Showami Vs. Redfin: How The Real Estate Apps Stack Up

Technology is changing how people buy and sell homes. Real estate apps like Showami and Redfin aim to make the process simpler through online listings, tools, and services. But how exactly do these leading options compare?

We’ll examine the key differences between Showami and Redfin to see which platform is best for different real estate needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

CategoryShowamiRedfin
Founded20192004
Key FeaturesShowing schedulingListings, tours, offers, agents
Buyer ToolsNoneSearch, tour booking, refunds
Seller ToolsListing basics, offer managementFull MLS listings
Agent SupportNone, BYO agentDedicated Redfin agents
Service AreasNationalMajor metros
PricingFree basic service1-1.5% seller commission, buyer refund

Overview of Showami

Showami is a relatively new real estate app founded in 2019 that connects home sellers with local agents to schedule showings. It’s available in most U.S. states.

With Showami, sellers list their property information. Then buyer’s agents can securely book showing appointments through the app. Showami also provides tools for sellers like offer management, home valuation estimates, and listing enhancements.

Showami
Showami

Here are some of the main features of Showami:

  • Free app for Android and iOS
  • Create a property listing with details, photos
  • Agents book showings 24/7 through the app
  • Track showings and feedback from agents
  • Receive and manage offers digitally
  • No lockbox needed for showings
  • Valuation estimates based on recent sales
  • Listing enhancement services available

The company aims to modernize how showings are scheduled while giving sellers more control and convenience during the sales process.

Overview of Redfin

Redfin is a more complete digital real estate platform combining listings, brokerage services, and agent support. Founded in 2004, it operates across 90+ U.S. metro areas.

Redfin lets users search home listings, schedule tours, unlock doors with their app, make offers, and get up to a 1.5% refund at closing when buying with a Redfin agent.
Key features include:

  • Search millions of home listings
  • Schedule self-guided or agent-led tours
  • Make an offer with support from Redfin agents
  • Track your offer and get updates on its status
  • Redfin refund program for buyers
  • Local insights, neighborhood guides
  • Estimate home value with Redfin Estimate
  • Rentals listings in some markets
  • Available across most of the United States

While Showami focuses specifically on showings, Redfin provides a complete home buying and selling process digitally from tour scheduling to closing.

Also Read: Comparison Between Redfin And eXp Realty

Key Differences Between Showami And Redfin

In above we have covered the basics of them. Now, let’s dive deeper and explore the crucial differences between two:

1. Comparing Ease of Use

Both Showami and Redfin aim to make real estate simple through technology. Here’s how they compare when it comes to user experience:

  • Account setup – It takes just minutes to create an account with both apps. Redfin asks for slightly more info upfront.
  • Listings platform – Showami has a basic dashboard for your property. Redfin offers a robust, map-based search for homes to tour or purchase.
  • Scheduling tours – The apps provide similar instant booking for tour appointments. Showami also enables direct offer submissions.
  • Tools – Redfin has a much wider array of calculators for affordability, listings insights, neighborhood data, and estimates.
  • Support – Redfin provides agent consultations if needed for advice or negotiations. Showami focuses solely on showings.

For an all-in-one real estate experience, Redfin offers significantly more tools, insights, and a la carte services compared to the specialized Showami software.

2. Comparing Services and Features

Redfin

The main services provided differ between these two real estate platforms:

  • Listing capabilities – Showami allows creating a basic listing to schedule showings. Redfin has complete MLS listing services through their brokerage.
  • Buyer tools – Redfin lets buyers make offers on homes, track offer status, and get up to 1.5% refunds at closing with a Redfin agent. Showami is just for showings.
  • Analytics – Redfin provides extensive market analytics, trends, and neighborhood data. Showami just offers home valuation estimates.
  • Tour scheduling – Both enable online tour booking and unlock doors through the app. But Showami has no agents or tours available.
  • End-to-end services – Redfin supports the entire home purchase or selling process. Showami focuses narrowly on showings.

Redfin essentially provides a complete digital real estate solution, while Showami offers a limited booking-only tool for showings.

3. Comparing Real Estate Agents

When it comes to agent support, Showami and Redfin take different approaches:

  • Redfin agents – You’re assigned a local Redfin agent for tours, advice, negotiations, and other services once under contract. Redfin handles the entire transaction start to finish.
  • Showami access – Any agent can book showings through Showami. But you need to find your own agent for negotiations, contracts, etc.
  • Agent commissions – Redfin charges lower total commissions, often 1% – 1.5% total for sellers. Showami does not actually represent buyers or sellers.
  • Agent ratings – Redfin has reviews and ratings for all of their individual real estate agents. Showami has no agents.
  • Consultations – Redfin offers free phone consultations with agents to get personalized advice before committing to buy or sell. Showami does not offer direct guidance.

