Aerial view of an Orange County housing community
Home Buying, Mortgage & Home Buying

Buying or Selling a Home?

Save Money When You Use Home Connections

Orange County’s Credit Union Members have a new advantage when it's time to buy or sell a home. The Home Connections program offers start-to-finish guidance throughout the home buying or selling process, plus generous discounts and credits. The exclusive Home Connections program makes your Credit Union a one-stop shop for home purchasing, selling, and financing.

Buying a Home with Home Connections

When you’re ready to purchase a home, you can enroll in Home Connections and be paired with a real estate expert who is friendly and knowledgeable about the market. Your agent will meet with you to understand your needs and get an idea of your budget. This is also a great time to get pre-approved for a home loan so you have a firm price range, can submit an offer quickly, and can show buyers you’re serious.

Once you’re enrolled in Home Connections, you’ll have access to an online home-search website that is updated every 15 minutes with the latest homes on the Southern California Multiple Listing Service (MLS). In addition, you can receive daily listing emails customized to your home-search criteria and monthly newsletters with the latest news and trends in your area.

When you purchase your home, you can receive a 20% rebate on the agent’s commission.¹ For example, if you buy a home for $750,000 and the agent receives a 3% commission equal to $22,500, you would receive 20% of that amount ($4,500) as a credit at closing. Consider how those savings could be used to furnish or upgrade your new home.

Selling a Home with Home Connections

If it’s time to put your home on the market, start with Home Connections. Members receive a free, instant home valuation with additional comparable market data. You’ll also be paired with an experienced agent who can help you determine an appropriate listing price and get your home prepped to show in the best light. Your home will be listed on the MLS and your agent will guide the entire process from reviewing contracts, negotiating counter offers, communicating with your buyers throughout escrow, and ensuring a smooth closing.

The best part? When you work with an agent through Home Connections, you’ll only pay a 1.5% listing fee² - a significant savings over the 3% typically charged by Southern California agents. You can also save 20% on escrow fees when selling your home.³

 


Buying 20% Commission Rebate Example Home Purchase Price $750,000 Agent Commission Fee of 3% is $22,500 Commission Rebate of 20% is $4,500 which means you save $4,500 - see full disclosure details at the bottom of this page
Buying 20% Commission Rebate Example Home Purchase Price $750,000 Agent Commission Fee of 3% is $22,500 Commission Rebate of 20% is $4,500 which means you save $4,500 - see full disclosure details at the bottom of this page

 

Selling Flat 1.5% Listing Fee Example - Home Selling Price is $750,000 Traditional Agent Fee of 3% is $22,500 Home Connections Fee of 1.5% is $11,250 - This means you would save $11,250 - See full disclosure details at the bottom of this page
Selling Flat 1.5% Listing Fee Example - Home Selling Price is $750,000 Traditional Agent Fee of 3% is $22,500 Home Connections Fee of 1.5% is $11,250 - This means you would save $11,250 - See full disclosure details at the bottom of this page

 

Get Started with Home Connections

Real estate decisions are often the biggest choices and expenses you’ll make in your lifetime. Whether you’re ready to buy, sell, or both, start with the Credit Union you trust and get the expertise and guidance you deserve.

Home Connections is available online and through your mobile device.⁴ Sign up today!

 

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Home Connections
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¹Rebate is awarded by HomeSmart Evergreen Realty to buyers who select and use a real estate agent in the Home Rewards network. Rebate is 20% for purchase only of a residential property. Payment is credited to your benefit at the close of transaction. Using Orange County’s Credit Union for a mortgage loan is not a requirement to earn the rebate. All rebates are subject to limitations, lender guidelines, state laws and other requirements. Certain properties may not be eligible for rebates. Please consult a qualified tax professional for advice on tax implications from receiving a rebate. HomeSmart Evergreen Realty is not affiliated with Orange County’s Credit Union.

²Excludes commission owed to buyer's agent.

³Escrow services discount and free signing services available only on an escrow serviced by Escrow Options Group, Inc. which is not affiliated with Orange County’s Credit Union. Check with the seller of the property regarding selection of the escrow company.

⁴Message and data rates may apply. Contact your mobile provider for details.

This is not an offer for an extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All applications are subject to borrower and property underwriting approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Limited to funding California properties only.

Membership in Orange County's Credit Union is available to anyone who lives or works in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Bernardino Counties. Don't live or work in our area? You may also qualify if your immediate family member banks with us. Ask us for details. Membership fee is $5.

Immediate Family Includes:
Spouse
Child
Sibling
Parent
Grandparent
Grandchild
Stepparent
Stepchild
Adoptive Relationships

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