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. 

Houwzer is great for sellers who want to save money with a full-service brokerage, but it only operates on the East Coast. Redfin has a larger service area and more agents, but it charges a slightly higher listing fee. With either company, you may get less hands-on support than you would working with a traditional agent.

If you want to save on realtor commissions, you may find better alternatives. Our advice is to price-check a few brokerages and talk to multiple agents before hiring a realtor. In the end, you hire the agent, not the brand.

» SAVE: Compare top local agents, save thousands on commission

Houwzer vs. Redfin

Which discount real estate brokerage is better depends on your location and service needs. Houwzer offers more savings than Redfin, but it’s less available and doesn’t vet its agents as thoroughly.

These companies offer essentially the same services, but here are some differences to consider in how they operate and the overall experience they offer.

Service models

Both Houwzer and Redfin are full-service discount brokerages. They offer the same services you'd get with a traditional brokerage, including professional photography, marketing, open houses, 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.

How Houwzer works

Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage that was founded in 2015. It used to be a flat fee 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 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.

The company also offers a $2,500 rebate for customers who bundle its mortgage and title services.

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.

The company also offers a 1% listing fee for customers who buy and sell with Redfin within one year. If you buy first, you pay 1% for your listing fee. If you sell first, Redfin refunds 0.5% after you purchase your new home.

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.

In an affordable market like Fayetteville, Arkansas, sellers pay a minimum listing fee of $2,000. But in a high-cost market like San Francisco, California, the minimum fee is $9,000.

Agents

Houwzer and Redfin agents offer full service. But both companies rely on a high volume of business to earn a profit. The more clients your agent has, the less likely they'll communicate regularly and provide hands-on service.

With Redfin, you get a greater selection of agents

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.

Houwzer assigns you an agent.

Both companies employ salaried agents who work in teams

Agents with Houwzer and Redfin earn a salary and work in teams, whereas most traditional agents earn commission and work independently.

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.

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. They must have 20 recent transactions or 50 lifetime transactions. Houwzer agents only need a high school diploma and two years of office experience.

Customer reviews

Both Houwzer and Redfin get solid reviews from customers. But customers give Houwzer a higher rating than Redfin.

Houwzer has a 4.9/5 rating from 1,200 customer reviews. Positive reviews praise its agents for their professionalism and no-pressure approach. A few negative reviews mention poor communication.

Redfin has a 2.9/5 based on 680 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.

Houwzer reviews

Pro: Responsive, professional agents

Reviewers consistently praise Houwzer agents for their professionalism and communication.

Zillow user Brett B. said their Houwzer agent “remained available from listing date to closing and was quick to return any calls, texts, or emails.”

Several other positive reviews mention how agents went “above and beyond” to share their knowledge of everything from the local real estate market to décor ideas for the new house. 

Pro: No-pressure sales

Several happy customers mentioned that Houwzer’s agents take a refreshingly no-pressure approach to house hunting. Yelp reviewer Ciara N. called the process “totally pressure free.” This is likely because Houwzer agents receive a salary whether or not they close the transaction.

Con: Some unmotivated agents

Some unhappy Houwzer customers say customer service suffers because agents aren't motivated to facilitate new sales. Yelp user Daniel M. reported feeling “completely underwhelmed by [Houwzer's] agent and so-called service.”

Redfin reviews

Pro: Discounted fee

Most sellers choose a brokerage like Redfin because of the savings. With percentage-based listing fees, the savings only increase with higher-cost properties.

Yelp reviewer M A. emphasized that Redfin's salaried agents and fee structure seemed more "honest and transparent and leaves more money in the buyers' and sellers' pockets."

Pro: Good agents

Happy Redfin customers raved about getting good service from knowledgeable agents. Many customers reported that their agents were also communicative, professional, and courteous.

For example, Google user Amanda I. said, "My agent was very responsive and professional, and he really advocated for us throughout the offer process."

Con: Underpricing 

Redfin's discounted listing fee saves you money, but it may be negated if your agent lowballs your property. Multiple reviewers reported that Redfin agents undervalued their properties. Yelp user Brian D. wrote that he "would've lost out on $55,000" with his Redfin agent's recommended list price.

