Top Real Estate Companies in Ohio

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By Brendan Rigney Updated April 26, 2023

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We call Ohio the "Buckeye State" for the countless Buckeye trees found here. Not to be outdone, over 34,000 real estate agents also call Ohio home. (Although we won't be calling it the "Agent State" or anything like that.)

While the variety of agents and real estate companies can be good for buyers and sellers in Ohio, it can also complicate their understanding of the market.

Luckily, Semya-Moya is here to help trek a path through this dense forest of housing and real estate services. Here are lists of some of Ohio's the top companies, organized in a few different ways:

Best for saving money: Discount brokers

If your #1 priority is saving money when you buy or sell your home, consider working with a discount broker. These companies connect you with an agent while charging reduced realtor commission. Some — like Semya-Moya — even offer buyers cash back when they close.

A trade-off that comes with a discount broker's affordability is that some companies cut costs on their end to help you save. This might mean they hire fewer real estate agents while expecting them to handle a higher-than-usual volume of clients, which means you'd get less personal attention than if you found an agent through other means.

Clever, Redfin, and other discount brokers operate in Ohio, meaning there are ample opportunities for you to save as a buyer or seller.

Semya-Moya

Get Started

💲 Listing Fee

1.5% (min. $3,000)

💰 Avg. Savings

$5,625

⭐ 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 offers 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, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit.
  • Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for a low 1.5% listing fee.
  • If you buy with Clever, you could get cash back after closing.
  • 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.

Clever has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 2,589 reviews.

Read reviews from real Clever customers.

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

Redfin

Full Review

💲 Listing Fee

1.5% (min. fees vary)

💰 Avg. Savings

$5,550

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

2.9/5 (331 reviews)
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons
Reviews
Locations

Redfin offers real savings and is a proven brand. But sellers could compromise on service — especially agent experience and availability.

Read the full Redfin review.

  • If you buy and sell with Redfin, you'll get a 0.5% listing fee discount.
  • Redfin gives its listings premium placement in its popular home search app.
  • If finding the right agent is a top priority, you'll have limited options Redfin only has a few agents in each of its markets.
  • Redfin agents handle more customers at once than the average realtor, so they may not be able to provide as much personalized service.

Redfin has a 2.9 out of 5 rating (331 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Yelp.

Read reviews from real Redfin customers here.

Redfin is available in 80+ U.S. markets (see all locations).

Ideal Agent

Full Review

💲 Listing Fee

2% (min. $3,000)

💰 Avg. Savings

$3,750

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

4.9/5 (6,254 reviews)
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons
Reviews
Locations

Ideal Agent can match with a great agent from a traditional brokerage. But its 2% listing fee makes Ideal Agent a lot more expensive than other full-service discount brands.

Read the full Ideal Agent review.

  • You'll get a full-service agent from a traditional brokerage.
  • It's free to request an agent match, and you can walk away at any time.
  • Ideal Agent costs more than most other full-service, low commission companies.
  • You'll get matched with only one realtor — most similar services recommend multiple agents so you can compare your options and pick the one you like best.

Ideal Agent has a 4.9 out of 5 rating (6,254 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Trustpilot.

Read reviews from real Ideal Agent customers here.

Ideal Agent is available to home sellers nationwide.

Assist-2-Sell

💲 Listing Fee

$2,995-8,995

💰 Avg. Savings

$6,500

⭐ Avg. Customer Rating

No online reviews
✍️ Editor's Take
Pros
Cons

Assist-2-Sell's service and pricing vary by location, but generally it offers poor value for sellers.

Read the full Assist-2-Sell review.

  • Higher-value homes may be able to get significant savings with a flat fee.
  • Prices are inconsistent but generally higher than the competition.
  • Some customers complain about poor service and support.

Best for a fast sale: iBuyers and cash buyers

If speed is more your game, you're in luck: several Ohio real estate companies specialize in quick sales. While the average time a home in Ohio stays on the market is 39, iBuyers and cash buyers will buy your home in two weeks or less after you contact them.

Cash buyers, or "We Buy Houses" companies, buy distressed properties and homes that require a ton of work. However, they'll make below-market offers — as low as 50% of the market value — in exchange for the speed and ease of the sale.

