Redfin Reviews: How It Works (And Is It Really 1%?)

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By Jamie Ayers Updated November 13, 2023

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Redfin reviews

Who should use Redfin? | Redfin fees | How it works | Redfin vs. other discount brokers | Redfin reviews and complaints

Redfin reviews online are mixed, with an average rating of 3/5 based on 680 customer reviews from Google, Consumer Affairs, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

On the plus side, Redfin offers low commission rates and has some great agents in its network. But to get the 1% listing fee it advertises, you have to sell and buy a home with Redfin. And not every agent is as strong as the next.

Also, Redfin agents handle more clients at one time than a traditional real estate agent, so you won't get as much dedicated support. You'll also interact with multiple Redfin team members instead of just one. The shuffling around can lead to miscommunication and errors, according to several Redfin reviews from customers.

👉 The bottom line: Redfin offers reduced realtor fees, but competing services offer better service quality while still landing you impressive savings.
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Our take on using Redfin

If you’re buying or selling a home, Redfin is probably worth considering if it's in your area. Its agents charge about half the traditional listing commission, it's a well-established brand, and it has some experienced real estate agents.

Just make sure to compare your Redfin agent with realtors from other brokerages. Ultimately, you hire an individual agent — not a brand.

When looking for a real estate agent, look closely at customer reviews. Also ask them about their past sales performance, including the average days on market and sale-price-to-list-price ratio for recent transactions.

An easy way to compare agents is through a free service like Semya-Moya. We match you with top realtors from discount brokerages like Redfin, as well as traditional brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. All of these agents offer a lower commission rate through our network.

With Clever, you get the same 1.5% listing fees that Redfin offers. But you can choose from multiple agents with the best sales performance and customer reviews in your area. Interview as many agents as you’d like, with no obligation to move forward.

Use our free agent matching tool to get started!

What is Redfin?

Redfin is a popular home search tool and discount real estate brokerage with licensed real estate agents who can help you buy or sell a home.

Redfin’s primary offering is discounted services for home sellers. Sellers pay a 1.5% listing fee instead of the traditional 2.5–3%.

The biggest potential trade-off is service. Some Redfin reviews say agents don't provide enough hands-on support, which could lead to mistakes like underpricing your home.

Is Redfin legitimate?

Yes, Redfin is a fully licensed real estate brokerage in all of the states it operates in. Since launching in Seattle in 2004, it's become one of the largest discount brokers in the U.S. by far. Redfin has more than 4,000 employees and offices in 100+ markets across the U.S. and Canada.

Redfin became a publicly traded company in 2017. This means it's subject to extra government oversight and the mandate for transparent business practices.

That said, you still have to do some digging to unearth certain details about Redfin’s services and pricing. In particular, you’ll need to look out for:

  • Minimum fees for home sellers that vary by location
  • Criteria that may disqualify you from a specific service or offer

How does Redfin work?

Redfin's primary offering is savings for home sellers. The company heavily advertises a 1 percent listing commission — but its standard listing fee is actually 1.5%. To qualify for the 1% rate, you also need to buy a home through Redfin within 12 months of your home sale.

Both discounts are significant — though they may come with some service trade-offs.

How Redfin creates savings

Redfin creates savings by:

  • Promoting its real estate agent service to the millions of people already using its app and website, which helps Redfin save on marketing to find new customers
  • Using technology and a team-based approach to handle a higher volume of customers per agent
  • Upselling existing customers on additional Redfin services

Redfin listing fees: How much does Redfin cost?

For a 1.5% listing fee, sellers can work with a Redfin agent and have a similar experience to working with a traditional agent. This is a big discount compared with the 2.5–3% commission rate that's long been an industry standard.

Selling with Redfin saves you an average of $5,550 in listing fees across four price points, with higher dollar savings for higher home prices.

Overall, Redfin offers solid value to sellers — though some companies offer the same low rates without the service trade-offs Redfin has.

» MORE: Find the best low commission real estate companies

Redfin's listing fees are more competitive when you also buy with Redfin. If you sell and buy with a Redfin agent within a single calendar year, Redfin issues a 0.5% refund at the time of your purchase. This effectively drops your listing fee to 1%.

