How We're Different

Many people assume that Redfin's competitive advantage comes from technology, or from lower costs. But we believe the difference between Redfin and the traditional real estate brokerage is more fundamental. Redfin was built on different principles, and as long as we remain true to these principles, we hope to be different always:

• We use technology to empower consumers: consumers have access to all the relevant information, so they don't depend on their Redfin agent to help them find a property. Therefore, we're able to charge a lower commission than is typical for a buyer's agent.
• We let consumers come to us: a traditional agent spends more than two-thirds of his time looking for clients, but a Redfin real estate agent focuses exclusively on customer service. We won't hassle you to work with us, or pressure you to close. By letting customers come to us, we can keep our focus on delivering good customer service and good value.
• We work with consumers directly: the traditional agent is not an employee of the brokerage; he pays the brokerage to use its name and its office. Because Redfin employs our agents, we can monitor client satisfaction, invest in productivity tools and enforce best practices, retaining and promoting agents who give great service.
• We pay our agents to do the right thing: traditional agents are paid a percentage of the home price, making more when their buyers pay more. A Redfin real estate agent earns a salary with a customer satisfaction bonus, paid based on your responses to an online survey. Our agents' incentives are aligned with yours, so we'll always work to get the deal that's best for you.
• We guarantee 100% customer satisfaction: because it makes money by recruiting agents as contractors, a traditional brokerage can't guarantee its quality of service, and it can't take a commission out of its agents' pockets. But if you're not 100% satisfied with Redfin's service, we'll refund you our entire fee. Our business lives or dies on whether we can offer great service.
• We want to change the industry for the better: Redfin was founded to change real estate for the better. We will always lobby for laws and rules that benefit the consumer.