a verified first-time home buyer

Buyers and sellers can also receive $1,000 through loanDepot if the transaction doesn’t close on time.

To participate in the Grand Slam program, home buyers must:

1. Get loan preapproval with loanDepot.
2. Connect with a Mellohome agent.
3. Purchase a home through your Mellohome agent.
4. Finance your home purchase with loanDepot.
5. Get cash back within 30 days after closing.

You also have to close on the home no later than:

• 12 months after accepting a Buy-and-Sell Grand Slam certificate
• 24 months after accepting a Buy Grand Slam certificate
• 6 months after accepting a Sell Grand Slam certificate

The Grand Slam program is only available where Mellohome has a network of real estate agents. Additionally, this offer is not available in Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, or Tennessee.

If you qualify for the Grand Slam program, you’ll want to work closely with your concierge member, agent, and loan consultant to ensure you meet all the terms and conditions.

Other referrals

Mellohome can also refer you to other services. You may receive free bonuses, gifts, or VIP service if you work with one of its partners.

Mellohome partnerships include:

• Free credit score with SavvyMoney
• Home search with ComeHome
• Personal loans with Upgrade
• Home purchase, refinancing, and home equity loans with loanDepot
• Moving services with HomeKeepr
• Home renovation and maintenance with Bosscat
• Home security with Authorized Dealer
• Solar paneling with Lumio

We always recommend comparing options before choosing a service to ensure you find the best fit and value.

Fees

You don’t pay anything to use Mellohome — the service is free, as is typical for referral companies. However, if you use one of the services it refers you to, you may owe a fee to the provider.

For example, if you end up working with an 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, Mellohome doesn’t offer pre-negotiated savings. You can try negotiating the commission rate directly with your agent, but it may be challenging to secure a discount if you don't have solid leverage or negotiating skills. And most agents won’t cut the rate by much.

If you want a guaranteed lower commission rate, consider using an alternative company that negotiates lower listing fees on your behalf.

Agent quality

Mellohome claims to screen and verify all agents in its network to ensure they are reputable, responsive, and aligned with the company’s standards. However, no details on the vetting process are given, and it’s unclear what those standards are.

The service boasts more than 4,000 network agents in major markets across the country. There’s a good chance you can find an agent in your area with the expertise and experience you need. But it’s also important to note that agent service and experience will vary by location.

Also remember that Mellohome connects you with only one agent, but we recommend interviewing at least two or three to find the right fit. The individual agent matters more than the brand, and you’ll want to find a real estate agent with local expertise, relevant experience, clear communication, and positive customer reviews.

Mellohome reviews from customers

Mellohome reviews are mostly positive, giving the service a 4.8/5 across 112 reviews.

Customers are generally pleased with the process overall, and many noted that they were matched with good agents. They also stated that Mellohome reps were knowledgeable and attentive and highlighted the team’s customer service.

We found only one recent negative review, and it related to the service’s Grand Slam program. Here are the common themes that customers shared about Mellohome.

✅ Matched with high-quality agents

Most reviewers were happy with the realtors they were, complimenting their quality, experience, and services.

✅ Professional and knowledgeable team

Several Mellohome reviews praised the company’s staff as being professional, helpful, and knowledgeable, which helped them feel supported throughout the transaction.

✅ Easy, streamlined process

Positive Mellohome reviews also stated that the process was quick and streamlined. In many cases, the transaction went smoother than buyers and sellers expected.

⚠️ Initial Grand Slam program offer was lowered

We found one one-star review of Mellohome, focusing on its Grand Slam program.

Credibility: Is Mellohome legit?

Yes, Mellohome is a legitimate company that was founded in 2018 by Anthony Hsieh as a subsidiary of loanDepot. It is headquartered in Texas.

However, little information about Mellohome exists online — its former website redirects to the loanDepot homepage. It’s unclear to what extent Mellohome currently exists as a separate entity from loanDepot. But customer reviews indicate that as of 2025, the service was still being used to match buyers and sellers with agents.

The most recent news we could find about the company was from 2023, when it launched new partnerships with home improvement companies.[1]

That same year, loanDepot also announced that $1 million had been delivered to customers through Mellohome’s Grand Slam cash back program.[2]

Bottom line: Is Mellohome right for you?

Mellohome can be a good option if you need a real estate agent and are unsure where to start. You’ll especially want to consider the agent-matching service if you’ve already secured a loan through its sister company, loanDepot. For using both services, you can get up to $7,000 cash back after closing, plus an additional $1,000 if you’re a verified first-time buyer.

There’s no cost to seek an agent referral from Mellohome, and its national coverage means you’ll likely find an experienced agent in your area. There’s no obligation to move forward, so there’s little risk in interviewing the recommended agent to see if they’re a good fit for you.

But you’ll only be matched with one agent, and you’ll have to negotiate their commission fee directly. You also have no control over which agent you get matched with, and it’s unclear how you can switch to a new one.

We suggest interviewing several agents, including at least one from a low-commission company. These services, like Clever Real Estate, work with top local agents who perform the same services, only for a lower listing fee of 1.5% (versus the traditional 3%). On average, sellers save $7,000 without giving up quality or expertise.

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