Buyer rebates in Florida: how they actually work
There's a commission built into the price of nearly every home - and in Florida, part of it can legally come back to you.
The commission you never see
When a home sells, the seller typically pays a commission - and a slice of it, often 2-3% of the price, is offered to the brokerage representing the buyer. You don't see it as a line item, but it's effectively baked into the price you pay. Traditionally, that money funds a very manual process: phone tag for showings, comps pulled by hand, paperwork chased for weeks.
Why rebates exist
A buyer rebate is simple: if the buyer's brokerage doesn't need the entire commission, it can return part of it to the buyer. At Homa, AI does the heavy lifting - search, tour scheduling, reading disclosures and HOA documents - while licensed agents handle negotiations and contracts. Doing the busywork with software means keeping less of the commission, and the difference goes back to the buyer: up to 2% of the purchase price, as a settlement credit at closing.
Is this legal in Florida?
Yes. Buyer rebates are legal in Florida. They must be disclosed to all parties in the transaction, and they appear right on the closing paperwork as a settlement credit, subject to lender approval. It's not points, not a gift card, and not a promotion - it's a documented credit at the closing table.
What the math looks like
| Home price | Up to 2% back |
|---|---|
| $350,000 | up to $7,000 |
| $528,000 (FL average) | about $10,560 |
| $750,000 | up to $15,000 |
| $1,000,000 | up to $20,000 |
The credit is a percentage, not a coupon - it scales with the price of the home. Buyers commonly use it against closing costs, mortgage points, or the first wave of move-in expenses.
What you give up: nothing
Same MLS listings as the big search sites. Tours on your schedule. A dedicated licensed agent reviewing every offer and handling the negotiation, plus a closing coordinator to the finish line. The process changes; the service doesn't shrink.
Take the 60-second buyer quiz for your estimate, or run your price through the rebate calculator.
Search homes at tryhoma.com