💡 You'll still likely cover the buyer's agent commissionAs with most real estate transactions, Redfin sellers are still responsible for offering a commission to the buyer's agent.Rates are negotiable and vary by market, but 2.5–3% is typical nationwide. For Redfin sellers, this will bring your total commission to 4–4.5%.
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» MORE: How does a buyer's agent commission work?

How much can you save with Redfin?

When you sell with Redfin, you'll likely pay 4–4.5% in total commission fees — compared with traditional realtors who usually cost about 5–6%.

Redfin's minimum fees

Redfin's discounted commission rates are subject to minimum fees, which vary between markets. On average, Redfin's minimum fee is $3,300, but it's as high as $7,000 in some areas.

Depending on your home price and location, Redfin could end up costing more than the advertised 1.5% rate. For example, if you sell a $200,000 home in Boston, you'll pay a minimum fee of $4,900 — bringing your actual listing commission rate to 2.5%.

If you're selling a lower-priced home in your market, it's a good idea to compare a few discount brokerages to make sure you get the best rates available.

Find Redfin minimum fees in your area

Market Minimum commission
Albany, NY $2,000
Anchorage, AK $3,000
Atlanta, GA $3,200
Austin, TX $3,700
Birmingham, AL $2,800
Boise, ID $3,300
Boston, MA $4,900
Buffalo, NY $2,300
Charlotte, NC $3,200
Chattanooga, TN $2,800
Chicago, IL $3,000
Cincinnati, OH $2,600
Cleveland, OH $2,500
Columbus, OH $2,400
Connecticut $3,600
Dallas, TX $3,100
District of Columbia $5,300
Denver, CO $4,200
Des Moines, IA $2,400
Detroit, MI $2,900
El Paso, TX $2,000
Fayetteville, AR $2,000
Flagstaff, AZ $3,000
Florida Panhandle $2,000
Fort Myers, FL $2,700
Grand Rapids, MI $2,500
Hampton Roads $2,800
Hawaii $5,700
Houston, TX $2,800
Indianapolis, IN $2,700
Inland Empire $4,400
Jackson, MS $2,000
Jacksonville, FL $3,000
Kansas City, MO $2,800
Knoxville, TN $2,800
Lake Tahoe $4,200
Las Vegas, NV $3,200
Little Rock, AR $2,000
Los Angeles,CA $6,300
Louisiana $2,400
Louisville, KY $2,400
Maryland $3,700
Memphis, TN $2,700
Miami, FL $3,500
Minneapolis, MN $3,300
Nashville,TN $3,200
Nebraska $2,500
New Jersey (north) $3,700
New Jersey (south) $3,300
New Mexico $2,700
New York City and Long Island, NY $5,200
Northern New England $3,300
Oklahoma $2,100
Orange County, CA $6,900
Orlando, FL $2,800
Palm Beach, FL $3,400
Palm Springs, CA $4,000
Philadelphia, PA $3,200
Phoenix, AZ $3,300
Pittsburgh, PA $2,600
Portland, OR $4,100
Raleigh, NC $3,100
Rhode Island $3,300
Richmond, VA $3,100
Sacramento, CA $4,200
Salt Lake City, UT $3,500
San Antonio, TX $2,600
San Diego, CA $6,000
San Francisco, CA $7,000
Savannah, GA $2,600
Seattle, WA $5,000
South Carolina $2,800
South Texas $3,000
Spokane, WA $3,200
St. Louis, MO $2,900
Tampa, FL $2,900
Tucson, AZ $2,700
Virginia $4,700
Wisconsin $3,100
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Are Redfin agents good?

All Redfin agents are fully licensed real estate agents and provide the same general range of services and support as traditional realtors.

The main differences between Redfin and traditional agents are:

Your experience will depend on the agent

As with any real estate brokerage, some Redfin agents will be helpful and professional while others will be less experienced and harder to work with.

Some Redfin reviews call out a lack of effort and communication from their agents, while others say that their agents didn't take the time to price their house right.

Luckily, Redfin is fairly transparent when it comes to customer satisfaction. When you search for Redfin agents near you, you'll be able to view their average customer rating, read detailed Redfin agent reviews (good and bad), see past and active deals on a map (which tells you what neighborhoods they typically work in), and so on.

