Draft:TurboHome
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TurboHome is a real estate brokerage based in Oakland, California, that represents homebuyers for a flat fee rather than a percentage-based commission, returning the difference to the buyer at closing.[1][2][3] The company was co-founded by chief executive Ben Bear and operates in California and Texas.[1] It is affiliated with BuildCasa, a company that facilitates residential lot splits under California's SB 9.[4]
History
[edit]TurboHome was co-founded by Ben Bear, who serves as chief executive officer.[1] Bear was previously chief executive of the micromobility company Spin, which Tier Mobility acquired from Ford in March 2022.[5] He is also co-founder and chief executive of BuildCasa.[6]
The San Francisco Standard reported that the brokerage launched in late 2024.[2] The company operates in California and Texas, including the Dallas–Fort Worth area.[1][3]
In May 2026, TurboHome launched TurboHome Markets, a free daily game in which players predict the final sale prices of five active San Francisco listings, competing for leaderboard placement and prizes.[7]
Business model
[edit]TurboHome charges buyers a flat fee based on a home's price range in place of a buyer's agent commission.[2] Under the longstanding structure, sellers paid a commission of roughly 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, divided between the buyer's and seller's agents.[1] Where a seller offers a buyer's agent commission, TurboHome retains its flat fee and returns the remainder to the buyer at closing, which may be applied to a down payment, a closing-cost credit, a higher offer, or an interest-rate buydown.[3]
The company pairs licensed agents with software tools that analyze comparable sales and inspection reports and allow buyers to schedule their own home tours.[3][8] It does not require buyers to work with it exclusively, allowing them to engage another agent without penalty.[1]
Bear has attributed the company's premise to changes following the 2024 National Association of Realtors settlement, telling USA Today that while the settlements had not substantially altered transactions, they had made buyers more skeptical of high commissions.[1] He has also said that buyers in complicated transactions, or those who prefer in-person guidance, may still be better served by a traditional agent.[3]
The company said that, as of May 2026, its customers had closed on $350 million in homes across California and Texas, saving $8 million in commissions compared with conventional agents.[7] As of April 2026, the San Francisco Standard reported the company had completed roughly 140 Bay Area transactions.[2]
Consumer Reports analyst Lisa Gill told USA Today that buyers working without a traditional agent forgo an agent's professional network and judgment, comparing the approach to building a house without a general contractor.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Riquier, Andrea (2025-08-03). "The housing market is changing. Is a low-fee real estate agent the way to go?". USA Today. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ a b c d Landes, Emily (2026-04-05). "The Wishlist: AI is driving up SF home prices. This buyer used it to find one under $1M". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e Rabb, Shaun (2026-03-12). "New AI real estate tool in Dallas-Fort Worth helps homebuyers save thousands". Fox 4 News. KDFW. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ "TurboHome". TurboHome. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ Bellan, Rebecca (2022-03-02). "Tier Mobility acquires Spin from Ford, marking entry into North America". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ Baldassari, Erin (2024-03-27). "These California Companies Want to Buy Your Backyard — and Build a House". KQED. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ a b Pipitone, Nick (2026-05-11). "The San Francisco housing market is unhinged. Now it's also a game". Inman. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ^ Salazar, Gabe (2026-04-28). "AI real estate tools promise big savings for San Diego homebuyers". 10News. KGTV. Retrieved 2026-07-29.