Frequently Asked Questions
What can we help you with?
Look around or feel free to reach out at support@orchard.com
General
About Us
What is Orchard?
We're a new type of real estate company that removes the stress and uncertainty of buying and selling a home. With our Move First program, we help you make a strong offer to buy your next home before selling your current one, so you never miss out on your dream home. After you move out we prep, list, and market your home to get you top dollar.
In addition to Move First, we also offer List with Orchard for homeowners who are only looking to sell their existing home.
Who can work with Orchard?
Where does Orchard operate?
We currently serve customers in the following metropolitan areas:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
Is Orchard a home flipper, an iBuyer, or a traditional brokerage?
None of the above, Orchard is transforming the way people buy and sell their homes, making it easier, simpler, and more transparent.
Home flippers buy distressed homes often at a deep discount. iBuyers provide a cash offer for your home allowing you to close quickly and skip home showings. Both can be a good alternative to a traditional home sale if your home would struggle to sell as-is, or if you need to sell quickly.
With Orchard, you’ll work with a licensed real estate agent to sell your home at its full market value, similar to working with a traditional agent. But unlike a traditional agent, Orchard gives you a guaranteed cash offer for added peace of mind. If you’re also looking to buy, Orchard will provide you with an interest-free loan you can use to make a down payment on your new home without having to sell first. While you settle into your new home, Orchard will list and manage your old home until it sells.
This way, you get the best of all the options: the ability to buy before you sell, skip the showings, and still get the full value of your home on the open market.
Do you have real estate agents?
Who is Orchard Title?
Home Valuation
How is my home sale estimate calculated?
How accurate are Orchard’s valuations?
What is Orchard’s guaranteed offer?
Orchard will list your home on-market for 120 days and promote the listing to find you a new buyer. If you do not receive an offer within 120 days, we'll buy your home from you at an agreed-upon amount. We call this your guaranteed offer.
Almost all of our customers sell at or above their list price, which is why we’re confident we can get you top dollar for your home, while giving you peace of mind that your home will sell no matter what.
Why should I schedule an Orchard consultation?
Orchard consultations are free and do not obligate you to work with us. They are a great way to meet with a licensed real estate expert, learn more about our services, and determine if one is right for you.
To schedule your consultation, start by filling out our online form with your home's details to get your initial home value estimate. From there, we’ll be in touch to set up a free consultation to finalize your valuation and answer any questions about working with Orchard. You can also contact us directly to schedule your consultation by emailing us at hello@orchard.com or by calling (844) 515-9880.
What will I learn at my consultation?
Our Programs
What programs does Orchard offer?
We offer several programs for home buyers and sellers.
- Our most popular program, Move First, helps homeowners buy their next home before they sell so they can get the home they love and still sell for top dollar.
- List with Orchard is aimed at sellers who don’t need to buy or who are buying outside of our service area.
- We also offer Buy & List, which allows you to choose which side of the transaction you’d prefer to focus on first: buying a home or selling your current home.
Which program is right for me?
Our Team
Who will I work with during my transaction?
Who are Orchard's Home Advisors and Listing Agents?
Orchard employs experienced, licensed real estate agents who will help you navigate the process of selling and buying a home. You'll first be matched with a Home Advisor who specializes in buying homes in your area. Your Home Advisor will help you find the right home for you, make a strong offer, and lead negotiations on its sale and closing.
Next, you’ll work with a Listing Agent that specializes in selling homes for top dollar. Your Listing Agent will also manage your home showings, advise you on offers, and provide guidance throughout the selling process.
How does working with Orchard compare to working with a traditional agent?
Move First
Overview
What is the Move First program?
How is Move First different from a traditional home buying and selling process?
What are the benefits of buying and selling with Orchard?
- Buy before you sell - Orchard helps you access your home’s equity, so that you can make a non-contingent offer on a home you love without having to sell first.
- Stress-free home sale - Orchard preps and lists your home after you move so you can sell for top dollar while avoiding strangers touring your home.