Screenshots of Redfin's Agent Finder toolScreenshots from a profile page for a Redfin agent in Houston.

⚠️ Redfin partner agents may cost more

If you use Redfin's agent finder tool, you may see results for Redfin partner agents. These are agents from other brokerages who pay Redfin a fee for sending customers their way.

These agents DO NOT have to honor Redfin's pricing model or offer any discounts.

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Redfin vs. other discount real estate brokers

Company Listing fee Avg. customer rating
Redfin 1.5% (min. fees vary) 3/5 (680 reviews)
Semya-Moya 1.5% (min. $3,000) 5/5 (2,735 reviews)
SimpleShowing 1% (min. $5,000) 5.0/5 (336 reviews)
Houwzer $5,000 flat fee 4.9/5 (1,463 reviews)
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Redfin vs. Semya-Moya

Semya-Moya

Get Started

💲 Listing Fee

1.5% ($3,000 min.)

💰 Buyer Savings

Cash back after closing

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

5/5 (2,735 reviews)
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons
Reviews
Locations

Clever is a quick, easy, and free way to find a top-rated local agent. And, unlike many similar companies, Clever pre-negotiates big discounts on your behalf, so you can save thousands without sacrificing on service.

Try Clever for free — save thousands on commission!

  • Clever is a free, nationwide agent matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
  • You get multiple agent matches so you can interview several, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit.
  • Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for just a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum).
  • If you buy with Clever, you can get cash back to help pay for your move.
  • You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
  • Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.

As of 11/6/2023, Clever has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 2,589 reviews.

Read reviews from real Clever customers here.

Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates with top agents in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

Semya-Moya is a free agent matching service that offers the same 1.5% listing fees as Redfin. But you get far better selection and quality, which means more value and less risk.

Here's how Clever works: You answer a few simple questions about your situation and goals, then our team handpicks top-producing local realtors that are a good fit for your needs. The realtors in our network are from from name-brand brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.

You compare agents and choose the best fit. If you don't like the agent matches Clever provides, you can request more — or walk away at anytime. Clever's service is 100% free with no obligation.

The best part: No matter who you choose, you get a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee. That lets you focus on finding the right agent without having to worry about price.

It's worth mentioning that we've matched customers with Redfin agents in the past (any agent that meets our quality criteria can join our network). But when Clever sellers are comparing a discount Redfin real estate agent with top-producing realtors from brands like Compass and Keller Williams — and they're all offering the same 1.5% rate — it's usually not much of a contest.

👋 Find top local agents, list for 1.5%!

Clever has helped thousands of customers save big on commission fees — we can help you keep more money in your pocket too!

With Clever:  

 ✅ Sellers pay only 1.5% in listing fees

 ✅ Buyers earn cash back on eligible purchases

 ✅ You'll work with a local realtor from top brokers, like RE/MAX and Keller Williams

Clever's service is 100% free, with zero obligation. You can interview as many agents as you like, or you can walk away anytime. Enter your zip code to find a top local agent today!

Redfin vs. Simple Showing

SimpleShowing

Full Review

💲 Listing Fee

1% (min. $3,500)

💰 Avg. Savings

$6,375

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

5.0/5 (336 reviews)
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons
Reviews
Locations

SimpleShowing’s commission savings are solid — but you may compromise on agent selection and hands-on service.

Read the full SimpleShowing review.

  • SimpleShowing is one of the only true 1% commission companies.
  • It also offers one of the largest home buyer rebates of any low-fee brokerage.
  • You have very few options when it comes to selecting your agent.
  • Agents handle more customers than the average realtor, which could impact service quality.

SimpleShowing has a 5.0 out of 5 rating (336 reviews) across popular review sites like Google, Trustpilot, and Zillow.

Read reviews from real SimpleShowing customers here.

SimpleShowing is available in the following areas: FL, GA, TX.

SimpleShowing offers a similar experience to Redfin for a lower rate. While Redfin charges a 1.5% listing fee, SimpleShowing advertises a 1% commission to home sellers in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Be aware that SimpleShowing also has a $5,000 minimum fee. So depending on your home's price point, you could end up paying more than the advertised 1%.

