The most expensive purchase most people make is buying a house. It’s important to take your time and consider all of your options before making a decision. It can be very intimidating if you are a first-time buyer. There are resources available to help guide you through the home buying process. It seems like there are many real estate websites that all offer the same thing.
Is there any difference? If there are any meaningful differences between the two, further research is needed. Which one should you choose?
13 Best Real Estate Websites
Here are the best real estate websites for buying or selling a home online in 2023:
- Zillow: Best Overall for Most Listings
- Realtor: Best for Finding a Realtor
- Trulia: Best Mobile App
- Homes.com: Best for Finding a Home’s Value
- Apartments.com: Best for Rental Properties
- HomeFinder: Best Search Function
- RedFin: Best for Brokerage Services
- MLS.com: Best for Access to MLS
- Auction.com: Best for Auctions
- RealtyTrac: Best for Foreclosures
- Century 21: Best for Reliability
- Re/Max: Best for Luxury Properties
- Movoto: Best for Updated Listings
1. Zillow
- Best For : Most Listings
- Visit Site: Zillow.com
In terms of unique visitors, Zillow is the most popular real estate website on the internet, and they have the most listings as well. Buying, selling, renting, financing, and even remodeling can be done on the site. It’s a great place to start if you want to get involved in the real estate market.
You can get a full picture of the property when you use the photo experience on Zillow. If you take a virtual tour of the property, you can get a better idea of the space.
Zillow has a process for deciding on home prices. Local market conditions and trends are included in Zillow’s process. The Zestimate home valuation model uses data provided by their own users and other sources to appraise the value of homes using factors like home facts, location, and market conditions. The Zestimate home valuation model is close to the actual market value. This is used for rental properties as well as houses for sale.
The operator of the most popular suite of real estate apps is Zillow.
2. Realtor
- Best For : Finding a Realtor
- Visit Site: Realtor.com
As useful and sophisticated as real estate websites can be, they are not a substitute for a real estate agent. Real estate agents offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise that you won’t find on a website, making them an indispensable resource when it comes to buying or selling a home. Don’t stress over paperwork or technical documents, instead focus on what you’re looking for in a property. When viewing a potential property, make sure to take your time and trust your gut feeling.
The National Association of Realtors is a professional and trustworthy place to start looking for a property. Clients can expect the highest level of professionalism and integrity when working with members of the National Association of Real Estate. The website has a register of more than one million agents and can be used to find a real estate agent. You can find reviews from past clients and compare agents to find the one that suits you the best.
You can use a real estate agent to get pre-approved for a competitive mortgage, as well as looking for your home, and use the site to find out about a neighborhood. Statistics about everything from crime rates to local schools can be found by entering any address or city.
3. Trulia
- Best For : Mobile App
- Visit Site: Trulia.com
Trulia has over one million homes for sale and rent. Trulia has detailed information about each property, such as estimated home values, local neighborhood data, and aerial images.
It is easy to find a property that matches the picture you have in mind of your dream home. There are more than 35 filters and a custom search. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for.
You will be able to analyze a neighborhood. It’s important to understand the area before making any decisions. Trulia has more information than any other competitor. Anyone looking to buy a home can use it. There are guides for buying, renting, and selling. Ensuring that the process is handled in a safe and legal manner is provided by these guides.
The Trulia app is both fun and simple, which makes it stand out from the other real estate apps.
4. Homes.com
- Best For : Finding a Good Value
- Visit Site: Homes.com
More than 100,000 homes were taken from MLS listings and other real estate websites. The website has tools to help buyers and sellers find the perfect home.
The chance to view the value history of a property and make a comparison with other homes in the same area is an interesting feature. It is possible to determine if the property is an ideal investment choice. This is great for figuring out if a property is worth more than it is worth.
You can find out about local schools and neighborhoods while browsing, as well as more technical information about property tax, insurance, and mortgage payments. You can use the same website to compare properties side-by-side and make an informed decision on which is the best fit for you. A helpful step by step guide to becoming a homeowner contains information about eleven steps of the journey. It’s important to remember that homeownership can be an overwhelming process, but with the right guidance and resources you’ll be ready to take the plunge!
5. Apartments.com
- Best For : Rental Properties
- Visit Site: Apartments.com
The top site for renters on the web is Apartments.com, with over a million properties to choose from. It is easy to find your perfect home with Apartments.com’s ability to search for a place to rent by location, price range, and amenities. These span apartments, houses, condos, townhouses and any other type of property you could think of. There is something for everyone, no matter what type of property you are looking for.
To verify the information you want to know, a professional research team visits and photographs the properties themselves. You can get a detailed report on the property from the research team.
