Effective Agents is an online platform that matches you with top-selling agents. But it doesn't save you money on realtor fees like low-commission companies do.
Our Effective Agents rating
| Overall score | 3.5 🟡 |
| Service quality | 4.0 🟢 |
| Customer experience | 3.5 🟡 |
| Agent screening | 4.0 🟢 |
| Coverage | 3.5 🟡 |
| Savings | 0.0 🔴 |
Effective Agents quickly connects customers with high-quality agents in their area, but only if those customers live in major metropolitan areas. We found that customers in more rural areas receive less consistent service quality.
If you want a great deal when finding a real estate agent, Effective Agents won’t be your best choice. The company primarily evaluates full-commission realtors, so there is no guarantee for savings when buying or selling your house.
We found that customer reviews are generally positive, but finding actual customer review data is a challenge. Most reviews of Effective Agents come from realtors receiving leads and don’t reflect the customer experience.
» See how our Effective Agents review breaks down.
Is Effective Agents right for you?
Effective Agents could be right for you if you live in a major and want to make informed decisions about realtors in your area. The company will give you multiple options to choose from and find new options at no charge if you don’t like the first selections.
But you may want to use an alternative if you live in a rural area or if you are looking to buy a home below the national average sales price. Effective Agents has sparse coverage outside of major metros and doesn’t guarantee commission savings.
Clever, on the other hand, can help you compare the same realtors as Effective Agents with a special 1.5% commission rate. You also receive exceptional service regardless of your location.
» Compare vetted realtors in your zip code who work for just a 1.5% listing fee.
How does Effective Agents work?
Here's how Effective Agents helps you find a real estate agent:
- You enter your sale or purchase details on the Effective Agents website.
- Effective Agents’ matching algorithm and customer service representatives work together to select high-performing agents for you.
- You'll receive up to three agent matches via email and text.
- Agents may contact you directly, or you can schedule meetings with them through the company's website.
- You can interview your agents, then pick the one you like best.
- If you don't like your matches, you can ask Effective Agents for more recommendations.
- Or, since you can review matches with no obligation, you're free to walk away.
» MORE: Learn how Effective Agents works for realtors
Effective Agents vs. top alternatives
We recommend these options as top alternatives to Effective Agents. All three can connect you with full-service agents. Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent can even offer you commission savings compared to the standard 2.5–3% listing fee.
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking for an agent. The company matches you with multiple experienced, full-service agents so you can find the right fit, and it offers a low 1.5% listing fee no matter which agent you choose. Read our full Clever Real Estate review.
Pros
- 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate)
- Guaranteed matches with top local agents
- Large agent network; great selection compared to competitors
Cons
- No guarantee you’ll get matched with a specific agent or brokerage
- Add-ons like professional home staging and drone photography may cost extra
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
Ideal Agent is a solid option if you’re looking for a top agent. The company vets its realtors thoroughly, so you’ll likely get a quality agent. But you won't save as much on realtor fees as you could with other companies. Read our full Ideal Agent review.
Pros
- Easy way to connect with top agents
- Discounted 2% listing fee
- Customer service has excellent reviews
Cons
- You likely won't choose which agent you work with
- Limited savings for sellers, none for buyers
- Limited ability to manage listing online
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
UpNest lets you choose from multiple vetted agents, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a realtor that fits your needs. But it falls short on savings and customer service. Read our full UpNest review.
Pros
- User-friendly dashboard
- You can choose from multiple agents
- Agents bid for your business, which may lead to lower realtor fees
Cons
- No guaranteed savings on realtor fees
- Customers report problems with customer service
- No clear agent vetting requirements
» MORE: Want to compare more options? Check out our guide to the best low commission realtors and companies.
Our in-depth Effective Agents review
Service quality
📊 Our rating: 4/5
|
Agent matching process
Effective Agents uses a hybrid model of a matching algorithm and a human who analyzes the algorithm’s suggestions to find top talent for customers. You’ll often connect with agents in around an hour of filling out our information.