Redfin has more brand recognition than SimpleShowing, but they both use technology to make the sale process more efficient — and help their agents handle more customers at once. The biggest difference is that SimpleShowing's agent selection is even more limited than Redfin's, so you likely won't have many options to pick from.

» MORE: Read the full SimpleShowing review

Redfin vs. Houwzer

Houwzer

Full Review

💲 Listing Fee

1% (min. $2,500)

💰 Avg. Savings

$7,625

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

4.9/5 (1,463 reviews)
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons
Reviews
Locations

Houwzer has very low listing fees, but you may be frustrated working with a team instead of just your realtor.

Read the full Houwzer review.

  • You’ll pay a 1% listing fee, which is one of the lowest rates in the industry.
  • Houwzer’s maximum listing fee of $10,000 makes it a great deal for homes over $1 million.
  • Houwzer has a small team, which limits your options if you don't hit it off with the first agent it sends you.
  • The company uses a team-based approach, which increases the chances of miscommunication and mistakes.

Houwzer has a 4.9 out of 5 rating (1,463 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Zillow.

Read reviews from real Houwzer customers here.

Houwzer is available in the following locations: FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA, DC.

Houwzer is similar to Redfin because it uses a team-based approach to create savings for you. If you prefer to work with a single real estate agent, neither Houwzer nor Redfin are likely your best options.

Houwzer's rate of just 1% is lower than Redfin's 1.5%. Houwzer also has a minimum commission of $2,500, which is better than Redfin's minimum in most markets.

And unlike Redfin, Houwzer has a maximum real estate commission of $10,000. That makes Houwzer a much better deal if you're selling a high-value home, especially for over $1 million.

But Houwzer is a much smaller company and is available in only a handful of metro areas on the east coast. While it generally provides better value than Redfin, there's a high chance it's not available where you live.

» MORE: Read the full Houwzer review

Hire the agent, not the brand

Choosing an agent is a personal decision, and it's important to choose someone you're comfortable with. Whether you're a seller or a buyer, remember that there's never any obligation to work with a particular agent from any company.

Interviewing a few agents is the best way to find the right fit for your situation. Shop around to find the right real estate agent and the right combination of service and fees.

» MORE: Compare the top low commission brokers near you

Selling with Redfin

👍 Biggest benefits of selling with Redfin

  • More agents and customer satisfaction transparency than most discount brokers
  • Stronger reputation among traditional agents and buyers than most discount brands
  • Offers technology to accommodate remote showings

👎 Biggest risks of selling with Redfin

  • Less in-person support from your agent that could negatively impact service quality and support
  • Risk of being paired with an inexperienced or unmotivated agent
  • Could get lower initial offers because buyers and their agents know you're listing with a discount brand

When you sell with Redfin, you'll get the same general range of services you'd expect from a traditional realtor.

Redfin agents offer an expert home price valuation, professional photos, MLS listing, digital marketing, showings, and help with offers, contracts, negotiations, closing, and more.

✍️ Editor's note: You don’t need to sell with Redfin to list your home on Redfin.com. Redfin automatically pulls in listings from the MLS and several for sale by owner websites. So it's possible to market your home on Redfin's
app and website no matter how you sell.
Show more

However, you should be aware of a few key differences between Redfin and traditional methods of selling.

Redfin handles most of the sales process remotely

With Redfin, you'll choose your agent by browsing through agent profiles online. Then during the sales process, you'll communicate with your agent over the phone and through a seller dashboard on Redfin's website.

Many discount brokers use technology to streamline communication between sellers and agents. But Redfin may have a slight edge because its technology is more sophisticated and user-friendly.

If you're comfortable with a more hands-off approach, working with Redfin could be a good choice. But if you prefer in-person support, it might not be the best option.

Redfin has a team-based approach

As a Redfin seller, you'll likely work with several Redfin team members instead of a single, dedicated agent. This team-based service model allows Redfin agents to work more efficiently and manage about three times more customers at once.

To manage the higher volume of deals, your Redfin agent will likely hand off aspects of your sale to other team members. With this system, you may find it harder to get in touch with the right person when you need immediate assistance.

Working with a team isn't necessarily a bad thing. But having more people involved in the process could mean a greater risk of disorganization, mistakes, and delays that could jeopardize your sale.

