Homeward Review: Should You Use Them to Buy and Sell?

Homeward offers flexible options for buying a home in a competitive market or buying and selling a house at the same time. It offers a range of cash offer products to meet the needs of home buyers and sellers:

1. Sell to Homeward. Get a fast cash offer worth up to 84% of your home value.[1] Homeward will work with your agent to list the home and give you any additional profit from the sale, minus fees and selling costs.
2. Buy before you sell. Borrow against your home value to purchase a new house. Then, list your home with a realtor and pay Homeward back once it sells.
3. Make a cash offer. Make a cash offer on a new home, boosting your chances of winning in a competitive market. Buy the home back from Homeward with your mortgage.

Homeward's products are designed to help home buyers and sellers avoid uncertain timelines and financing contingencies, so they can win the homes they love and move on their schedules. But the company charges considerable fees, ranging from 1.9—7% of your total home purchase or sale price. Depending on the program, you’ll also pay Homeward for the time it takes either to sell your old house or buy back your new one. Homeward's fees are on top of the usual transaction costs — agent commissions, closing costs, inspections, etc.

Before signing anything with Homeward, we recommend exploring a few top-rated competitors. Reviews for Homeward are mixed, and you may find an option offering lower fees or better terms.

To save time, you can start with an offers marketplace like Clever Offers, which lets you quickly compare cash offer solutions, ranging from iBuyers to buy-before-you-sell programs providing cash upfront with the opportunity to list for additional upside. Complete a quick form to see which offers you qualify for, and sell on your terms with the offer that's right for you — no added fees or obligation.

How Homeward works

Homeward has three key offerings: Sell to Homeward, Buy Before You Sell, and Make a Cash Offer. Homeward also provides mortgage and title services through its affiliate partners.

Sell to Homeward

Sell to Homeward provides qualified home sellers with a cash offer worth up to 84% of their home value. This lets them avoid the hassles of a traditional sale so they can move quickly. Homeward closes on the house within 21 days, and sellers can choose their own real estate agent to list their house for the chance to earn additional proceeds, minus program fees and other selling costs.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Sell your house to Homeward for cash and receive the proceeds upon closing (minus fees and closing costs).  
2. You can also take advantage of a 14-day leaseback, allowing you to continue renting your home while you search for a new one. A deposit is required, but you’ll get it back after vacating the property.
3. Homeward works with your agent to list the home for sale on the market, aiming to get the highest possible offer.
4. When the house sells, Homeward will give you the upside from the sale — the difference between what it paid you for the home and what it sold it for — minus additional selling costs.

Homeward's cash offer fee is 7% of the home sale price, deducted from your sale proceeds. You’ll also be responsible for other expenses,[2] such as your agent’s commission, utilities, closing costs, and repair credits or other concessions made to the buyer. You may be able to save some by negotiating a lower realtor commission with your agent.

If you’re selling a home that needs work, you’ll also have to cover the cost of any repairs or improvements Homeward thinks your house needs to get it 'market-ready.' Some negative Homeward reviews[3] claim these fees are unreasonable.

When you sell to Homeward, Homeward determines the listing price (and any subsequent price deductions) on the second sale of your home — so you won't have control over how much additional equity you receive.

Buy Before You Sell with Homeward

Homeward's Buy Before You Sell product is for home owners who:

• Need to tap their current home equity to make a down payment on a new house
• Need to move quickly but don’t want to sell for a lower price to a cash buyer
• Don’t want to live in their old house while showing it to potential buyers
• Fear missing out on a dream home while waiting for their current house to sell

“Buying and selling at the same time can be very straightforward, or very stressful,” says Cindy Raney, a global luxury property specialist and founder of Cindy Raney & Team in Connecticut. You’re managing two transactions and two timelines, leaving little margin for error —especially when you need the funds from your current house to buy a new one.

Normally, to buy first, you need to be able to pay for two mortgages. Selling first can be safer, but it typically means finding temporary housing while you house shop, and there's risk of missing out on a home you like if your home sits on the market, Raney says.

With Homeward's Buy Before You Sell, you can tap up to 80% of your home value upfront to pay off your current mortgage and make a down payment on your new house. You also get a guaranteed backup offer — allowing you to write offers without attaching a home sale contingency.

Here's how it works:

1. Sellers receive a guaranteed offer for their current home, allowing them to qualify for a new mortgage and make a competitive, non-contingent offer on a new home.
2. Sellers can then access their equity to pay off their current mortgage and make a substantial down payment on a new house.
3. Homeowners can then sell their old home for top dollar. If the property doesn’t sell in 180 days, Homeward will buy it.

Sellers pay a 3.5% program fee at closing for this service, plus rent on their new home until their old house sells. If you need to extend your listing past 90 days, you'll pay an additional 1% per month for a 90-day extension.

