What Is a Home Buyer Rebate?
A home buyer rebate is a portion of the real estate agent's commission that gets returned to you — the buyer — after closing. It's legal in 41 states, it's not taxable income (per the IRS), and it puts real money back in your hands when you need it most.
Most buyers don't know rebates exist. The real estate industry doesn't advertise them. But the math is simple: on a typical home purchase, the buyer's agent earns 2.5-3% of the sale price in commission. A rebate program shares a percentage of that commission with you.
Your Rebate on a $400,000 Home
Based on 2.5% buyer agent commission ($10,000) × 15% rebate
$300,000 home → $1,125 back · $500,000 home → $1,875 back · $700,000 home → $2,625 back
How the Rebate Works
Step 1: Tell Us What You Need
Fill out our short form — where you're buying, your timeline, your price range. Takes 2 minutes. No commitment, no credit check, completely free.
Step 2: We Match You With a Top Agent
We connect you with a pre-vetted, top-performing agent in your specific market. These aren't random agents — they're experienced professionals who close deals and know your area.
Step 3: Buy Your Home
Your agent helps you find the right home, negotiate the best price, and navigate the entire buying process — exactly like any other agent relationship.
Step 4: Get 15% Cash Back at Closing
After closing, you receive 15% of your agent's commission as a rebate. It can be applied as a closing credit (reducing your out-of-pocket costs) or received as cash after closing, depending on your lender.
Why Most Buyers Miss This
The traditional real estate model doesn't benefit from telling you about rebates. Agents keep 100% of their commission. Brokerages keep their cut. Nobody in the chain has an incentive to share money with you — unless the business model is designed around it.
Welcome Home Referrals works differently. We earn a referral fee from the agent's brokerage for making the match — and we pass 15% of the agent's commission directly to you. The agent still gets paid. The brokerage still gets paid. And you get cash back that you wouldn't have received otherwise.
Rebate vs. No Rebate: The Numbers
- $300,000 home: $1,125 rebate vs. $0 without our program
- $400,000 home: $1,500 rebate vs. $0 without our program
- $500,000 home: $1,875 rebate vs. $0 without our program
- $750,000 home: $2,812 rebate vs. $0 without our program
Where Are Rebates Legal?
Home buyer rebates are legal in 41 states and Washington D.C. They are currently prohibited in: Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. If you're in one of the 41 states where rebates are legal, you're eligible.
Common Questions About Rebates
Does it cost me anything? No. Our service is 100% free to buyers and sellers. The rebate comes from the agent's commission — not from your pocket.
Will I get a worse agent? No. Our agents are pre-vetted, top-performing professionals. They participate in our program because we send them qualified, ready-to-buy clients — which saves them marketing costs.
Is the rebate taxable? No. The IRS treats home buyer rebates as a price adjustment, not income. You won't owe taxes on it.