Buying with Redfin

You can also buy a home with Redfin agents. They provide the same general range of services as traditional realtors. But, as with selling, expect less hands-on attention and support.

Buying with Redfin won't cost you anything — in real estate, the fee for the buyer's agent comes out of the seller's proceeds from the sale.

However, if you sell and buy with Redfin, you get extra savings. You get back 0.5% of your listing fee, dropping the rate to an effective 1%.

Redfin reviews and complaints from real buyers and sellers

Overall, Redfin’s reviews across third-party sites are mixed, with an average customer rating of 3/5 across 680 reviews.

But it’s important to remember:

  • Redfin’s reviews vary by location. For example, Redfin’s Seattle office has a 4.3 average rating on Google, whereas its Austin office has a 3.0.
  • The majority of Redfin agent reviews are on Redfin’s website, not third-party sites.

So what are people saying about working with Redfin?

What customers like about Redfin

The most common themes among positive Redfin reviews are:

✅ Great savings and value

'My agent was responsive and professional'

Amanda I. sold her property using a Redfin agent in Seattle, and she was pleasantly surprised by how many viewings and offers she had on the property just one day after listing it.

She specifically calls out the fact that her agent advocated for her throughout the sales process.

I recently sold my house through Redfin and it was a fantastic experience. My agent was very responsive and professional, and he really advocated for us throughout the offer process. This was especially important as we were already out of state so good communication was really key. We had a specialty property (small acreage horse property) and were prepared for it to take a while to sell based on other similar properties in our area, but by the end of the day after listing it we had dozens of viewings and multiple offers. We'll be buying another house soon and definitely plan on using Redfin again.

'Our agent was extremely knowledgeable'

Leah N. used Redfin as a buyer and a seller, and she was very happy with the value and service she received.

She says that her agent was communicative, offered great advice, and helped her find the perfect home to fit her needs.

We went through Redfin to both sell and buy our home. We worked with a Redfin agent and she was fantastic! She was extremely knowledgeable and helped us get our house ready to sell as well as choose a new house that checked our boxes. Her advice through the whole process was invaluable! She also did a great job getting back to us quickly and keeping us updated on both the selling and buyingprocesses. And we were very happy with the value we got with Redfin overall. We have already recommended our agent to two of our friends and would happily work with her again!

'Redfin made it easy to buy and sell'

This satisfied Redfin customer worked with Redfin as a buyer and a seller and coordinated a cross-country move.

They were pleased with the support from their agents and felt that the process was seamless.

Used Redfin to both buy and sell. We sold in one state, moved cross country and purchased a new home. Redfin made it easy on both ends.Wonderful agents and support team. We could have been more pleased. Highly recommend Redfin to anybody in the real estate market.

✅ Easy-to-use technology

'I will use Redfin again'

Pam T. worked with Redfin as a buyer and a seller. She enjoyed using Redfin's online platform, saying that it made it easy to line up homes to tour.

I love the website. You can see the whole house and organize your tour of homes. I've used two agents, one to sell and one to buy. Both of the transactions went smoothly on my agent's part. I will use Redfin again.

'Redfin's website has really cool tools'

This home buyer worked with Redfin Seattle, and he was very happy with the level of service he received from Redfin.

I just bought a house using Redfin and it rocks! It's not very often I feel truly compelled to share a review but this company is changing the world of real estate and helping people save a ton of $$$. Redfin helps you from the beginning with really cool tools on their website to find the house, then helps you write the offer, and then helps you close the transaction.

'Almost everything can be done online'

Emily P., a buyer in Washington, DC, was happy with the way Redfin's streamlined technology allowed her to move quickly when she found the right house.

My husband and I decided to use Redfin as first time home-buyers. He had heard about the website and introduced me to it. I would definitely recommend Redfin as an alternative to the traditional real estate agent options. Things that are great about Redfin: you get to control/pick the houses you look at; everything (almost) can be done online using their website and emailing with your agent; they offer FREE home-buying classes that were so much more informational than the classes we paid for; everyone at Redfin works quickly (i.e., electronic documents) which is a must when buying in DC; once your offer is accepted, the site creates a Deal Room for you that tracks every action you have to take in order to close on your house; you get 1/2 the buyer's agent's commission back as a refund. Our agent, our coordinator, and our inadvertent back-up agent were incredibly helpful and wonderful to work with. We enthusiastically recommend all three of them, and Redfin in general!

