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Making Homeownership More Affordable: How Homepoint’s Model Helps Buyers Save Thousands
Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing homebuyers today. With rising home prices, high mortgage rates, and increasing monthly costs, many buyers find it difficult to enter the market. First-time buyers, in particular, are struggling to afford a home as the cost of homeownership has reached record highs.
At Homepoint, we believe that buyers deserve more control, transparency, and savings in their home buying journey. That’s why we’ve reimagined the traditional buyer’s agent model—giving buyers the flexibility to pay only for what they need and putting thousands of dollars back in their pockets. Here’s how our model is helping make homeownership more affordable in today’s competitive market.
The Housing Affordability Crisis: What’s Happening?
Over the past few years, housing affordability has reached its lowest levels in decades. Consider these key trends:
✅ Home prices are higher than ever. The median price of a home in the U.S. is now around $389,000, which is nearly 58% higher than in 2019. Many buyers are priced out of the market.
✅ Mortgage rates have surged. The average 30-year mortgage rate has jumped from 3% in 2021 to 7%+ today, making monthly payments significantly higher.
✅ Buyers are paying more of their income on housing. Traditionally, homebuyers spent about 18% of their income on mortgage payments, but today, that number is over 25%—making homeownership less attainable.
✅ First-time buyers are struggling the most. They now need around 40% of their income to cover a mortgage, and many are forced to delay buying a home or settle for less.
The Traditional Buyer’s Agent Model: A Hidden Cost to Buyers
In most real estate transactions, the seller traditionally covers both their agent’s fee and the buyer’s agent commission—which is typically 2.5%–3% of the home price. While buyers don’t directly pay this fee, it is factored into the overall transaction and ultimately affects how much they pay for a home.
For example, on a $400,000 home, a 3% buyer’s agent commission equals $12,000. This cost is typically built into the price, meaning buyers are indirectly paying for it without even realizing it.
With today’s high home prices and mortgage rates, buyers need every financial advantage possible. That’s where Homepoint’s innovative model comes in.
How Homepoint Helps Buyers Save Money and Improve Affordability
At Homepoint, we believe homebuyers should only pay for the services they actually need. Our flat-fee, a la carte model saves buyers thousands by reducing unnecessary costs. Here’s how it works:
1. Pay-Per-Showing: No Upfront Costs or Agent Fees Until You’re Ready
Buyers pay $50 per home showing, allowing them to tour homes as they see fit.
This fee is refunded at closing if the buyer purchases a home through Homepoint.
Unlike traditional models, buyers aren’t locked into a long-term agreement before they’re ready.
2. Flat $5,000 Buyer Representation Fee (No Percentage-Based Commission)
Instead of the standard 2.5%–3% buyer’s agent fee, Homepoint charges a flat $5,000 at closing.
This means huge savings compared to traditional agent fees—especially on higher-priced homes.
🏡 Buying a $400,000 home? Traditional buyer’s agent fee: ~$12,000. Homepoint fee: $5,000. Savings: $7,000+!
🏡 Buying a $600,000 home? Traditional buyer’s agent fee: ~$18,000. Homepoint fee: $5,000. Savings: $13,000!
3. More Buying Power: Use Savings to Strengthen Your Offer
Since the seller typically factors in 3% for a buyer’s agent commission, Homepoint buyers can redirect this difference to improve their purchase.
Buyers can use the extra savings to:
✅ Lower their mortgage interest rate
✅ Cover closing costs
✅ Make a stronger offer to win in competitive bidding
By cutting the unnecessary costs, Homepoint empowers buyers to use their money strategically and secure a better deal.
Why Homepoint’s Model Works in Today’s Market
As buyers navigate a tough housing market, many are looking for alternative real estate services that offer more transparency, flexibility, and savings. Traditional commission models are becoming outdated, and buyers want more control over their home purchase.
💡 More buyers are searching for cost-effective real estate options. Alternative brokerage models, commission rebates, and a la carte services are growing in popularity.
💡 Sellers are becoming more open to flexible commissions. The real estate industry is shifting—sellers are no longer always required to pay a buyer’s agent commission, which means buyers need to choose their representation wisely.
💡 Homepoint provides full-service representation at a fraction of the cost. Unlike some discount brokerages, we don’t limit service quality—we still perform market analysis, negotiate offers, and provide expert guidance—just without the excessive commission fees.
The Bottom Line: Homepoint Makes Homeownership More Affordable
Home prices and interest rates may be high, but buying a home doesn’t have to be more expensive than necessary. Homepoint’s innovative flat-fee buyer model saves buyers thousands of dollars, provides more flexibility, and allows them to maximize their buying power.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, now is the time to take control of your costs. With Homepoint, you can save money and invest it where it matters—in your home, not in unnecessary fees.