Frequently Asked Questions

Clever was founded in 2017 with a singular mission: making selling or buying a home easier and more affordable for everyone.

Clever offers free educational resources, including expert advice, reviews, and guides, to help consumers navigate their real estate journey. We also match sellers and buyers with vetted local real estate agents and other service providers, and negotiate lower rates on their behalf.

Sign up for free online to see what partners and discounts Clever can offer in your area. Our process starts with a no-commitment consultation with a Clever Concierge, who will learn about your needs and help guide you to the right solution.

Clever makes finding the right real estate agent fast and easy — and we help you get the most possible value when you sell or buy.

We have a vetted, nationwide network of 14,000 top-performing real estate agents from all the major brands, like Keller Williams and Century 21, as well as top regional brokerages.

You get multiple agent matches, hand-picked based on your specific needs and preferences, to compare and interview with no commitment.

If you don't like the agents we recommend, you can request additional matches — or simply walk away. Our service is 100% free with no obligation.

All of the agents we work with offer our special discounts to people who come to them through our platform. That means you can focus entirely on choosing the best fit, knowing you'll get the same incredible savings no matter who you go with.

Our licensed Concierge Team will guide you through the entire process, from weighing your options and making the best choice, to managing the relationship with your agent to ensure they deliver exceptional service and outcomes.

Tens of thousands of people use our free agent matching service each year. We have an average 4.9-star rating based on 2,000+ verified customer reviews.

Yes! Clever is available in all 50 states and every major metro area. Our nationwide network includes more than 14,000 vetted real estate agents from major brands and top regional brokerages.

Our network also covers hundreds of smaller towns and rural areas. In the off chance that Clever doesn't have coverage in your area yet, we'll still try to find, vet, and negotiate discounts with top local agents on your behalf. This process may take a little longer. Your Clever Concierge will let you know what to expect.

Clever’s agent matching service is completely free to use. You can request multiple agent matches for free with no commitment. If you don’t like them, you can request additional agent matches or simply walk away. We never sell your information to undisclosed third parties. We only make money when you successfully complete a sale or purchase with an agent you found through our service.

If you decide to go with one of the agents we recommend, you’ll benefit from the built-in cost savings we negotiate with every agent in our partner network:

Sellers: You pay just a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum) at closing, plus the typical buyer’s agent commission in your area. Learn more about our discounted seller rates here.

Buyers: In eligible states, you can get cash back after closing to help pay for your move. Learn more about Clever Cash Back™ here.

Clever has an ongoing business relationship with the agents we partner with, which gives us more leverage to negotiate lower rates. We send our partners a steady stream of new prospective clients at zero upfront cost. We also pre-screen each prospect for them, so they’re only being introduced to qualified and motivated sellers and buyers. This saves the agents countless hours and thousands of dollars in marketing expenses. Plus they get more signs in yards, positive online reviews, and personal referrals from happy clients. All of this allows them to offer our customers special discounted rates and remain profitable.

We take data privacy very seriously and never sell your information to undisclosed third-party advertisers or service providers. When you request agent matches, we hand pick 2-3 local agents in our network we think are a good fit and only share your contact details with those specific agents. In other words, you control who receives your personal information and will always know when and where it’s being shared. You can view our privacy policy here.

No. Our online content and agent matching service are completely free to use with no obligation. If you sign up to get agent matches from Clever, you aren't locked into anything. If you don’t like the agents we recommend, you can request more or choose to go another direction. If you do decide to work with one of Clever's recommendations, you may sign a listing agreement or buyer’s agency agreement with that agent based on the norms in your area. But you never sign any binding agreement with Clever directly.

If you’re not happy with the agents Clever recommends, you can request additional agent matches. Or you can simply walk away. If you ask for additional agent matches, we may reach out to learn a little more to make sure we get it right.

Clever sellers typically save between 20-30% on total commission fees, or about $7,000 on average. Clever currently offers the lowest listing fees of any full-service nationwide brand, paid only if and when a home actually sells:

• 1.5% listing commission
• $3,000 minimum fee

Expect to also offer a buyer’s agent commission to incentivize other agents to show your home to their clients. Rates vary and are negotiable, but 2.5-3% is common nationwide. That will put your total commission fee in the 3.5-4.5% range vs. the typical 5-6%. Sign up here to start talking to agents

Offering a competitive buyer’s agent commission is the best way to sell a home fast and for top dollar.

When you don’t, you disincentivize agents from showing your property because they know they won’t be compensated for bringing a buyer. Alternatively, the buyer may have to cover their agent's fee, which could limit their ability or willingness to buy your home.

The good news is the buyer’s agent fee is usually accounted for in the listing price and comes out of your proceeds at closing. In practice, you’ll rarely pay any commission fees out of your own pocket.

We thoroughly vet all of the agents and brokers we partner with. When they sign up to work with Clever, they agree to provide our customers with the same level of service and support as they would any client. At minimum, you can expect to get:

• Comparative market analysis (CMA) and pricing strategy
• Professional photography and staging advice
• Listing on the MLS and hundreds of other websites
• Comprehensive digital marketing
• Showings and open houses
• Help with offers, negotiation, and paperwork
• Closing coordination

If you need additional services, the agents we recommend will likely be able to provide them, but may charge an extra fee.

Potentially! We have a nationwide network of trusted service providers and may be able to connect you with someone in your area who can help. Reach out to our Concierge Team and we’ll see how we can assist you.

Yes. With Clever Offers, a top local agent can present cash offers to you and give a free home valuation. You have the option to accept a cash offer and close on your own timeline, or sell on the open market for 1.5% listing fee — about half the usual rate. Learn more.

When you buy an eligible home with an agent Clever recommends, you get Clever Cash Back after closing. To qualify for Clever Cash Back, the home you purchase must be (a) worth at least $50,000 and (b) in an eligible state. 41 eligible U.S. states currently allow commission rebates.

Clever has two Cash Back offerings for qualifying purchases, depending on how you use our service:

• Buy with Clever: $250
• Buy and sell with Clever: $500

Clever Cash Back payments are delivered digitally, via email. Cash back is typically sent out within 30 days of closing.

When you buy with an agent Clever recommends, you get the same level of service you’d expect if you'd found them on your own. Your agent will set you up with instant MLS alerts; schedule showings and tour homes with you; help you prepare and submit offers and negotiate terms; coordinate the inspections, appraisals, and closing; and more.

If you’re shopping for homes in several different neighborhoods, Clever’s Concierge Team can set you up with different agents that specialize in each market. Sign up here to start talking to agents.

Yes! We partner with dozens of mortgage lenders nationwide who offer loan options for all types of buyers and purchases. Contact our Concierge Team to get connected with lenders in your area.

Absolutely! If your move is local, we can recommend agents with solid track records representing both sellers and buyers. If you’re relocating to a new area, we can help you find great agents for each transaction. Sign up here to get started.