If you aren’t pleased with the initial selection, your Transaction Concierge will find you new options by the next day.
The company advertises matching customers with outstanding realtors, and we found that to be true in many cases. Nearly all of the local agents we were connected with came with years of experience and a solid track record overall.
Customer service
In most cases, Effective Agents' customer service was outstanding. The company’s Transaction Concierge matched us with agents within an hour and made quick adjustments to the list upon request.
Our representatives thoroughly explained the matching and agent interview process with us, and they were knowledgeable about any industry questions we had.
However, we found that customer support was more limited in rural areas. The matching process took days instead of hours, and customers received delayed responses from the transaction concierge.
Customer experience
📊 Our rating: 3.5/5
|
Customer reviews
Effective Agents reviews are mostly positive overall, with an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 across Google and ShopperApproved.
There are also no negative customer reviews of Effective Agents within the last year, but that does not mean the matching platform is without drawbacks. For example, the company does not guarantee discounts on real estate transactions like other platforms.
| Rating | # of reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 54 | |
| ShopperApproved | 4.9/5 | 1,535 |
✅ Great experience and quality agents
Of the few reviews we found from customers, reviewers enjoyed the overall experience and were happy with the agents they connected with.
“Effective Agents was fantastic to work with. Kevin and Brooke were great, and made the entire experience smooth and easy. It was a pleasure to work with such professional and helpful people. Highly recommended!” — Jerrod S., Nov 2023, Shopper Approved
✅ Connects sellers with empathetic agents
Reviewers also found that Effective Agents connected them with empathetic agents who considered their feelings every step of the way.
“Once I contacted Effective Agents I received a reply within 2 days. I was sent 3 of the top agent[s] in the states to interview. I was so pleasantly surprised by the first call I made [that] I hired her. Amy, our new agent is concerned about us, the sale of our home, and making sure the right buyer moves in.” — Rev. M., Feb 2024, Shopper Approved
Ease of use
Effective Agents offers a simple, streamlined agent-selection process with human support when you need it. You will typically be matched with the top 3 agents in your area in around an hour, and your Transaction Concierge can easily find new agents upon request.
While the process is easy to use, you only receive your selections through email or text. This means you won’t be able to compare your agent data as simply as you would on a platform with a customer dashboard.
Agent screening
📊 Our rating: 4/5
|
Effective Agents boasts that its algorithm analyzes millions of agents to find the best real estate agents for customers. Blending this high-data software model with the human element of Transaction Concierge gives customers access to the best realtors in their area.
We found that the company connected us with experienced local agents with a solid track record overall. Many of the realtors we matched with had over 15 years of experience in the industry and outstanding reviews from previous customers.
However, we matched with a few agents who weren’t as seasoned as competitors and had limited customer reviews. These outliers show that Effective Agents may not always connect you with the “top 3%” of realtors it claims to work with.
» MORE: How to choose a good seller's agent | How to choose a good buyer's agent
Coverage
📊 Our rating: 3.5/5
|
When we requested agents in metro areas, Effective Agents quickly sent us high-quality matches. However, when we searched for realtors in more rural areas, that wasn't always the case.
Even though we were promised a list of agents "in a matter of minutes," Effective Agents didn't send us any matches for several days. The company didn't reach out to explain the delay, either.
In the end, we only received a single match — and that realtor's office was located more than 30 minutes away from our target zip code.
✍️ Editor's note: Agent matching services tend to have less coverage in rural areas. If finding a local agent is a top priority, it's a good idea to request matches through multiple companies. This way, you're more likely to find a high-performing agent who's familiar with your market.
Savings
📊 Our rating: 0/5
|
You don't have to pay anything to use Effective Agents' service — it's 100% free!
But, if you're a seller, you'll still be on the hook for realtor commission fees, both for your listing agent and the buyer's agent, just like if you'd found the agent on your own.
