When you buy a home in Southern California with Portfolio Home Realty, up to 1% of the purchase price can come back to you at closing — while you still get full-service representation at no extra cost. Here's exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how much you'd actually receive.
A buyer commission rebate is a portion of the buyer-agent commission that your brokerage returns to you at closing. In a typical Southern California sale, the seller offers the buyer's agent around 2.5% of the price. Portfolio Home Realty keeps 1.5% to run the brokerage and returns up to 1% of the purchase price to you — as cash, a closing-cost credit, or a rate buydown. On a $1,200,000 home, that's about $12,000 back. Rebates are subject to lender approval and depend on the seller offering buyer-agent compensation. You still get full-service representation.
A buyer rebate is money that comes back to you, the buyer, out of the commission your agent earns.
Here's the part most people don't realize: on almost every home sale, the buyer's agent gets paid a commission — and that commission is usually built into the deal, funded by the seller's side. A rebate simply means your brokerage shares part of that commission with you instead of keeping all of it. It's legal in California, it's disclosed up front, and it doesn't change the service you get.
People search for this a dozen different ways — "cash back real estate agent," "buyer agent commission rebate," "realtor that gives money back," "home buyer rebate SoCal." They're all describing the same thing. At Portfolio Home Realty, we call it what it is: 1% of the purchase price back to you at closing.
The mechanics are simple once you see the flow of money in a normal transaction:
That 1% is your rebate. Your lender signs off on how it's applied, and it shows up on your closing statement. Nothing is hidden, and there's no separate fee to you — the rebate comes out of a commission that already existed in the deal.
Want the step-by-step version with screenshots of where it lands on your paperwork? Read how the cash-back rebate works, start to finish.
Slide to your target purchase price to see roughly what you'd receive back at closing. This is an estimate — your final rebate depends on the seller's offered compensation and lender approval.
Estimate only. Actual rebate is up to 1% of the purchase price, subject to lender approval and the seller offering buyer-agent compensation. Not a guarantee of a specific dollar amount. DRE #02232009.
Because the rebate is a straight percentage of the price, it scales with the home. That's why it's especially meaningful on SoCal properties, where prices run high.
| Purchase price | Traditional agent | Portfolio Home Realty |
|---|---|---|
| $700,000 | $0 back | ~$7,000 back |
| $900,000 | $0 back | ~$9,000 back |
| $1,200,000 | $0 back | ~$12,000 back |
| $2,000,000 | $0 back | ~$20,000 back |
| $4,500,000 | $0 back | ~$45,000 back |
Rebate is up to 1% of purchase price. No cap. Subject to lender approval and the seller offering buyer-agent compensation. Amounts shown are estimates, not guarantees. DRE #02232009.
Most buyers qualify. The rebate isn't tied to being a first-time buyer, a certain income, or a specific loan type. What matters is straightforward:
Buying with cash? Even easier — there's no lender to approve the credit, so the rebate can simply be cash back at closing. Not sure if you're loan-ready yet? Our sister company can pre-qualify you free, or start at iLoanCA.
To make sure your rebate is honored, a few boxes need checking early:
Wondering whether any of this is even allowed in California? It is — here's why buyer rebates are legal in California, straight from the DRE rules.
Reach out before your first showing so representation is established — and, for new builds, so you're registered on visit one.
A short digital buyer-representation agreement confirms we represent you and puts your 1% rebate in writing.
A lender pre-approval strengthens your offers and is required if the rebate will be applied as a closing credit.
We arrange private showings, review disclosures, and pull a comparative market analysis so you offer with confidence.
We negotiate price, credits, contingencies, and timelines in your favor, and open escrow once you're in contract.
At close of escrow, up to 1% of the purchase price comes back — as cash, a closing-cost credit, or a rate buydown.
You've got choices for how the rebate reaches you, and your lender's rules decide what's allowed on your specific loan:
Not sure which makes sense for you? That's a five-minute conversation. We'll model it against your closing costs and rate before you commit.
| Traditional agent | Portfolio Home Realty | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash back at closing | None | Up to 1% of price |
| Full-service representation | Yes | Yes — nothing cut |
| MLS access & private tours | Yes | Yes |
| Offer writing & negotiation | Yes | Yes |
| Extra cost to you | $0 | $0 |
| Rebate disclosed in writing | N/A | Yes, up front |
Comparing a full-service rebate brokerage to a standard buyer's agent. Want the deeper breakdown against discount and flat-fee models? Read 1% agent vs. traditional realtor.
Tell us your target city and budget. We'll walk you through your rebate and the process — no pressure, no obligation.
Disclaimer: Portfolio Home Realty is a licensed California real estate brokerage (DRE #02232009) serving Los Angeles County and Orange County. The buyer rebate is a portion of the buyer-side commission returned to eligible buyers at closing and is generally up to 1% of the purchase price. Rebates are subject to lender approval and to the seller offering buyer-agent compensation, and are disclosed in your Buyer Representation Agreement and to your lender. Dollar figures on this page are illustrative estimates, not guarantees of a specific amount or savings. The rebate does not reduce the scope of representation. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice — consult your CPA, attorney, or lender regarding your specific situation. Equal Housing Opportunity.