Availability

Houwzer locations

Houwzer operates in select counties across Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 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

Company	Clever Rating	Customer Rating	Listing Fee	Availability
Best overall Semya-Moya	4.8	5/5 (2,940 reviews)	1.5% (min. $3,000)	Nationwide	Learn More On listwithclever.com
Ideal Agent	4.5	4.9/5 (6,254 reviews)	2% (min. $3,000)	Nationwide	Learn More On listwithclever.com
SimpleShowing	4	5/5 (336 reviews)	1% (min. $5,000)	FL, GA, TX	Learn More On listwithclever.com
Prevu	4	5/5 (465 reviews)	1.5% (min. fee varies)	CO, DC, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, TX, VA, WA	Learn More On listwithclever.com

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

For example, Semya-Moya 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 make sure your agent is living up to 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.

The post Houwzer vs. Redfin: Which Is Better? appeared first on Semya-Moya.

Overall score: 6.7/10

Daryl Flood Logistics: In-Depth Breakdown

Value: 6/10

Customer experience: 6/10

Credibility: 8/10

About Daryl Flood Relocation & Logistics

How we researched

FAQ About Daryl Flood Logistics

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Corrigan Moving Systems is a full-service moving company in the Midwest. This fourth-generation family business offers local and long-distance relocation services in 12 locations across 5 states. We did a deep dive to see how it compares to similar relocation options.

Overall score: 7/10

Bottom line: Corrigan Moving Systems is a solid choice for local moves in the Midwest. All of its locations have a majority of positive reviews, with only a few complaints here and there. The company also has satisfactory safety records.

If you use Corrigan for long-distance or international moves, you'll work with its partner company: United Van Lines. This long-distance move company has a good reputation, but your customer experience might vary between locations.

We recommend connecting with a moving broker to get recommendations for local movers near your current or new home.

Corrigan Moving Systems: In-depth breakdown

Value: 7/10

Our research suggests that Corrigan Moving Systems offers industry standard value and prices. So a local move might cost around $1,700 (the national average, according to HomeAdvisor).

The actual cost of Corrigan movers will depend on whether your move is local or long distance. Corrigan charges hourly for local moves. Its charges for long-distance services are calculated based on distance and how much stuff you have.

You can pay more for extra services like packing, appliance disconnection and reconnection, and additional protection for precious items. Corrigan makes it easy to set up an in-home estimate or virtual survey to get an accurate moving quote.

Customer experience: 7/10

Corrigan Moving Systems offers a solid moving experience, according to most customer reviews.

On Angi, for example, Corrigan earns an average of 4.8 out of 5 across all 12 locations. The company has a 4.3 out of 5 Google rating. But Yelp reviewers rate it lower — 2.5 out of 5.

There are some negative customer reviews about Corrigan Moving Systems mostly about damaged items or delayed delivery. Most moving companies get complaints like these. And we found no formal complaints on the BBB, where Corrigan has an A+ rating.

Everyone's relocation journey is different. But we're confident that most customers get a decent moving experience with Corrigan.

Credibility: 7/10

Corrigan is a legitimate moving company. It’s registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and has active insurance. It also has a satisfactory safety rating from the U.S. DOT.

That said, Corrigan Moving does have one complaint filed against them in 2022 in the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB). The consumer claimed issues in three categories: incorrect weighing, delays, and lost or damaged items.

Corrigan partners with United Van Lines for long-distance moves. United also has a satisfactory safety rating and complies with industry standards. It does have more complaints than Corrigan, but that's normal when comparing a national and local relocation company.

About Corrigan Moving Systems

Corrigan Moving offers relocation services from 12 locations spread across 5 Midwest states. It partners with United Van Lines for long-distance moves.

How we researched

We reviewed Corrigan Moving based on customer feedback, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records, and other public information.

To accurately score value, customer experience, and credibility, we also compared Corrigan Moving Systems reviews and public information to data on other moving companies.

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The post Corrigan Moving Systems: A Complete Review appeared first on Semya-Moya.