HomeLight

As an agent in a non-urban market and not a member of a gigantic nationwide brokerage (and always looking for good leads), I signed up, signed their contract to give them 25% of any commission, and then discovered the back story.

They sent me an Excel spreadsheet where I was to enter every detail of every transaction I'd ever had, including names, email addresses and phone numbers of every client for every transaction. If you've been an agent for a very long time, and especially if you've changed markets (I've gone from San Diego to the High Desert) or brokerages (I've been through several!), it's hard to remember them all, and often the records are with your previous brokers.

Then, apparently, they take the list and vet your completed transactions by contacting the clients you listed. Ridiculous. If they vetted through the MLS, it would be more accurate, but they don't. Also, I don't want them calling all my past clients because it's invasive to them.

Unless the agent completes every cell of every line for every sale they've made in their lives, no leads will be delivered. So, as a client user, you're not actually getting the benefit of being matched with every possible agent in your market, but with only the ones who have employees with enough time on their hands to fill out the ridiculous volume of data they demand. And, if the agent has not done millions and millions in sales, they're not considered "successful" and therefore not up to snuff for this website.

So, an ethical, educated, and experienced agent who dedicates themselves to the personal needs of each and every client they serve is passed over in this service, and the client-seeking personal service never has the chance to engage with you. I was extremely disappointed, considering the big hype they tout, and am offended by the entire premise of their platform.

I highly recommend that agents think twice before turning over all the personal information about their entire client base to this system, in expectation of getting those juicy leads they promise and don't deliver.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I am a real estate broker and put in my information as a buyer. Of the top four real estate brokers recommended, only two lived in the area of my interest, the other two were from a city 220 miles from Clovis, NM. I wonder how knowledgeable people who live 220 miles from the market you want to buy in are about the market?

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I am a first-time buyer. This site recommended Jeff Galindo to me. However, after having to chase him down repeatedly to get him to answer my questions, he finally became impatient with me, said I was being too negative and said he couldn't work like this and dropped me, including dropping the house I was scheduled to see the next day. I now have a REAL agent, elsewhere.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

HomeLight uses my name and information. My client put their information into HomeLight. HomeLight sent an email stating that would forward his information to me. He put my phone number in and then they called from an 818 area code and recommended other agents. Illegal to use my name and scam people, while pretending to work with me. They do not have my permission to use my name and company information. Using my name to prosper is highly illegal.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I had to sell my home of many years. I saw the HomeLight commercials and decided to give them a try.

They contacted me with an agent that was supposed to be a super sell with an agency of lots of realtors in the group. A month later my house still hasn't been sold, and I am now taking a drastic price cut. Very disappointed with my realtor. Not one person in his agency has even bothered to show the house.

If you are serious about selling your home, don't waste your time with HomeLight. You will be sadly disappointed.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

My experience has been awful and exactly what I did not want. Once they have your name and number the phone won't stop ringing. The majority of agents calling aren't even in my state or region. I do not accept restricted or unfamiliar calls anymore. I wish that I had never signed on to the website. I guard my personal information, especially my cell phone number, and now it's out there making the rounds.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

We are looking to retire and relocate to Ohio. The HomeLight invite we received by email seemed just the ticket to start our search. I answered it and filled out the questions it asked. I got a response right back, saying we would be contacted by a top realtor.

We waited a week and received no email or call. Then they responded back again with the same thing, but I got no answer or call. I tried again the following week to get the same email and got more of the same no response!

Sorry, but this seems to be just a scam for info.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I used HomeLight to find a local agent for my house. They matched me with two agents who I then subsequently "interviewed." When I determined that neither of the recommended agents were suitable, I called HomeLight and asked them to refer me to additional agents. However, they refused and told me that I had to use one of the two original referrals. The customer service rep then told me that if I don't find these agents suitable, then maybe HomeLight is not for me and then quickly hung up without explanation.

Overall, I find the experience to be inadequate and list of recommended agents way too thin compared to the vast number of very qualified and outside agents I know that are in my area, which is one of the hottest real estate market in the country.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

When I began my home search, I came across HomeLight. After interviewing a few different agents, it became clear that the agents I found on HomeLight were not "experts" and or did not even have any prior sales or experience in my desired area. After meeting with a couple of agents NOT on HomeLight, I realized that any good agent in my metro area has just as much access to the market and was just as experienced and qualified as those who were found on HomeLight.

Basically, HomeLight is another of many lead generation services designed to generate business for real estate agents who pay to be on their site, much like Zillow or Trulia or Realtor.com. The agents on this site are not necessarily the top-rated agents in their area, but instead, have just paid to be listed on HomeLight and bought a zip code. This seems pretty disingenuous, and their marketing is misleading. I'm not saying that there are not any agents that are experienced/knowledgeable in a certain area, because I am sure that plenty of good agents have paid for their leads on the site, but what I have found is that just because an agent is on the site doesn't mean they actually ARE an expert in any area of the market.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

After accepting a new job in Boston, I had to put my first ever home on the market. I was nervous about moving to a new city and selling the home I fell in love with. After two months of meeting with real estate agents, only to leave feeling even more unsure and confused, a Google search brought me to HomeLight.

I filled out the information about my home and was provided a list of agents that were experienced in my area. I met with a few of the agents already but noticed some good prospects. My phone rang, and it happened to be a rep from HomeLight on the other end. I was a bit taken aback, but they did an amazing job of walking me through each agent's experience and how they could be a great fit for my home. I admit I was a bit suspicious and even a little rude in the beginning (sorry!), but I couldn't argue with the stats. They even worked with me a few weeks later when it was time to find a buyer's agent in Boston!

I ended up speaking with two agents they recommended, and during my meeting with #2, it took five whole minutes to know she was the one!

Just a month and a half later my home was sold above list price and in time for my start date at the new job. I am now working with the most amazing agent in Boston and hope to place an offer on the most beautiful space tomorrow!

Thank you HomeLight for introducing me to the best in the industry. You made this confusing time a life-changing adventure!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

After submitting my information and receiving a phone call from a HomeLight employee, I am not impressed at all. I simply asked her how HomeLight makes their commission and if realtors were chosen or paid for this selective service. She answered me but told me that I was hostile for asking questions. Then she proceeded to ask me personal questions, which I deemed unanswerable. She then angrily told me that I was not a match to be a client because I was combative. I have a $650,000.00 house that I wish to put up for sale. Please retrain your front line telephone employees who screen prospective clients.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend