Houwzer vs. Redfin: Comparing Fees, Agents, and Service

Houwzer and Redfin are discount real estate brokerages that help people buy and sell homes. They offer the same services as traditional brokerages but at a lower commission rate — a 1% listing fee with Houwzer and a 1.5% listing fee with Redfin. 

But the similarities end pretty quickly once you look at how each company structures fees, assigns agents, and supports sellers during the process.

So, which is best for you? The real decision shouldn't be about who’s “cheaper” on paper. It’s about how much agent support you want, how comfortable you are with minimum fees and conditions, and how involved you want to be day to day.

• Houwzer may make more sense if you want a more hands-on, locally focused agent experience. Keep in mind that it operates in 18 states plus Washington, DC.
• Redfin may be a better fit if you’re comfortable with a more centralized, tech-first model and standardized service. It also has a larger service area and more agents. Just know that it charges a slightly higher listing fee (1.5%) than Houwzer (1%), although it drops to 1% if you also buy with a Redfin agent.
• With either company, you may get less hands-on support than you would working with a traditional agent.

If your goal is to save on commission, it’s worth looking beyond just these two brands. Compare a few low commission agents, talk to more than one before you commit, and get clear answers on fees and service in writing.

Houwzer vs. Redfin: Key facts

Feature	Houwzer	Redfin
Service model	Full-service	Full-service
Fees and savings	1%	1.5% (1% if you both sell and buy)
Agents	Mix of in-house and partner agents; experience can vary by market	Mostly salaried agents working in a team-based model
Customer reviews	Generally positive	More mixed
Availability	18 states plus Washington, DC.	Nationwide

Fee rates, minimum fees, discounts, and service availability vary by market and can change. Figures in this section are accurate as of publication on February 5, 2026.

Which discount real estate brokerage makes more sense depends on where you’re selling and how you want to work with your agent.

Both companies offer lower-cost alternatives to traditional brokerages and full-service support for buyers and sellers, but they’re set up very differently behind the scenes.

Service models

Services	Rocket	Redfin
Sell	Yes	Yes
Buy	Yes	Yes
Mortgage	Via affiliated partners in some markets	Via Rocket Mortgage
Bundled	Possible discounts or incentives	Buy-and-sell discount; mortgage incentives
Rentals	Not a focus	Available in select markets

Both Houwzer and Redfin are full-service discount brokerages. In most cases, sellers and buyers get the same core services you’d expect from a traditional agent, like pricing guidance via a CMA, MLS exposure, professional photos, marketing, and help with negotiations and closing.

However, both brokerages employ salaried agents who work with a high volume of customers. So it may be difficult to get dedicated one-on-one support.

Since being acquired by Rocket Mortgage, Redfin now offers mortgage services nationwide through Rocket. This should make financing more integrated with Redfin's agent services.

Also note that buyers who work with a Redfin agent and finance through Rocket Mortgage can typically choose between a 1% interest rate reduction for the first year or a credit worth up to $6,000.[1]

How Houwzer works

Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage that was founded in 2015. It used to be a flat fee real estate broker, but now it charges a percent-based listing fee.

The company offers selling, buying, mortgage, and bundling services.

How Redfin works

Redfin is a discount real estate brokerage that was founded in 2002. Like traditional brokerages, Redfin charges a percent-based listing fee.

Redfin offers selling, buying, mortgage, and renting services.

Fees and savings

	Houwzer	Redfin
Listing fee	1%	1.5%
Potential savings	$10,000	$7,500
Buyer savings	$2,500 savings when bundling services	Customers who buy and sell with Redfin get money off of their home sale

Pricing and minimum fees are market-specific and can change. Examples below reflect published terms as of February 5, 2026. Confirm your exact fee and minimum in writing for your ZIP code.

Houwzer and Redfin both offer solid savings compared to traditional brokerages, which charge average realtor fees of around 2.5–3%.

At face value, Houwzer offers more savings for sellers. But Redfin also offers a 1% listing fee to sellers who also buy with the company within one year.

Houwzer fees and savings

Houwzer charges a 1% listing fee — about one-third of the typical rate. That means if you sold a house for $500,000, you could save $10,000 using Houwzer instead of a traditional brokerage charging 3%.

The company also offers a $2,500 rebate for customers who use a Houwzer agent to buy and sell, while also using Houwzer's in-house mortgage and title services.[2]

Redfin fees and savings

Redfin's listing fee for sellers is 1.5%, about half the traditional rate. If you sold a house for $500,000, you could save $7,500 with Redfin vs. traditional commission rates.

The company also offers a 1% listing fee for customers who buy and sell with Redfin within one year.[3]

Redfin's discounts are subject to location-based minimum fees, which means sellers could end up paying more than the advertised 1–1.5% rate.

Note: Final savings depend on your location, minimum commission requirements, and other terms, so be sure to confirm the exact fee and refund structure for your market.

In an affordable market like Buffalo, NY, sellers pay a minimum listing fee of $3,000. But in a high-cost market like San Francisco, California, the minimum fee is $9,000.[4]

Screenshot of Redfin's commission savings disclaimer page, captured on Feb. 5, 2025.

