Is HomeApproach free? Yes.
Free to use, with real cash rewards we fund ourselves. Here is exactly how the business makes money, when a partner pays us, and why you never have to take a match we suggest.
The short version
- Free to use. Every tool, guide, score check, and Homie conversation is free. No subscription, no card, no trial that turns into a bill.
- Rewards funded by HomeApproach. Approach Points, cashback, and closing-day rewards are paid out of our own pocket — not passed through from a lender or sponsor.
- Referral fees, when they apply. If you choose to work with a partner we introduce you to, that partner may pay us a referral fee. It is never added to your cost.
- No obligation to pick a partner. A match is a recommendation, not a requirement. Bring your own lender or agent and you keep every tool and every reward.
What you pay: nothing
HomeApproach is free for buyers, renters, and homeowners. Creating an account, checking your credit score, running the Stack, using every calculator, reading every guide, and talking to Homie all cost zero dollars. There is no paid tier you get nudged into and no card on file.
We are not a lender, a brokerage, or a credit repair company. We do not charge you an application fee, a success fee, or a percentage of anything you save.
Who funds the rewards
Approach Points convert to real cash, and the credit-score bonus and closing-day cashback are real payouts. All of it is funded directly out of pocket by HomeApproach.
No lender, agent, or partner pays you on our behalf, and no reward is contingent on you choosing a particular company. We fund rewards because members who finish the boring preparation steps become homeowners, and homeowners are the business.
When partners pay us
When you decide you want to be introduced to a professional — a lender, a real estate agent, a credit coach — that partner may pay HomeApproach a referral fee if you work with them and reach closing. That is the primary way the business makes money.
The fee is paid by the partner out of their own compensation. It is not a markup on your rate, your commission, or your closing costs, and it does not change the terms you are quoted. Homie tells you at the point of introduction whether a partner has a paid relationship with us.
You pick the partner
A match is a recommendation. You are never required to use anyone we suggest, and declining costs you nothing.
Members regularly bring their own lender, their own agent, or a professional a family member recommended — and keep full access to every tool, milestone, and reward. If you would rather compare on your own first, the lender quote comparison and readiness tools are built for exactly that.
Homie vs. Homie.com
Homie is the name of HomeApproach's AI guide — the character who walks you through your score, your timeline, and your milestones inside this product.
Homie is not affiliated with Homie.com or with any similarly named brokerage, mortgage company, or app. If you were looking for that company, this is not it.
The roles you’ll be matched with
What each professional actually does, and how each one is compensated.
Real estate agent
Represents you in the search, the offer, and the negotiation, and coordinates the contract through to closing.
How they’re paid: Paid a commission out of the transaction at closing. May pay HomeApproach a referral fee out of that commission.
Mortgage lender or loan officer
Pre-approves you, quotes rates and fees, and underwrites the loan you actually close with.
How they’re paid: Paid by the loan they originate. May pay HomeApproach a referral fee — never added to your rate or closing costs.
Credit coach
Works through what is pulling your score down and the realistic sequence to fix it before you apply.
How they’re paid: Usually free to you through partner or nonprofit programs. We disclose it if a paid relationship exists.
Home inspector
Inspects the property under contract and reports the condition issues that affect your decision or your negotiation.
How they’re paid: Paid directly by you, typically a flat fee at the time of inspection.
Ready to talk to someone? Browse the directory first — no obligation, and you can always bring your own professional.
Find your home expert