Frequently Asked Questions
What can we help you with?
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General
About Us
What is Orchard?
Orchard is a new type of real estate brokerage that is transforming the way people buy and sell their homes. We simplify it all, to the way it should have always been; fair and true to market, straightforward, easy.
We’re helping customers find and purchase their dream home. We’re helping customers sell their existing home on their schedule, at market price. And we're making one of life's biggest decisions, the purchase of a home, less intimidating. So they can focus on making a home. So they can focus on making new memories.
What programs does Orchard offer?
We offer several programs for home buyers and sellers.
- Our most popular program, Move First, helps homeowners unlock their equity so they can buy their next home without having to sell first.
- And last, we offer list-on-market services with an upgrade, including List with Orchard for sellers who don’t need to buy; and Buy & List, which allows homeowners to choose which side of the transaction they’d prefer to focus on first: buying a home or selling their current home.
Where does Orchard operate?
We currently serve customers selling in the following metropolitan areas:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
Orchard agents can help you purchase new construction or resale homes in any of the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MI, NC, NM, OH, OR, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA.
Do you have real estate agents?
Home Valuation
How is my home sale estimate calculated?
How accurate are Orchard’s valuations?
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 [email protected] or by calling (844) 515-9880.
What will I learn at my consultation?
Our Team
Who will I work with during my transaction?
Who are Orchard's real estate agents?
Orchard employs experienced, licensed real estate agents who will help you navigate the process of selling and buying a home. You'll be matched with a local agent who specializes in buying homes in your area. Your agent will help you find the right home for you, make a strong offer, and lead negotiations on its sale and closing. This same agent will also help to sell your home for top dollar. They will manage your home showings, advise you on offers, and provide guidance throughout the selling process.
Can I use my own real estate agent?
What is Orchard Mortgage and Orchard Title?
In addition to our brokerage business, we offer affiliated mortgage and title services that streamline your real estate touch points. When you work with an Orchard agent, you have the option to partner with our mortgage and title partners, giving you a single real estate team under one roof. Our colleagues at Orchard Mortgage and Orchard Title have years of experience and understand the unique ways our brokerage programs work.
Orchard Mortgage is a full-service mortgage lender that closes 98% of our mortgages on time, with the average mortgage clear-to-close 7 days before its closing date. For more information about Orchard Mortgage, visit their website .
Orchard Title is a full-service title insurance agency. They work with home sellers and buyers on their closing process, including the transfer of title from a home seller to a home buyer. For more information about Orchard Title, visit their website.
Move First
Overview
What is the Move First program?
Move First allows homeowners to buy their new home before they sell, then list for top dollar. You'll work with a dedicated Orchard agent to shop for homes, and an Orchard Mortgage Loan Officer to get approved for our equity advance: an interest-free loan you can use to make a down payment on your new home, plus so much more.
Once you find a home you love, Orchard will help you make a strong, non-contingent offer to buy it. You move in right away and skip home showings while Orchard preps, lists, and shows your old home.
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?
Orchard 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 - 2021 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 agents can help you purchase new construction or resale homes in any of the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MI, NC, NM, OH, OR, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA.
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 cover 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?
We currently serve customers selling 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 List with Orchard service?
How do I get started?
Listing
What are the benefits of listing with Orchard?
- Sell for more - By combining Orchard’s pricing insights with local expertise, you’ll set a smart list price that attracts 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.
- Price-boosting upgrades - Get expert recommendations on which repairs and upgrades your home needs in order to sell faster and for top dollar. The best part? Pay nothing until after your home sells.
What happens if I want to modify the listing price of my home?
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 cover 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?
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 agent who will help you shop for and negotiate the best offer on a home you love. Then, when you’re ready to list your home, your agent will use their extensive knowledge on pricing strategy 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 - Your Orchard agent 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 Orchard agent who understands the unique characteristics of your neighborhood.
- Free listing prep - Orchard will professionally photograph your home and create a 3D virtual 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.