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

Homeward is a cash home buyer that gives sellers two options for getting near-market value for their house:

1. Sell directly to Homeward. You’ll receive a fast cash offer worth up to 84% of your home equity. Homeward then lists your home on the market and gives you the additional profit from the sale price.
2. Buy before you sell. Borrow a portion of your home’s value from Homeward to buy a new house. Then, list your home with a realtor and pay Homeward back once it sells.

Homeward will also give first-time buyers cash to make an offer on a home, boosting their chances of winning the property in a competitive market.

With its quick cash offer and option to list for additional upside, Homeward’s programs are designed to give home sellers the best of both worlds.

But its programs come with considerable fees, ranging from 1% to 7%.[1] You’ll also be on the hook for the typical costs of a real estate transaction (i.e., closing costs, agent commissions, repairs, listing fees, HOA fees, inspection costs, and taxes).

Bottom line: If you need help lining up a home sale or purchase, Homeward may be worth considering. However, competitors like Knock and Orchard offer similar benefits at a competitive rate, so consider them as well before making a decision. Also, choosing an agent from a low-commission brokerage can help offset the costs of a buy-before-you-sell program, saving you thousands on your home sale.

Is Homeward right for you?

Homeward offers flexible options for home sellers and buyers. It can be great if you want to:

• Sell quickly for cash without giving up your home equity
• Sell and buy a house at the same time
• Purchase a home in a competitive market

However, Homeward’s fees make it more expensive than going with a real estate agent or most iBuyer companies. Also, not all homes or homeowners will be eligible for Homeward’s services. Other cash buyers typically charge no fees for sellers and will purchase homes in any condition.

As of June 2025, Homeward is available in only 12 states,[2] with services in California set to launch soon. By contrast, Knock offers similar services and operates in 75 markets across 20 states. Opendoor serves major metro areas in 26 states.

How Homeward works

Homeward has three key offerings: it will pay cash for a seller’s home, unlock equity so a homeowner can buy before selling, or provide buyers with the funds to make a cash offer on a property. Homeward also provides mortgage and title services.

Sell to Homeward

Sellers can get a cash offer of up to 84% of the home’s market value within 24 hours. This lets them avoid the hassles of a traditional sale so they can move quickly. Homeward closes on the house in 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. Homeward works with your agent to list the home for sale on the market, aiming to get the highest possible offer.
3. 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.

Sellers must pay a flat 7% program fee after closing, which is typically deducted from your proceeds. You’ll also be responsible for other expenses,[3] such as your agent’s commission, listing costs, closing costs, and potential repair credits or other seller concessions. You may be able to save some by negotiating a lower realtor commission.

If you’re selling a home that needs work, you’ll also have to make pre-listing repairs or cover the costs. Some negative Homeward reviews[4] said the company often negotiates these expenses directly with the buyer. That is, without the seller’s input, even though the cost comes out of the seller’s proceeds.

Sellers also have the option of a 14-day leaseback, during which you can rent your old home while you search for a new one. A deposit is required, but you’ll get it back after vacating the property.

Buy and Sell with Homeward

Homeward enables sellers to waive their home sale contingency and access their equity so they can buy a new house before selling their current one. They can then take their time and try to get the best offer for their old home.

Let’s break down the process:

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. After 90 days, a monthly extension fee[1] applies and can be paid out of your home sale proceeds.

This program is designed to take the stress out of moving, and customer reviews back this up.

“This was a great experience. Homeward helped us by giving us the opportunity to bring a cash offer to the table when purchasing our home. It allowed us to have the flexibility to sell our home while living in the home we hoped to buy and made the process incredibly organized and smooth while leading us step by step in this whole process.” — Hector, Oct. 2024, Trustpilot

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.

Not everyone will qualify for this program, and you must plan to purchase a home in an area that Homeward serves. There’s also a 1% program fee, which is paid at closing. When you use Homeward Mortgage, you receive a 1% credit and will owe no program fee.

If Homeward buys the home with cash on your behalf, you’ll pay a 1.9% program fee plus carrying costs (a daily rate). Carrying costs include insurance, property taxes, HOA fees, and utilities. If you use Homeward Mortgage, the 1% credit drops your program fee to 0.9%.

