Home prices in Virginia have increased by 7.9% Y-O-Y and are now at a whopping $407,300. Simultaneously, mortgage rates have witnessed a sharp decline from 7.79% in Oct 2023 to 6.63% in Jan 2024. The market is booming for both sellers and buyers. If you want to sell your home or buy a new one, NOW is the time to do so!
Real estate companies can help you get access to the MLS quickly. Whether you use a Flat Fee MLS company or a discount brokerage, you will receive a quick and affordable real estate transaction.
Top 6 Virginia Real Estate Companies:
-
For Home Sellers
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- RE/MAX: Expert Assistance
- Century 21: Best for Marketing Properties
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For Home Buyers
- Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for Local Market
- Berkshire Hathaway: Best for First Time Buyers
- Homes.com: Best for Commercial Properties
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Sellers in Virginia
Discover the best home-selling companies in the Old Dominion State. From lively Richmond to beautiful Norfolk, we have found the 3 best companies for you.
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Houzeo.com
Houzeo is real estate company headquartered in New York.
Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.
- Bronze Package – $399: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver Package – $399+0.5% at Close: This offers maximum photos upload and provide you with seller disclosures.
- Gold Package – $429+0.5% at Close: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for like, Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum – $449+1% at Close: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Confirm all prices on your particular state’s pricing page before you list.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities in less than 60 mins.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 4 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is high-tech platform with its easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Houzeo mobile app is also very powerful.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. And remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the listing agent commission.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Good for You? Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent“ by 8,000+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Virginia’s #1 real estate company. It provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Houzeo provides affordable listing packages to Virginia FSBO home sellers. Also, its offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.
2. RE/MAX
GLOBAL REAL ESTATE BRAND
RE/MAX
RE/MAX is a network of franchised brokerages that are independently owned and operated. It has a global footprint with a presence in over 110 countries.
- Traditional Agents – 5% to 6% Commission: RE/MAX is a traditional brokerage. Normally, traditional agents charge an average commission of 5%-6% as they guide and assist you through the entire selling process.
👉 Our Take: RE/MAX is a well-known real estate brokerage. However, each office is independently owned and operated, so the experience and the quality of service may vary by office.
Key features of RE/MAX are:
- Personal Agent: RE/MAX agents guide you throughout your entire selling process and keep you updated on its progress.
- Pricing Your Home: Agents at RE/MAX will conduct an in-depth evaluation and a CMA of your property to price your home competitively.
- Extensive Marketing: Agents at RE/MAX use cutting-edge tools and implement multiple marketing strategies to ensure maximum exposure to your property.
The major dealbreaker of RE/MAX is
- Poor Customer Reviews: RE/MAX has multiple customer complaints regarding timeline lapses and unresponsive customer service.
RE/MAX has a rating of 1.1 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
RE/MAX, LLC is a part of RE/MAX Holdings, which is one of the world’s largest real estate franchisors. The company operates in over 100 countries and has more than 100,000 agents worldwide.
RE/MAX provides expert assistance to the sellers. However, previous customers have complained about a lack of communication from its agents.
3. Century 21
Brand Recognition
Century 21
Century 21 is one of the world’s largest real estate brokerage firms. It operates in every U.S. State and 82 other countries.
Century 21 does not disclose its price on its website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.
👉 Our Take: Century21 could be a good option for first-time home sellers who do not mind paying high commissions. Along with listing, you will get assistance for contract reviews, offer management, closing, etc.
Here are some advantages of choosing Century21:
- Global Coverage: Century 21 operates in every U.S. State and 82 other countries.
- Market Exposure: It has good brand recognition and over 14,000 independent franchises. It has real estate brokers working with over 122,000 real estate agents.
- Best for First-Time Home Sellers: Home sellers get access to contract reviews, handle their listing, offer management, closing, and a lot more.
Century 21 has some drawbacks that a user should be aware of.
- No Discounts: The agent’s fees for Century 21 are usually high. They do not offer any discounts.
- Delayed Services: Previous customers have complained that the agents were not helpful and that it delayed the process.
Century 21 has an average rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 100+ reviews on Consumer Affairs.
Century 21 is the world’s largest real estate company located in New Jersey. It has over 14000 independent franchises. Founded in 1971, it has become one of the most recognizable brands in the real estate industry.
It is known for its innovative marketing and technology. However, many customers have reported delayed services and high agent fees.
Best Real Estate Companies for Home Buyers in Virginia
Explore the top home-buying companies in Virginia. From Roanoke to Virginia Beach, you can discover affordable homes.
