HomeRise Reviews (2026):
Pricing, Pros, Cons, and Real Customer Experiences
3K+
Homes Listed
$95
Starting Price
2023
Established
Written by Sarah Chen
Edited by James Wilson
What Is HomeRise?
- Flat-fee MLS platform
HomeRise lists a home on the local MLS for $95 upfront plus a fixed settlement fee starting at $495. Sellers manage showings through ShowingTime and handle pricing, negotiation, and closing after a compliance call with a licensed advisor. Outside flat fee MLS, HomeRise sells full service listings at 1% or 1.75% with no upfront cost in 49 states, and a buyer rebate returning up to 50% of the buyer agent commission.
One detail most customers miss: HomeRise’s own FAQ states, “HomeRise is not a licensed Brokerage.” Listings are placed through partner brokerages, so the seller’s contract is with another company entirely. That determines who is accountable for the listing and who a seller reaches for support, and published complaints describe sellers routed between HomeRise and its partners without resolution.
🏠 Coverage
HomeRise’s flat fee MLS product is available in 17 states plus Washington DC (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.)
HomeRise Pros and Cons
A balanced comparison of the platform’s strengths and trade-offs.
- HomeRise Pros
- Fixed dollar fee at closing instead of a percentage of the sale price
- Support safety net A seller can move to a 1% full service agent without starting over on another platform
- Compliance and strategy call with a licensed advisor on every plan
- Money back guarantee only if cancelled before the listing goes live
- Buyer rebate of up to 50% of the buyer agent commission - only in select states
- HomeRise Cons
- Large settlement fee upon closing, starting at $495
- Available in only 17 states
- Operates as a referral network broker quality varies by state
- Little to no human customer service
- Mixed reviews on responsiveness
- Expensive for lower priced homes
- Limited state by state pricing and feature transparency
HomeRise Pricing and Packages
HomeRise charges in two parts: a listing fee upfront and a fixed settlement fee at closing. The company describes the closing fee as covering MLS compliance, document review, and closing coordination, and states it is charged only when the home successfully sells.
Essentials
$95
- $495 Closing Fee
See features
- Syndication to Zillow/Realtor.com/Trulia
- Required listing paperwork handled for you
- Unlimited listing updates
- Buyer inquiries delivered to your phone & email
- ShowingTime to schedule and manage showings
- Real people to help with your listing
Advanced
$495
- $995 Closing Fee
See features
- All Essentials features
- Professional photography: 30 high-quality images
- Yard sign
- ShowingTime, buyer inquiries & unlimited listing updates
Full Service
$0 Upfront
- 1-1.75% Closing Fee
See features
- Licensed agent & a tailored pricing strategy
- Professional photography & video
- MLS exposure & online listing marketing
- Virtual full-service licensed broker
- Offer negotiations
- Guidance negotiating inspection requests
- Transaction management through closing
Colorado sellers cannot buy Essentials. Pricing there is $95 upfront plus $3,495 at settlement, sold as Flat Full Service to satisfy Colorado minimum service rules (Commission Position 36). That is roughly seven times the standard settlement fee, and it is disclosed in footnotes and the FAQ rather than in the main pricing display.
HomeRise connects sellers to a licensed agent at 1% of the sale price (Market Expert) or 1.75% (Local Expert), with no upfront fee. Both include photography, signage, open houses, negotiation, and transaction management. A seller who starts on a flat fee plan can move up to full service without restarting on another platform, and HomeRise states the initial listing fee is rebated at settlement if they do.