» COMPARE: Top 5 We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Ohio

iBuyers will pay much closer to the fair market value for your home. However, they typically focus on homes with little to no repairs needed instead of distressed properties.

Offerpad is the only major iBuyer that operates in Ohio, though it works exclusively in the Columbus metropolitan area.

We Buy Houses

Full review

Time to offer

24–48 hours

Minimum closing time

7–14 days

Closing costs

No cost to seller
✍️ Editor's take
Pros and cons
Locations
Reviews
Contact

Working with We Buy Houses is more likely to be positive than working with a local private real estate investor. We Buy Houses vets all of its investors and gives them an exclusive license to operate in its territory, so investors who use the brand name have an incentive to work hard in order to maintain their advantage.

While We Buy Houses doesn't exercise control over how much its investors offer, it does reserve the right to rescind licenses if investors don't meet its ethical standards.

Pros

  • Offer in 24–48 hours
  • Vetted, reputable real estate investors
  • No need to worry about repairs
  • Close in just seven days

Cons

  • Little to no room for negotiation
  • Individual investors have different strategies, so they may value your home differently
  • Licenses are exclusive, so there's only one We Buy Houses option in your area

We Buy Houses operates in 200 markets in over 30 states.

Reviews online are available only for local franchises.

The vast majority are positive, with customers saying that the We Buy Houses investor they worked with was fast and professional.

We Buy Ugly Houses

Full review

Time to offer

Varies

Minimum closing time

3 weeks

Closing costs

No cost for seller
✍️ Editor's take
Pros and cons
Locations
Reviews
Contact

We Buy Ugly Houses has a better reputation than most individual cash buyers, but your experience can vary based on the quality of the local franchise. While We Buy Ugly Houses can close in as little as three weeks, it pays far less than fair market value.

Pros

  • Trusted, nationally recognized brand
  • No need to worry about repairs
  • Close in just three weeks

Cons

  • Quality of service may vary between franchises
  • Pays far less than fair market value

We Buy Ugly Houses has over 800 independently owned and operated franchises across 47 states and Washington, DC.

As of October 2022, We Buy Ugly Houses's parent company, Homevestors, has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. No other third-party reviews are available at this time.

This rating is based on overall national data. Research local franchises for specific reviews that reflect their quality of service.

NeedToSellMyHouseFast

Website

Phone Number

(800) 234-4361

Time to Offer

Undisclosed

Time to Sale

Undisclosed
Why We Chose It
Details
Locations
Reviews

NeedtoSellMyHouseFast.com is a cash buyer operating in several states across the U.S. with generally positive reviews.

Need to Sell My House Fast buys homes for cash throughout the United States. To sell your house to Need to Sell My House Fast, you can:

  • Meet with a representative in person and ask questions
  • Read the background research and market analysis made to accompany the initial offer
  • Take as much time as you need to consider their offer

Need to Sell My House Fast buys homes across the country. Some of their serviced states include:

NeedToSellMyHouseFast.com received an average of 4.3 stars from 23 customer reviews.

Facebook: 4.3 stars/23 reviews

Offerpad

Full review

Service fee

6%

Closing date window

8–60 days

Average rating

4 (2,656 reviews)
✍ Editor's take
Pros and cons
Locations
Reviews
Contact

Offerpad promises the certainty of a cash offer and a fast closing on a date you choose. Of all the iBuyers, Offerpad has the most flexibility when it comes to closing (8–60 days) and is liked by customers for its personalized customer service and perks like a free local move.

Pros

  • There's a longer closing window compared to competitors.
  • The late checkout option gives sellers up to three days to move out after closing.
  • You can access additional services, such as free local moves within 50 miles.

Cons

  • There's a 1% cancellation fee if you back out of the sale.
  • It's not as widely available as competitors like Opendoor.

Offerpad is currently purchasing homes in 25 locations, including:

  • AL: Birmingham
  • AZ: Phoenix, Tucson
  • CA: Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino
  • CO: Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins
  • FL: Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa
  • GA: Atlanta
  • IN: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis
  • KS: Kansas City
  • MO: Kansas City, St. Louis
  • NV: Las Vegas
  • NC: Charlotte (+ neighboring parts of SC), Raleigh
  • OH: Columbus
  • SC: Columbia
  • TN: Nashville
  • TX: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio

As of 8/7/2023, Offerpad's average customer rating is 4 based on 2,656 reviews.