✅ Good experience with specific agents

'Our needs were a priority'

This buyer had a great experience with their Redfin agent in Houston. They were pleased with the communication and reliability of their agent and felt that Redfin was easy to work with.

Redfin was incredibly easy to figure out, and felt like the power was put back in our hands, as opposed to the realtors we had worked with in the past on previous purchases. Our agent was randomly assigned to us when I scheduled the first tour. She was prompt, professional and friendly. She was also informative, she wasn't pushy, she offered good input when we asked, and she had valuable advice when we needed it. She consistently responded to our emails/calls/texts promptly, she did what she said she would when she said she would do it. She came across as reliable, responsible, and experienced. She has been a pleasure to work with, and I would recommend her, and Redfin, to anyone looking to buy a home in this market. My husband and I have been more than pleased with the entire process thus far, and we look forward to closing on our new home! Our agent and everyone at Redfin throughout this process made us feel like we matter, and our needs were a priority. We're very grateful for all of you.

'He sold my property in four days'

This Redfin seller had a positive experience with their agent — who managed to sell their property in just four days.

Their agent helped them navigate through a critical HOA issue for a successful sale.

My agent did a magnificent job in selling my property in a record 4 days on the listing. He was very transparent and helpful throughout the selling process. He was also helpful in giving advice on how to deal with a significant HOA issue when we were about to sell and helped us navigate through that problem successfully. Overall I had a very positive experience with my agent and I wouldrecommend him to anyone that is willing to sell a home.

'He advocated for me as a buyer'

This first-time home buyer appreciated the time their agent took to walk them through the home buying process. They felt like their agent was helpful, transparent, and an expert in the local real estate market.

My agent was really great to work with. As a first time home buyer, my agent took the time to walk me through everything I needed to know, every step of the way. I appreciated how transparent, responsive, and informative he is and how he advocated for me as a buyer throughout the home buying process. He also knows A TON about the real estate market, home repairs and costs,and so much more. Thank you for all your help! I'm so happy to be in my new first home.

What customers DON'T like about Redfin

The most common complaints among negative Redfin reviews are:

❌ Costly pricing mistakes

'Listing with Redfin would have cost me $24,000!'

This review comes from a seller who asked a Redfin realtor for a market value of their home. The agent didn't seem familiar with the neighborhood, and the seller thought the recommended listing price was too low.

After shopping around, they listed their house with an agent who had more local expertise.

The property sold right away — for $24,000 more than the Redfin agent's home valuation!

I really liked the Redfin Realtor who came to give me a market value on my home, but she was hesitant to even

'Tried to sell my house under market value'

This seller says he felt Redfin tried to underprice his home in order to sell it quicker.

Don't use this company if you want to sell your property!! Their agents work on salary not commission!! They will try to list your house at a very low value so they can sell it fast and fill their quota. They tried to make me sell my house for less than market value of 35k just to sell it fast. They don't care about their customers and they don't want to put any effort into selling your house.

'Not even a bite in three months'

This seller complains about a lack of support, market knowledge, and responsiveness from their Redfin agent. They say that their house was listed for three months without a single inquiry, while other homes in their area were selling.

Redfin will tell you they're full service, but their effort to sell your house all but stops after they list to the MLS. Bad advice (when it was there at all — we had to do most of our own research on pricing, when to lower, etc.), lack of knowledge of the market, unable to answer questions, and getting open houses was like pulling teeth. Also be aware — if a Redfin realtor tells you to check out all their reviews on the Redfin site, know that they only let you review if they're successful in completing a transaction. We were listed with Redfin for 3 months with not even a bite while comps sold aroundus, and we were not given the opportunity to review our realtor.

❌ Poor communication and lack of support

'Poor experience with a Redfin seller's agent'

Steve O. was a buyer in Austin who put an offer on a Redfin seller's house. He said that the Redfin agent made the closing process stressful by being rude, threatening, and difficult to work with.