Buyers must also make an earnest money deposit (EMD). Homeward applies these funds toward your down payment at closing. The EMD amount varies based 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 Mortgage

Through Homeward Mortgage,[5] you can get approved for a conventional, VA, jumbo, or FHA loan to finance your new home. Buyers who use this option get a 1% credit toward their program fee.

There’s only one application to get approved for a Homeward cash loan and a mortgage, streamlining the process. The company reviews your financial documents in advance to catch any potential problems.

Homeward Title

If Homeward buys the home for you for cash, and then you buy it back with your mortgage, there are two real estate contracts and two closings. Using Homeward Title[6] helps buyers avoid duplicate fees.

When both transactions close with Homeward Title, they cover the extra title insurance — an average of 0.42% of the home’s purchase price.[7]

Homeward fees and other costs

When you buy a home through Homeward, you must also pay an earnest money deposit of 1–4% of the sale price. You’ll also owe carrying costs, such as property taxes and insurance, if Homeward buys the house on your behalf and resells it to you.

The fees are slightly more than those of competitors. Orchard, for instance, charges a 6% brokerage fee and a 2.4% sell-before-you-buy fee. Knock’s fee is only 2.25%.

Both sellers and buyers will owe closing costs and other expenses typically associated with a home sale or purchase. For sellers, this differs from most companies that buy houses for cash, which usually cover these fees. Seller closing costs are about 2.70% of the sale price, while buyer closing costs range from 3% to 5%.

Sellers and buyers must also pay their real estate commission fees, which average 2.77% for the listing agent and 2.67% for the buyer’s agent. But because you can choose your own realtor, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate.

Unless you need to sell your house fast or want to avoid a typical transaction, sellers can avoid the 7% program fee by working directly with a realtor. Even if you do need a quick sale, you can avoid most of the extra costs by working with a traditional cash buyer, although their offer won’t be as high.

Sellers may also need to make repairs or offer a concession at closing to cover the costs. Average repair expenses are $18,386–$36,771, or 5–10% of your home’s value.

Homeward reviews and complaints

Source	Average Rating	Review Count
BBB	1.0/5	4
Google	4.7/5	953
Trustpilot	4.0/5	323
Weighted Average:	4.5/5	1,280

Homeward reviews are primarily positive. The company has an average customer rating of 4.51 out of 5, based on 1,280 reviews.

Many reviews are from real estate agents who work with Homeward and praise it as an excellent option for their clients. Individual buyers and sellers also say they’ve had a good experience with the company.

However, some negative reviews mention poor communication, delays in closing, and being left out of negotiations. 

✅ Smooth buying and selling process

Satisfied customers appreciate Homeward’s easy, transparent process and said it reduced the stress of buying and selling a house at the same time.

"We had a good experience! We were able to move into the home that we love while waiting on selling our other one! They definitely are professional and courteous!"

— Karin M., April 2025, Google

"My experience with working with Homeward was great. I was able to get the house I wanted and live in it while waiting to sell my old house. The Homeward team was very phenomenal, and I appreciated everything they did to help me with succeeding and becoming a homeowner."

— Linda L., March 2025, Google

✅ Ability to make a competitive cash offer on a new home

Thanks to Homeward’s buy-before-you-sell program, several reviewers said they were able to purchase their dream home.

"Homeward enabled me to be a cash buyer and get the home of my dreams. So pleased with my experience."

— Denise B., May 2024, Trustpilot

"I was inexperienced with the process of selling my home. Homeward made the process very easy and kept me informed in every way. They made it possible for me to acquire my beautiful new home. Homeward bought my home, which provided earnings upfront. Therefore, I was able to close on my home sooner. Everyone I dealt with was friendly and very helpful."

— Nellie S., Dec. 2024, Google

😕 Varying communication quality from Homeward’s team

Most customers are pleased with Homeward’s communication regarding its process and fees.

"Just as advertised. … The Homeward team shared all costs up front, educated us fully on the entire process, and made this possible. Absolutely ‘no surprises’ through this process. Great communication from all team members!"

— Gregg M., April 2024, Google

However, some sellers said that Homeward made major decisions without their input, which negatively impacted their bottom line.

"We were told we’d be part of this process. They lowered the price without consulting us and also ended up accepting a contract on our home without negotiating with us. They accepted an offer $30K lower than what they said they could sell it for and originally listed the house for."

