Trelora Reviews: Is This Discount Real Estate Agency Right For You?
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Richard Haddad Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
When selling a house, you obviously want to keep as much of the proceeds as possible. To save on Realtor fees, you may be looking for a low-commission real estate agent or discount agency like Trelora. Perhaps you’re researching Trelora reviews and prices.
But does Trelora really offer the same level of service as a top-performing local agent? And do the savings make it worth considering for your home sale?
In this guide, we’ll break down how Trelora works, analyze reviews from real sellers, and explore the pros and cons of using this discount brokerage. We’ll also compare alternatives and explain how new agent commission rules have tilted the fee scales in your favor.
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What is Trelora?
Trelora is a discount real estate agency that offers home sellers a 1% listing fee. Founded in 2011, the company’s goal is to make real estate transactions more affordable while still providing what it considers full-service agent support.
Trelora uses a team-based model. Instead of working with one dedicated agent, sellers interact with multiple team members who handle different aspects of the transaction, such as marketing, negotiations, and closing. On its website, Trelora reports that it has served 6,000 clients across the U.S.
The company’s business model also includes a rebate to buyers who use its title and mortgage services. However, the rebate service is tied to the old commission rules wherein the seller used to pay the buyer’s agent commission. (We’ll explain the agent fee rule changes in a minute.)
Merging competitors: In 2022, Trelora merged with Houwzer, another discount agent brokerage. The next year, the two businesses founded a parent company named Newfound. Its consumer brands include Trelora, Houwzer, and HomeRise, a flat fee listing platform. It also operates Newfound Mortgage and Newfound Title.
What locations does Trelora serve?
According to its website, Trelora serves homeowners in 12 major cities across seven states:
- Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson and surrounding areas
- Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and surrounding areas
- Georgia: Atlanta metro area
- Illinois: All areas in Illinois, including the Chicago metro area (Chicagoland)
- North Carolina: Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte surrounding areas
- South Carolina: Charleston and surrounding areas
- Washington: Seattle metro area
How does Trelora work for home sellers?
Trelora offers home sellers a 1% listing fee instead of the traditional 2.5%–3% commission charged by most full-service listing agents.
Here’s how the process works:
1. 1% listing fee: You pay Trelora 1% of the final sale price instead of a traditional listing commission.
2. Team-based agent support: Instead of a single dedicated agent, you work with a team of professionals who handle different aspects of your sale.
3. MLS listing and marketing: Trelora markets your home on the MLS, which feeds into major real estate platforms such as Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
4. Showings and negotiations: Buyers and their agents schedule showings through Trelora, and the team helps negotiate offers on your behalf.
5. Closing coordination: Trelora guides you through the paperwork and closing process to complete the sale.
While the company promises full-service support, some sellers may prefer a dedicated agent rather than a team-based approach. A dedicated agent may provide more personalized service and faster response times.
Commission rule changes: Parts of Trelora’s business model (and advertised savings) are based on commission structures established before a recent court settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The landmark settlement changed how commissions are handled. Buyers are now responsible for paying their own Realtor fees — compensation that was once paid by the seller. Sellers can still offer to pay the buyer’s agent fees, but it is no longer automatically expected.
Trelora reviews
When considering a discount real estate service — or any real estate service — it’s important to see what past clients have to say and how they have rated the company on popular customer review sites.
Trelora enjoys a full 5-star rating on Google and holds an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau. However, the company is not a BBB-accredited business.
On Yelp, Trelora has a 4.3-star rating. On Glass Door, a platform where employees can rate the companies they work for, Trelora holds a 3.6-star rating.
Trelora also hosts a review and testimonials page on its website, trelora.com.
One of the biggest feathers in Trelora’s cap is that all of its Google customer reviews are rated as 5 stars. On other sites, the company receives mixed reviews, with some sellers praising the cost savings while others express concerns about service quality.
