I see Redfin as one or two points on a continuum of service-cost tradeoffs in the real estate market. On one end is a traditional realtor arrangement, with the

I see Redfin as one or two points on a continuum of service-cost tradeoffs in the real estate market. On one end is a traditional realtor arrangement, with the 5% commission divided between the two agents. On the other end is for sale by owner, with potentially no commissions. Adjacent to that is a flat fee listing service, which costs about 2.5% in buyer's agent commission. If you sell through Redfin, your total commission is reduced to 4% from the industry standard 5%, with 1.5% going to your agent. If you buy through Redfin within twelve months of selling through them, you get an additional 0.5% off the commission for a grand total of 3.5%. Not bad. It can save you $10k or more at jumbo mortgage house prices. Redfin has already done well by doing good and offering a differentiated product in the middle of two other offerings. I have sold two properties, one using a flat fee listing service and one using Redfin. The former was a fair amount of work, while the latter was way less, comparable to a traditional realtor in the level of service offered. I would recommend Redfin to anyone.