You May Soon Be Able to Buy a House on Redfins Website

Those in the market for a house may soon be able to buy homes directly off the Redfin website.

The Seattle company recently launched a pilot program in Boston called Redfin Direct, where buyers without a real estate agent can view homes listed on Redfins website. The seller of the home will pay a 2 percent commission, as opposed to the typical 4 or 5 percent.

On a $500,000 home, this is a savings of $10,000 to $15,000, Redfin Corp. Inc. President and CEO Glenn Kelman told investors during a recent conference call.

Kelman added that of the 127 Boston listing that have accepted an offer since Redfin Direct launched, five have been direct offers. Twelve offers were rejected.

Redfin has developed a 55-question guide to help potential buyers prepare an offer.

Kelman added, however, that the pilot project may not work in some markets.

We expect the vast majority of homebuyers to need the advice of an agent, hopefully one employed by Redfin, he said. But we’re excited about this offering because it can help us fulfill our mission to change the real estate industry.

Redfins move comes around the one-year anniversary of Seattle-based Zillows Offers program, which lets home sellers request a no-obligation cash offer from Zillow to buy their home. The program is available in 11 markets with plans to launch in nine more, though Seattle isnt one of them. Zillow says more than 100,000 homeowners across the country have requested an offer.