Why Arnab Walked Away From Traditionally Priced Real Estate Agents—and Won With TurboHome

TurboHome was recently featured in Business Insider as a new model for homebuyers looking to save thousands! We were thrilled to see Arnab’s success story in the national article as a national spotlight and covering the changing commission landscape and TurboHome’s role in reshaping the industry. Check out the original article here.

Arnab Dutta had been through the homebuying process before. Or at least, he’d tried to.

Like millions of Americans, his first attempt involved a traditional buyer’s agent—and the traditional commission setup that comes with it. But after losing out on multiple homes and receiving little more than boilerplate advice, he started to question the value of a system where his agent stood to earn more if he overpaid.

When Arnab resumed his search in the Bay Area last year, he chose a different path: TurboHome.

And this time, he won.

The Old Model Failed Him. The New One Saved Him Thousands.

On his first round of homebuying, Arnab used a standard agent working on commission—2.5% to 3% of the home price, paid by the seller after closing. That’s tens of thousands of dollars, often baked invisibly into the deal.

But for Arnab, something felt off. His agent’s incentives didn’t align with his. “Why should they earn more if I pay more?” he wondered. Worse, the guidance he received was thin, and after missing out on a home by just $5,000, his search fizzled out in frustration.

That all changed when he discovered TurboHome.

TurboHome: Built for Today’s Buyers

TurboHome was designed for smart, modern buyers like Arnab—those who want expert support, but not at the cost of outdated commissions. With our flat-fee pricing (between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the package), buyers know exactly what they’re paying upfront—and what they’re getting in return.

Arnab opted for our $10,000 plan, paid out of pocket. That decision gave him a unique advantage in the negotiation process: he didn’t have to ask the seller to cover his agent’s fee. That meant the seller could keep more of the sale proceeds—often $25,000+ in high-priced markets like the Bay Area.

His offer wasn’t the highest, but it was the cleanest. And it won.

Tech-Powered Process. Human-Focused Results.

TurboHome is about smarter tools, clearer decisions, and more control… not just savings.

Our agent, Donny Suh, used TurboHome’s AI tools to streamline disclosure analysis and pull accurate comps—letting him focus on strategy, not paperwork. While traditional agents juggle commissions and pipelines, TurboHome agents are salaried professionals. That means their only priority is your success.

A New Era of Homebuying—And Buyers Are Leading the Way

Arnab’s story isn’t unique anymore. The 2024 NAR settlement forced changes to the way agent commissions are disclosed and negotiated. While many brokerages are clinging to the old 5-6% model, savvy buyers are taking advantage of the shift—asking better questions, demanding transparency, and saving tens of thousands in the process.

At TurboHome, we’re proud to be at the forefront of that change.

We believe buyers deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for, and exactly how their agent’s incentives align with theirs. That’s why we’re not only transparent about pricing—we’re built for it.

Arnab’s Takeaway?

“If we had this kind of tool last time,” he said, “we wouldn’t have lost.”

Ready to Buy Smarter?

If you’re a buyer in California, Texas, or Washington, TurboHome can help you:

• Save $20K+ by avoiding traditional buyer-agent commissions
• Make stronger, cleaner offers that sellers prefer
• Leverage AI tools for fast, accurate market and disclosure insights
• Get expert, salaried agents focused solely on your goals

Let’s make your offer the one that wins—without overpaying to get there.
Schedule a call with a TurboHome expert

‍