Clever Real Estate vs. Redfin: Which Is Better?

Clever vs. Redfin | Service models | Fees and savings | Agent selection | Customer reviews | Availability

Clever Real Estate and Redfin both offer discounted listing fees of just 1.5% compared to the traditional 3%. On a $500,000 home sale, that lower rate could save you $7,500 in commission!

However, Clever and Redfin have important differences. Clever lets you compare multiple top agents, many from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. Redfin automatically pairs you with the lead agent in your area instead of letting you choose your own.

Clever and Redfin also differ in their customer service, how they create savings, and the level of hands-on service their realtors provide.

Redfin may be better if you’re comfortable getting less personalized service and plan to buy and sell with the same brokerage. Clever is your best choice if you want a top local agent who offers hands-on support, while also saving you thousands in commission.

» SAVE: Compare top local agents, save thousands on commission

Clever Real Estate vs. Redfin

Service models

Clever and Redfin offer full service at discounted commission rates, but each company delivers those services differently.

Redfin employs salaried realtors who are part of an in-house team, and the quality of its agents varies. When you work with Redfin, you interact with various members of the Redfin team, not just your assigned agent. The company also relies more on technology, which can lead to a higher risk of miscommunication and errors.

Clever follows a model more similar to the traditional approach. Clever’s agents are independent realtors, often from trusted brands like Berkshire Hathaway and RE/MAX, who partner with Clever. You receive the same level of service as you would with one of these traditional brokerages, but at a lower cost.

Unlike Redfin, Clever vets all its agents with strict performance criteria and lets you choose your agent. And its Concierge team supports you throughout the transaction.

How Clever works

Clever matches customers with realtors and other real estate services depending on their needs. Its main products include an agent matching service for sellers and buyers and Clever Offers, which helps sellers get cash offers.

How Redfin works

Redfin is a real estate brokerage that pairs buyers and sellers with agents. It also offers mortgages and services for renters and landlords.

Fees and savings

Clever and Redfin have similar savings. Each discount real estate brokerage charges a 1.5% listing fee for sellers. However, Redfin's minimum fee varies by location, so sellers won’t always pay the same price with Redfin as they would with Clever.

Both companies also offer savings for buyers. Clever’s buyer savings are for all eligible buyers, but Redfin’s are only for those who also sell with Redfin.

Clever fees and savings

Clever’s listing fee is 1.5% for sellers, which is competitive which low real estate commission rates in the industry.

On a $500,000 home sale, you’d pay a $7,500 listing fee with Clever compared to the $15,000 you’d pay with a traditional 3% realtor. That means you'd save $7,500!

The listing fee has a minimum of $3,000, which only kicks in if your house sells for less than $200,000. You also need to offer a buyer’s agent commission, which is typically 2–3%.

Clever also offers savings for eligible buyers. With Clever Cash Back, you get $500 after closing if you buy and sell with Clever or $250 if you only buy. Unlike the home buyer rebates some real estate companies offer, cash back isn’t subject to lender approval, is guaranteed in full, and can be spent however you like.

Redfin fees and savings

Like Clever, Redfin charges sellers a discounted listing fee of 1.5%.

However, Redfin has a minimum fee that varies a lot depending on where you’re selling. For example, the minimum fee in Nashville is $3,200, but in San Francisco, it’s $7,000. You’d need to sell in San Francisco for about $470,000 or more to avoid the minimum fee.

And unlike Clever, Redfin increases your listing fee by 1% if the buyer doesn’t have an agent. While most buyers have agents, this potential cost is something to be aware of. It would wipe out the discount you’d otherwise get by working with Redfin. If the buyer does have an agent, you need to offer a 2–3% buyer’s agent commission.

You get the most savings with Redfin if you buy and sell with the company within one year. In that case, you get a check worth 0.5% of your home’s sale price after you close on your new home. That lowers your effective listing fee to 1%.

Redfin also offers eligible buyers 0.25% off the standard mortgage rate through its in-house home loan provider, Bay Equity. However, not everyone is eligible, and the discount is subject to borrower approval. Even if you're eligible for the discount, we recommend shopping around to see if other lenders offer better rates.

Agent quality

Clever and Redfin agents operate very differently from one another, including in how they deliver services and how much work they take on. Here are some of the biggest differences and the effect they have on agent quality.

Clever agents are incentivized to sell for more

Redfin agents are employed by Redfin, and they make a salary regardless of whether they finalize your transaction. While Redfin’s agents do get performance bonuses, being salaried may make them less incentivized to get you the best deal or close quickly.

The agents you find through Clever are independent of Clever. They’re traditional agents, often working at trusted brokerages like Keller Williams and Berkshire Hathaway. They only get paid when the deal closes. By working entirely on commission, Clever’s Partner Agents have more incentive to sell faster and for more.

Clever and Redfin have different vetting standards

Redfin does relatively little to vet its agents. And because Redfin’s agents are salaried, the company tends to attract newer agents who want more experience with guaranteed pay.

In contrast, Clever agents must have five or more years of real estate experience, great customer reviews, and a proven track record of success when they join the network. They must also maintain strict performance standards when working with Clever customers. Clever removes agents from its network who don't meet its standards.

You get more hands-on service with Clever

Clever agents tend to offer much more hands-on support than Redfin agents. Clever partner agents often work at name-brand brokerages, so you get the same support as you would with a traditional realtor you found on your own.

Redfin agents take on a lot more clients, which means you get less personalized service. The agents rely more heavily on technology and support staff. You’ll likely communicate with several members of the Redfin team at different stages of your transaction instead of just your agent. This can lead to miscommunication and make the process feel impersonal.