Buy with a Homeward Cash Offer

First-time homebuyers can get cash from Homeward to put toward a new home, giving them an edge in a competitive market. Here’s how it works:

1. Get approved, often within minutes.
2. Make an offer and purchase your new home.
3. Close with traditional financing or let Homeward buy the property with cash on your behalf. The company will sell it back to you for the same price.

Homeward's Buy with cash product comes with a 1.9% program fee, paid at closing. When you use Homeward Mortgage, you receive a closing credit (formerly 1% of the loan amount, but no longer disclosed), which can help to offset some of the fee.

If your financing approval doesn't match the closing date and Homeward buys the home on your behalf, you'll pay daily rent until you buy it back from Homeward.

Buyers must also make an earnest money deposit (EMD). Homeward applies these funds toward your down payment at closing. The EMD amount varies based on whether you close with your own financing or Homeward's cash:

• Closing with traditional financing: 1% EMD
• Homeward purchasing your home priced below $1 million: 2% EMD
• Homeward purchasing your home priced at $1 million or more: 4% EMD

Buyers are also responsible for typical real estate transaction fees, such as closing costs and realtor commissions.

Homeward fees and other costs

Homeward's program fees are among the steepest in the buy-before-you-sell space. Its Sell to Homeward option costs 7% of the home sale price.[6] The Buy Before You Sell product costs 3.5%, and Make a Cash Offer runs 1.9%. However, buyers who use Homeward Mortgage receive a credit at closing, which may help to offset at least some of the program costs.[7]

For comparison, Knock charges 2.25% plus about $1,850 in loan fees for a similar bridge loan product, [8] and Orchard's Move First program costs 1.9–2.4%. These costs are on top of the usual selling costs, such as realtor fees, closing costs, pre-listing home prep, and ongoing utilities and maintenance costs while your old house sells.

If your old house doesn't sell within 90 days of closing on your new one, you'll pay 1% per month for a 90-day extension.[9]

Pros and cons to consider with Homeward

✅ You can make a competitive, contingency-free offer on your next home

When you use Homeward’s Buy Before You Sell products to purchase your next home, Homeward effectively turns your offer into cash — removing the financing and home sale contingencies that make sellers nervous.

This can be a major advantage in competitive markets. Many former Homeward reviewers credit the cash offer program with helping them win bidding wars or secure their dream home. One first-time buyer wrote that they "tried winning bidding wars for a year with a regular mortgage company" before switching to Homeward and winning an offer immediately. [10]

Jessica Wade, a Realtor with eXp Realty in Gainesville, GA, explains the challenge these programs solve: "Typically if a buyer needs equity out of their current home, we can only make offers contingent on the sale of their current house. There is a risk to sellers for accepting conditional offers like this, making it hard to find a seller willing to take a contingency." With a buy-before-you-sell program like Homeward, Wade says, "those headaches are eliminated. The buyers can make offers without a sale-of-home contingency."

✅ You choose your own agent and lender

Unlike competitors such as Orchard, which requires you to use its in-house agents, Homeward lets you work with the real estate agent and mortgage lender of your choice. This is a significant advantage for two reasons.

First, choosing a top agent — rather than being assigned one — can directly impact your sale price and how quickly your home sells. Working with a brokerage that offers competitive commission rates can also save you thousands on fees, helping offset some of the cost of using Homeward's program.

Second, the freedom to shop for the best mortgage rate can save you substantially over the life of your loan. Homeward does incentivize using its in-house mortgage service — you'll get a 1% credit toward your program fee with Homeward Mortgage [11] — but you're not locked in. One reviewer noted that they "chose a different lender when it came to the new mortgage as they were high for today's market," and Homeward still honored the reduced fee discount. [12]

✅ You can sell your home vacant — potentially for a higher price

One key benefit of Homeward's Buy Before You Sell program is that you can move into your new home first, then prep and list your old one empty. Multiple reviewers say this made a meaningful difference in their sale.

Wade, who has guided several clients through buy-before-you-sell programs, notes the practical impact: "My clients who utilize this process have had a lot of success. They were able to buy, move out, fix their house up and then sell. In many cases the buyers and sellers have children and pets, and having a vacant house to sell is much easier than trying to balance showings while juggling the busy schedules of families."

One longtime homeowner echoed this, writing that they "had time to find a new house and move, then time to paint and fix up the old house so I could sell it for top dollar."[13]

⚠️ Unexpected deductions can significantly reduce your proceeds

A recurring complaint in Homeward reviews is that sellers' final payouts end up far lower than what they were initially led to believe. In an extreme case, one seller noted that their home sold for $200,000 more than their initial payout and they were supposed to get a second check for $70,000 — but it ended up being only $1,738. "They make up fake expenses and fees," the reviewer claimed, "Total SCAM."[14]

In addition to the program fee, sellers are responsible for agent commissions, closing costs, utilities, maintenance (lawn care, etc.), property taxes, and the cost of any repairs Homeward determines your home needs to get it market-ready.

