Real Estate FAQs

Clever is an online referral service that pre-negotiates discounted rates and rebates with top-rated, local real estate agents for home sellers and buyers.

If you’re selling, get full listing services and support for just a 1.5% listing fee — half the typical rate.

» JUMP: Learn more about selling with Clever.

If you’re buying, get full service from a top local agent, instant MLS alerts, and on-demand showings. You can also qualify for Clever Cash Back, putting money back in your pocket when you buy a house.

» JUMP: Learn more about buying with Clever.

We partner with top-rated, full-service agents from major brands and top brokerages like Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX, Compass, and many more. Our no-obligation service is fast, easy, and 100% free. Interview as many agents as you’d like until you find the perfect match.

Clever’s goal is to make finding the perfect agent (and saving thousands) as fast and easy as possible. Once you submit your information, one of our licensed, Clever Advisors will reach out via phone or email to answer your questions, offer advice, and connect you with one or more top agents in your area.

Your Clever Advisor will send out an introduction via text or email so you and your prospective agent can coordinate next steps: a phone interview or in-person meeting. After speaking with your prospective agent, you have three options:

1. Sign an agreement and get started!

2. Request interviews with other agents in your area

3. Simply walk away — you won’t owe us (or the agent) a dime!

Clever Partner Agents are all top-rated, full-service agents from major brands (Keller Williams, Compass, Coldwell Banker, etc.) who run traditional real estate businesses. They’ve agreed to offer significant to sellers that connect with them via Clever’s referral service, saving you thousands — without sacrificing service.

Clever selects its Partner Agents very carefully to ensure you get the best possible experience and outcome when buying or selling your home.

We partner with top-performing, full-service agents across the country from major brands and regional brokerages. We carefully screen our Partners so you don’t have to! When you list or buy with Clever, rest assured you’ll be getting world-class service and support from a best-in-class local agent — and saving thousands on your sale or purchase.

To be a Clever Partner Agent, realtors must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Active real estate license

• 5+ years of real estate experience

• Great reviews from past sellers and buyers

• Proven track record of success in their local market

• Excellent communication and responsiveness

Additionally, our Partner Agents know that if they don’t provide our buyers and sellers with the best possible service and results, we'll stop sending them referrals — and they'll likely damage their professional reputations. As such, expect to receive the same treatment and care they extend to any of their full-commission clients.

Yes! All of our Partner Agents offer full service and support, whether you’re buying or selling. They’ll guide you through the entire process, from day one all the way through closing. Get all of the help and resources you need to ensure and optimal outcome and a positive experience.

Clever’s service is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. We partner with thousands of top-rated real estate agents nationwide to help you save thousands when buying or selling a home.

Get in touch to learn more and get started! Submit your info via the link below and we’ll help you set up a preliminary consultation with a top-performing agent in your area. Remember, the referral is 100% free and there’s never an obligation to sign or move forward.

> Interview top-rated, flat-fee agents near you.

Yes! Clever’s referrals are 100% free and there’s never any obligation to sign or move forward with one of our recommendations. Interview as many agents as you’d like until you find the perfect match for your specific situation, goals, and preferences. When you list with Clever, you’ll only pay your reduced fee if and when your home actually sells. If you’re buying, you won’t pay a dime.

No! Clever’s referral service is free and there’s no obligation to hire any of the agents we send your way. There’s also no obligation to use our service in general — if our recommendations fail to meet your expectations or needs, you can walk away at any time. You won’t owe us (or the agents you’ve interviewed) a dime!

We pride ourselves on the quality of our Partner Agent Network and our ability to make great referrals; however, we recognize that everyone has different goals, personalities, and preferences. Sometimes it takes more than one interview to find the right fit.

If you don’t like the agent we send you, let us know! We can connect you with other top-rated Partner Agents in your area — interview as many as you’d like until you find the perfect match!

When you negotiate a reduced rate with your listing agent on your own, chances are there's going to be a tradeoff — less communication, services, support, etc. When you sell or buy with Clever, you’ll have the same experience you’d expect working with a traditional, full-service agent, but with significant cost benefits attached!

