Frequently Asked Questions

Clever Real Estate connects home sellers and buyers with top-performing local real estate agents at pre-negotiated reduced commission rates. Sellers who list through a Clever partner agent pay a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum) instead of the typical 2.5–3%.

Clever was founded in 2017 in St. Louis, MO. Since then, the company has matched over 200,000 customers with agents across all 50 states and facilitated more than $15 billion in real estate transactions. 

Sellers can also request competing cash offers from vetted investors and iBuyers through their Clever agent (alongside a free home valuation). You can accept a cash offer and close on your timeline, or list on the open market at the 1.5% rate.

Finally, Clever also publishes free educational content, including reviews, guides, and original research, to help consumers make better decisions. Find top-rated agents and save thousands on commission.

Yes. Clever is a licensed real estate brokerage with an A+ BBB rating and a 5.0-star average on Trustpilot across 4,000+ verified customer reviews. The company has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and other major outlets.

Clever partners with agents from established brokerages (Keller Williams, Century 21, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, eXp Realty, and hundreds of top regional firms), not independent or unproven operators. Every partner agent must meet minimum experience, performance, and customer satisfaction standards before joining the network.

» READ: Clever Real Estate reviews: what actual customers think

The process takes a few minutes to start and is free with no commitment:

1. Sign up online. Fill out a short questionnaire about your home, timeline, and preferences.

2. Talk to a Concierge. A licensed Clever team member calls to understand your needs and answer questions. (You can opt out of the call.)

3. Get your agent matches. Clever hand-picks 2–3 top local agents based on your situation. You'll receive matches via text, email, and your dashboard — often within hours.

4. Interview and decide. Meet the agents, ask questions, and choose your favorite. If you don't like your matches, request more or walk away. No obligation at any point. Get started with Clever today.

Clever is available in all 50 states and covers every major metro area. The network includes 18,000+ vetted agents across major national brands and top regional brokerages. Even in smaller towns and rural areas, Clever's Concierge Team will find, vet, and negotiate discounts with local agents on your behalf (though it may take a bit longer).

No. You never sign a binding agreement with Clever. Getting matched with an agent is free, and you can request matches, interview agents, and walk away at any point with no obligation. If you decide to work with one of Clever's recommended agents, you'll sign a standard listing agreement or buyer agency agreement with that agent (not with Clever), based on the norms in your local market.

It's 100% free to get matched with an agent. You can request agent matches, interview multiple agents, and walk away at no cost.

If you sell with a Clever partner agent, you pay a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum) at closing. That's roughly half the typical listing agent commission of 2.88%. You'll also offer a buyer's agent commission, which is separate and negotiable; the current national average is 2.82%.

If you buy with a Clever partner agent, you may qualify for Clever Cash Back™ after closing: $250 for a purchase, or $500 if you buy and sell through Clever.

The typical Clever seller saves about $7,000 in realtor commission fees, or roughly 20–30% less than standard rates. On a $400,000 home, you'd pay about $6,000 in listing fees with Clever (1.5%) vs. $11,520 at the national average rate (2.88%), or about $5,520 back in your pocket.

Your total commission — including the buyer's agent fee — typically lands in the 4–4.5% range with Clever, compared to the national average of 5.70%.

» COMPARE: Average real estate commission rates by state

Clever earns a referral fee from the agent's commission when a transaction closes, and only if you actually sell or buy a home through one of Clever's recommended agents. The agent agrees to this arrangement up front and factors it into the pre-negotiated rate. If you don't complete a transaction, Clever makes nothing.

Clever never charges consumers directly and never sells your personal information to undisclosed third parties.

Because Clever reduces their marketing costs. Agents normally spend thousands of dollars and countless hours finding new clients. Clever sends them pre-screened, motivated sellers and buyers at zero upfront cost. That lets them accept a lower per-transaction fee while still maintaining profitability through higher volume.