The Redfin seller's agent made the transaction very difficult. We were the homebuyers and I couldn't help but feel bad for the sellers for being stuck with such a bad seller's agent. She put us and the sellers through the wringer and stressed everyone out with mal-informed decisions and unnecessary threats. First, she listed the property under-value. Then when it didn't sell she listed over-value. When we bid on the house for the asking price and the appraisal came in lower, she blatantly accused us (buyers) of playing her when we offered the appraisal value. Then, after being told that we would be a day late on closing almost 5 days in advance, she threatened us with a breach of contract. At the same time, she told her clients (sellers) to show up on the original closing day at the title office and made them drive 20 miles each way for nothing. She stood them up. Throughout the transaction, she sent a barrage of rude emails and texts of a threatening demeanor. I cannot stress how badly everyone was treated in this deal. I would not recommend Redfin to anyone and much less this agent. The incentives forthese people to do their job are frankly not there. If I had to do it all over again, I'd avoid any Redfin property.

'Redfin realtor did not show us the properties we were interested in'

This home buyer was frustrated when the Redfin realtor did not put much effort into helping them see the homes they wanted to tour.

They ended up using an agent from another brokerage and were happier with their experience.

We wanted to see homes in Galt, CA and the realtor from Redfin told us to go and see open houses, not the properties we were interested in. We used a Zillow agent who was much nicer and knowledgeable.

'Lack of professionalism'

Ryan B. didn't have a lot of experience with the real estate process, and he felt that the Redfin agents took advantage of him instead of helping him.

He specifically points out feeling gaslit, rushed into making decisions, and like his questions weren't answered.

Don't let this market sow greed. Please take a step back and think about your client. My lack of experience in buying or selling a house does not mean you see an easier path to closing. Help me understand the various steps by asking questions and listing all available options. From earnest money, option waivers, and amendments to the contract, these are not just hurdles to closing, but potential life-changing decisions. In hindsight, I blame myself for not losing trust and changing agents earlier in the process. At best, my agent led me to hastily make decisions and worst, there was gaslighting and manipulation. There is nothing more to say. Redfin ATX is a good conceptual company that just needs to vet and train agents more to humanize the process and not pretend to do so.

❌ Inexperienced or unprofessional agents

'The advice of my agent could have cost me >$20k'

This buyer worked with two Redfin real estate agents in the Seattle area and was disappointed with both of them.

He specifically calls out poor advice that could have cost him upwards of $20,000. He also felt like the Redfin agent didn't act in his best interest when recommending loan officers and other service providers.

The first Redfin agent that was assigned to me had <5 years in the local market. I asked what his advice for an offer would be — his recommendation was to come in ~$3k under asking, I disagreed and wanted to think it over a bit longer. Within the week, the list price dropped ~$25K. The advice of my agent could have cost me >$20K. I could no longer trust this particular agent to have his 'finger on the pulse' of the market. He frequently had the automatic response of 'I think the list price is fair' to every request for professional advice — without doing any actual review or critical thinking about the property in question. I requested to switch agents and was assigned to a new agent with ~20 years experience in the local market. During our very first call, the agent told me that she thinks my lender (who already pre-approved my loan request) may 'take too long to close' and put any offers in jeopardy. She 'kindly' offered to provide her own recommendations of lenders. The whole conversation struck me as very suspicious and led me to believe she was acting in her own best interests, likely had some sort of referral bonus situation, and was neglecting her fiduciary duty to act in the buyer's best interest. To be quite honest, I have gotten more market information and helpful guidance from my loan officer thanfrom ANY of the Redfin representatives. Redfin has great, slick marketing that reels you in, and the iPhone app is genuinely easy to use... but once you get SERIOUS about purchasing homes - the real estate agent experience/helpfulness/kindness drops significantly and the brokerage DOES NOT live up to their fancy advertising/marketing schemes. Once you are working with them, it feels like you are working with a bad car salesperson.

'My agent did not show for the appointment'

This seller was disappointed with a lack of professionalism and responsiveness from the Redfin team. They said their Redfin agent missed their appointment, and then no one in the office followed up or even responded to their calls!

Appointment was scheduled for 3:00 PM with a Redfin agent. She did not show for the appointment. She did not give me the courtesy of a phone call, text or email regarding the no show. A Redfin employee made the appointment. I sent her a text letting her know the agent did not show and received no response from her. My daughter and son-in-law used Redfin in NH and received excellent service. I would not recommend using a Redfin agent in GA. Evidently the GA Redfin agents do not care about clients or their time.