The Polygon tool on the site lets users define their search areas on a map and find properties within it. The Polygon tool can be used to narrow down your search for the perfect property and find exactly what you are looking for. To help customers find a home as close to their place of work as possible, there is a commuteplanner. The most up-to-date travel times and routes are provided by the commute planner.
6. HomeFinder
- Best For : Search Features
- Visit Site: HomeFinder.com
HomeFinder is a premier search portal with millions of listings that span all 50 states. HomeFinder has an easy to use platform that will help you find your perfect home. It has been recognized as a Home Wire started the top 5 site for streamlined home searches in 1999. The site has a lot of resources to help buyers find their dream home.
It’s difficult to find properties for sale and to rent off the market, but this is a great way to find a top deal. It’s important to do your own research and make sure you understand the local housing market before making anybig decisions.
HomeFinder can be used to view local mortgage rates for each state, and you can add in your purchase price, down payment, and credit score to increase accuracy. You will get a quote from the loan companies. You can find the best loan deal by comparing quotes.
7. RedFin
- Best For : Brokerage Services
- Visit Site: RedFin.com
They have their own real estate agents who can connect you with other people who are interested in buying or selling a house. Traditional real estate agents have the same legal responsibilities, but with a more efficient and cost-effective approach. This is different from a broker who can connect you with real estate agents from around the country.
There are some useful features in the listings, but they are less comprehensive than other sites. The site allows users to save listings they find interesting so they can be easily accessed later. If you want to book a tour, you can take 3D tours of home listings. You can get a better sense of the area with 3D tours.
A full service that includes the ability to make same-day house bookings can be had for an average savings of $8,400. They provide valuable advice to help guide you through the process, and they also make it easy to compare home prices and find the perfect home for you.
8. MLS.com
- Best For : Accessing Local MLS
- Visit Site: MLS.com
The most accurate information about the real estate market is provided by your local Multiple Listing Services. The MLS gives real estate professionals access to the most up-to-date information about properties that are currently listed and those that have recently sold. MLS.com is the most significant of the websites that provide a watered-down version of the listing.
Although you can use the website to find real estate news, questions and answers, and educational resources like a mortgage calculator, ultimately MLS.com is purely a database of the local MLS. Other real estate websites can help you find an agent or pre-qualify for a mortgage. The local market and home value trends can be provided by real estate websites, giving you an advantage when making a purchase decision.
A route that makes more sense for a lot of people is to have your own real estate agent or broker. If you work with an agent or broker, you can be sure that you’re getting the best information and advice to make the right decisions for your investment. The real estate websites pull information from the MLS. These real estate websites can be used by both buyers and sellers. MLS.com is the way to go if you want to access a version that is as close to the original as possible. MLS.com has a wide range of features and content to enhance your viewing experience.
9. Auction.com
- Best For : Auctions
- Visit Site: Auction.com
Auction.com is the best place to buy a house in an auction. The majority of properties that go up for auctions are bank-owned properties that end up being sold to investors. Great deals can be found on properties that are priced well below market value.
You can save properties you like as favorites on the site, which will give you tailored recommendations based on your profile. You can connect with a real estate expert to get tailored advice and insights into the properties that match your criteria.
Online or in-person auctions may be held. There are many items up for auction, ranging from antiques to real estate. Auction.com supports you if you win. We wish you the best of luck with your bidding, and remember that Auction.com is here to help you every step of the way – from researching properties to providing resources if you do win. You will work with the closing and contracts team to close the deal. You will coordinate with the finance team to make sure everything is in order after the deal is closed.
However, bear in mind that Auction.com is aimed at real estate investors rather than those looking for a residential home. It is your responsibility to check out a property before buying or viewing it, something the website does not help with. Asking questions will get you a better understanding of the property.
10. RealtyTrac
- Best For : Foreclosure Properties
- Visit Site: RealtyTrac.com
The largest selection of foreclosed properties online can be found on RealtyTrac, a real estate website that focuses on foreclosures and distressed properties. Each property is given detailed information, including estimated market value and current loan details.
Users will be able to work with professional agents to guide them through the process, as well as access to listings and the ability to participate in auctions. Each user’s individual needs will be tailored by professional agents. You will have access to a variety of resources to learn more about the pros and cons of this type of property.
The basic features can be accessed for free, but a paid subscription is also available. A range of additional features can be unlocked with a paid subscription. This includes access to property addresses, auction dates and locations. You can access a seven-day trial if you don’t know if it’s worth it. If it’s the right choice for you, you can read reviews from other users.
