What is Opendoor and is it worth it?

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Opendoor is an iBuyer — a real estate company that uses technology to make an instant offer on sellers’ homes — that was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. They are one of the many companies that buy houses for cash and can help homeowners sell their home fast by giving them an instant (or near instant) offer.

They can also help you buy a house and finance your home purchase in select markets. You may consider working with Opendoor if you need to sell your house fast, but you probably won’t get the full market value of your home in exchange for the convenience of an instant offer.

In contrast, Orchard is a power buyer that empowers homebuyers and sellers by unifying tasks and transactions, and offering services to help give their clients an edge over competition.

How does Opendoor work?

Property tech companies have leveraged digital tools to simplify and shorten the traditionally convoluted and elongated process. But the success of these companies has created a proliferation of competitors, and it can be hard for homebuyers and sellers who aren’t in the industry to know the differences between them. 

Opendoor’s instant cash offer is the company’s core offering. Sellers who use this service can request an offer online and receive a preliminary number within 24 hours. Sellers who choose to pursue the offer then set up a virtual assessment of their house to determine the condition of the home. Once the assessment is complete, Opendoor submits their final offer to the seller. If sellers choose to accept the offer, they can expect to close within 14 to 60 days.

But this service comes with a significant drawback: You probably won’t get as much money as if you listed on the market. iBuyers typically offer below market value on homes so they can make a profit when they sell the home. That being said, Opendoor offers are higher than other iBuyers, according to an analysis of offer prices in Phoenix (the largest iBuyer market) by real estate technology strategist Mike DelPrete.

While Opendoor’s lower purchase price is a worthwhile trade-off for homeowners who need to sell fast, most home sellers will want to prioritize maximizing profits from their home sale.

Related: What to know about selling with Redfin

What can you do with Opendoor?

Since their founding, Opendoor has expanded their services to compete with the growing field of iBuyers. They now offer more robust, consumer-focused services like flexible home tours and financing, in addition to their original instant cash offer.

Buy from Opendoor

You can buy Opendoor-owned houses directly from them or with your own agent. While this may feel like real estate as usual, Opendoor makes home tours available between 6am and 9pm every day with no appointment needed. This is in contrast to traditional home tours where homebuyers have to work around their agents’ schedules to see homes.

→ Learn more about buying a house online

Buy with Opendoor

In select markets, Opendoor will buy houses on your behalf for cash — whether they’re Opendoor-owned or not. Homebuyers in competitive markets may choose to use this service, as non-contingent cash offers are generally more appealing to sellers.

Homeowners who need to buy a house and sell their current one can also use Opendoor’s trade-in program. With this service, homeowners can buy a new home and sell their old one in one transaction by lining up their closing dates with Opendoor.

→ Your guide to buying and selling at the same time

Opendoor financing

Also in select markets, Opendoor can act as your lender. Homebuyers who choose to finance with Opendoor can benefit from perks like no appraisals or origination fees and a $2,500 seller credit (if you buy an Opendoor-owned home).

Types of homes Opendoor works with

Opendoor purchases the following types of homes:

  • Single-family
  • Townhomes
  • Duplexes in certain markets
  • Condos in certain markets

Opendoor typically only buys homes built after 1930 with a maximum lot size of two acres. The homes they buy are most often valued between $100,000 to $600,000, but they will sometimes purchase homes worth upwards of $1 million. Many of their standards vary by market.

Is Opendoor legitimate?

Many services offered by property tech companies like Opendoor sound too good to be true. But Opendoor is a legitimate real estate company. They are verified on Trustpilot, an independent review platform, and a Better Business Bureau accredited business (although their profile is currently being rated).

Markets where Opendoor operates

Opendoor operates in more than fifty metros across the United States, but all of their services (including, Sell to Opendoor, Buy from Opendoor, Buy with Opendoor, and Opendoor Financing) are only available in the following markets:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Austin, TX
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Dallas Fort-Worth, TX
  • Denver, CO
  • Houston, TX
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Orlando, FL
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Tampa, FL
  • Tucson, AZ

How much are Opendoor fees?

Service fees for Opendoor range between 5% to 14% of the home’s purchase price, although they typically fall in the 5% to 8% range. When Opendoor buys your home, they will also deduct the cost of any repairs your home needs from their offer price.

This is a heavy premium compared to real estate agent commissions, which typically cost 5% to 6% of the home sale price. Opendoor’s fees are even high compared to other property tech companies that charge fees more in line with traditional agent commissions.

Hidden cost of working with Opendoor

When you sell to iBuyers like Opendoor, you don’t get the opportunity to list your home on the market. That means no chance to entice bidding wars, which can drive up the purchase price, and no chance to speak with an agent to find out their recommended listing price. Plus, iBuyers often don’t offer the full market value of your home because they need to quickly sell it for a profit with only minimal repairs or renovations. 

Should you use Opendoor?

While Opendoor is a good option for some homeowners, it’s not the best choice for all. Here are some pros and cons to weigh before choosing to work with them.

