Answers, and a person when you need one.

34 of the questions we get asked most, grouped by what you're trying to do. If yours isn't here, email us — a human reads it.

Contact support Browse the answers
Two people talking over coffee

Browse by topic

Where would you like to start?

Jump straight to the section you need, or scroll — it's all on this page.

Getting started

How matching works, and what it costs you.

Contact support
What does Common Realtor actually do?
We match buyers, sellers and renters with a local agent based on that agent’s transaction record in your neighborhood and price band. We’re a matching service — we don’t list homes ourselves and we’re not a party to your transaction.
What does it cost me?
Nothing. You’re never charged to get matched, to see an agent’s record, or to talk to them. We take no cut of your transaction and we don’t charge a referral fee. Agents pay us a flat subscription for software tools if they want them — you never pay us anything.
How long does it take to get matched?
The match itself is immediate. Tell us your area and situation and you’ll see agents straight away. Nothing is sent to an agent until you choose one and ask for an introduction.
Do I need an account?
Not to search, get a valuation, or see your matches. You only need one if you want to save a shortlist or track a home over time.
How many agents will I see?
Usually three. Enough to compare approach and personality without turning it into a research project.
Am I obligated to use one of them?
No. Contact one, all three, or none. There’s no contract with us and nothing to cancel.

How matching works

What we rank on, and what can’t be bought.

Contact support
How do you decide which agents to show me?
We read each agent’s transaction history against your situation: the neighborhoods they’ve closed in, the price bands they work, how long their listings take, and how their offers land. The closer their record is to what you’re doing, the higher they rank.
Can an agent pay to rank higher?
No. Paid plans add software inside an agent’s dashboard — a CRM, a branded site, content tools. They don’t buy leads and they don’t move anyone up a list. Placement is earned on record.
How do you verify agents?
Every agent is licence-verified before their profile can appear anywhere on the network. If a licence lapses, the profile comes down.
What if I don’t like my matches?
Ask for different ones, or use nobody. Passing on a match costs you nothing and we’d rather re-match you than have you work with someone who isn’t a fit.
Do you cover my area?
We match nationwide, but depth varies by market. If we don’t have strong coverage where you are, we’ll tell you rather than send you a weak match.
What if I already have an agent?
Use them. You can still run a valuation or compare carrying costs here for a second opinion, and you’re under no obligation to be matched.

Buying

Search, tours, offers and the money side.

Contact support
Do you show every listing or only your own?
Every listing in your market. We’re not a brokerage holding inventory, so we have no reason to steer you toward one home over another.
What’s the difference between list price and true monthly cost?
List price is what the seller is asking. True monthly is what the home costs you to hold each month once taxes, insurance, HOA dues and the payment at current rates are counted. Two homes at the same asking price can differ by hundreds a month.
Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent commission?
How buyer-side compensation works changed recently and now varies by market and agreement. Your agent must put their fee in writing with you before showing homes, so ask early and get it in the agreement.
Should I get pre-approved first?
In most markets, yes. It tells you your ceiling and tells sellers you’re credible. Treat it as a ceiling rather than a target — what you qualify for and what you can comfortably carry are rarely the same.
Do I need a home inspection?
Almost always worth it, even in a competitive market. An inspection is information; you can still choose to proceed, but you’ll proceed knowing what you’re taking on.
What are closing costs?
The fees to complete the transaction: lender charges, title and escrow, recording, prepaid taxes and insurance. They commonly run a few percent of the price and vary a lot by state.

Selling

Pricing, prep, and what reaches you at the end.

Contact support
How accurate is the home value estimate?
It’s built from recent comparable sales near you rather than a national model, and it shows which sales drove the number. Treat it as a starting point — an agent will refine it after seeing the home. It is not an appraisal.
What’s the difference between an estimate and a CMA?
A CMA is an agent’s own valuation, built after seeing your home and knowing what a model can’t — layout, finishes, which side of the street is quieter. It’s free from any matched agent.
What should I fix before listing?
Usually the cheap, visible things: paint, lighting, landscaping, decluttering. Big renovations rarely return their cost at sale. An agent who works your street can tell you what buyers there actually notice.
How long will it take to sell?
It depends on your market, price and season. Your agent should be able to give you recent days-on-market for homes like yours, which beats any national average.
Should I sell before I buy?
It’s a cash-flow question more than a market one. Selling first is safer financially but can leave you renting; buying first is smoother logistically but means carrying two payments if your sale is slow.
Do I have to list right away?
No. Plenty of people take a valuation and wait. No agent hears from you until you ask for an introduction.

Renting

Applications, fees and who pays what.

Contact support
Do you charge renters anything?
No. We don’t charge to search or to get matched. Landlords and management companies often charge their own application or screening fee, which is set by them.
Who pays the rental agent’s fee?
It depends on your market and the building — in some places the landlord pays it, in others the renter does. Your agent will tell you which applies before you apply anywhere.
Are the listings current?
We remove units once they’re off the market rather than leaving them up to collect applications. If something you saved becomes unavailable, it drops off your list.
Can you help with a short-term or seasonal lease?
Yes. Tell us the length you need and we’ll match you with an agent who handles that kind of lease in your market, rather than one who only does twelve-month placements.
How do rental applications work?
Landlords set their own screening criteria and fees, and requirements differ building to building. Knowing what a specific landlord wants before you apply is most of the battle.

Privacy & your data

What we share, when, and with whom.

Contact support
Will my information be shared with agents?
Not until you pick an agent and ask us to make the introduction. You can get a valuation or browse matches without a single agent seeing your name.
Do you sell my data?
No. We don’t sell personal information. See the privacy policy for the full detail on what we collect and why.
Will I get cold calls?
Not from us, and not from agents you haven’t chosen. The introduction only happens when you ask for it.
How do I delete my account or data?
Email thecommonrealtor@gmail.com and we’ll action it. If you have an account you can also do it from your settings.
Who do I contact if something goes wrong?
Reach us at thecommonrealtor@gmail.com. We’re not a party to your transaction, but we do want to know when a matched agent isn’t performing — it affects whether they stay in the network.

Got questions? We're here to answer them

The match is automatic. The help is human.

Talk to someone before you commit

Not a chatbot with a human-sounding name. Email support and someone who works here reads it and replies — usually the same day, always within one business day. If a matched agent isn't performing, tell us.

Talk to our team

Go deeper

Guides and free tools

Longer answers, and the calculators that show the numbers behind them.

Still stuck?

Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll point you at the right place — or just answer it ourselves.

Contact support

Ready to find your agent?

Tell us about your move. It's free, and no agent hears from you until you ask.

Find my agent