Examples of positive Trelora reviews:
“The bottom line is that [Trelora] got me the best deal I could have hoped for financially, given my situation, timeline, and monetary goals. Could not be happier with the outcome and truly appreciate all the work the Trelora team put in!” (5-star Google review)
“From the beginning of our selling and buying home experience, I was impressed with the attention the Trelora team gave us. Each team member was professional, very knowledgeable, and always responsive to our questions.” (5-star Google review)
“In the beginning, we were concerned that we might not get the same level of service as a traditional agent due to the lower cost. I can tell you, that was not the case…The whole process of selling and buying seemed overwhelming, but the Trelora team made it super simple!” (5-star Google review)
“My husband and I were first-time home buyers. Trelora did an amazing job making us feel comfortable, answering any of [the] questions we had, and guiding us in the process. If you are looking for a great home-buying experience, use Trelora!” (5-star Yelp review)
Examples of negative Trelora reviews:
“Yes, you can save on commission but do not be fooled, it does come at a cost. Regardless of the pitch you do NOT receive the same level of service as that of a good traditional agent. If you need some education, hand holding or are a first-time seller or buyer, Trelora may not be the best experience for you.” (2-star Yelp review)
“Since they work as a ‘team’ to get [your home] on the market; you end up speaking with different people on every call. None of them has any idea about the calls placed by the other person. So you end up repeating the same information over and over again to different members of the team…After all this, I decided I didn’t want to sell the house with them.” (1-star Yelp review)
“I decided to give Trelora my listing; what a huge mistake that was. This company couldn’t get anything done right…The only thing Trelora accomplished was wasting [two] weeks of my time. Most agents I talked to warned me that you get what you pay for, and with Trelora, they were right.” (1-star Yelp review)
“I just finished a home sale working with Trelora. They were horrible to deal with. If it weren’t for the brokers and lenders on the buyer’s side of the sale, the would have never closed. Do not use this company. They are not worth any amount of savings.” (1-star Yelp review)
Perspective note: It’s important to remember that almost all businesses receive good and bad reviews. In addition, Trelora has team members in numerous states and offices. Your experience can vary by location or based on the skill level and knowledge of the team member handling different stages of your listing. Many positive Trelora reviews praise agents by name.
Pros and cons of using Trelora
If you’re weighing whether to use Trelora for your home sale, here’s a breakdown of the key benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Lower listing fee: At 1%, Trelora’s commission is significantly lower than traditional agents.
- Full MLS exposure: Your home is listed on the MLS and major real estate platforms.
- Technology-driven approach: Trelora’s online dashboard provides tools to track offers and manage your sale.
- Commission transparency: You know upfront what percentage of commission you are paying for listing services.
Cons
- Team-based model: You won’t have a single dedicated agent guiding you through the process.
- Varied customer service experiences: Some sellers report communication delays or a lack of personal attention.
- Limited market availability: Trelora operates in select states, so it may not be an option in your area.
- You may still need to offer a buyer’s agent commission: While you save on listing fees, in slower markets, you may still need to offer 2%–3% to attract buyer’s agents.
How Much Is Your Home Worth Now?
Home values have rapidly increased in recent years. How much is your current home worth now? Get a ballpark estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.
Alternatives to Trelora
Trelora isn’t the only real estate service available. Here are a few alternatives to consider: Some similar agent-matching companies include:
If you decide on a discount service, you’ll want to weigh the trade-offs between cost savings and service quality. If maximizing your home’s sale price and getting hands-on support are priorities, working with a top real estate agent may be the best choice.
How does HomeLight’s Agent Match work?
HomeLight’s Agent Match platform analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find the best agent for you. Simply answer a few questions, and we match you to the highest-rated local agents in your market. These agents have proven sale-to-list ratios and the specialties and certifications that best for your needs.
In just two minutes, we’ll match you with multiple local top agents, not just one, so you have more options in your search for the perfect, proven agent to sell your home.