Agents who work with Clever get a steady stream of new business opportunities for zero upfront cost. That means they can spend more of their time and energy closing deals, as opposed to finding new prospective customers with no guarantee of a payday down the road.

As a result, they're able to generate more income with little-to-no upfront investment. This allows them to pass savings along to you — in the form of a reduced commission or buyer rebate — while still maintaining their bottom line.

Once you submit a form on our website, a Clever Advisor will reach out via phone or email to learn a little more about your situation and needs, answer any questions you might have, and get the process started.

After verifying your information, they’ll connect you with a top-performing agent in your area via group text, so you can set up a no-obligation interview, either in-person or via phone — whichever you prefer.

Your Clever Advisor will introduce you to your prospective Partner Agent via group text so the two of you can coordinate next steps. Your interview will take place at the agent’s office, your home, or via phone depending on your preferences.

The interview is not only an opportunity to evaluate your agent’s expertise and personality, but also to get some free, expert advice about the home buying or selling process in general. Ask your agent questions, learn more about current conditions in your local market, gauge their personality and work style to determine whether they’re a good fit for you.

If you’re not 100% sold on the Partner Agent we recommend, let us know! We’re happy to connect you with one or more other agents so you can set up interviews and explore all of your options. Interview as many agents as you’d like until you find the perfect fit!

We take your privacy very seriously and will never sell your information to third parties. If you have any concerns, you can call 1-833-2-CLEVER at any time or view our full privacy policy here.

Selling a home is a high-stakes, complicated process. Unless you’re a seasoned real estate veteran who's extremely well-versed in home valuations, local market trends, pricing negotiations, legal documents, and tax protocol, chances are you would benefit immensely from an agent’s help.

There's a reason approximately 91% of home sellers opt to work with realtors: agents have the requisite experience, resources, and local market expertise to help you get the best possible offer in the shortest amount of time.

Put simply, Clever lets you sell with the same agents for less!

When you list with Clever, you’ll work with a top-rated, full-service agent in your area from a major brand or regional brokerage (e.g., Compass, Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, etc.) — but you’ll pay a fraction of their typical rate.

The standard listing commission rate nationwide is approximately 3% of the final sale price of the home. When you list with Clever, you’ll get the same service and support, but you’ll only pay a 1.5% listing fee — or half the typical price tag.

> Use the calculator on this page to see how much you could save with Clever!

Clever has a nationwide network of top-rated, full-service real estate agents, all of whom represent major brands and/or regional brokerages (Keller Williams, Century 21, RE/MAX, and more). Our Partner Agents run traditional, full-commission real estate businesses, but have agreed to offer a significant discount to any home seller who connects with them through Clever's referral program.

Importantly, when you work with a Clever Partner Agent, you’ll get the exact same treatment as any of their traditional, full-commission clients — and that includes the use of their professional branding on listings and the “for sale” sign in your yard. In other words, unlike when you work with other discount brokerages, prospective buyers will have no idea that you saved thousands on your listing commission. That helps you avoid lowball offers and hard-line negotiations from potential buyers.

Clever’s referral service is 100% free and comes with zero obligation. Meet with as many agents as you’d like. If you don’t find a good fit, you’re free to walk away at any time.

If you sign with one of our agents, you’ll pay a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee (half the typical rate) ONLY if and when your home actually sells. If your listing doesn't work out, you won't owe a dime.

Of course, you’ll still need to offer a full buyer's agent commission in order to incentivize other agents to show your home to their clients. Standard rates range from 2.5-3% in most areas (your agent can tell you exactly how much you’ll need to offer to be competitive).

Most sellers, with the help of their listing agent, will simply bake this fee into listing price of their home — think of it as another built-in cost of the process, just like renovations, legal fees, and taxes.

The vast majority of buyers are working with a realtor. The best way to sell a home quickly — and for top dollar — is to properly incentivize their agent.

When you don’t offer the buyer’s agent a commission, the buyers may have to pay them out of their own pocket, which could limit their ability to purchase your home.