Buyers who purchase through HomeRise can receive up to 50% of the buyer agent commission back at closing. However, it is illegal in 11 states and therefore not available nationwide. This is a buyer side product and does not affect what a seller pays.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | List With Freedom | HomeRise |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 (20+ years) | 2023 |
| 47 states + Washington DC | 17 states plus Washington DC |
| $89 upfront | $95 upfront |
| 0.25% (Platinum/Platinum+) or 0.5% (Gold) | $495 fixed on Essentials, $995 on Advanced, $3,495 in Colorado |
| Direct, all brokers work directly for List With Freedom | Indirect – HomeRise is not a licensed brokerage and the contract is signed with a partner brokerage |
| Unlimited and free on every package | Only unlimited on higher tier |
| Included in every plan | Only Available in Full Service Plan (1% Commission) |
| Yes – only flat fee broker with this | Not available |
| 7 days/week, English & Spanish | Onboarding call but limited support via email through rest of process |
| 113,000+ | 3,000+ |
| 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Our Verdict:
List With Freedom
For most FSBO sellers, we recommend List With Freedom. HomeRise’s fixed settlement fee can total less than a percentage on a higher priced home, and sellers doing that math will see it, but what a seller is buying at HomeRise is difficult to pin down. Its own pages disagree on how many states it serves, how long a listing runs, and what the Advanced plan includes, and its FAQ states the company is not a licensed brokerage while its flat fee page says it is, leaving the seller to sign with a partner brokerage they did not choose.
List With Freedom is straightforward by comparison: three packages options plus, unlimited free listing changes, and cancellation anytime for any reason. Every seller is paired with a personal Listing Experience Manager, offers are reviewed, and a dedicated Closing Transaction Coordinator (CTC) stays on the file through closing, with call, chat, and email support seven days a week in English and Spanish. It is also the only flat fee brokerage selected by Zillow for its Professional Photography and Enhanced Showcase Listing upgrade.
Common Criticisms of HomeRise
HomeRise’s most common complaints, based on third-party review analysis:
Sellers buy from HomeRise but sign the listing agreement with a sister brokerage, either Houwzer or Trelora, and the site does not say which one applies in a given state. No license numbers are published anywhere, so the entity behind the listing cannot be verified before signing.
HomeRise markets real human support on every plan, but its FAQ states the company prioritizes email over phone to reduce overhead and asks for 24 to 48 hours for a weekday response. Published one star reviews describe unanswered emails, MLS updates not processed, and automated replies during active listing periods.
The flat fee landing page states 6 months on Essentials and 12 on Advanced, the FAQ states no time limit, and the homepage says the listing runs until the home sells. Sellers should get the term confirmed in writing before signing.
What Sellers Say About HomeRise
HomeRise holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Google with 26 Verified Reviews.
4.5 / 5
26 Google Reviews
- GOOD
Oran Y.
HomeRise makes it easy to list your house on the MLS, great service
- VERIFIED REVIEW
Vicky H.
We spent much time setting up with the basic plan. That was 3 weeks ago. Their site shows our listing still pending. Told us through a text that it was sent out to MLS listings after all this paperwork. BUT now we cannot find anything anywhere except Zillow which we did ourselves.
All the contact numbers are no longer available, if you leave a message you only receive a response through email. No other form of contact. SO for anyone checking them out, it is definitely seems like a scam. Do not waste your money.
- VERIFIED REVIEW
Jeremy K.
Just used HomeRise to sell a property. It was a very good experience and I would use it again.
- VERIFIED REVIEW
HomeRise vs. List With Freedom Feature Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side breakdown of the key features that matter most when choosing a flat-fee MLS service.
MLS Listing and Syndication
Syndication and listing speed
- WINNER
List With Freedom lists within 24 hours of receiving documents and photos, syndicates to the same major portals plus Trulia, and is the only flat fee brokerage selected by Zillow for its Professional Photography and Enhanced Showcase Listing upgrade.
Key Advantage
Faster time on the MLS and only flat fee broker with Zillow Premier placement
HomeRise lists on the local MLS and syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and Redfin, with listings going live in roughly 24 to 72 hours.
Buyer Side Offering
Opportunity to save additional money when selling a home
Buyer side rebate not currently available.
- WINNER
HomeRise offers a buyer rebate returning up to 50% of the buyer agent commission at closing, available in the states where rebates are legal.
