If you're comparing flat-fee buyer brokerages, CashBackRE is probably on your list. They market themselves as a buyer rebate company. So does ShopProp. But the numbers tell very different stories.
We compared ShopProp and CashBackRE side by side — fees, rebates, service, track record — so you can see exactly who returns more at closing.
The Fee Comparison: Every Price Point
Both brokerages charge a flat fee and return the rest of the buyer agent commission. The difference is how much they keep.
| Home Price | CashBackRE Fee | ShopProp Fee | Extra You Keep with ShopProp |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $1,995 | $3,005 more |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $3,995 | $3,505 more |
| $1,000,000 | $7,500 | $4,995 | $2,505 more |
| $1,500,000 | $10,000 | $4,995 | $5,005 more |
| $2,000,000 | $10,000 | $7,995 | $2,005 more |
| $3,000,000 | $15,000 | $7,995 | $7,005 more |
| $5,000,000 | $17,500 | $7,995 | $9,505 more |
| $10,000,000 | $20,000–$30,000 | $7,995 | $12,005–$22,005 more |
ShopProp charges less at every single price point. The gap widens on luxury homes — because ShopProp's fee caps at $7,995 while CashBackRE keeps climbing.
Real Rebate Examples: What ShopProp Clients Actually Received
These are documented rebates from closed ShopProp transactions:
- $247,000 rebate — Atherton, CA ($10.2M home). Featured in NPR: "The buyer's broker typically would have earned $255,000 in commission. Instead, they paid ShopProp a flat fee and kept the rest."
- $342,000 rebate — Irvine, CA (luxury transaction). The largest single buyer rebate we've recorded.
- $170,255 rebate — Tiburon, CA ($7.13M home)
- $120,000 rebate — Palo Alto, CA. Covered by Mercury News
On the $10.2M Atherton deal, CashBackRE's fee would have been $20,000 to $30,000 — their site says "Contact Us" for homes over $5M. ShopProp charged $7,995. That's $12,005 to $22,005 more in the buyer's pocket.
Service: Managing Broker vs. Standard Agent
This is where the comparison gets interesting. ShopProp assigns a managing broker to every buyer transaction. A managing broker holds a higher license than a standard real estate agent — they have the legal authority to supervise agents and oversee transactions. It's the highest practitioner license in real estate.
CashBackRE uses standard agents. No managing broker oversight.
| Feature | ShopProp | CashBackRE |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Level | Managing Broker | Standard Agent |
| Years in Business | 19 years (since 2007) | Newer entrant |
| Transactions | 4,000+ | Not disclosed |
| States Licensed | 8 states (AZ, CA, CO, HI, MI, TX, VA, WA) | California only |
| Fee Cap | $7,995 max | Scales with price (no cap disclosed) |
| Press Coverage | NPR, USA Today, NY Post, Mercury News | Limited |
Geographic Reach
CashBackRE operates in California. ShopProp is licensed in eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. If you're buying in Scottsdale, Honolulu, Austin, or Seattle — CashBackRE isn't an option. ShopProp is.
The NAR Settlement Changed the Math
Since the NAR settlement in August 2024, buyer agent commissions are no longer guaranteed. Sellers can offer 0%, and buyers may need to pay their agent directly. As USA Today reported, this makes the flat-fee model more important than ever — because a $1,995 flat fee is far easier to absorb than a 2.5% commission.
The Consumer Federation of America found that the settlement hasn't lowered costs for most consumers. The brokerages that were already transparent — like ShopProp — are the ones delivering real savings.
What the Press Says About ShopProp
NPR profiled ShopProp's flat-fee model and the $247,000 Atherton rebate as a sign of where the industry is heading. NY Post featured ShopProp in their coverage of how buyers are discovering new ways to save on broker fees. Mercury News highlighted the $120,000 Palo Alto rebate.
When national outlets cover the flat-fee movement, they keep coming back to ShopProp — because 19 years and 4,000+ transactions make the case better than any marketing can.
The Bottom Line: Who Should You Choose?
If you're buying in California, CashBackRE is a legitimate option. But ShopProp returns more at every price point — often thousands more. And you get a managing broker instead of a standard agent, press-verified results, and coverage in eight states instead of one.
On a $1.5 million home with 2.5% buyer commission ($37,500):
- CashBackRE: Keeps $10,000 → your rebate is $27,500
- ShopProp: Keeps $4,995 → your rebate is $32,505
- You keep $5,005 more with ShopProp
That's $5,005 extra in your pocket — for a higher level of representation.