Agent quality

Houwzer and Redfin agents offer full-service, but they rely on high volume to earn a profit. That helps keep fees lower, but it also means some agents handle more clients at once. When that happens, responsiveness and hands-on support can vary.

With Redfin, you get a greater selection of agents

One key difference is the amount of choice you get upfront. With Redfin, you can browse agent profiles before moving forward. The site shows reviews, recent transactions, and contact information, making it easier to compare agents and decide who you want to work with.

Houwzer typically assigns an agent based on availability in your market. Many sellers are fine with that, but it’s worth asking early about your agent’s recent sales, workload, and how involved they’ll be in pricing and negotiations.

Choosing the best agent to sell your home is a huge financial and personal decision. And Redfin makes it easier to vet and choose your realtor. On the company website, you can view each agent's reviews, past transactions, and contact information.

Both companies employ salaried agents who work in teams

Most Houwzer and Redfin agents earn a salary and work in teams, whereas most traditional agents earn commission and work independently.[5]

Some buyers and sellers like the structure and coverage this provides. Yet others say it can feel less clear who’s in charge, especially if one person handles showings and another manages offers or negotiations.

In some reviews, customers complained that salaried agents are less motivated to quickly close the sale or maximize your profit. And the team-based approach can sometimes be confusing, like when you correspond with one agent for showings and another for making and negotiating an offer.

At any brokerage, some agents are naturally more motivated than others. If you vet and choose your own agent, pay attention to customer reviews. These can give you insight into how hard an agent works for their clients.

What is Redfin Next?

Redfin has started rolling out a newer agent compensation model called Redfin Next. Under this program, some Redfin agents earn pay that more closely resembles a traditional commission structure, with more upside tied to performance, rather than earning a salary. The program was expanded nationwide in 2024.[6]

A summary of Redfin Next commission splits. Source: Redfin.com

So, the Redfin experience may not look the same everywhere. In some markets, you may work with an agent who’s incentivized more like a traditional realtor. In others, the long-standing salaried, team-based model may still apply.

It's worth asking upfront whether your local Redfin agents are part of Redfin Next, how they’re paid, and whether you’ll have a single point of contact from pricing through closing.

Redfin agents meet stricter eligibility requirements

Houwzer and Redfin employ licensed real estate agents, but the quality and experience of these agents vary.

Redfin has stricter criteria for the agents it allows into its network. It uses performance-based criteria for agents in its Partner Program, prioritizing those who meet specific benchmarks for responsiveness, customer compliance, and transaction success.

Some of Redfin's requirements include minimum request acceptance rates, fast response times, strong close rates relative to the local market, and adherence to Redfin’s customer experience standards.[7]

Houwzer’s setup varies more by market. It works with a mix of in-house and partner agents, so experience levels and workloads can differ depending on where you’re selling.

The takeaway is simple: the brand matters less than the individual agent. Ask about recent sales, response times, and who will actually be handling pricing and negotiations before you sign.

Customer reviews

Houwzer	Redfin
4.9/5 (1,404 online reviews)	2.6/5 (526 online reviews)

Average customer rating based on aggregate ratings from the Better Business Bureau, Google, Trustpilot, Yelp, and Zillow, accurate as of last publication date of February 5, 2026.

Both Houwzer and Redfin receive solid customer reviews. But customers rate Houwzer higher than Redfin.

Houwzer has a 4.9/5 rating from 1,404 customer reviews. Positive reviews praise its agents for their professionalism and no-pressure approach. A few negative reviews mention poor communication.

Redfin has a 2.6 based on 526 reviews. The company has many positive reviews on its site, but it has much fewer positive reviews that are verified and on third-party sites.

Some Redfin reviewers rave about their agent’s professionalism and negotiation skills. But an alarming number of reviews complain that Redfin’s salaried agents have poor customer service and aren't motivated to close.

As with any real estate agency, experiences with Houwzer and Redfin vary depending on the agent.

Availability

Houwzer locations

Houwzer operates in 18 states and Washington, D.C. Its service area will expand soon, according to the company website.

If you're interested in using Houwzer, contact your local office to find out which services it offers in your region. 

Redfin locations

Redfin operates in more than 100 major markets across the United States and Canada. It's available in most states, except for Maine, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Its footprint is expanding rapidly, according to the company website.

Not all services are available in each market. Contact your local office to find out which services Redfin offers in your area.

Best alternatives to using Houwzer or Redfin

Houwzer and Redfin aren't the only low commission real estate companies that can save you money. 

For example, Clever Real Estate can connect you with multiple top-performing agents in your area who charge a 1.5% listing fee through its network. Clever has much stricter vetting criteria than Houwzer and Redfin, and its team checks in throughout the transaction to ensure your agent is meeting your expectations.

Ideal Agent also has strict vetting standards. It only works with agents who are performing in the top 1% of their respective markets. However, this means Ideal Agent doesn't have as many agents in its network. It only matches you with one agent, and it may not have an agent in some rural or smaller markets.

SimpleShowing and Prevu are also worth checking out if you're in one of their limited service areas. Both offer significant discounts and are highly rated by customers.

Ultimately, the agent you hire is more important than the brand they work with. We recommend scoping out different brokerages and interviewing at least 2–3 agents before committing to a realtor.

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