— Stacy, Feb. 2024, Trustpilot

Other sellers felt that Homeward’s communication was erratic. They often got the runaround and faced numerous hidden costs.

"Instead of support, the ‘service’ that I received was a series of miscommunications, financial strain, unnecessary stress, and endless hidden fees and deductions from my proceeds. … Each week was a waiting game, and the lack of clear communication only fueled my anxiety."

— Deaunna T., Nov. 2024, Google

❌ Occasional closing delays and canceled contracts

Some negative Homeward reviews focused on delays in the closing and settlement process.

"Our closing was significantly delayed because we needed to pause to catch up with the house we were buying. However, no one ever informed us that if we didn’t close as originally scheduled, we’d have to wait 11 more days to close due to them not closing during the end of the month. This caused significant problems with the house we were buying. … It took Homeward 13 days and having to ask several times for them to send the [final] payment."

— Stacey, Feb. 2024, Trustpilot

Other reviewers said it felt like Homeward was hiding "secret rules."

"We attempted to use their Buy Before You Sell product. We provided the target property address at the very beginning of this process and talked with their staff about the transaction. … “After all of this, we were told that the property we wanted to buy had slightly too much land with it, and they weren’t going to let us use the program to offer on that property. Apparently, they have a hard line at 10 acres."

— Miko, Jan. 2025, Trustpilot

Rare reviews highlight significant issues, such as Homeward backing out in the middle of the process. While the company responded to negative reviews posted three to four years ago, it appears that no one is responding to them now.

"Homeward made us an offer, and we agreed to move out of our home in 14 days. We moved out, and then Homeward backed out of the agreement. … This was the worst thing that could happen, and we now have two mortgages because of Homeward."

— Jamie D., May 2024, Trustpilot

Homeward vs. alternatives

Homeward can be a good option if you need to sell your home quickly or want to unlock equity to make a down payment on a new one. But its service area is limited, so it may not be available in your area.

Also, Homeward’s steep fees can add up fast. You may want to browse a few alternatives to see if you can find a better deal.

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 seven options for selling your home. You can compare multiple cash offers without obligation, so you can choose the best deal. There’s also a 7-Day MLS listing that markets your house as-is, letting you see how much you could get for your home now versus selling the traditional way.

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 legit?

Yes, Homeward is a legitimate company that aims to make buying and selling a home less stressful. It was founded in 2018 by real estate agent Tim Heyl,[8] 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.

Homeward has garnered more than 1,320 reviews from both customers and real estate agents, maintaining an above-average rating of 4.7. Heyl was named Inman News Innovator of the Year in 2019.

Since its founding, Homeward has grown from 20 to 200 employees.[9] In 2022, its workplace was recognized by Forbes, BuiltIn, and Inc.

What types of homes does Homeward buy?

Homeward accepts 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 advance program to buy a new home, it will need to qualify based on specifications, price, proposed completion date, and construction progress.

Homeward locations

Homeward is headquartered in Austin, Texas. It operates in 12 states:[2] Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The company will soon expand to California.

FAQs

Recommended reading

Methodology 

We evaluate each buy-before-you-sell company based on five core criteria and create a weighted score:

• Customer reviews
• Service quality
• Fees and other costs
• Credibility

Customer reviews

Review analysis. We perform an in-depth analysis of all the available customer reviews to determine trends. We break down the reviews by theme and sentiment, and filter out spam reviews to determine our rating.

Company responsiveness. Negative reviews are part of doing business; however, we note whether a company is actively involved in resolving customer complaints.

Service quality

We rely on secret shopping and fact-checking interviews with company representatives to look for indicators that the company is professional, communicative, customer-focused, and ethical in its dealings with customers. We verify this information against customer reviews and interviews with past customers or professionals (realtors, former employees) who have had direct experience working with the brand. 

Fees and other costs

Competitiveness. We look at how the company's fees and other costs compare to competitors.

Value. We consider whether the fees are justified by the value offered.

Credibility

Trust signals. We look at how long the company has been in business, the number of verified customer reviews it has, how willing the company was to answer questions about their business model when we contacted them, and how easy it is to find detailed information on their website — including the names and contact details of specific team members. We also look at customer reviews indicating whether the company acts with honesty and integrity in their business dealings.