What Harvl charges — and when it applies.
Nothing to list, bid or hold an option. When an option sells, Harvl charges 3% to the listing side and 3% to the buyer side of the option premium. If the option is exercised and the property closes, Harvl Brokerage charges 2% where it represents the seller and 2% where it represents the buyer under that buyer's own written agreement.
When the option sells
Option sale fee
3% listing side + 3% buyer side
Base: Option premium paid by the winning buyer
When a buyer wins the auction, HARVL charges a 3% fee to the listing side and a 3% fee to the buyer side, each calculated on the option premium. Who actually funds each side is stated in the bid itself and agreed when the seller accepts.
- Charged only when an option successfully sells — never to browse, watch, or prepare a bid.
- 3% listing side and 3% buyer side, both on the option premium.
- Each bid states who the buyer expects to pay each side, so the allocation is agreed before acceptance.
- Covers marketplace, auction, option-holder tracking and support through the option period.
If exercised and the property closes
Seller representation — HARVL Brokerage
2% of the sale price
Base: Gross property sale price at closing
When HARVL Brokerage represents the seller, HARVL charges a 2% brokerage fee only if the option is exercised and the property successfully closes. This covers HARVL's seller-side brokerage services together with the marketplace and technology.
- Only owed if the option is exercised and the sale actually closes — nothing if the option expires unused.
- Applies when HARVL Brokerage is the seller's brokerage of record.
- Covers seller-side brokerage services plus HARVL marketplace and technology services.
- Negotiable, and set in the seller's written listing representation agreement.
If exercised and the property closes
Buyer representation — HARVL Brokerage
2% of the purchase price
Base: Purchase price at closing
When a buyer chooses HARVL Brokerage to represent them, HARVL's buyer-brokerage fee is 2% of the eventual purchase price, as agreed in the buyer's written buyer-broker representation agreement. This is a separate agreement from the seller's — it is never an automatic add-on.
- Applies only when the buyer selects HARVL Brokerage as their representative.
- Established in the buyer's written buyer-broker representation agreement.
- Negotiable and not fixed by law.
- A buyer may request a seller contribution toward it — that contribution is separately negotiable.
Real estate brokerage compensation is not fixed by law and is negotiable. Buyer brokerage compensation is established separately between the buyer and their broker. Any seller contribution toward buyer brokerage compensation is separately negotiable.
Outside / Partner Brokerage representation
Buyers may be represented by W Real Estate or another approved outside / Partner Brokerage instead of HARVL Brokerage. HARVL does not set that brokerage's compensation. It is negotiated separately between the buyer and their own broker and documented in their buyer-broker agreement.
Seller contributions toward buyer-broker compensation
A buyer may request that the seller contribute toward buyer-broker compensation. Any contribution is separately negotiable and must be agreed to by both parties. It is never a predetermined seller obligation — on HARVL, a buyer states the request inside their bid and the seller agrees to it, or not, when responding.
Worked example
See the numbers on a sample deal
Illustrative only — real premiums and sale prices depend on the auction and the property.
When the option sells
Each bid states who the buyer expects to fund each side. A bid can offer to cover both sides, or ask the seller to — the seller sees the net effect before accepting.
If exercised · on a $1,000,000 sale
These are two separate agreements, each negotiated with its own client. This is not a combined 4% commission, and a seller is not obligated to pay the buyer's side. If the buyer is represented by an outside brokerage instead, Harvl does not set that compensation at all.
Real estate brokerage compensation is not fixed by law and is negotiable. Buyer brokerage compensation is established separately between the buyer and their broker. Any seller contribution toward buyer brokerage compensation is separately negotiable.
What you're paying for
What Harvl's fees cover
Harvl's fees pay for the platform, people and infrastructure that make an option transaction possible end to end.
Marketplace & auction
Building and maintaining the marketplace, listing pages, competitive bidding and option-holder tracking.
Listing support
Help answering questions and guiding sellers through the listing, pricing and option-terms process.
Seller-side brokerage
When HARVL Brokerage represents the seller, licensed agency, advice, negotiation and required disclosures through closing.
Paperwork & workflows
Standardized option documents, exercise workflows and transaction infrastructure to move deals forward.
Third-party scheduling
Coordinating scheduling for inspections, appraisals and other third-party services during verification.
Ongoing servicing
Support through the option period, exercise notifications and closing handoff when the property sells.
Technology and brokerage, kept separate
HARVL owns the marketplace and technology. HARVL Brokerage represents its own clients and charges its own negotiated representation fees. Approved Partner Brokerages — including W Real Estate — retain and represent the clients they bring, and set their own compensation under their own agreements.
Learn about Partner Agents →Other costs
Third-party costs to expect
These are not Harvl fees. They're paid directly to independent, licensed service providers. Harvl helps schedule and coordinate them but does not mark them up.
Verification & onboarding
Typical range for a fully verified home; varies by property type, size and inspections required. Only for Option Verified listings — List Free is $0.
$2,500 – $5,000
Inspections & appraisal
Paid directly to the licensed inspectors and appraisers who perform them. HARVL does not mark these up.
Pass-through
Title, escrow & recording
Standard closing costs handled by title and escrow at exercise, paid to those providers.
Pass-through
Real estate brokerage compensation is not fixed by law and is negotiable. Buyer brokerage compensation is established separately between the buyer and their broker. Any seller contribution toward buyer brokerage compensation is separately negotiable. These figures are prototype disclosures for illustration only and do not constitute legal advice or a final pricing commitment. HARVL owns the marketplace and technology. HARVL Brokerage and approved Partner Brokerages provide licensed representation under separate representation and brokerage agreements.