UpNest is a digital real estate marketplace that connects home sellers with competitive, discounted real estate agents. By allowing multiple agents to bid for your listing, UpNest promises to lower commission fees and streamline the selling process. Our UpNest review takes a closer look at whether UpNest is legit, what types of properties they target, their coverage area, selling process, payout structure, customer reviews, pros and cons, how competitors compare, and other alternatives.

Is UpNest legit?

UpNest is an established brand in the real estate industry, known for its technology-focused approach to connecting sellers with local agents. It has a good reputation among most users UpNest’s average rating on Google is 4.6 stars based on 300 reviews. But be aware that UpNest is not BBB accredited. UpNest’s BBB page has an average rating of 3.2 of 5 stars based on 20 customer reviews with 13 complaints have been filed against UpNest in the last three years (11 of which were closed in the last 12 months). 

What types of properties do they buy?

UpNest does not purchase homes. Instead, UpNest connects sellers with top real estate agents.  UpNest was created to help market all types of residential real estate, such as:

• Owner-occupied Homes: Homes that are usually live-in ready and in good condition.
• Single-Family Residences: Properties that have regular layouts, state-of-the-art features.
• Condos and townhouses: This is especially true in urban or suburban areas.
• Properties“As-is” homes: While the company caters to move-in ready homes, agents may represent homes that need minor updates.

By targeting those property types, UpNest can give sellers access to agents who are certain to win competitive offers while reducing the usual headaches from a long sale.

Coverage area

UpNest operates nationwide by connecting sellers with local agents. The platform’s national reach includes many significant markets; with UpNest, sellers just about everywhere will be matched with agents that have local expertise. UpNest is available in the following major markets:  

• Arizona – Phoenix Market 
• Florida – Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa Markets 
• Georgia – Atlanta Market 
• Indiana – Indianapolis Market Nevada
• Nevada – Las Vegas Market
• North Carolina – Charlotte and Raleigh Markets
• Ohio – Columbus Market
• South Carolina – Charlotte and Columbia Markets
• Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio Markets

Selling Process

UpNest takes the complexity out of selling a home by offering a streamlined online platform: 

• Online Submission: Sellers start by submitting property details on the UpNest website.
• Agent Matching: UpNest will then match you with local real estate agents who will compete with one another for the right to win your listing.
• Value assessment: Your selected estate agent will provide you will a valuation based on comparable sales and local market data.
• Listing and Marketing: Once you agree on terms, the agent lists your home on the MLS and syndicates it to the major real estate websites.
• Offer negotiation and closing:  Your agent will negotiate offers on your behalf. Once you accept an offer, they help coordinate the closing process to ensure a smooth transaction.

This process aims to be seamless and transparent, removing the pressure that selling a home can often bring.

UpNest Payout

Your payout with UpNest will depend on the final sale price your agent is able to negotiate. There may be an opportunity for sellers, thanks to the competitive bidding of the platform, to pay less commission to a brokerage than at a traditional brokerage and keep the net proceeds of the sale. Some sellers, though, may feel that the final offer is a bit lower than imagined, compared to what they may have gotten with spending longer on the market with a process that is less streamlined, although less convenient and quick.

UpNest Reviews

Google Reviews: UpNest has a sterling track record on Google on the strength of 300 reviews for 4.6 stars, with many sellers expressing strong satisfaction with the efficiency and competitive nature of the service.

Yelp Reviews: As of writing, no claimed Yelp reviews exist, which is not unusual for digital real estate services. 

BBB Profile: While UpNest is not BBB Accredited, its BBB rating is 3.2 stars on average from 20 reviews and 13 complaints in the past 3 years (11 of which have closed in the last 12 months).

These reviews are mixed and indicated that although for many people the service works flawlessly, others have had more challenged experiences.

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Competitive Agent Bidding: Multiple agents can bid on your listing, potentially reducing commission fees.
• Hassle-Free Process: We handle it all, without the time and effort traditional selling requires.
• National footprint: Present in major U.S. markets
• Positive Google Reviews: High ratings on Google indicate general customer satisfaction.  

Cons:

• Mixed BBB Ratings: No accreditation with BBB and a lower score with the BBB may deter some sellers.
• No Yelp reviews: Few reviews on Yelp make it difficult to get a better idea of the general customer experience.
• Potentially Lower Offers: Fast-sale models may sometimes result in slightly lower final offers.
• Variable Agent Quality: The success of the process depends on the local agent’s expertise and communication.

Competitors

UpNest’s competitors also seek to improve the way homes are sold:

• Redfin: technology-assisted brokerage with lower commissions and in-house agents.
• Zillow Offers: An iBuyer program that makes instant cash offers, albeit with stringent criteria.
• Traditional Brokerages: Provide personalized service but for higher commission rates.
• Other Agent Matching Services: These are offers from companies that connect sellers with multiple real estate agents, who will then compete for your business. 

Competitive Analysis

When compared with its competitors, here’s how UpNest stacks up:  Service Model: UpNest’s agent matching model puts a fresh, competitive spin on the conventional brokerage model.

• Cost Efficiency: The reduced commission rates offered by discount brokers can result in substantial savings compared to the rates charged by full-service real estate agents.
• Customer Satisfaction: UpNest has a relatively high rating on Google, but competitors such as Redfin and Zillow generally offer more reliable service, thanks to their larger agent networks.
• Coverage area: UpNest’s national coverage should offer local knowledge of a customer’s real estate market, but service quality may differ by region.

Other Alternatives We Recommend

Before you commit, here are some options to consider:

• Full-service brokerages: Personalized service and the potential to command a higher sale price.
• Other Online Platforms: Companies such as Redfin or Zillow Offers, which also use technology to streamline the process.
• Local Discount Brokers: These may provide a mix of traditional service while also offering opportunities for cost savings.
• FSBO Platforms: Best suited for sellers with experience in real estate who prefer to handle the sale themselves.

UpNest Reviews: Should You Sell Your House Through UpNest?

If you’re seeking a fast, digital way to sell your home at potentially lower commission rates, UpNest is worth trying. Its competitive agent bidding system and simple digital approach could save you time and money. Still, disparate reviews particularly on BBB and a reported lack of Yelp reviews indicate that some sellers have faced communication or negotiation challenges. Ultimately, if you prioritize speed and savings over top dollar and personal service, UpNest could be a great fit. Otherwise, traditional or other digital options may be better.

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