Clever lets you compare agents, while Redfin assigns you one

When you choose a real estate agent, it’s important to find one who has a successful track record and who's a good personal fit. You should compare and interview multiple agents to find the best match.

With Clever, you get to choose between 2–3 vetted agents, and you can request even more if you'd like. You have no obligation to work with any of the agents Clever recommends.

Redfin doesn’t let you choose which agent you work with. You could get a great agent, but you also risk getting an agent who isn’t right for your situation.

Customer reviews

Clever reviews

Clever has excellent online reviews, with a 5/5 rating based on 2,735 reviews. This rating indicates that the vast majority of Clever customers are happy with their experience. Customers are especially pleased with the agent quality and savings.

Agent quality is consistently top-notch

The majority of positive Clever reviews are about how good the agents were. Customers routinely praised Clever’s partner agents for their professionalism and work ethic.

For example, this customer said:

"[My agent was] very experienced professional. Offered advice that produced results. Her knowledge and suggestions enabled me to reap every possible dollar when selling my home. She was very knowledgeable and honest and produced fast results."

A high-quality agent can give you a better chance of selling or buying at a price that works for you. And the entire process is less stressful when you know you have an experienced professional representing you.

Savings don’t come at the expense of quality

Many Clever customers were happy they saved money on real estate commission. Reviewers especially appreciated that the savings didn't come at the expense of quality.

For example, this customer said:

“Excellent service was provided even though the listing was 1/2 price. [Our realtor] listened to our needs and provided outstanding service. She was very responsive to any inquiry we had. Would not have any issue if I had paid a full listing price.”

Unlike Redfin, Clever partners with established realtors, many from name-brand brokerages. This process ensures you get a traditional real estate agent who provides full service — just at a much lower rate.

Customer service is quick and helpful

Several customers appreciated that Clever stayed in touch after matching them with an agent. The Clever team often went above and beyond to make sure clients were happy with their agent throughout the transaction.

For example, one customer had a disagreement with his realtor and contacted Clever. The company promptly contacted the agent to rectify the situation.

As this customer said:

“We are extremely grateful and appreciative of the time and energy that Clever and their team took to make this situation right! They advocated on our behalf and got it cleared up.”

Redfin reviews

Redfin reviews online are mixed, with an overall rating of 3.8/5 based on 425 reviews.

The company doesn't have many recent reviews on third-party websites, and the handful we found are overwhelmingly negative. In fact, we had trouble finding more than a few good reviews that weren’t more than two years old.

Most of Redfin’s recent positive reviews are on its website. As this customer said, “I have tried to post the review on Redfin's website since last fall but they won't let me because they know it is very negative.” We suggest relying on third-party reviews when possible.

Agents aren’t always motivated

Redfin agents get paid a salary instead of commission, which means some of them might not work as hard to sell your home. A realtor who depends on commission has a much bigger incentive to help you quickly complete your transaction and sell for the best price.

As this customer said:

“Redfin agents are not incentivized to really work to sell your home or maximize your potential proceeds. ... You have to work much harder to bring a buyer because the Redfin team does near to zero.”

Some customers complain about agent mistakes

Redfin agents handle a lot more clients than traditional agents. They also work with a team, so you may interact with different Redfin members at various stages of your transaction. Both of these factors increase the chances of errors and miscommunication.

For example, this reviewer said:

“[The] Redfin real estate agent ... whom we hired to sell our house sabotaged us by giving us bad advice, by not responding to interested buyers' agents, doing zero marketing, taking absolutely no initiative and being extremely unresponsive to us.”

Other reviews complained about agents forgetting to relay messages from buyers or making mistakes with paperwork.

Some Redfin agents get good reviews

Some Redfin agents are genuinely helpful and work hard to get the best outcomes for their clients.

This customer had a great experience:

"I bought with Redfin and had a great experience working with my broker ... and her team of agents — they were always willing to help and answered all my questions immediately.”

However, we had trouble finding many recent reviews like this one. Redfin doesn't let you choose your agent, and it doesn't do a lot to vet them. It’s mostly a matter of luck whether you’ll get a good agent.

Availability

Clever locations

Clever is available in all 50 states and Washington, DC. It operates in both major metropolitan areas and rural markets.

Clever Offers may be limited in areas with few or no local cash buyers. Also, due to state laws, Clever Cash Back is unavailable in Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee.

Redfin locations

Redfin operates in over 100 markets across the US and Canada. It serves most states, except for Maine, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. While Redfin may have Partner Agents in these states, these agents are independent from Redfin and don’t offer discounted rates.

Redfin agents work only in major metropolitan areas. And not all services, like Redfin Concierge and Redfin Premier Agents, are available in every market Redfin operates in.

Bottom line: Should you use Clever Real Estate or Redfin?

Both Clever and Redfin offer a 1.5% listing fee — half of what traditional realtors charge. You could potentially save thousands when selling with either company, and both also offer benefits for buyers.

However, because Redfin agents handle a much larger volume of work, you may get less hands-on attention from them than you would with a Clever agent.

If you’re not sure which discount brokerage to choose, remember that you’re hiring an agent, not a brand. Your realtor’s local experience, knowledge of buyer and seller trends, and level of personalized service are far more important than the brand they work with.

We recommend interviewing several agents to find the best fit.

Clever lets you compare multiple agents, so it's easier to see who has the experience and expertise best suited to your transaction. You can then compare those agents with Redfin’s suggested agent.

No matter who you choose, you’ll save money on your real estate transaction and have the agent you feel most comfortable working with.