Looking to tap into a treasure trove of homes-for-sale listings, the kind that real estate pros swear by? Imagine getting that MLS access for a flat fee, no middleman required. Here’s an in-depth peek at Houzeo, what it offers, and how it functions behind the scenes.
Decoding Houzeo
Originating from the hustle and bustle of New York City yet stretching its reach coast to coast, Houzeo delivers an MLS listing service at a flat-rate cost — though it’s good to keep in mind, extra charges might pop up along the way.
Apart from just tacking a home onto the MLS, Houzeo hands sellers a suite of custom-built online tools designed to streamline the process:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Makes listing your property a breeze and lets you tweak your entry anytime.
- Houzeo Offers: Allows you to review incoming purchase proposals, send counteroffers, or call for the “highest and best” bids.
- Houzeo Showings: Keeps track of buyer viewing requests and coordinates with their agents seamlessly.
How Does Houzeo Operate?
Houzeo’s pricing comes in four flavors:
- Bronze: The starter pack kicks off at $399 and grants a six-month MLS exposure plus 24 photos of your listing. Your property lands on Houzeo’s site and popular hubs like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and others pulling from the MLS. Plus, you get to make unlimited edits to your listing.
- Silver: Also hovering around $399, this level adds unlimited photo uploads (the sky’s the limit, no exact count given), access to the Houzeo mobile app, and seller disclosure forms to the Bronze essentials.
- Gold: Starting at $429, this tier bundles in all Silver perks along with the Houzeo Offers platform, a personal concierge at your side, and support from a licensed broker who can scrutinize contracts, disburse real estate paperwork, and steer you on pricing strategy.
- Platinum: The premium choice, $449 and up, offers everything Gold does, plus full virtual backing from a licensed broker. Your MLS listing duration doubles to 12 months, and you can request extra services as you see fit.
Important Tidbits About Pricing
- While Houzeo lets you list for free on its own platform, that option won’t get your home onto the MLS or its sprawling network of syndicated sites—paying for a package is a must for that.
- State-by-state pricing differences mean you’ll need to select your locale on their site to unlock the exact fees, which may shift from the initial headline price.
- Remember, you’re still on the hook for your own closing costs and the buyer’s agent commission.
Though marketed as a flat-fee service, the devil’s in the details: extra fees lurk beyond the basic package costs, sometimes stacking up beyond the initial price tag. For instance, opting for Silver or Gold plans tacks on an additional 0.5% fee at closing (presumably based on the sale price, though the site isn’t crystal clear). Choose Platinum, and you’re looking at a heftier 1% closing fee — which, on a $350,000 property, means coughing up $3,500.
Below the tier list, a fine-print note states that Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans carry a minimum $999 commission. It’s ambiguous whether this sits atop or kicks in alongside the percentage fees. Oh, and if you want a yard sign? That’ll be $49 — refunded only if you send them a selfie with you, the sign, and your house proudly displayed.
Where Can You Use Houzeo?
Covering all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Houzeo’s service stretches nationwide. Automation and coverage run deep in 45 states, though in places like Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and West Virginia, it’s a bit more patchy.
Quick Stats:
Founded in 2017, Houzeo now operates coast to coast, facilitating thousands of home listings annually. It claims users save anywhere from $6,000 to over $14,000 compared to traditional agents, although precise savings vary with home prices and deal structures.
Is Houzeo Worth Your Time and Money?
For many home sellers, the idea of skipping a real estate agent and slashing commission bills is undeniably alluring. Houzeo claims savings ranging from roughly $6,125 to $14,700, though the math behind these figures isn’t fully transparent and depends heavily on the sale price.
However, the actual cost savings might be less clear-cut thanks to the constellation of fees peppered throughout their pricing model. If trimming expenses is your prime motivator, the higher-tier plans may not deliver the value you expect — or allow you to keep as much cash in your pocket.
Consider also these alternative options:
- Try other flat-fee MLS providers like Homecoin, ISoldMyHouse.com, ListWithFreedom.com, or ForSaleByOwner.com (under Rocket Companies’ wing).
- Use platforms that connect sellers with agents, such as Clever, UpNest, or Redfin.
- Sell directly through a local agent, many of whom might be open to negotiating their commission.
FAQs
Is Houzeo a credible company?
Absolutely. Headquartered in NYC, Houzeo was launched in 2017 by CEO Amit Dhameja, who brought experience as a VP and executive director at J.P. Morgan. Their footprint spans all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Is Houzeo a solid choice for selling my home?
Primarily tailored for sellers aiming for a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) approach, Houzeo lets you post your property on your local MLS for a flat fee, sidestepping traditional agents. However, beware: most service tiers require paying a slice of the final sale price at closing, plus extra fees. If you want to sell yourself with manageable costs, the Gold plan strikes a reasonable balance. Yet, if you crave more support, a traditional agent might save headaches.
Should I handle the sale myself or hire a real estate pro?
The answer hinges on your unique circumstances. Employing an agent typically means paying 2.5% to 3% commission on sale price for their expertise and workload. Going FSBO cuts out this commission but piles the tasks on you — crafting the listing, coordinating showings, negotiating deals, prepping paperwork, and more. It’s a significant time investment, and mistakes can be costly. For rookies in real estate, the DIY route can be a steep climb.