It will also likely disincentivize the buyer’s agent from showing your property to their clients. Buyer’s agents spend a considerable amount of money marketing themselves and acquiring new clients. If one of their clients ends up purchasing a home and they don’t earn a commission, it doesn’t just shrink their profits — they’re actually losing money in this situation.

All of this is to say that even if you opt to list for sale by owner (FSBO) and forego the services of a listing agent, chances are you’ll still be on the hook for the buyer’s commission — about 3% of the final sale price.

Your total savings will depend on how much your home ultimately sells for.

Clever Partner Agents provide full service for a 1.5% listing fee — about half their typical rate. When you factor in the 2.5-3% buyer’s agent fee (this is typically non-negotiable for sellers), your total commission rate comes to 4-4.5%. If you were selling a $500,000 home and found your agent through Clever, you'd save roughly $7,500 compared to if you'd found that same agent on your own.

As of 2023, sellers who listed with Clever saved an average of $7,000, compared to what they would’ve paid working with a traditional, full-commission realtor.

> Use the calculator on this page to get an estimate of your savings with Clever!

All of Clever's Partner Agents are full service, meaning you'll get end-to-end guidance and support in exchange for your discounted commission rate.

Here are some of the services you can expect when you list with Clever:

• Comparative market analysis (CMA)

• Pricing strategy

• Net sheet

• Home-staging advice

• Professional photography

• Full listing on the MLS and hundreds of other real estate sites

• Digital and traditional marketing campaigns

• Help with showings and open houses

• Help with offers and counteroffers

• Home inspection coordination and negotiation support

• Title transfer assistance

• Help with paperwork and closing

• Expert, hands-on guidance throughout the entire process

• And more!

Acquiring new business is one of the most expensive and time-consuming parts of being a real estate agent. And of course, they don’t get paid for signing new customers — they get paid when they help those customers sell or buy homes.

When agents work with Clever, they get a steady stream of new clients, meaning they can spend less time selling themselves and focus on closing deals. Simply put, they’re able to generate more revenue with less effort — and those savings are passed on to you in the form of a reduced commission rate.

What’s more, the increased volume of business helps them build their brand within their local market. This boost to their stats, visibility, and reputation ultimately helps them get more traditional, full-commission referrals and listings.

Our Partner Agents know that if they fail to provide our buyers and sellers with the best possible service and results, we’ll stop sending them referrals — and they’ll likely damage their professional reputations. In other words, expect to receive the same treatment and care they’d extend to any of their traditional clients.

When you sign a listing agreement with an agent, the terms regarding termination will be specific to that contract. Some agents or brokers will allow terms or conditions for ending the contract early — some won't. Before you sign anything, be sure to discuss these terms thoroughly and that you’re crystal clear on the implications.

Some contracts will require sellers to pay former listing agents a partial commission for services previously rendered, even if you close with another agent. Others will allow you to terminate if certain terms or conditions are not met in a specified period of time.

How long it actually takes to sell your home will depend on a number of different factors: demand in your local market; the type, condition, and price point of the property you’re selling; your priorities (i.e., speed vs price); etc.

When you meet with your Clever Partner Agent, they’ll give you a realistic sense of how long you should expect the process take, as well as guidance on pricing strategy and other tactics to help expedite your sale.

> Learn more about how long it takes to sell a home.

Yes! Clever partners with top-rated listing agents in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Fill out the form below to find a Partner Agent near you. Remember, the referral is 100% free and there’s never an obligation to sign or move forward.

> Get in touch to learn more and find a top agent near you!

While it's not required that you buy with an agent, it's highly recommended. Buyer's agents have the requisite experience, resources, and local market expertise to help you find properties in your budget that match your specific needs and negotiate with sellers to get the best possible price. As of last year, 87% of buyers purchased their home with an agent or broker’s help.

The best part? The seller will typically be responsible for paying your agent’s commission fee. In other words, there’s really no reason to buy without an agent — you get all the value and someone else is paying the bill!

When you’re ready to buy a home, you need to act fast. You can’t afford to burn weeks scouring the web and doing interviews to find the right agent. That’s where Clever comes in.

