Tampa Bay homebuyers now have access to a new breed of real estate platforms that use artificial intelligence to slash traditional commission costs, potentially saving buyers thousands of dollars.
A recent NerdWallet survey found that nearly half of prospective homebuyers are already using, or plan to use, AI tools to research neighborhoods, compare mortgage options and navigate the homebuying process. Across the industry, AI is increasingly used to draft listing descriptions, generate marketing materials and summarize complex contracts.
Now, a handful of tech-driven brokerages are going further, using automation to cut out much of the traditional middleman role and pass the savings directly to buyers.
Rebating the commission
One of the companies leading the shift is Homa, a Florida-based platform that describes itself as AI-powered but human-led. By automating scheduling, paperwork and other administrative work, the company says it can operate on a fraction of the standard commission.
Rather than charging a traditional 3% commission, Homa charges buyers 1% or a flat $2,000 fee, depending on the deal, and rebates the remaining commission it captures back to the buyer at closing. On a $500,000 home, a standard 3% commission would total $15,000. Under Homa’s model, much of that money is instead returned to the buyer. Since the average first-time buyer puts down 6%, a rebate of roughly 2% could cover close to a third of that down payment.
The company has also restructured how home tours are scheduled. Homa CEO Arman Javaherian compared the system to a rideshare app: when a buyer requests a showing through the platform, the request goes out to a network of agents, and the first to accept schedules the tour and conducts it.
A dashboard-driven alternative
Another company, TurboHome, is taking a similar approach in California, Washington, Texas and, to a lesser extent, Florida. The platform leans heavily on technology, letting buyers schedule their own tours, review neighborhood comparisons and scan inspection reports for potential problems through a digital dashboard.
TurboHome CEO Ben Bear acknowledged the model isn’t for everyone, particularly buyers who prefer a single, dedicated agent over a rotating pool. But for buyers comfortable navigating more of the process themselves, he said the financial upside can be significant, with savings that can be applied to a lower down payment, a closing cost credit, a higher offer or a reduced interest rate.
Licensed agents still involved
Despite the heavy reliance on automation, neither company eliminates human agents entirely. Both connect buyers with licensed local realtors who review offers, advise on strategy and guide clients through negotiations and closing. Critics of the model have raised concerns that self-guided buyers could miss out on the local knowledge and negotiating experience a traditional agent provides.
Industry experts note that standard homebuying precautions still apply regardless of which model a buyer chooses: ask detailed questions before signing up with any platform, review all documents carefully, and confirm a licensed agent is involved before making a final offer.
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