Key Advantage
Buyer side rebate available where legal
Support
Broker assistance and concierge
- WINNER
List With Freedom pairs every seller with a personal Listing Experience Manager, reviews offers, and assigns a Closing Transaction Coordinator (CTC) through closing, with call, chat, and email support seven days a week in English and Spanish.
Key Advantage
Support runs through the entire transaction rather than a single call at the start, available seven days a week in two languages
HomeRise includes a compliance and strategy call with a licensed advisor on every plan, but its FAQ states the company prioritizes email over phone and asks for 24 to 48 hours for a weekday response, with support hours and languages unpublished.
Coverage
National availability
- WINNER
List With Freedom operates in 47 states plus Washington DC.
Key Advantage
Wider availability of flat fee services across many more states.
HomeRise offers flat fee MLS listings in 18 jurisdictions, 17 states plus Washington DC.
Who Should Homeowners Choose HomeRise vs List With Freedom
Two recommendations, side by side. Choose the experience that fits your needs.
Choose List With Freedom If You...
- Want a personal Listing Experience Manager and Closing Transaction Coordinator included on every plan at no extra cost
- Are listing in any of LWF's 47 states or Washington DC
- Want to use the newly updated LWF dashboard to manage offers, negotiations, and showings in one place
- Want Zillow Premier placement - only available through LWF among flat fee brokers
- Prefer to speak with someone by phone or chat 7 days a week, including in Spanish
- Are an investor listing multiple properties (custom pricing for 10+ homes)
- Want the lowest possible closing percentage - LWF Platinum at 0.25% is among the lowest in the category
- Value 20+ years of experience and a broker track record across 112,000+ transactions
Choose HomeRise If You...
- Are an experienced seller comfortable running pricing, showings, negotiation, and paperwork on your own
- Prefer a fixed dollar amount at settlement over a percentage of your sale price
- Are comfortable with an email first support model and slower response times
- Want the option to switch to a 1% full service agent mid sale without moving to another platform
- Are buying your next home at the same time and want a buyer agent commission rebate (available in select states)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is HomeRise a legitimate company?
HomeRise is a real, operating service, but the entity behind it is worth understanding. HomeRise is operated by Houwzer, Inc. and is part of the Newfound family of real estate brands alongside Houwzer and Trelora. Its own FAQ states that HomeRise is not a licensed brokerage and that sellers sign the listing contract with a partner brokerage, most often one of those sister companies.
How much does HomeRise cost?
The Essentials plan is $95 upfront plus a fixed $495 settlement fee, charged only if the home sells. The Advanced plan is $495 upfront plus $995 at settlement. Colorado uses different pricing at $95 upfront plus $3,495 at settlement. Full service is 1% or 1.75% of the sale price at closing with no upfront fee. For comparison,
Is HomeRise really a flat fee?
Not in the way the headline price suggests. The $95 is the listing fee. A separate settlement fee of $495 on Essentials or $995 on Advanced is charged when the home sells, so the all in cost on Essentials is $590. It is a fixed dollar amount rather than a percentage, which is a genuine difference from most competitors, but sellers should plan around the total rather than the advertised figure, as it is a high total cost on lower priced homes.
Is HomeRise available nationwide?
No, not for flat fee MLS. Per homerise.com, flat fee listings are available in 18 jurisdictions: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. HomeRise’s separate 1% full service product is available in 49 states.
Does HomeRise include help from a person?
Every plan includes a compliance and strategy call with a licensed advisor before the listing goes live, which is a real inclusion at the entry price. After that, the FAQ states the company prioritizes email communication over phone calls to minimize overhead and asks sellers to allow 24 to 48 hours for a response during the week. The site does not publish support hours or supported languages.
Can I cancel a HomeRise listing?
Yes. HomeRise states that sellers can cancel anytime with no cancellation fee, and offers a 100% money back refund of the $95 if the listing is cancelled before it goes live on the MLS, processed within 3 to 5 business days. The FAQ states a refund can be requested until the listing is active on the market.