'My Redfin agent provided zero guidance'

This negative Redfin review on ConsumerAffairs is from a seller who was very unhappy with the lack of effort, communication, and customer service he experienced with his Redfin agent.

Slack, lackadaisical, lazy, worthless. My Redfin agent was a complete hack, provided ZERO guidance. My listing has been on the market for almost 60 days and he has made no effort to proactively reach out. I am driving each interaction. Every real estate agent I have worked with in the past has at the very last made an effort to communicate status, next steps, etc. These Redfin agents are completely passive and do not take any proactive steps to help you sell your home. I would strongly advise against using Redfin to sell your home. Pay the extra 1% and get a real agent.

The key takeaway here is that, assuming you're on board with Redfin's tech-centric and team-driven approach, the experience and outcome really comes down to the individual agent you work with.

ALWAYS read local reviews and interview multiple real estate agents — from Redfin and other brokerages in your area — to compare rates and find the best option for you.

» MORE: Who's the best discount real estate broker?

Additional Redfin services

Like many discount brokers, Redfin offers some additional in-house services to customers — including a home sale prep service and mortgage loans.

Redfin Concierge

For a 2.5% listing fee, Redfin offers a premium home sale prep service. A Redfin concierge will look at your home and recommend pre-listing improvements like landscaping, painting, or staging.

Redfin's fee does NOT include the actual work — just the planning and oversight. You'll pay for the home improvements after your home sells.

📍 Note on locations: Redfin Concierge is only available in select markets in Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington.
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If you have an older home that needs a lot of repairs — and you either don't want to coordinate the work yourself or can't afford to pay for it up front — Redfin's concierge service could be a good deal. It may also be a good option if you're on a tight timeline. Homes that have recent updates, nice photos, and staging tend to sell faster.

But if you're not on a strict timeline, can pay for renovations up front, or don't need a lot of repairs, you might not get a lot of value out of Redfin Concierge. You don't get to pick the contractors who work on your home, so there's no guarantee you'll get the best price.

For a 2.5% listing fee, you're probably better off going with a traditional real estate agent. Many traditional agents will recommend updates and provide photos and staging for free.

Redfin Mortgage

Redfin's in-house mortgage broker service has no lender fees and offers a rebate of $1,000 toward closing costs if your loan doesn’t close on time. Your loan must be above $200,000 to qualify for the rebate.

If you're buying with Redfin, it might be convenient to use its mortgage loan program. But it's always a good idea to compare rates from a few different lenders to make sure you're securing the best deal.

Conclusion: Is Redfin a good option for you?

Redfin is a legitimate company and service that has helped thousands of people buy and sell homes. Ultimately, whether it's a good choice for you really depends on your preferences, situation, and the quality of the Redfin agents in your area.

Remember, there's never any obligation when you interview an agent or service. Always conduct multiple interviews so you can compare rates, strengths and weaknesses, and personalities to find the right fit and get the best outcome on your sale.

👋 Next Steps: Talk to an expert!

If you're weighing your options for buying or selling a house, Clever can help!

Our fully licensed concierge team is standing by to answer questions and provide free, objective advice on getting the best outcome with your sale or purchase.

Ready to get started?

Give us a call at 1-833-2-CLEVER or enter your info below. Our concierge team will be in touch shortly to help.

Remember, this service is 100% free and there’s never any obligation.

Frequently asked questions about Redfin

How much are Redfin fees?

Redfin charges a 1.5% listing fee to sellers. As the seller, you're also responsible for paying the buyer's agent commission — usually around 2.5–3% of the final sale price. Make sure to compare Redfin's rates against other discount services to find the best low commission brokers near you!

Is Redfin worth it?

Redfin may be worth considering if you're looking to save on realtor fees and prefer working with an established brand. But it's a good idea to compare your options. Most home sellers can find another company that offers better value at similar rates. Compare Redfin against other low commission companies.

Are Redfin reviews good or bad?

Redfin reviews are mixed, with an average rating of 2.9 out of 331 reviews. Reviews vary quite a bit by location and agent. See how Redfin reviews compare to the top low commission companies in your area.

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