Redfin provides complete agent representation, while Showami is just software for booking showings on your own. This is the biggest distinction between the two platforms.

4. Comparing Availability

Redfin and Showami take different geographic approaches:

  • Redfin areas – Redfin has agents available across over 90 major metro areas in the U.S., primarily focused on urban and suburban regions.
  • Showami areas – Showami can be used to list properties and book showings in most U.S. states, including many rural locations. Specific agent availability may be limited.
  • International presence – Redfin also serves parts of Canada. Showami is U.S.-only.

While Showami technically has broader national presence, actual agent availability may be lacking outside of metro areas. Redfin focuses on major markets with dedicated agents.

5. Comparing Costs

Here is how the costs for buyers and sellers compare:

  • Showami pricing – Free to list a home and schedule showings. Optional premium listing packages start at $99 per month.
  • Redfin costs – Free home search tools and tour booking. Full service listing costs 1% – 1.5% total commission. Buyers get up to 1.5% refund.
  • Lockboxes – Showami uses virtual access so no lockbox needed. Redfin uses Supra electronic lockboxes.
  • Listing packages – Showami offers low-cost packages for photography, 3D scans, etc. Redfin includes services with full listing.
  • Buyer refunds – Redfin offers up to 1.5% of the purchase price back for buyers. Showami has no buyer rebates.

For basic listing and tour scheduling, Showami offers a budget DIY approach. Redfin costs more but includes full-service agents and potential savings.

Also Watch This:

Pros And Cons Of Showami And Redfin

Pros of Showami

Some of the biggest advantages of Showami include:

  • Simple automated showings scheduling
  • No physical lockbox required for showings
  • Provides real-time feedback and offer updates
  • Low monthly cost listing enhancements
  • Basic valuation estimates to set asking price
  • Available to list properties anywhere in the U.S.

For a low-hassle way to handle showings and drive more interest as a home seller, Showami hits the key benefits.

Cons of Showami

Some potential downsides of Showami to note:

  • No buyer tools or agent support
  • Requires finding your own real estate agent
  • Limited listing features and analytics beyond basics
  • Premium packages still low scope compared to MLS
  • Buyer’s agents may prefer local lockboxes
  • Strictly for scheduling showings, not a complete platform

As a listings-only tool, Showami lacks major features and services to fully market or sell a home online.

Pros of Redfin

Here are some of the biggest benefits of the Redfin real estate platform:

  • Huge database of home listings, sale data
  • Advanced search with filters, mapping, and trends
  • Book tours instantly 24/7
  • Make offers with support from Redfin agents
  • Track status and get updates on your offer
  • Lower total commissions for sellers
  • Cash back for buyers at closing
  • User-friendly mobile app and site

Redfin essentially provides complete digital real estate services on both buy and sell sides. From listing to closing, it can facilitate the entire process.

Cons of Redfin

Some downsides of Redfin include:

  • Primarily available in urban metro areas
  • Physical lockboxes required for showings
  • Less personal service than traditional agents
  • Can take time to get offer responses during bidding
  • Strict rules to get maximum buyer refund amount
  • High demand means limited home inventory

With Redfin, you sacrifice a bit of the personal touch for lower costs and technology convenience. Inventory can be limited during competitive markets as well.

Also Read: Comparison Between Redfin And Keller Williams

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much do you get paid for showing?

Showami itself does not actually pay real estate agents or homeowners to host showings. The app only facilitates booking viewing appointments. Home sellers would pay their listing agent commissions from the final sale price as negotiated in their listing agreement outside of Showami.

How do I delete my Showami account?

Within Showami, you can delete your account by going to “Settings” and selecting “Delete Account” at the bottom. This permanently removes your Showami account and all information you had listed.

How do I remove an agent from Redfin?

As a buyer or seller customer, you cannot directly remove a Redfin agent. But you can contact Redfin to request being re-assigned to a different agent within your area if you are unsatisfied. As independent contractors, Redfin has policies for removing low-rated agents from their network as well.

What does Redfin stand for?

Redfin doesn’t officially stand for anything specific. The name was chosen to represent how the company helps “redefine” real estate through technology, lower costs, and reconstructed commission models compared to traditional brokerages.

Also Read: Comparison Between Compass And Keller Williams.

Bottom Line

Real estate apps like Showami and Redfin are increasing convenience for buyers and sellers. Showami modernizes how showings are scheduled and managed for homeowners. Meanwhile, Redfin provides end-to-end digital services for the entire real estate transaction process.

Deciding between them depends on your needs:

  • For a simple self-service showing solution, choose Showami.
  • For complete online real estate tools and services, go with Redfin.

Whichever platform you select, technology is making buying and selling homes easier than ever.

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