Homie has automated and streamlined much of the homebuying process so that buyers can do quite a bit themselves (like browsing for homes online to find the ones they’re interested in). As a result, our costs are lower and we’re able to refund our buyers up to $5,000 at closing (some limitations apply).

If a non-Homie seller has listed their home on the MLS, they’ve agreed to pay a buyer agent commission (BAC), usually around 3% of the price of the home. Homie collects those funds for a Homie buyer and refunds up to $5,000 back to the buyer for closing and loan costs. Some brokerage fees and lender restrictions may apply. The Homie Buyer Refund is not available for Homie seller listings.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

Refunds come from any paid buyer’s agent commissions. Check with a Homie attorney or agent to inquire as to whether or not commissions are being paid on any given property and, if so, how much of a refund you could qualify for. Homie Buyer Refunds do not apply to Homie-2-Homie deals, since Homie sellers do not pay typical buyer agent commissions when they accept an offer from a Homie buyer.

If the listing has no Buyer Agent Commission, Homie’s buyer services are still free, but you will not receive a refund since no commission will be collected.

The exact amount Homie can refund buyers depends on the commission specified in the MLS listing. For instance, on a $300,000 home, if the seller agreed to pay 1% commission, then the maximum Homie could refund a Homie buyer would be 1% minus fees. If, like most sellers, the agreed-upon commission is around 3%, then a Homie buyer could receive up to a $5,000 refund to use for closing and loan costs.

Homie-2-Homie is another way we help you get the home of your dreams. When a Homie seller reviews an offer from a Homie buyer, they know they are NOT paying the full BAC listed on the MLS. This means they could be saving thousands of dollars in typical commissions. This makes Homie buyer offers more attractive to Homie sellers. For example, assume you and another buyer both put in the same exact offer for a Homie listing. The Homie seller is financially wooed to take the Homie buyer’s offer instead of the traditional buyer’s offer, giving your offer a much better chance because the seller’s fees are so much lower for Homie buyers.

If the home is listed on Homie’ website, simply click “Request a Tour” on the listing to set up your tour directly with the seller. If the home is not listed on Homie’s website, contact tours@homie.com to set up a tour.

Sign up to be a Homie buyer here.

House hunting can be both fun and frustrating. Most buyers find a home by browsing online listings in the areas where they want to live. Start with the listings on homie.com. If you don’t find the home of your dreams there, search other sites like Zillow, Trulia, and MLS sites. Once you’ve found a few you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to do a drive-by. Is the house next to a train track? The only decent house in a crummy neighborhood? On a busy street? These things are difficult to assess online. After you’ve done your drive-by, and you’re still interested, it’s time to set up a tour.

Any allowable buyer refund can only be applied to closing costs. It is applied to the settlement statement at the time of closing. The refund cannot be deducted from the sales price or given out as cash at closing.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

No, the only requirement for receiving your Homie Buyer Refund is that you pre-qualify. We know how competitive Homie Loans’ rates are and they can almost always get our buyers the best deal. If, however, you choose to get your loan elsewhere, you can still qualify for the Homie Buyer Refund.

Yes, to receive a Homie Buyer Refund you need to pre-qualify with Homie Loans. Start the simple, quick process here.

Yes, you are represented by Homie and have signed a Buyer Broker Agreement, this makes Homie your buyer’s agent.

No worries. We have real estate attorneys and agents available to answer any questions you may have on the official offer form. Just contact us.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

The most important aspect of your offer is typically the sales price. Before you decide how much to offer, find out what your dream home is worth. Homie will send you a Home Value Report on the home you’re interested in for free. Use the report to make an educated offer on the home.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

Earnest money is a deposit that you make as a buyer to confirm the contract and show the seller that you are serious about your intent to purchase the home. Earnest money can be returned to you or forfeited to the seller depending on the terms of the purchase contract and whether you decide to move forward with closing once a contract is in place. As a buyer, make sure you understand the terms of the earnest money deposit and the circumstances under which you can cancel the contract and retain the earnest money.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

The earnest money deposit is usually at least 1% of the home’s sale price. When making offers, offering more earnest money makes your offer stand out and shows you’re serious. You need to have the funds available to cover your earnest money deposit because you will have to deposit it with a title/escrow company when your offer is accepted.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.

Yes. You can make offers on homes advertised on Homie and use your agent to do that for you.

Yes, Homie’s got your back. Homie Loans, a sister company, offers mortgage loans and can pre-qualify and pre-approve you for a loan. Get started online at www.homieloans.com.

Learn more by downloading our buyer eBook.