6 Best Real Estate Companies in California (2024 Updates)

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:

1. Max Exposure: Houzeo MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Vanguard Properties has been active in San Francisco, CA for more than 35 years now. Owned and operated locally, Vanguard Properties knows the communities it serves like no one else.

• Traditional Agent – 5% to 6% commission: Pricing is not disclosed on the website, this means you might end up paying the traditional 3%- 6% commission.

👉 Our Take: Vanguard Properties uses its widespread agent network, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional marketing to ensure a successful and efficient home sale.

Key highlights of Vanguard Properties are:

• Vast Network: With a vast local and global agent network, sellers can be assured of a quick home sale.
• Market Exposure: They offer various services like open houses, premium technology systems, and marketing research to ensure maximum exposure to your property.
• Knowledgeable Agents: Agents at Vanguard Properties have considerable knowledge and experience in selling properties in the Bay Area.

A few drawbacks of Vanguard Properties are:

• Limited Coverage: Vanguard Properties only covers San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma and Napa Counties, and East Bay.
• No Mobile App: Unlike other real estate companies like Houzeo, Vanguard Properties is low on tech.
• Poor Customer Reviews: Most customers have complained about agents’ lack of professionalism.

Vanguard Properties has 2.3 out of 5 stars on Yelp

RE/MAX has its headquarters in Orlando, FL. The company does not disclose agent commissions on its website. However, based on reviews you may have to pay 3% to 6% as commission.

• No corporate fee is involved with RE/MAX referrals. You can choose the agents or vice versa and set the terms of your agreement.

👉 Our Take: RE/MAX is known for its reputation and credibility. The company’s agents will guide you throughout the entire selling process. However, the huge commission can be heavy on your pocket.

Key features of RE/MAX are:

• Global Reach: RE/MAX has 100,000 agents, and its network is spread over 100 countries.
• Competitive Home Pricing: Agents at RE/MAX will conduct an in-depth evaluation and a CMA of your property to price your home competitively.
• Additional Service: RE/MAX Collection and RE/MAX Commercial offer specialized tools and advertising programs to luxury and commercial real estate professionals.

Here is a drawback of RE/MAX:

• Poor Customer Reviews: RE/MAX has many customer complaints. Previous customers have also said that their home-selling process got delayed.

RE/MAX has a poor rating of  1.1 out of 5 stars from 300+ users on Consumer Affairs.

Founded in 1946 by William L. Lyon, Lyon Real Estate has over 1000 agents and employees in 17 offices throughout the greater Sacramento area.

• No Service Fee: Lyon Real Estate does not charge buyers any fee for its services.

👉 Our Take: Known for being a “client-oriented real estate company” in the Greater Sacramento region, Lyon has earned a 97% customer satisfaction rating. Their real estate agents help clients achieve their home-buying goals.

» Cash Home Buyers in Northern California: Discover the best cash home buyers in Sacramento and nearby areas.

Key features of Lyon Real Estate include:

• Reliable Agents: Your realtor will review a range of factors including the number of for-sale homes competing for your offer, the terms sellers look for in a clean offer, and any additional terms that are likely to appeal to a specific seller.
• New Map Search: New Map Search, an innovative feature, lets customers quickly view properties that are displayed on a virtual map of the Greater Sacramento Area.
• Personalized Alerts: Your agent will alert you when new homes are on the market. You’ll receive property details and photos, price and status changes, a virtual tour, and more.
• Mortgage Lender: Lyon Real Estate’s trusted mortgage lender Guild Mortgage offers technical resources with personalized customer service standards, which includes in-house underwriting, funding, and loan servicing. Each office has a Guild Mortgage consultant.
  
• Mobile App: You can now browse properties at your fingertips with Lyon Real Estate’s mobile app.

One of the deal breakers of Lyon Real Estate is :

• Limited Information: The website provides limited information on the scope of services offered to buyers.

Lyon Real Estate has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Yelp. Since the firm has multiple offices statewide, it is ideal to verify the ratings of the office nearest to your city.

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

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.