Unlike some other agent matching services, Effective Agents doesn't pre-negotiate reduced commission rates with its partner real estate agents on your behalf.
When you find your agent through Effective Agents, you'll likely end up paying the prevailing commission rate in your area. Rates vary by market, but between 5–6% of the final sale price is typical nationwide.
Try Clever today! Compare top local agents, list your home for just 1.5%. Our service is free with no obligation. Get your matches in minutes.
What is Effective Agents?
Effective Agents is a free service that matches you with local real estate agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX.
If you're looking to avoid the hassle of a DIY realtor search, there's no reason not to give Effective Agents a try. The service is free to use, and there's no obligation to commit to an agent. You can interview multiple agents, compare options, and choose the best fit — or simply walk away.
That said, Effective Agents doesn't offer any real benefits beyond the agent introduction. And some of its top competitors do.
Is Effective Agents legit?
Yes, Effective Agents is a legitimate company that can help you find a great local real estate agent.
While Effective Agents does not employ its own agents, its parent company — Acuity Real Estate Services — is a licensed real estate brokerage in Florida.
| Average rating | 4.9/5 (1,589 reviews) |
| BBB rating | A+ |
| Year founded | 2009 |
When researching Effective Agents, we found that, although the company claims to match customers exclusively with agents who rank in the "top 3%," this isn't always the case.
That said, based on reviews, customers are generally pleased with the agents they find through Effective Agents.
How does Effective Agents work for real estate agents?
Effective Agents referral fees | Sign-up requirements | Effective Agents lead quality | Reviews from realtors
Effective Agents helps you find new customers, without any upfront costs. Unlike some lead generation services, it only charges a referral fee when your client closes on a sale or purchase.
If you're done paying for ads that never lead to conversions, Effective Agents offers a safer and more consistent way to generate new business. As many realtor reviews for Effective Agents highlight, you'll get to spend less time making cold calls and more time closing deals.
Effective Agents referral fee?
Effective Agents charges a 35% referral fee, which is due within ten days after a customer closes on a transaction. You won't have to pay any sign-up or cost-per-lead fees.
| 🚨 Read your referral agreement carefully. According to the Effective Agents referral agreement we reviewed, partner agents must pay a fee on "any and all" future transactions involving a referral customer. This is a bit abnormal. With most other agent matching services, you'll only pay referral fees for transactions completed within a set period of time. Usually, that's within two years — NOT all future transactions. |
Effective Agents registration requirements
Any real estate agent can apply to join the Effective Agents network. But the company claims it's very selective about who it sends referrals to, so less-established agents may not receive many (or any) leads.
According to its website, Effective Agents ranks its agents on these metrics:
- Transaction volume
- Active days on market (ADOM)
- List-to-sale price ratio
- Local market knowledge
- Experience within certain home price ranges
- Overall success rate
Founder Kevin Stuteville says Effective Agents tries to partner with 20-30 realtors in any given market so that it can supply each agent with a steady stream of leads.[1]
Effective Agents leads quality
Referral services like Effective Agents are typically a more cost-effective way to generate business than pay-per-lead options like Zillow and Realtor.com. Since companies like Effective Agents pre-qualify leads, you'll waste less time — and money — nurturing low-quality leads that never convert.
In a recent interview, Effective Agents founder Kevin Stuteville claimed that roughly 12-14% of the company's leads convert. Compare that to the average 1% conversion rate for leads purchased from Zillow.[1][2]
Stuteville also said that more than 80% of the company's referrals are home sellers, while listing portals like Zillow and Realtor.com attract a much higher share of buyers.
Effective Agents reviews from realtors
Positive online reviews show that realtors who work with Effective Agents find the company easy to work with and that it charges a fair referral fee. However, some real estate agents find that lead quality could be better.
✅ Fair lead referral model
Many of the positive online reviews from agents indicate that Effective Agents charges a reasonable fee without the need for an additional subscription service like some competitors.
