Clever Real Estate

Clever Real Estate is a St. Louis-based real estate company that connects home sellers and buyers with full-service local agents at pre-negotiated rates and runs a consumer education business. The company's stated aim is to help people make real estate moves that bring them closer to their life goals. Most U.S. sellers pay around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price in total commissions, which is why commission-reduction services appeal to homeowners with significant equity at stake.

Sellers are matched with agents from brokerages such as Keller Williams, RE/MAX and Compass who agree to a 1.5% listing fee with a $3,000 minimum, while eligible buyers can receive Clever Cash Back in 41 states. The service is free to consumers because partner agents pay the company a portion of their commission at closing, an arrangement typical of agent referral networks that trade lead volume for lower rates. A concierge team supports clients seven days a week, Clever Offers lets sellers compare offers from cash buyers and iBuyers, and a closings division handles title and escrow. Its network of real estate professionals is meant to help consumers take their journey offline when they sell, buy and move, and the company reports customer savings of over $220 million in realtor fees.

Beyond agent matching, the company runs a portfolio of four digital content brands that reach over 10 million consumers per year with tools, advice and data, including a library of more than 8,000 articles. Content-led models like this are common among online real estate platforms, since guides and market research help consumers weigh their options before committing to an agent. Founded in 2017, Clever describes itself as venture-backed and profitable, and its service is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.