Clever connects you with a nationwide network of top-rated buyer’s agents from major brands and brokerages like Keller Williams, Compass, RE/MAX, and more. We screen all of our agents so you don’t have to. Interview as many as you’d like until you find the perfect match.

When you buy with Clever, you get:

• Quality: We partner with full-service buyers agents with 5+ years of experience, great reviews, and a proven track record of success.

• Instant MLS Alerts: Get notified the instant a home matching your specific criteria is listed on the MLS.

• On-Demand Showings: Schedule home tours whenever you want — see a property in as little as one hour.

• Clever Cash Back: Eligible buyers earn cash back after closing.

After you submit your information, a Clever Advisor will get in touch, either by phone or email, to learn a little more about you and your situation. Next, they’ll introduce you to a Partner Agent in your area that they think will be a good match, based on your specific needs and goals.

During your interview, your agent will answer your questions and explain exactly how they’ll help you throughout the home buying process. Importantly, if you’re not 100% on board with the agent we recommend, let us know! We’re happy to introduce you to other agents. Interview as many as needed until you find the perfect fit.

Your Clever Partner Agent will guide you through your entire home buying journey, from house hunting and showings to submitting an offer, negotiations, inspections, closing, and more. Get all the help and support you need to secure your dream home — and save thousands.

No! Buying with Clever is 100% free. You don't have to pay us a thing. And the seller typically covers your agent's commission.

Yes. Clever only works with top-performing, full-service buyer’s agents from major brands and regional brokerages like Keller Williams, Compass, Coldwell Banker, etc.

Clever selects its Partner Agents carefully to ensure you get the best possible experience and outcome when buying your home. The buyer’s agents we partner with must meet the following criteria:

• Active real estate license

• 5+ years of real estate experience

• Great reviews from past sellers and buyers

• Proven track record of success in their local market

• Excellent communication and responsiveness

Agents typically have to spend a huge amount of their energy and resources on drumming up new business for themselves. Marketing, networking, consultations — these are all expensive, time-consuming endeavours that don’t guarantee any sort of return on investment. After all, agents get paid for closing deals, not signing new clients.

Agents who partner with Clever get a steady stream of new business, which helps boost their visibility within their local market, their stats, and ultimately, their bottom line. Importantly, Clever’s Partner Agents know that if we don’t get glowing reports back from our buyers that they provided excellent service and support, we’ll stop working with them — and that the negative reviews will damage their professional reputations.

In other words, rest assured that your Partner Agent will pull out all the stops, ensuring you have a fantastic experience and get the results you’re looking for.

Yes! We partner with top agents in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

When you find your dream home, you have to act fast before another buyer makes an offer first — especially when you’re in a competitive market. Unfortunately, the process of seeing a home can be slow. You normally have to wait for a scheduled Open House, which may not be until the weekend.

When you buy with Clever, you get two huge competitive advantages: speed and convenience, via on-demand home tours. If you find a home you’d like to tour, simply provide the address the time you’d like to see it. We’ll find an agent to take you through the property — as quickly as one hour from your initial request.

Real-time MLS updates are another way Clever helps give you a competitive advantage over other buyers in your area. Your Clever Partner Agent will get you set up with real-time MLS updates, sending you an instant alert, via email or text, the moment a home matching your criteria comes on the market.

Coupled with our on-demand showings, this allows you to get the jump on properties of interest: find out about them first, schedule a tour within one hour, make your move before other buyers even know the property is listed.

This will ultimately depend on whether you signed a buyer’s agent agreement with your current agent, and the specific terms of that agreement. Oftentimes, contracts like these will typically stipulate that your agent has the exclusive right to represent you for a designated period of time — usually six months.

Once you make an exclusive agreement with an agent, you’re legally obligated to work with them, per the terms of the contract. As such, make sure you always read these terms carefully before you sign the dotted line. If you start working with another agent without cancelling your existing contract, you could land yourself in some legal hot water. If you haven’t signed a buyer’s agent agreement with anyone, you should be free to do as you please.

> Learn more about buyer’s agent agreements here.