The repair issue is a particular pain point. Because Homeward decides what work is needed and manages the process, sellers don't always have control over or visibility into how much is being spent. Several recent reviewers describe being quoted modest repair estimates upfront, only to see much larger amounts deducted at closing. One seller wrote that they were initially quoted $14,000 in repair costs but ended up facing even higher charges.[15] Another described being charged $4,000 for a "deep clean" and cosmetic work they felt was unnecessary or already completed. [16]

Many of these costs aren't fully itemized until shortly before closing, leaving some sellers feeling blindsided. If you go with Homeward, ask for a detailed breakdown of all potential deductions upfront and get cost estimates in writing before you sign.

⚠️ Communication breakdowns can create costly hiccups

While many Homeward reviews praise the company's communication, a recurring theme in 1-star reviews is being bounced between six or more contacts, receiving contradictory information, and having to re-explain their situation at every step.

This is especially concerning for a process where timing matters. Several reviewers describe closing delays caused by internal miscommunication — and in some cases, Homeward making decisions about their home's listing price or accepted offers without consulting them. One seller complained that Homeward "lowered the price without consulting us and also ended up accepting a contract on our home without negotiating with us." [17]

It's worth noting that while Homeward used to respond to negative reviews on Google and Trustpilot, recent complaints appear to go unanswered — a potential red flag for prospective customers.

⚠️ The backup offer won't come close to market value — and the clock starts ticking at 90 days

If you use Homeward's Buy Before You Sell program and your home doesn't sell within 180 days, Homeward will buy it — but only for the Equity Unlock amount minus typical seller closing costs. According to Homeward's FAQ, the Equity Unlock amount is typically about 80% of your home's market value. [18] For a $400,000 home, an 80% Equity Unlock amount would be $320,000 — and that's before closing costs are deducted.

It's also important to understand the timeline. The 3.5% program fee only covers the first 90 days after your new home closes. If your old home hasn't sold by then, you'll pay an additional 1% per month for up to three more months of extension time. [19] So while you technically have 180 days before Homeward steps in to buy, you're paying a premium for every month past the first three.

While most sellers won't need to exercise the backup offer — Homeward says 99% of clients sell their homes on the market [20] — the possibility should be weighed carefully, especially in a cooling market. If your local market is sluggish, the combination of extension fees and a below-market backup offer could put you in a difficult financial position.

Homeward reviews and complaints

How to evaluate Homeward against alternatives

Before using a service like Homeward, Jessica Wade, a Realtor with eXp Realty in Georgia, says you should "fully understand the terms and how the process looks." Brett Ringelheim, a real estate agent with Compass in New York, agrees — and stresses that "understanding the full picture is most important" because "in real estate you never know what is going to happen." Specifically, look for:

• Fees and commissions. Homeward's Buy Before You Sell FAQprovides some transparency around program costs, but be sure to ask about additional charges that may not be obvious upfront.[21] Multiple reviewers report that repair costs, maintenance fees, and other deductions were significantly higher than initially quoted — and weren't fully itemized until close to closing. Ask for a written breakdown of all potential costs before you sign.
• Agent selection. Unlike some competitors, Homeward lets you choose your own real estate agent for both buying and selling. This is a significant advantage — your choice of agent can greatly impact the outcome of your home sale. Working with an agent who charges lower commission rates can also help offset the cost of using Homeward's program. Wade emphasizes working with "professional full-time real estate agents, especially when dealing with a specific product like this."
• Backup offer price. If you're using Buy Before You Sell, Homeward will purchase your home after 180 days if it doesn't sell — but only at the Equity Unlock amount (typically ~80% of market value) minus typical seller closing costs.[22] One agent who has used the program multiple times notes: "There hasn't always been a second check depending on the market, so I make sure it's clear to clients that the second check is a bonus and not a guarantee like the first." [23]
• Lender flexibility. Homeward doesn't require you to use Homeward Mortgage, but it incentivizes it — you'll get a credit toward your program fee if you do.[24] The freedom to shop for your own lender is worth real money. Say you're purchasing a $500,000 house with a $400,000 mortgage — even a 0.25% interest rate deduction can save you $28,000 over the life of the loan. Weigh the 1% program credit against what you could save with a more competitive rate elsewhere.
• Timeline. Homeward's 3.5% program fee covers the first 90 days after your new home closes. After that, you'll pay 1% per month for up to three additional months before Homeward steps in to buy your home at 180 days.[25] By comparison, Knock gives you six months interest-free, [26] and Orchard's Move First typically allows 120 days. If your local market is slow, a shorter fee-free window could mean paying significantly more out of pocket.

