Orchard Reviews: Compare This Home Buy-Sell Program

Does Orchard serve your area?

According to its website, Orchard currently serves customers selling in the following metropolitan areas:

• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX
• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
• Denver, CO
• Houston, TX
• San Antonio, TX

Orchard agents can help you purchase new construction or resale homes in any of the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MI, NC, NM, OH, OR, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA.

How much does Orchard cost?

Orchard’s pricing structure is straightforward and transparent. The costs associated with its two main services are clearly posted on its website.

Move First: This service typically costs 6% of your home sale price plus a 2.4% program fee. For example, if your home sells for $400,000, you would pay $24,000 (6%) in commission and $9,600 (2.4%) for the program fee, totaling $33,600.

List with Orchard: This service typically costs 6% of your home sale price, similar to traditional real estate agent commissions. For instance, if your home sells for $400,000, you would pay $24,000 (6%) in commission.

What types of homes fit best with Orchard?

Orchard is designed to work with a wide variety of homes, but some properties are better suited for their services than others. Homes that fit best with Orchard typically include:

• Single-family homes: These are the most common type of property Orchard deals with, offering the best match for their services.
• Homes in its service areas: Orchard’s full services are currently only available in select metro areas in Georgia, Texas, and Colorado. Listing services are available in 21 states.
• Well-maintained properties: Homes in good condition tend to sell faster and for higher prices, making the process smoother and more efficient.
• Homes in desirable locations: Properties located in sought-after neighborhoods or areas with good school districts often benefit most from Orchard’s platform.
• Mid-market homes: Homes in the mid-market range (neither luxury nor distressed) are ideally suited for Orchard’s services.

Orchard reviews and ratings

Orchard has both high and low review scores across various platforms. Below are some of Orchard’s customer ratings from several popular review sites:

• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Orchard maintains a BBB accreditation with an A rating. The company currently has a 2.8-star customer review rating out of 5 stars.
• Trustpilot: On Trustpilot, Orchard enjoys a significantly higher customer review ranking of 4.3 stars out of 5.
• Yelp: At only 1.5 stars, reviews on Yelp reflect a low customer rating average for Orchard. However, the site only has eight submitted reviews for the company.
• Glassdoor: Employee reviews on Glassdoor provide insights into the company culture and work environment. Employees give Orchard 3.8 stars out of 5, and 64% would recommend the company to a friend.

Orchard does not appear to have a Google Business page where customers can post Google Reviews. However, like many companies, Orchard maintains its own review page, which currently reflects a high 4.9 stars out of 5 with nearly 700 reviews.

Orchard’s customer service team regularly responds to formal complaints posted on BBB and other platforms. From their business responses, it appears they genuinely strive to resolve customer concerns.

Editor’s note: It’s important to note that most all real estate companies receive complaints, and it’s difficult to fully assess the overall quality of service of a company based on only a few review examples where context is not known. HomeLight encourages you to do your own research and keep in mind that this company has many satisfied customers.

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Pros and cons of using Orchard

Pros

• Seamless transition: Allows you to buy your new home before selling your current one, making the move smoother.
• Stronger offers: The Orchard program uses your home’s equity to make non-contingent offers, increasing your chances of securing the home you want.
• Expert support: Provides support through every step of the buying and selling process.
• Home sale preparation: Offers services to help prepare and market your home, including taking photos, creating a video tour, and recommendations and assistance about repairs.

Cons

• Cost: The combined program fee and commission can be higher than traditional real estate transactions.
• Limited availability: Currently serves select metropolitan areas, which may not cover all potential customers.
• Process delays: Some customers have reported delays in the selling process.
• Miscommunication: Occasional instances of unclear communication leading to misunderstandings.

What other services does Orchard offer?

• Orchard Title: This is Orchard’s full-service title insurance agency dedicated to assisting home sellers and buyers in their service areas. The company describes this as a “simple, convenient closing process through technology and solid client relationships.”
• Orchard Mortgage: Orchard provides home loan services to help you finance your new home. As with its other services, the company aims to simplify the process of getting pre-approved and achieving your homeownership goals.
• Orchard Concierge: If you purchase this extra service, you’ll work with an Orchard Renovation Lead who will recommend repairs and updates to your home, provide cost and timeline estimates, and see all projects to completion. By enhancing your home’s appeal, this added service can help you achieve a faster sale and potentially higher offers.

Orchard alternatives

• Buy Before You Sell programs These innovative programs, similar to Orchard, allow you to buy your new home before selling your current one by leveraging your home’s equity. They provide a seamless transition and enable stronger, non-contingent offers. HomeLight offers a proven Buy Before You Sell program. (More on this below.)
• Bridge loans: Bridge loans offer short-term financing to cover the gap between buying a new home and selling your old one. They can be an effective solution if you need quick access to funds for your new purchase.
• Rent-back agreements Rent-back agreements allow you to sell your home and then rent it back from the buyer for a specified period. This arrangement gives you more time to find and purchase your new home while avoiding the need to move twice.
• Hire a top real estate agent: Working with an experienced real estate agent can provide personalized guidance and support throughout the buying and selling process. A top agent can help you navigate the market, negotiate offers, and ensure a smooth transaction.

How does HomeLight Buy Before You Sell work?

Contact HomeLight to get started today, or ask your agent how HomeLight Buy Before You Sell can provide you with a smoother, contingency-free purchase experience.

Is Orchard right for you?

Deciding whether Orchard is the right fit for your real estate needs depends on your specific circumstances and goals. If you value the ability to purchase a new home before selling your current one, want to make stronger offers, and appreciate comprehensive support throughout the process, buy-and-sell programs from Orchard or HomeLight could be an excellent choice.

As with any transaction involving a high-value asset like your home, vet providers carefully, consider the costs, and ensure their services are available in your area.

We invite you to explore HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, which offers a seamless experience. It allows you to buy first with a stronger offer and sell later. Additionally, HomeLight’s Agent Match platform connects you with top real estate agents who can provide expert guidance and personalized service.

Whether you opt for Orchard or another service, taking advantage of these innovative solutions can help make your home buying and selling experience as smooth and successful as possible.

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