America’s 10 Best Home Buying Websites

Houzeo is America’s #1 platform for smart home buyers because:

• Access Listings on All Major Real Estate Sites: View homes from Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and hundreds more via Houzeo’s MLS access.
• 5-Star Customer Service: Buyer support is available 6 days a week by phone. Chat and email support run 7 days a week.
• 100% Online Convenience: Schedule showings, track price changes, and make offers online—right from Houzeo’s mobile app.
• Cost of Living Calculator: Compare neighborhoods based on affordability, commute, and amenities—all in one simple tool.

With Houzeo, there are no dealbreakers—it’s so simple and hassle-free.

Key features of Coldwell Banker include:

• Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
• Lender Assistance: It helps you to find a lender for pre-qualification according to your affordability.
• Home Search: With MLS and other tools, agents find your ideal home based on your preferences and budget.
• Finance Assistance: It helps with down payments, mortgage prequalification, and getting your finances ready to buy a house.
• Strong Agent Network: Your agent can find many property options for you as they have good connections with other real estate agents.

Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:

• Less Flexibility in Negotiation: The company’s established policies might offer less flexibility in negotiating commission rates.
• Inconsistent Agent Quality: While many agents are experienced, the quality of service can vary depending on the specific agent assigned.
• Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions and unresponsive agents.

Here are some advantages of Trulia:

• Extensive Listings: Trulia covers several property types, allowing users to explore various options.
• Neighborhood Information: Trulia keeps you updated with all the neighborhood information such as crime rates, schools, amenities, etc.
• Agent Connectivity: You can connect with real estate agents directly through the platform. This service may benefit you if you want to work with an agent.
• Mobile App: It provides convenient access to property listings, saved searches, and notifications.
• Local Coverage: It offers a comprehensive map and filters, which make it easier to look for local information about the property.
• Best Calculators: Trulia has a mortgage, affordability, and refinancing calculator to serve you better.

Here are some disadvantages of Trulia:

• Incomplete Data: Some listings may lack details, such as neighborhood insights or detailed property histories.
• Outdated Listings: Sometimes even if the house is sold, the listing is not updated. This can mislead the buyers.

The key features for Berkshire Hathaway include:

• Exclusive Listings: Buyers gain access to high-end and luxury properties that may not be available on other platforms.
• Professional Network: Access to a broad network of professionals, including mortgage brokers and home inspectors.
• Assistance in Paperwork: The agents handle all paperwork for you to buy a house.

Here are a few drawbacks of Berkshire Hathaway:

• Higher Costs: The focus on luxury properties often means higher prices, which might not suit all budgets.
• Limited Options: Fewer choices are available for buyers looking for more budget-friendly homes.

Here are some of the advantages that you get with Apartments.com:

• Customizable Search Options: The platform lets users narrow down home listings using filters like pet-friendliness, price range, and amenities.
• Online Rent Payment: You get to pay rent and security deposits online.
• No Search Fees: Renters can explore listings without a subscription or search fees.

Here are a few drawbacks we found about Apartments.com:

• Mobile App Limitations: While helpful for on-the-go searches, the app lacks some features found on the website. Users report limited filters, location defaults, no “not interested” option, and missing accessibility tools.
• Missing or Outdated Details: Some property listings lack complete information or current details.
• Delayed Landlord Response: Renters may not get timely replies. Some wait longer than expected to hear from property owners.

Here are some advantages of Redfin:

• Full-Service Agents: With Redfin, you get the assigned local agents to guide you through offers, tours, and closing.
• Commission Refund: The platform shares part of the agent’s commission with you after closing in some states.
• Fast Listings: The site frequently updates listings from the MLS, so you get access to new homes.
• Virtual Home Tours: This feature allows users to experience a 3D walkthrough and live virtual tours.
• Smart Filters & Maps: Detailed filters let you discover homes by price and school ratings. Interactive maps display Walk , Transit , and Bike Score to highlight neighborhood walkability.

Here are some disadvantages of Redfin:

• Limited Agent Availability: Agents often handle multiple clients, which can reduce personalized support and slow communication. You can request a new agent if needed, but switching may cause delays.
• Inconsistent Service Quality: Some buyers report that agents are less motivated compared to traditional agents.
• Coverage Gaps: : The platform covers 100+ markets but not nationwide. In some areas, you’ll be referred to a Partner Agent. This might change the full Redfin experience.

Here are some advantages you should consider for choosing HomeFinder:

• User-Friendly Interface: Their website is easy to navigate, with a relatively user-friendly interface.
• Varieties of Properties: They have a huge database of properties, including both for-sale and rental listings. This means that you are likely to find a property that meets your needs.
• Rent-to-Own Service: They provide a unique Rent-To-Own feature for unsettled people. They also provide foreclosed home services.
• Mortgage Calculator: HomeFinder allows you to calculate your mortgage loan rates, interests, and payments.
• Mobile App: They provide mobile application services to their customers.

Here are some red flags we found during our research:

• Incomplete Data: Sometimes, property listings on HomeFinder.com may be incomplete or outdated.
• Poor Customer Reviews: They have received poor reviews regarding negligent customer service.

Here are some advantages of choosing Realtor.com:

• Up-to-Date Listings: Homes listed reflect current availability. This reduces the chance of outdated or sold listings.
• NAR Affiliation: Licensed by National Association of Realtor’s (NAR’s), Realtor.com allows buyers to connect with licensed agents for support.
• User-Friendly Interface: The website offers an easy-to-use platform for buyers to search for properties.
• Neighborhood Information: Realtor.com provides information about neighborhoods, such as school ratings, crime rates, and local amenities.

Here are some major drawbacks that a user should be aware of:

• Customer Complaints: Several users complain about difficulties with cancellation processes, and poor or unresponsive customer service.
• Unsolicited Calls: Inquiries can trigger repeated calls from multiple agents, even without clear consent.
• Less Control for Sellers: You need to connect with an agent or use partner cash offer programs. You lose control over the listing process.

Here are some advantages of choosing Homes.com:

• Extensive Listings: Homes.com gets its listings directly from MLS feeds across the U.S., ensuring wide and accurate property coverage. As part of the CoStar Group, it also pulls from a vast real estate data network for added reliability.
• Snap and Search Feature: This helps buyers take a picture of a property and instantly search for similar listings in the area.
• Advanced Search & Alerts: Filter listings by price, location, and features. You can then save your search to get email alerts for new matches.
• Easy Navigation: Clean layout, simple search bar, and interactive map make it easy to use, even for first-time buyers.

Here are some red flags of Homes.com:

• Unwanted Calls: Homes.com shares your contact details to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders. This may result in unwanted calls or emails.
• Inaccurate Listings: The site pulls data from many sources, which can lead to outdated or incorrect listings. Some homes may appear available even if they’re sold or under contract.
• No Direct Agent Contact: The platform doesn’t show the listing agent’s info upfront. Buyers must fill out a contact form. This can delay direct communication and slow the search process.

Top Zillow Features for Buyers:

• Extensive Listings: Zillow offers a wide range of properties for sale, rentals, and foreclosures.
• Mortgage Calculator: It allows you to compare mortgage rates from lenders. You can pre-qualify for a loan through Zillow Home Loans.
• Zestimate Tool: It provides property estimates to assess fair market value.

Here are some drawbacks of Zillow:

• Outdated Listings: Some property listings may not be updated in real time. Homes marked as “available” may be already under contract or sold.
• User-Generated Content: Home details and photos heavily rely on user input, which can sometimes be inaccurate.
• Overwhelming Ads: The site has frequent promotions and ads, which can slow down your search.