Houzeo ratings | Houzeo reviews | Service quality | Costs | Top competitors | Next steps | Methodology
Houzeo is a flat fee MLS (FFMLS) company that offers for sale by owner (FSBO) services nationwide. Its coverage is limited in South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Each of Houzeo’s four service packages allows you to get your home listed on your local MLS so you don’t have to pay a commission to a listing agent. Prices vary by state but generally cost $329–399. Houzeo also takes 0.5–1% of the sale price on two of its packages.
You won’t save as much money with Houzeo as you could with other FFMLS companies. Some competitors charge as little as $99 for basic services.
Houzeo could be worth a shot, though, if you have experience as a FSBO seller and know your way around a home sale negotiation.
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Houzeo at a glance
| Our rating | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Houzeo reviews | 4.9 |
| Service quality | 3.7 |
| Cost | 3.9 |
Houzeo reviews
| Company | Average rating |
|---|---|
| Google (1,288) | 4.9 |
| Trustpilot (1,871 reviews) | 4.9 |
| Weighted average | 4.9 |
Houzeo’s online reviews are quite favorable.
Many customers find Houzeo’s online platforms to be user-friendly. Houzeo’s website features a convenient chat feature. When customer service isn’t available, customers can leave a message through the website. Users who’ve had trouble navigating the site credit customer service associates for walking them through their problem.
Customers complain most about the Android mobile app. According to Houzeo reviews, the app has a habit of crashing. In some cases, it won’t install. Some say the search function sometimes produces information that doesn’t apply to the correct region. Out of 31 reviews, Houzeo’s Android App earns only 1.8 stars out of 5.
iPhone users have fewer complaints, with most of them touting the user-friendly app and great customer service.
Customer service has been an issue for some customers. Sellers report mixed messages from different associates more than once. Other customers say they failed to receive any follow-up from Houzeo’s associates. One customer claimed to have received spam calls attempting to upsell services. That seller decided to hire a licensed agent, so they spent more money than if they had originally gone to an agent.
On the upside, the most used word by reviewers on Google to describe their experience with Houzeo is “patient.”
Customers also complained about the lack of value in top-tier packages. They don’t like having to pay extra for features like the ability to manage showing times.
Houzeo’s service quality
Pros
- Each Houzeo package gets your home listed on the MLS.
- The Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages allow for maximum photos on your listing.
Cons
- You’ll need technical know-how to use Houzeo’s platform.
- Listing periods for Bronze, Silver, and Gold plans are shorter than we recommend.
Three of Houzeo’s four packages — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — meet our basic service quality standards for a flat fee MLS. Each package allows you to get your house listed on the MLS and also pushes your listing to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, Zillow, and other popular real estate sites.
» MORE: Why Listing on the MLS Matters
Houzeo’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans also include the following:
- The maximum amount of photos allowed on the MLS
- Unlimited free listing changes
- The ability cancel your service at any time
- A six-month (Silver, Gold) or 12-month (Platinum) listing term
Houzeo’s Bronze package fails to meet our basic service standards for a FFMLS. Its three-month listing term is too short and you can only upload six photos to your listing. Listing changes cost $25 each.
Houzeo’s robust online platform offers a variety of nice-to-have features for some of its packages. The Gold and Platinum packages allow you to manage showing requests from buyers and their agents. These packages also let you field offers online, including countering an offer or calling for bidders’ highest and best offers.
Houzeo’s Silver package only allows you to manage showing requests.
Overall, using Houzeo requires some technical expertise. The company claims to simplify the real estate process, which could be a bit of a misnomer depending on your experience. You’ll need to manage uploading images, showing calendars, and buyer offers. You’ll also get virtual support from a licensed agent.
To have a chance of being a successful FSBO seller, you may need to dive into Houzeo’s many to-do videos and online FAQs.
Houzeo costs
Pros
- Transparent pricing on a state-by-state basis
- Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages include tools to manage showings
Cons
- Gold and Platinum packages include fees at closing
- Customers may have to pay extra for showings in some states
Houzeo offers four pricing tiers:
- Bronze: $329+
- Silver: $399+
- Gold: $379+, and O.5% of the sale price at closing
- Platinum: $349+, and 1% of the sale price at closing
Each package will get your listing on the MLS, Your listing will also be syndicated on sites like Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and Zillow. Pricing differs by state, but here’s a general overview.
Houzeo’s Bronze package starts at $329 with no Houzeo hidden fees at closing. Houzeo does openly charge $25 for each listing change and $25 for requests to advertise your open house in your listing. Yard signs cost $49.
Sellers can easily find another FSBO platform that’s a better value than Houzeo’s Bronze package.
The Silver package costs $399 and up for a six-month MLS listing, plus the maximum amount of photos. You can make unlimited listing changes and manage your showings via Houzeo’s digital platforms. If you want a yard sign, you’ll have to pay $49.
Houzeo’s Gold package starts at $379, plus 0.5% of the sale price at closing (minimum: $999). You’ll get a six-month MLS listing and the maximum number of photos allowed on the local MLS. You can manage your showings and offers on Houzeo’s website and app, and also make unlimited listing changes.
While the cost of the Gold package is a bit high for the FSBO market, you won’t find a lot of this package’s features on comparable plans on other platforms like Fizber.
Houzeo’s Platinum package starts at $349 upfront, plus 1% of the sale price at closing (minimum: $999). You’ll get a 12-month listing on the MLS.
The biggest incentive to get the Platinum plan is access to a licensed broker to support you with contracts, pricing, and closing. Almost everything else in this plan is the same as the Gold package.
» MORE: Discount Real Estate Brokers: Best Options in 2023
Houzeo vs. top competitors
| Availability | Avg. rating | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fizber | Nationwide | 3.9 | $295 |
| Homecoin | CA, FL, GA, MI, MO, NY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WI | 4.9 | $95+ |
| Houzeo | Nationwide | 4.9 | $329–999+ |
| Beycome | AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, MN, NC, SC | 4.4 | $99–499 + 1% |
Next steps
Houzeo might be a service worth trying if you’re set on selling FSBO, but we don’t recommend it as a money saver.
You’ll get a local MLS listing with all of Houzeo’s packages. You’ll also get the maximum number of pictures allowed with its Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages. But you can get the same services with a different FFMLS service for a lower price.
You can also try a low-commission real-estate service like Clever Real Estate, where you can get the support of a full-service agent while paying just 1.5% in listing fees.
Methodology
We evaluated each cash buyer service based on four core criteria:
Reviews
During our evaluation, we:
- Aggregated customer reviews from across the web and created a weighted average rating
- Checked for complaints with the Better Business Bureau
Customer experience
During our evaluation, we:
- Checked how easy the company app or portal was to use
Speed
Cash buyer companies should provide basic services, including:
- A fast offer (typically between 48 and 72 hours)
- Rapid closing
We noted add-on services that actually help you, like the option to stay in your home after you close.
Credibility
We reviewed the company’s Better Business Bureau profile to see if it’s accredited. Additionally, we searched government sites to see if there’s any legal action against the company. We also read Glassdoor reviews to see if any employees mention unethical practices.