Ideal Agent is a legitimate real estate company that matches home sellers with top real estate agents, assisting them in selling their homes for a reduced commission fee. The company has positive reviews for their speedy matching system and money savings for home sellers compared with traditional real estate transactions. It has a good reputation online—a Google rating of 4.8/5 based on 512 reviews; an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an average customer review score of 4.97/5; however, they have mixed reviews on Yelp, with a 2.1 star rating based on 9 reviews.  What Types of Properties Do They Buy?

Ideal Agent is not a company that buys houses. Rather than purchasing homes directly, Ideal Agent operates as a real estate referral company, matching sellers with top-performing real estate agents who list houses and find buyers on the open market.  It works with successful real estate agents who list and sell all kinds of residential real estate — single-family houses, condos, townhouses, and luxury properties.

Coverage area

Ideal Agent operates nationwide, connecting sellers with its proprietary network of top-rated realtors. According to Ideal Agent, it only works with top 1% real estate agents in each local market, so you can expect quality service no matter where you’re located.

Selling Process

1. Request a Consultation: Sellers begin by inputting their property information on the Ideal Agent website.
2. Agent Matching: In a handful of business days, HomeLight claims to match the seller with a top-rated local real estate agent.
3. Listing the property: The nominated agent lists the property and markets it to prospective purchasers.
4. Negotiation & Sale: The agent negotiates the best offer on behalf of the seller.
5. Closing: Following the closing of the transaction, the seller sells the business and collects on the sale proceeds.

Ideal Agent Payout

It promises commission savings on par with what you’d expect from a full-service conventional brokerage. That amounts to a fee of 2% to the listing agent, with an additional 2 to 3% to the buyer’s agent. In total, you’ll save compared with the typical 6% commission that most traditional firms charge.

Ideal Agent Reviews

Google Reviews: 4.8/5 stars based on 512 reviews. Customers noted outstanding customer service, professional agents, and significant savings on commission.

BBB Rating: A+  Customer Reviews: Average 4.97 of 5 stars from 143 customer reviews  3 complaints closed in last 3 years

Yelp: 2.1/5 stars from 9 reviews, negative remarks from some customers when it comes to the agent quality and response times. 

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Access to Top 1% real estate agents.
• Lower fees than traditional real estate brokers.
• High customer satisfaction ratings on Google and BBB
• No need to commit after receiving an agent recommendation. 

Cons:

• Some negative reviews cite inconsistencies in agent quality. 
• Little ability to negotiate commissions.
• Not best for sellers seeking immediate cash offer.

Ideal Agent Competitors

• Redfin: A discount real estate brokerage. Offers 1-1.5% listing fees with full-service listing agents.
• Clever Real Estate: A referral service akin to Ideal Agent, but with cheaper commission rates.
• Homelight: Real estate agent matching service that pairs sellers with top agents.

Competitor Analysis

• Ideal Agent vs. Redfin: Redfin charges lower commission fees, but the company’s agents may not provide the personalized experience of Ideal Agent’s hand-picked agents.
• Ideal Agent vs. Clever Real Estate: Clever offers lower commission fees (as little as 1.5%), but Ideal Agent focuses on pairing sellers with top-performing agents.
• Ideal Agent vs. Homelight: Both companies match sellers with agents, but Homelight relies much more heavily on data-driven recommendations rather than more subjective vetting.

Other Options to Consider

• For Sale by Owner (FSBO): Some homeowners handle their own sale without involving an agent to avoid paying the commission. More work is required on the homeowner’s part. 
• iBuyers (Opendoor, Offerpad): iBuyers are companies that make instant, cash offers on homes. Offers are typically below market.
• Traditional Realtors: best for consumers who want full-service representation and are willing to pay standard commissions

Ideal Agent Reviews (2023): Should You Sell To Them?

It is a good option for sellers who want to save on commission while still working with a top real estate agent. It’s convenient, professional, and especially appealing for sellers who have never sold a home before and want to feel taken care of throughout the process. However, there are better options for sellers who want an instant cash offer or more aggressive commission discounts. For sellers looking for an instant cash offer, alternatives like iBuyers might be a better fit. For sellers seeking the lowest possible commission, Clever Real Estate is worth considering to potentially save more than Ideal Agent. If you like the idea of working with a vetted, high-quality agent but want a lower commission, Ideal Agent could be a good choice.

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