Think of it this way: an agent who spends $5,000 on marketing to land one $500,000 listing at 3% nets $10,000. If Clever sends them that same listing for free at 1.5%, the agent still earns $7,500, and didn't spend a dime to get it. The math works for both sides. 

Are you a top agent interested in joining Clever? Get started here. 

Clever partner agents provide the same full-service support you'd get from any traditional listing agent. When agents join Clever's network, they agree to deliver at minimum:

• Comparative market analysis (CMA) and pricing strategy
• Professional photography and staging advice
• Listing on the MLS and syndication to hundreds of websites
• Comprehensive digital marketing
• Showings and open houses
• Offer review, negotiation, and paperwork management
• Closing coordination

If you need additional services beyond the standard package, your agent can likely accommodate them, though some may involve an extra fee.

No. The listing commission is the fee your agent earns for representing you, and it doesn't affect how other agents or buyers perceive your home. What matters for attracting buyer interest is the buyer's agent commission you offer, your home's price, and its condition.
Clever's partner agents deliver the same marketing, negotiation, and support at 1.5% as they do at 3%. They can do this because Clever reduces their client acquisition costs, not their service standards.

In most markets, it's a good idea. Offering a competitive buyer's agent commission (typically 2.5–3%) incentivizes agents to show your property to their clients. If you don't offer one, the buyer may need to cover their agent's fee out of pocket, which could limit their purchasing power or willingness to make an offer.

Since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, sellers are no longer required to offer buyer agent compensation through the MLS. But most sellers still do, as it's generally considered the most effective strategy for selling quickly and for top dollar. Your Clever agent will advise you on the right approach for your market.

» READ: How much is buyer's agent commission?

Yes. With Clever Offers, a top local agent can present cash offers and provide a free home valuation. You can accept a cash offer and close on your timeline, or list on the open market at Clever's 1.5% listing fee. There's no cost or commitment to explore your options.

» LEARN: How Clever Offers works

Potentially. Clever has a nationwide network of service providers and may be able to connect you with a transaction coordinator in your area. Contact the Concierge Team at 1-833-225-3837 to discuss your needs.

When you buy an eligible home through a Clever partner agent, you receive cash back after closing: $250 for a purchase, or $500 if you buy and sell with Clever. The payment is delivered digitally via email, typically within 30 days of closing.

To qualify, the home must be worth at least $50,000 and located in one of the 41 states that allow commission rebates. See which states allow buyer rebates.

You get the same level of service you'd expect from any buyer's agent you found on your own. Your agent will set up instant MLS alerts, schedule showings, tour homes with you, help you write and submit offers, negotiate terms, coordinate inspections and appraisals, and guide you through closing.

If you're shopping across multiple neighborhoods, Clever can match you with different agents who specialize in each area.

Yes. Clever's Concierge Team can connect you with mortgage lenders in your area who offer loan options for different buyer situations: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and more. You can also explore mortgage options through Best Interest Financial, which works with a wide range of lenders to help buyers find competitive rates and loan programs tailored to their needs.

Ready to get prequalified? Best Interest Financial can help to figure out how much home you can afford.

Yes. For local moves, Clever can recommend agents with strong track records representing both sellers and buyers. If you're relocating to a new area, Clever can match you with great agents in each market. And if you buy and sell through Clever, you qualify for the higher $500 Cash Back tier. Match with top local agents for your sale and purchase today.

In August 2024, new rules from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement went into effect, changing how real estate agent commissions work in two major ways:

1. Buyer agency agreements are now required. Before touring homes with an agent, buyers must sign a written agreement that spells out exactly how much their agent will be paid and who will pay it.

2. No more blanket commission offers on the MLS. Sellers can no longer list a default buyer's agent commission on the MLS. They can still offer buyer agent compensation, but it must be negotiated outside the MLS or written into the purchase contract.

The goal of these changes was to make commission more transparent and negotiable. In practice, most transactions still involve the seller covering both agents' fees, but buyers now have more visibility into what their agent costs and more leverage to negotiate that rate.

» READ: How the NAR settlement affects home sellers and buyers

Not necessarily. The NAR settlement requires a written buyer agency agreement that specifies the agent's fee, but it doesn't dictate who pays. In most transactions, the seller still covers the buyer's agent commission as part of the deal, either through a direct offer or as a seller concession at closing.

That said, buyers should be prepared for the possibility that they'll need to negotiate their agent's fee or cover it themselves, especially in markets where sellers are offering less. Your Clever agent can walk you through the options before you commit to anything.

Not exactly. Clever's latest commission survey found that the average total commission is 5.70% — actually a five-year high, up from 5.32% in 2024. Buyer's agent commission specifically rose from 2.58% in 2024 to 2.82% in 2026.

The settlement made commissions more transparent and negotiable, but hasn't driven down market rates. Individual sellers and buyers can still negotiate lower rates, especially when using a service like Clever that pre-negotiates the listing side.

» READ: Average real estate commission rates today

Yes, always. There is no standard or legally required commission rate, as all agent fees are negotiable. Clever's 2026 survey found that only 37% of sellers and 27% of buyers actually try to negotiate, which means most people leave money on the table.

The most effective way to reduce your commission is to work with a service like Clever that pre-negotiates on your behalf. But you can also negotiate directly with any agent. When you do, focus on the total value you're getting — marketing quality, local expertise, negotiation skill — not just the rate. Learn how to negotiate realtor commission fees.

A buyer agency agreement is a contract between a home buyer and their real estate agent that outlines the agent's duties, the buyer's obligations, and, critically, how the agent will be compensated. Since August 2024, most agents affiliated with an MLS are required to have one signed before touring homes with a buyer.

Before you sign, make sure you understand: how long the agreement lasts, how much your agent will be paid, who's responsible for paying, and how to end the agreement if it isn't working out. A Clever Concierge can help you understand what to expect before you start.

» READ: Buyer's agent fees: what to know before you sign

Every agent in Clever's network must meet minimum standards for experience, performance, and customer satisfaction. Agents come from established brokerages: Not fly-by-night operations. Clever actively monitors reviews and customer feedback. Agents who receive multiple complaints or negative reviews are removed from the network.

Still, keep in mind that agent quality can vary by market and individual. That's why Clever provides multiple matches and encourages you to interview before committing. If your first matches aren't a fit, request more.

Clever never sells your information to undisclosed third-party advertisers or service providers. When you request agent matches, Clever hand-picks 2–3 local agents and shares your contact details only with those specific agents. You always know who has your information and when it was shared.

» READ: Clever's full privacy policy

Contact Clever's Concierge Team immediately (1-833-225-3837). The team monitors agent performance throughout the transaction and will intervene if there's an issue. If your agent isn't delivering the level of service you were promised, Clever can help resolve the problem or connect you with a different agent.

This ongoing support is one of the key benefits of working with Clever vs. finding an agent on your own. You have an advocate in your corner beyond just the agent.

Several companies offer agent-matching services, including HomeLight, Ideal Agent, and UpNest. Clever stands out in a few ways: it offers the lowest pre-negotiated listing fee among full-service nationwide brands (1.5% vs. 2–2.5% at competitors), provides cash back for buyers in 41 states, and gives you multiple agent matches to compare rather than a single referral.

Unlike flat-fee MLS services, Clever connects you with full-service agents who handle everything from pricing to closing. And unlike using a traditional agent, you save significantly on commission without sacrificing service quality.

» COMPARE: Best low commission real estate companies

Flat fee MLS listing services list your home on the MLS for a one-time fee (typically $300–$500) but provide little to no agent support. You handle pricing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork yourself. It's a good option if you're experienced with real estate transactions and want maximum control.

Clever connects you with a full-service agent who handles the entire process at a 1.5% listing fee. You pay more than a flat-fee listing, but you get professional marketing, pricing strategy, negotiation support, and closing coordination. For most sellers, the trade-off is worth it.