“Effective Agents is a company we enjoy working with as they send us good, vetted leads that we pay them a referral fee on once we close them. This model is very fair and we hope to continue working with them on future leads.” — Darren T., May 15, 2024, Shopper Approved
✅ User-friendly and easy-to-navigate platform
Agents who regularly use Effective Agents find the company’s real estate agent portal easy to use, which gives them more time to focus on clients.
“As a realtor, I have been utilizing Effective Agents for a significant period now, and I must say, the experience has been pleasing. The system and process for using Effective Agents are seamless and incredibly user-friendly. From registering as a realtor to receiving referrals, every step is well-designed and easy to navigate. Your platform truly streamlines the process, allowing me to focus more on serving my clients rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.” — Erika, April 2, 2024, Shopper Approved
✅ Straightforward process
Realtors enjoy working with Effective Agents because the company’s process is straightforward and doesn't have hidden fees or hoops to jump through.
“Effective Agents is a no nonsense, straightforward referral company. There are no gray areas with this company. The leads usually are great leads which saves me time also. Plus, the communication is great.” — Brenda Y., March 25, 2024, Shopper Approved
❌ Cold leads
The majority of reviewers have a great experience with Effective Agents’ lead quality. However, there are some real estate agents who find their leads to be subpar.
“Leads are very seldom quality leads. Most of the time, they do not even return my calls or emails.” — Vincent, Jan 4, 2021, Shopper Approved
Frequently asked questions
How does Effective Agents make money?
When you buy or sell through Effective Agents, your agent pays the company a percentage of the commission they earn on the deal. This is called a "referral fee" — and it's fairly standard among similar services.
Why do top realtors work with agent matching services?
Realtors partner with companies like Effective Agents because doing so nets them a steady stream of new business with zero upfront cost or effort.
Most real estate agents invest a lot of time and money into finding new customers. But even when an agent finds a new client, there's no guarantee they'll actually end up getting paid. For example, when the market is hot, many frustrated buyers give up on their home search if they can't find the right property in their price range.
Effective Agents and similar services refer customers directly to their partner agents. That saves realtors time, allowing them to spend more time selling homes — and less time selling themselves to potential customers.
And since agents only pay a referral fee if a deal actually closes, working with these companies is a lot less risky than traditional advertising strategies like renting space on a billboard or making a TV commercial. Because of this, they can make more money overall despite earning a bit less from each customer.
Although realtors pay Effective Agents to send them business, the company is still highly incentivized to match you with the best realtor possible. If Effective Agents matches you with a bad agent, that increases the risk that the deal won't close, which means they don't get paid. They'll also probably get blasted with negative reviews, deterring future would-be buyers and sellers from using Effective Agents' matching service.
Methodology
We create a weighted score for each real estate brokerage based on five core criteria:
- Service quality (30% of final score)
- Customer experience (30% of final score)
- Agent screening (20% of final score)
- Coverage (10% of final score)
- Cost (10% of final score)
Service quality
Agent matching process: We evaluate how the company matches customers with agents, whether it uses an algorithm, human oversight, or both. We also request agent matches and evaluate whether the recommended agents are top agents and have recent transactions in our area.
Customer service: We consider whether the company's representatives are knowledgeable and helpful and how often they communicate with customers throughout the transaction.
Customer experience
Customer review analysis: We perform an in-depth analysis of all available customer reviews to determine trends. We also filter out spam reviews.
Ease of use: We consider how easy it is to find an agent in your area, and we look at customer reviews to determine whether customers have issues with the platform or tools the brokerage uses. We also test any dashboards or other tools ourselves.
Agent screening
Vetting requirements: We compare the company's vetting requirements to those of its competitors. We discover whether agents must have a certain amount of experience, number of recent transactions, or high customer ratings.
Coverage
Network size: We consider the size of the agent network to determine whether customers will have multiple options to choose from and whether customers in rural or small markets will be able to find local agents.
Cost
Pricing model: We consider whether the company offers any savings for sellers, like listing fee discounts, or savings for buyers, like cash back.