- Move once - Don't stress about lining up the timing of your home sale and new home purchase. With Orchard, you move when you're ready and eliminate the need for double moves, a short-term rental or storage costs.
Who should use the Move First service
Orchared is a great fit for anyone looking to buy before they sell their current home. Our Move First service is especially helpful if:
- You want to move as soon as you find your new home without waiting for your old home to sell
- You want to avoid the inconvenient aspects of a home sale — including double moves, repairs and showings until you have moved out of your current house
- You have missed out on homes because you had to make a contingent offer
- You have a long wishlist for your new home and are worried about finding something quickly after your old house sells
- You are dreading the idea of making repairs and managing showings while still living in your current home
Am I eligible for Move First?
Our Move First program is designed for homeowners looking to sell their current home and buy a new home in one of our markets. To be eligible for the Move First program, the home you're selling must be a single-family home built between 1920 - 2020 that is not currently listed on the market. Orchard's valuation of the single-family home must fall within the following ranges:
- Atlanta, GA: $200,000 - $1,000,000
- Austin, TX: $200,000 - $1,500,000
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX: $200,000 - $1,000,000
- Denver, CO: $200,000 - $1,500,000
- Houston, TX: $200,000 - $1,000,000
- San Antonio, TX: $200,000 - $1,000,000
If your home is a condominium valued by Orchard between $200,000 and $750,000 that is not currently listed on the market, it is also eligible for the Move First program.
Orchard Home Advisors can help you look for any home within the Atlanta, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, or San Antonio areas, including new construction.
How much does it cost to use the Move First service?
How do I get started?
Buying
What are the benefits of buying with Orchard?
What types of homes can Orchard show me?
Can I work with Orchard if I want to buy a new construction home?
Yes! We can work with you to make a competitive offer whether you want to purchase a new construction home or a resale home. With Move First, you can stay in the comfort of your current home for up to twelve months while your new home is being built. No double moves, no rentals, and no need to sell first in order to finance the purchase of your new home.
We’ve partnered with dozens of home builders across the country and can help you find one that works for your needs or work with a home builder of your choice.
How does the buying process work?
How does Orchard let me buy before I sell?
What is Orchard's equity advance?
Am I responsible for two mortgage payments when I use Move First?
Do I have to buy a home from Orchard if I want to use the Move First program?
How does the mortgage process work for the home I am buying?
What happens if I don't find a home I want to buy?
Selling
What are the benefits of listing with Orchard?
- Sell for top dollar - By combining Orchard’s pricing insights with local expertise, you’ll set a smart list price that attracts buyer interest.
- Skip the showings - After you move into your new home, Orchard will list, market, and manage your home’s showings until it sells.
- Guarantee your sale - Get the full value for your home by listing it on the market while enjoying the peace of mind that it will sell no matter what.
What happens if I want to modify the listing price of my home?
What happens if my home does not sell within 120 days of listing?
How does the closing process work for my home sale?
What are my closing costs?
Concierge
What is the Concierge service?
What are the benefits of using the Concierge service?
- Knowledgeable recommendations - before you list your home, an Orchard Renovation expert will recommend upgrades, repairs, and enhanced curb appeal we can help you make to maximize buyer interest.
- Stress-free oversight - no need to source contractors or negotiate rates, we’ll take care of that on your behalf and ensure the work is completed on time and within budget.
- No upfront cost - as part of the service, Orchard will front you the cost of any upgrades and repairs so you can put more money toward your new home purchase. Pay us back out of your sale proceeds, interest-free.
What repairs or upgrades can I make with Concierge?
How much does it cost to use the Concierge service?
List with Orchard
Overview
What is the List with Orchard program?
How is selling with Orchard different from a traditional home sale process?
Who can use the List with Orchard program?
