Referral Service Comparison
Referral Service
Do your agents practice dual agency?
How do agents pay to be part of the service?
What type of research is done on agents in the service?
What criteria must agents meet to remain part of the service?
Will the service remain with you throughout the process?
NAEBA
Refers to agents verified as practicing exclusive buyer agents; then contracts with other agents only as necessary and requires highest representation possible.
There is no fee to be part of the service; agents only pay if there is a match and the consumer purchases a property
Agents' and brokers' licenses are thoroughly pre-screened; certifications and designations are checked; references obtained; background and education/experience is obtained when possible
Has review process in place to remove agents or brokers who fail to meet certain standards
Has licensed staff on hand to answer questions; will assist in resolving issues that arise; has a complaint process if issues can't be resolved
HomeLight
Advises that consumers use an exclusive buyer agent, but doesn't differentiate them for referral purposes
There is no fee to be part of the service; agents only pay if there is a match and the consumer sells or buys a property
Checks records for data on closings; agents complete own bios; advertising is silent on other types of background checks
No information is available on whether or not they remove agents from their service
Unknown; does list phone number to call for an agent
AgentPronto
Does not differentiate; agents may practice dual agency
There is no fee to be part of the service; agents only pay if there is a match and the consumer sells or buys a property
Chooses agents by asking a number of questions including number of homes sold, client reviews, real estate experience
No information is available on whether or not they remove agents from their service
Unknown; does list phone number to call for an agent
Zillow
Does not differentiate; agents may practice dual agency
Agents must pay to be listed on the site
Website is silent on any research done; appears simply to list those who have paid to advertise
No information is available on whether or not they remove agents from their service
Could not find contact information on their site
Realtor.com
Does not differentiate; agents may practice dual agency
Agents must pay to be listed on the site
Website is silent on any research done; lists only those who have paid dues to the National Association of REALTORS
Has a complaint process in place to discipline agents who fail to meet their Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
May provide assistance; has a complaint process for issues that can't be resolved on own