1. Coldwell Banker Realty
MOST SUCCESSFUL INVESTORS
Coldwell Banker
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is an American full-service real estate brokerage.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you do not have to pay any fee to avail services of Coldwell Banker.
👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker has been recognized as a real estate leader. However, it might prioritize transaction volume over personalized attention, which could be less ideal for first-time buyers or those needing more guidance.
Key features of Coldwell Banker:
- Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
- Lender Assistance: It helps you to find a lender for pre-qualification according to your affordability.
- Home Search: With MLS and other tools, agents find your ideal home based on your preferences and budget.
- Finance: It helps with down payments, mortgage prequalification, and getting your finances ready to buy a house.
- Strong Agent Network: Your agent can find many property options for you as they have good connections with other real estate agents.
Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Several clients of Coldwell Banker have complained of a lack of trust in the agents they had dealt with.
- Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions, laid-back attitude, misrepresentations, and the unresponsiveness of agents.
Coldwell Banker is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars from 200+ reviews on Trustpilot
Established in California, Coldwell Banker has changed the way people buy homes. They offer buyers financing options to ensure they have their financial ducks in a row when preparing to buy a house.
However, it’s advised you conduct due diligence on an agent before you appoint the agent to represent you.
2. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
💫 Luxury Listings
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage franchise in the US. Headquartered in Minneapolis with over 44,000 real estate agents and 900 offices, BHHS makes over $136 billion annually in residential real estate transactions.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you can register with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for free of cost.
👉 Our Take: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides its services to all kinds of home buyers whether you are a first-time home buyer or a luxury home buyer.
» Selling a House: Things you need to know!
Key highlights of BHHS include:
- Search Tool: BHHS provides you with a search tool so you can browse through a variety of homes available in the market.
- Assistance in Paperwork: The agents handle all paperwork for you in relation to buying a house.
- Market Knowledge: BHHS agents provide practical knowledge and guidance based on years of local market expertise. With in-depth property and community information, they help you finalize your dream home.
- Mortgage Calculator: They provide a mortgage calculator by which you can figure out the monthly payments of a home mortgage loan, based on your desired home’s sale price.
- Start to Close Assistance: BHHS agents are experienced in handling all phases of the purchase process, including home inspections.
Few red flags we found about Berkshire Hathaway include:
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Since BHHS franchises are independently owned and operated, agent experience differs from one location to another.
- Poor Reviews: Customers have complained about delayed transactions and a lack of communication from the agent’s end.
Berkshire Hathaway has a rating of 2.5 out of 5 from 60+ reviews on Best Company.
Berkshire Hathaway is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is known for selling high-end luxury properties. It also provides buyers unlimited access to their daily updated listings with pictures, details, property features, and nearby amenities to help them choose the best home.
You can also opt for their email updates that apprise you of new homes on the market. However, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty offers its services mainly in Austin and nearby areas.
3. Homes.com
Online Home Buying Site
Homes.com
Homes.com is free to use for homebuyers and renters. However, real estate agents can pay to advertise their listings on the website.
- No Service Fee: Homes.com does not charge buyers any fee for its services.
👉 Our Take: Homes.com is a valuable resource for homebuyers and renters. The website provides extensive property listings and tools for home searches.
Here are some advantages of choosing Homes.com:
- Extensive Listings: Homes.com aggregates listings from a various sources. This gives users access to a wide range of properties.
- Snap and Search Feature: It allows you to take snapshots of the home you like. Later, the app will match the snapshot with similar homes in your area.
- Advanced Search Filters: You can filter your search results based on various options, such as price, location, features, and amenities.
- Saved Searches: You can save your searches and receive email alerts when new listings that meet your criteria are added to the website.
- User-friendly Interface: The website is easy to use and navigate, even for first-time homebuyers.
Here are some red flags of Homes.com:
- Sells Leads: Homes.com sells home buyer and seller contact info to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders.
- Listing Accuracy: Homes.com aggregates listings from multiple sources, potentially leading to inaccuracies or outdated information.
- Limited Agent’s Information: It does not provide direct contact information of listing agents. Instead, users have to submit a contact form through the website.
Homes.com has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Trustpilot.
Homes.com was founded in 1999 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. It also covers all the 51 states of the U.S.
Homes.com offers a mortgage calculator, advanced search filters, and save search features that attract a large number of homebuyers. Additionally, its partnerships with local MLS organizations increase the value of its listings.