Our List with Orchard program is designed for homeowners looking to sell their current home and who are not buying in an Orchard market. To be eligible for the List with Orchard program, the home you're selling must be a single-family home built between 1920 - 2020 that is not currently listed on the market. Orchard's valuation of the home must also fall within the following ranges:
- Atlanta, GA: $200,000 - $1,000,000
- Austin, TX: $200,000 - $1,500,000
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX: $200,000 - $$1,000,000
- Denver, CO: $200,000 - $1,500,000
- Houston, TX: $200,000 - $1,000,000
- San Antonio, TX: $200,000 - $1,000,000
If your home is a condominium valued by Orchard between $200,000 and $750,000 that is not currently listed on the market, it is also eligible for the List with Orchard program.
How much does it cost to use the List with Orchard service?
How do I get started?
Listing
What are the benefits of listing with Orchard?
- Sell for top dollar - By combining Orchard’s pricing insights with local expertise, you’ll set a smart list price that attracts buyer interest.
- Free listing prep - Get professional photos and a 3D tour to help your home stand out. We can even make value-boosting repairs at no upfront cost.
- Gain peace of mind - Get the full value for your home by listing it on the market while enjoying the peace of mind that your guaranteed offer provides.
What happens if I want to modify the listing price of my home?
What happens if my home does not sell within 120 days of listing?
How does the closing process work for my home sale?
What are my closing costs?
Concierge
What is the Concierge service?
What are the benefits of using the Concierge service?
- Knowledgeable recommendations - before you list your home, an Orchard Renovation expert will recommend upgrades, repairs, and enhanced curb appeal we can help you make to maximize buyer interest.
- Stress-free oversight - no need to source contractors or negotiate rates, we’ll take care of that on your behalf and ensure the work is completed on time and within budget.
- No upfront cost - as part of the service, Orchard will front you the cost of any upgrades and repairs so you can put more money toward your new home purchase. Pay us back out of your sale proceeds, interest-free.
What repairs or upgrades can I make with Concierge?
How much does it cost to use the Concierge service?
Guaranteed Offer
How does Orchard guarantee my home sale?
How does Orchard determine my guaranteed offer?
Am I required to sell my home to Orchard at the guaranteed offer amount?
Buy & List
What is the Buy & List service?
What are the benefits of using the Buy & List service?
- Experienced, local agents - Work closely with an Orchard Home Advisor, who will help you shop for and negotiate the best offer on a home you love. Then work with a dedicated Listing Agent with extensive knowledge on pricing strategy and how to maximize buyer interest.
- Free listing prep - Orchard will invest over $1,000 to professionally photograph your home, create a 3D virtual tour, and market it so it stands out to prospective buyers. We do this at no cost to you.
- Traditional service with an upgrade - If your home needs any updates or repairs, we can manage these for you before listing your home. Plus, enjoy a seamless closing experience online or with a mobile notary that comes to you.
Who can use the Buy & List service?
Our Buy & List program is designed for homeowners looking to sell their current home and buy a new home in one of our markets. We currently operate in the following metropolitan areas:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
How much does it cost to use the Buy & List service?
How do I get started?
What are the benefits of buying with Orchard?
- Tour on your schedule - In addition to your Home Advisor, an Orchard Touring Specialist will be available to tour homes with you. This way, you’ll never miss an opportunity to tour a home right when it hits the market.
- Advanced search tools - Our innovative Home Match tool allows you to refine your home search results based on features important to you. We also have a team of dedicated touring specialists available to show you homes on-demand.
- Integrated mortgage - Our partners at Orchard Mortgage, make the mortgage process clear and simple. They’ll shop multiple lenders to find you a competitive rate and answer any questions you may have on getting pre-approved.
How does the buying process work?
What are the benefits of selling with Orchard?
- Knowledgeable local experts - Work closely with a licensed Listing Agent who understands the unique characteristics of your neighborhood.
- Free listing prep - Orchard will professionally photograph your home and create a 3D tour at no cost to you. Listings with virtual tours get 90% more buyer interest.
- Customized listing reports - Once your home is listed, you can track the number of showings each week and view real-time buyer feedback all on your dashboard.