Top Homeward competitors

Homeward's main competitors include other buy-before-you-sell services, iBuyer companies, and cash offer networks, which help you explore a variety of options for getting cash offers.

The following companies are highly rated and may provide more flexibility or lower fees.

Homeward vs. Clever Offers

Homeward’s cash offer is good if you need to sell fast, and the company will give you the difference if your home sells on the market for a higher price. But the 7% program fee is high, and you only get one offer to consider.

Clever Offers provides more flexibility, with several options for selling your home — including iBuyers, buy-before-you-sell products, and cash investors. You can compare offers without fees or obligation, allowing you to choose the route that works best for you.

Homeward vs. Knock

With its buy-before-you-sell option, Homeward is convenient for those needing to access their home equity early. But you can get practically the same service from Knock at a lower price: 2.25% compared to Homeward’s 3.5% fee.

Knock also serves a broader area, covering 75 markets in 20 states. The Knock Bridge Loan also gives sellers up to $35,000 to help make minor repairs and get their home ready to list.

Homeward vs. Opendoor

Homeward typically pays more than traditional cash buyers, offering up to 84% of a home’s market value up front, plus any additional proceeds from an open market sale. But in addition to the high program fee (7%), you must also cover realtor fees and the costs of any repairs or improvements Homeward deems necessary prior to listing.

An iBuyer alternative like Opendoor will purchase your home as-is. It also charges a lower service fee of 5%, but you’ll pay traditional closing costs and for any repairs that pop up during the home inspection.

Opendoor is also more widely available, serving metro areas in 25 states.

Homeward vs. Orchard

Through Orchard’s Cash Offer option, an Orchard agent will help you explore multiple offers from iBuyers like Offerpad and Opendoor. You’ll pay Orchard’s brokerage fees (typically 3% to sell and 3% to buy) in addition to the 5–7% fees charged by the cash buyer.

Orchard also has a competing buy-before-selling program called Move First. Costs include a 2.4% program fee for the equity advance, less than what Homeward charges. If your home doesn’t sell in 120 days, Orchard will buy it (compared to 180 days with Homeward).

On the downside, Orchard requires you to work with its in-house agents, while Homeward lets you choose your own. This flexibility allows you to negotiate a lower agent commission, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Is Homeward legitimate?

Homeward is a legitimate company that aims to make buying and selling a home less stressful. It was founded by real estate agent Tim Heyl,[27] whose brokerage was recognized five times as an Inc. 5,000 business and as a top 25 agent team by The Wall Street Journal Top 1,000. Heyl was also named Inman News Innovator of the Year in 2019. The company's headquarters are in Austin, TX, and has been recognized as a top workplace by Forbes, BuiltIn, and Inc.[28]

Since its founding in 2018, Homeward has garnered more than 1,404 online reviews, but many of them are from partnering real estate agents. Reviews from actual customers are somewhat mixed.

While Homeward used to respond to negative reviews on Google and Trustpilot, recent complaints appear to go unanswered — a potential red flag for prospective customers.

What homes are eligible for Homeward's products?

Homeward can provide a cash offer or equity advance on most single-family homes and townhomes valued between $200,000 and $1.7 million. Homes should be built after 1950 or renovated and on lots of five acres or less.

Generally, your home may not be eligible for Homeward’s programs if it:

• Is in poor condition or needs significant work
• Has unpermitted additions
• Has outdated plumbing or electrical
• Has an active or coming-soon listing on the MLS
• Is occupied by tenants with a lease in place
• Is under renovation
• Has solar that is leased or financed
• Is a multi-family dwelling, condo, mobile or manufactured home, land leases, lot purchase, or commercial building

If you’re using Homeward’s cash offer to buy a new construction home, it will need to qualify based on specifications, price, proposed completion date, and construction progress.

📍Homeward locations

Homeward is currently available in the following markets. Select your local market to find additional cash offer products available near you.

FAQs

Recommended reading

About our reviews

Our review process includes gathering all verifiable customer reviews from 3rd party sites such as BBB, Google, Consumer Affairs, TrustPilot, and Yelp. In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we run all available reviews through AI to identify the most common positive and negative themes mentioned across the entire review set.

Whenever possible, we also talk directly to customers, company reps, and industry professionals (such as real estate agents) who have firsthand experience with the company.

For our Homeward review, we consulted the following sources:

• Cindy Raney, Global Luxury Property Specialist and Founder of Cindy Raney & Team
• Jessica Wade, Realtor with eXp Realty in Georgia
• Brett Ringelheim, Real Estate Agent with Compass in New York

As the parent company of Clever Offers, Clever Real Estate partners with investors, iBuyers, and buy-before-you-sell providers across the country to help you compare options and find the solution for your home sale. If you connect with a company through us, we may earn a small commission — but that never influences our recommendations. There's no pressure to work with any company we connect you with. We want you to choose the best option for your situation, whether that's through us or not.