Best for finding top agents: Agent-matching services

Agent-matching services make connecting with one of the 34,000 real estate agents in Ohio easier than ever.

With an agent-matching service, you just need to provide some basic information about your budget and needs. Within minutes, you'll have a list of local agents and companies in Ohio to compare.

A few agent-matching services, like Clever and UpNest, go further and offer discounts for buyers and sellers.

Semya-Moya

Full Review

💲 Listing Fee

1.50%

💰 Buyer Savings

Up to $500 cash back

⚡ Avg. Customer Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✍️ Editor's Take
✔️ Pros
❌ Cons
🏆 Reviews

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.

Learn how Clever helps you find the perfect agent and save thousands

  • Free, nationwide agent-matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX
  • Provides multiple agent matches so you can interview, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit
  • Pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for 1.5% with a $3,000 minimum
  • If you buy with Clever, you may get up to $500 cash back if you qualify
  • You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
  • Like other agent matching services, Clever may have fewer agents in rural areas.
  • Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.

As of 11/6/2023, Clever has an average customer rating of 5.0 on Trustpilot, based on 2,589 reviews.

Read reviews from real Clever customers here.

UpNest

💲 Listing Fee

Varies

💰 Buyer Savings

Varies

⚡ Avg. Customer Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✍️ Editor's Take
✔️ Pros
❌ Cons
🏆 Reviews

UpNest has agents compete for your business, which often results in you getting a discounted rate. But savings aren't guaranteed and you will usually find a better rate with competitors like Clever.

  • Agents compete for customers, which often results in slightly discounted rates
  • Customer dashboard is easy to use and provides lots of each information about each agent
  • Savings are not guaranteed and are often only a little better than the national average
  • Agent quality and coverage varies, with smaller markets having fewer options than big cities

As of 10/13/2023, UpNest has an average customer rating of 4.6, based on 6,641 reviews across Better Business Bureau, Google, Facebook, and Shopper Approved.

Ideal Agent

💲 Listing Fee

2% ($3k minimum fee)

💰 Buyer Savings

None

⚡ Avg. Customer Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✍️ Editor's Take
✔️ Pros
❌ Cons
🏆 Reviews

Ideal Agent can match you with a local realtor who sells a lot of homes. But although it pre-negotiates discounted listing fees, you can save twice as much with competitors like Clever.

  • Agents in network must meet strict quality standards
  • Pre-negotiated listing fees of 2% (or $3k for homes under $150,000)
  • 2% listing fee is less than the national average, but it's not the best rate out there
  • No built-in savings for buyers
  • Only matches you with a single agent

As of 3/28/2023, Ideal Agent has an average customer rating of 4.9, based on 6,254 reviews across Google and Trustpilot.

Best by transaction volume

Looking at a company's total dollar value of all of its sales can tell you a lot about their level of success. While this won't say anything about a group's customer service, you can get a better idea of their performance!

Below are Ohio's top performing real estate companies based on total transaction volume and team size.

🏆 Best small teams

🏆 Best medium teams

🏆 Best large teams

👋 Looking to grow your real estate business?

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  ✅ Qualified clients ready to buy or sell.

  ✅ Grow your brand with more listings.

  ✅ Clever is free to join — never pay for a lead up front.

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Fast facts about real estate in Ohio

FAQs about the best real estate companies in Ohio

What is the best real estate company in Ohio?

If you live in Columbus and want to sell your home quickly, consider working with Offerpad. You can also connect with a real estate professional by using an agent-matching service like Semya-Moya or UpNest.

What is the largest real estate company in Ohio?

The brokerage HER Realtors is the largest real estate company in Ohio, with the Raines Group having the highest transaction volume in 2021.

Methodology

Our research team at Clever compiled this info after hundreds of hours of analysis on real estate companies and services in Ohio. Here are the steps we took:

  • Interviews with local real estate agents and companies
  • Mystery shopping of companies to learn more about their customer-facing processes
  • Comparative analysis of companies' different services and features, fees, and customer satisfaction

Transaction volume data for brokerages in Ohio was sourced from RealTrends' state rankings.

Related links

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