11. Century 21 Real Estate
- Best For : Reliable Realtors
- Visit Site: Century21.com
Century 21 has been around since 1972 and now has thousands of brokers around the world. It has grown to become one of the most trusted brands in real estate, providing customers with quality service and expertise. Century 21 wants to provide a network of trustworthy real estate agents in order to change the perception that buyers and sellers have of real estate agents. Century 21 works to provide each buyer and seller with a personalized experience and real estate services that are unparalleled in the industry.
There is a lot of information about a local area, including demographic data and information about schools and weather. This data can be used to make decisions about moving to or investing in a certain area.
There are a lot of resources to help you make the right decisions when it comes to buying, which will take you straight from the process of choosing a house to closing the deal. Getting the right advice from a qualified expert can help you find the perfect home.
12. ReMax
- Best For : Luxury Properties
- Visit Site: ReMax.com
Most of the properties listed by ReMax are in the U.S., but they also provide agents for cities and countries all over the globe. The company has an extensive network of real estate agents around the world.
They have a collection of properties that are worth more than the average sold price in their zip code. They have a section for acquisitions and dispositions. They offer consulting services to help clients with their real estate needs.
You can find financing options, loan amounts, and monthly payments for properties of interests using the integrated mortgage calculated. You can compare different loan types to find the best one for you.
There’s a free app too, with the following key features:
- Dynamic map search
- Search based on current location
- Navigate neighborhoods with interactive maps
- Driving directions to properties of interest
- Save favorite listings
- Connect with agents
13. Movoto
- Best For : Updated Listings
- Visit Site: Movoto.com
It doesn’t get much better than that if you want to be the first to know about the latest property details. Movoto gives you the competitive edge by giving you up-to-date information that other real estate sites may not have.
They use adaptive artificial intelligence, data scientists, and client communication tools to change the face of real estate and provide the most accurate information. The company’s commitment to providing the most up-to-date and accurate information has enabled them to gain a loyal customer base who rely on their services for all their real estate needs.
All appointments are free and carry no obligation if you find a property you are interested in. Once you have met with theagent, they will be able to give you more information and answer any questions you may have. You can also seek pre-approval and obtain information about mortgages and financing straight from the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular real estate website?
The largest real estate website in the US is ranked by visitor traffic. Home valuations, mortgage calculator and neighborhood data are some of the services on the website. In the last year, the website averaged over 70 million visitors a month.
Is Zillow or Realtor better?
One of the biggest and most popular real estate sites out there is Zillow, which makes it a great place to browse for a property due to the vast number of listings and the useful resources available. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for with the help of Zestimates, which estimates the value of a home based on recent sales in the area. It can connect you with a local real estate agent, but this isn’t their main specialty. They connect you with experienced and knowledgeable real estate agents who can help you find the right property.
The National Association of Realtors works directly with Realtor.com, which is an expert at connecting you with the right real estate agent for your needs. The most up-to-date information and insights into any property you’re interested in will be provided by their real estate search engine.
It depends on whether you want to have access to most listings and information or find a real estate agent. If you want to get a better idea of the local market, then use Zillow for browsing, and if you want to get more serious about closing a deal, use the real estate website. A comprehensive overview of the local real estate market can be provided by using both Zillow and Realtor.
Which is more accurate, Zillow or Redfin?
Redfin has their own real estate agents. The best experience possible in the home-buying process is provided by the agents employed by the company. This distinguishes it from other companies. Users are able to purchase a home directly through its website, making it even more convenient for buyers. By using their agents, you could save thousands compared to a traditional process, so it is definitely an option worth considering for anyone who wants to save as much money as possible. It is important to remember that, although it can be a great way to save money, working with an agent can also come with certain risks and responsibilities, so research and due diligence should always be done. When it comes to the ability to browse and look at houses, Zillow is the winner again. Zillow’s interface makes it easy to view photos and detailed information about homes, making it a clear winner for house-browsing capabilities. The choice is yours to make. Make a decision that is best for you.
Is MLS better than Zillow?
Since the MLS shows everything available, it is a good starting point, but it is just a list. If you want to be able to contact sellers or find useful information, you should use a website like Zillow, which provides real services to walk you through the buying process. It is possible to have the best home buying experience.
Once you are connected with a real estate agent, they will give you access to the full MLS and guide you through it. They will be able to give insight into the current market conditions and answer any questions you may have. Without their help, you won’t be able to view the true MLS as it isn’t available to the public. MLS experts can help you access the data that you need to make an informed decision when purchasing a home, so it’s important to seek their assistance.
Real Estate Sites Make Home Buying Simple
The process of buying a home is simpler, cheaper, and more transparent thanks to technology. It has made it easier for home buyers to research and explore their options. You can browse properties from the comfort of your own home and complete the buying process online, even if you still need a real estate agent along the way. A real estate agent can help you find a better deal on your purchase.