HomeLight is a real estate solutions company with a 4.8-star Google review rating. It also has an A+ Better Business Bureau ranking and is a BBB-accredited business. Founded in 2012, the company has served nearly 2 million people nationwide. You can read client experiences on HomeLight’s customer testimonial page or any reputable review website.
Why use a full-service top agent?
While discount real estate services like Trelora can lower commission fees, working with an experienced, full-service agent can often result in a higher final sale price — leaving you with more money in your pocket overall.
HomeLight’s data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. This means that even if you’re paying a higher commission, you could end up with a better financial outcome because a skilled agent can negotiate stronger offers, attract more buyers, and maximize your home’s value.
Example: Full-service agent vs. discount brokerage
For comparison, let’s assume you negotiate a 2.5% listing fee from a full-service, top-rated local agent who has a high sale-to-list ratio — the ability to get as much as 10% more for your home. In this example, we’ll also assume you are not paying the buyer’s agent fee, as per the new NAR settlement rules.
| Service type | Sale price | Listing fee | Net proceeds |
| Full-service agent (top 5%) | $550,000 (10% higher) | 2.5% ($13,750) | $536,250 |
| Discount agent (1% fee) | $500,000 | 1% ($5,000) | $495,000 |
| Potential difference | +$41,250 |
In this scenario, the expert full-service agent earns the seller $41,250 more in proceeds, even after factoring in higher commission costs. Even if a top agent is able to sell your home for only 5% more ($525,000), after paying the $13,125 listing agent compensation, your net proceeds would be $511,875. You could still come out $16,875 ahead by using the proven agent.
A top agent’s expertise in pricing, marketing, and negotiations often leads to stronger offers, fewer price reductions, and a smoother sale. If your goal is to maximize profit rather than just reduce commission, working with a full-service agent may be the better financial decision.
Discount fees don’t necessarily mean you’ll receive discount services or lower proceeds, but for most homeowners, their house is their most valuable asset. You may not be comfortable trusting your sale with a discount agent or brokerage.
Other services and tools offered by HomeLight
HomeLight also offers additional services to help make every real estate transaction simpler, more certain, and more satisfying.
Simple Sale: The HomeLight Simple Sale platform provides a no-obligation, all-cash offer to buy your home for a convenient, quick sale. Answer a few questions about your home and selling timeline and receive an offer in 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as little as 10 days. You’ll also receive an estimate of what a top agent might be able to get for your home, giving you both selling options in one place.
HomeLight Buy Before You Sell: If you’re buying and selling a home at the same time, HomeLight’s innovative Buy Before You Sell program is a modern solution that unlocks your equity to streamline the entire process. You can make a non-contingent offer on your new house and only move once. Watch the short video below to learn more.
Free tools to plan your home sale
HomeLight offers a wide range of free calculators and tools to help you plan your home sale and your next move.
- Find a Top Agent
- Home Value Estimator
- Agent Commissions Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Home Affordability Calculator
Will you save money with Trelora? Weigh your options
Trelora’s 1% listing fee can offer meaningful savings compared to traditional commission rates, but lower fees don’t always mean higher net proceeds. While some sellers appreciate Trelora’s cost-effective, team-based approach, others may find that the lack of a dedicated agent impacts service quality, communication, and negotiations.
If saving on commission is your top priority and you’re comfortable with a more streamlined, tech-driven experience, Trelora might be a good fit. However, if you want to maximize your home’s final sale price and receive expert, personalized hands-on support, a full-service top agent could ultimately leave more money in your pocket — even after paying a higher commission.
HomeLight’s data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. If you’re considering all your options, HomeLight can connect you with top-performing real estate agents in your area — so you can compare potential earnings and make the best choice for your sale.
Editor’s note: The information in this post is current as of its publication date. However, real estate company processes, rates, and services can change based on market conditions, housing trends, changes in technology, and customer needs.
Header Image Source: Source: (Curtis Adams/ Pexels)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.