Pros Cons
Sell fast with an instant cash offer Instant cash offer won’t be for the full market value of your home
No prep or home showings Can’t list on the open market and drive up purchase price
Choose your closing date Only some homes qualify, and qualifications can vary by market
Available in over 50 metro areas Many metro areas only have select services available

Orchard vs. Opendoor

The chart below outlines some of the major similarities and differences of these two property tech companies.

Orchard Opendoor
Type of company Power buyer iBuyer
Guarantee your home sale Yes Yes
Complete minor repairs and renovations to prepare your home for sale Yes No
List your home on the market for top dollar Yes No
Skip home showings Yes Yes
Get representation from a licensed agent Yes No
Help you become a cash buyer for your next home purchase Yes Yes

Homeowners who need to sell fast may choose the convenience and speed of Opendoor’s instant offer, but they pay a price for doing so. Orchard offers the same peace of mind with a guaranteed home sale, plus the additional advantage of listing on the market for top dollar. Orchard even helps prepare your home for sale with our concierge service. We’ll cover listing prep and home maintenance, saving you over $1,800. In addition, Orchard charges lower fees than the competition, comparable to traditional brokerages.

Interested in learning more? Get started with a free home valuation — our estimates are 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

FAQs

Still have questions? Here's what else to know about Opendoor.

Q: What is Opendoor?

Opendoor is a real estate company that provides a digital platform for buying and selling homes. The company uses data analysis and machine learning to make cash offers on homes, eliminating the need for sellers to go through the traditional real estate process of listing, staging, and showing their properties.

Q: Is Orchard the same as Opendoor?

No, Orchard is a separate real estate company that also offers a digital platform for buying and selling homes. While both companies operate in a similar space, they have different business models and approaches to the real estate market. Orchard aims to sell your home on the open market, so you can get most out of what your home is worth, and we also provide a guaranteed offer in case it doesn't sell. For homeowners who are looking to sell quickly, Orchard can also help you source and compare offers from iBuyers. Learn more about how Orchard works.

Q: Does Opendoor negotiate?

Yes, Opendoor does negotiate on the price of homes that it buys. The company uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the fair market value of a property, but it also takes into account factors such as repairs or upgrades that may be needed. Sellers can choose to accept or reject Opendoor's offer, and they have a seven-day window to make a decision.

Q: Why would you sell to Opendoor?

Selling to Opendoor can be a good option for homeowners who want to avoid the traditional real estate process and the uncertainty that comes with it. Opendoor offers a streamlined, all-cash process that can close in as little as 14 days, which can be appealing to sellers who need to move quickly or who want to avoid the hassle of listing and showing their homes. Additionally, Opendoor charges a service fee that is typically lower than the commission charged by traditional real estate agents.

Orchard gives a guaranteed cash offer — and so much more

We provide peace of mind that your home will sell, plus list your home on the market to maximize your earnings.

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Sell for more with value-boosting improvements

When you list with Orchard, we’ll get your home show-ready and make repairs to increase your home’s value at no upfront cost.

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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Buy a new home knowing you’ve sold your current one

Orchard guarantees your home will sell, so you can buy your next one worry-free.

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Estimated Net Proceeds
$0
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Get my free valuation
Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Orchard gives a guaranteed cash offer — and so much more

We provide peace of mind that your home will sell, plus list your home on the market to maximize your earnings.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Closing Fees
$0
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$0
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
$0
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Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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Estimated Net Proceeds
$0
Home Sale Price
$0
Total Cost to Sell
$0
Get my free valuation
Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

How much can I make selling my home?

Use our home sale calculator to estimate your net proceeds.

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Closing Fees
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Home Sale Price
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Total Cost to Sell
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Don’t navigate the market alone

Our Home Advisors are experienced local agents who know how to sell for top dollar and help win your dream home.

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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Total Cost to Sell
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Let’s match you with a real estate agent

All Orchard Home Advisors are experienced agents who know your local market inside and out. Request a consult today.

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Closing Fees
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Home Sale Price
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Total Cost to Sell
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Close faster with a cash offer

Did you know cash offers are 4x more likely to be chosen by a seller? Let us help you make one on your next home.

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Closing Fees
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Home Sale Price
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Total Cost to Sell
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Know what your home is really worth

Get the most accurate free home valuation — in minutes

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Closing Fees
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
$0
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Stand out to sellers with a cash offer

A cash offer is 4x more likely to be chosen by a seller. Get qualified today.

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Closing Fees
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Don’t miss out on your dream home

Make a cash offer now, and Orchard will sell your old home after you move.

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Closing Fees
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Other Costs to Consider
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Orchard can help you avoid overpaying additional selling and moving costs
$0
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Estimated Net Proceeds
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

Your dream home is waiting for you

Tell us your must-haves to see personalized home recommendations that meet your criteria.

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Estimated Net Proceeds
$0
Home Sale Price
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Total Cost to Sell
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Orchard is 30% more accurate than leading estimates.

The stress-free way to buy and sell

With Orchard, secure your dream home before you list. Avoid home showings, rentals, and double moves.

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