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4 min read Jan 31, 2024

America’s 8 Best Home Buying Websites

47% of home buyers use an online website to search for homes. As a home buyer, you need the best home-buying website.

With a good real estate website you can steer your way through these choppy waters for smooth and hassle-free real estate transactions.

We’ve spent thousands of hours researching and reviewing the best home-buying websites in America. Here are our rankings:

Rankings: 8 Best Home Buying Websites in America

🏅 Rankings: Best Home Buying Websites

  1. Zillow: Biggest Database of Properties
  2. Realtor: Most Accurate Database
  3. Trulia: Easy to Use App
  4. Redfin: Best Discount Brokerage
  5. Homes.com: Best for Finding Home Values
  6. HomeFinder: Best Home Browsing Features
  7. RealtyTrac: Best for Foreclosures
  8. Auction.com: Best for Auctions

Reviews: 8 Best Home Buying Websites

1. Zillow.com

Extensive Property Data

Zillow

Zillow
  • Free FSBO Listing
  • 1.5 Star 1.7/5 (300+ reviews)

Zillow offers the following listing plans for home sellers:

  • FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.
  • Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: This is the traditional way to sell your home. An agent assists you through the home sale process.

👉 Our Take: You can list your home on Zillow FSBO free of charge. So, you save money on agent commissions, which are 2.5% to 3% of the home sales price.

»  How Does Zillow Work? Read further to learn the process of Zillow.

Here are some advantages to choosing Zillow:

  • Free Listing: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
  • Free Cancellation: You can cancel your Zillow listing without any additional charges or hidden costs.
  • Market Exposure: It is one of the most popular real estate websites, with millions of visitors each month. This means that your listing will be seen by a large number of potential buyers.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Zillow FSBO is present in all 50 states in America.
  • Easy To Use: Zillow’s website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties by location, price, features, and other criteria.

Zillow has some major drawbacks that a user should be aware of.

  • Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours from the time you submit your property details.
  • Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is often inaccurate. This misleads both buyers and sellers.
  • Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance offered by other FSBO companies.
  • Lead for Real Estate Agent: Your listing information gets sold to Zillow’s agents. You’ll get calls not from buyers but from agents.
  • Hide FSBO Listings: Zillow hides FSBO listings behind agent listings. FSBO listings are hidden 2 clicks away and get almost no traffic.

Zillow has a poor rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.

» Zillow Reviews: Read further to know why customers are dissatisfied with Zillow services.

Zillow is the most popular real estate website in America. It extracts the data from the top MLS platforms. Buyers and sellers can view the listings on their platform.

Sites like Zillow provide an on-demand buying experience. However, Zillow has poor customer reviews.

2. Redfin.com

BEST TECH ENABLED BROKERAGE

Redfin.com

redfin-logo-DRB
  • Buyer Rebate
  • 3.5 Stars 3.3/5 (out of 372 Reviews)

Redfin is America’s #1 discount real estate brokerage. This low-commission broker specializes in home buying. It’s technology sets it apart from all other platforms.

Redfin offers 0.25% off on the standard interest rate if you finance with Bay Equity, their full-service mortgage company.

👉 Our Take: Redfin.com is a good nationwide discount real estate brokerage. We recommend its concierge plan because it covers everything needed for a successful real estate transaction.

» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, & Alternatives!

Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:

  • Advanced Technology: Redfin is primarily known for its advanced tech platform, mobile app, and home value estimation.
  • Full-Service Agents at Low Commission – 1.5%: Redfin’s full-service package is priced at 1.5%. It saves you thousands compared to the traditional 3% listing commission.
  • Buyer Rebate – 0.5%: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5% in the second transaction. However, this offer is available with the Full Service Plan.
  • Detailed Paperwork: Redfin provides the necessary paperwork assistance with a marketing plan.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

In our research, we found some red flags of Redfin, that could make your experience less satisfactory.

  • Lack of Personalized Services: Customers have often complained that Redfin agents are not able to give personalized service, as they serve a high volume of clients.
  • Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
  • Slow Listing Process: According to Redfin’s listing agreement, a Redfin property takes 18 days to list on MLS. Services like Houzeo will list you on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
  • Limited Agent Selection: As per customer reviews, Redfin lacks an array of agents. This means you get an agent assigned automatically without having any choice in the matter.
  • Agents are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you services apart from Redfin’s defined services.

Redfin has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs.

Redfin is America’s best discount real estate brokerage that specializes in home buying. It also offers a 0.5% refund if you sell and buy a house with Redfin within a year.

With Redfin, you may not get personalized services and the listing process is slow. It takes more than 2 days to list, whereas Houzeo can list your property in 24 hours.

3. Realtor.com

Verified Listing

Realtor.com

Realtor Logo
  • Biggest database of REALTORs
  • 1.5 Star 1.6/5 (1,000+ reviews)

Realtor.com does not charge home buyers or renters any fees for using their platform. However, they do charge real estate agents fees for listing homes on their platform.

The exact fees depend on the agent’s location and other factors, such as home size.

👉 Our Take: Realtor.com seems to be a comprehensive platform for home buyers, sellers, and renters. They offer a range of services such as home listings, neighborhood information, real estate news, and many more.

Here are some advantages of choosing Realtor.com:

  • Accurate Listings: Realtor.com claims to have an up-to-date listings of homes for sale and rent.
  • Neighborhood Information: Realtor.com provides information about neighborhoods, such as school ratings, crime rates, and local amenities.
  • Home Value Estimator: It provides an online tool that estimates the value of your home based on recent sales and other factors.
  • Mortgage Calculator: Realtor.com offers a mortgage calculator that helps you estimate your monthly mortgage payments. The estimation is based on the price of the home, down payment, interest rate, and other factors.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Their easy-to-use interface makes it simple to search for homes and access other features.
  • REALTOR Support: It is the official listing website of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). So, buyers can buy or rent a property through a Realtor.

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

  • Offline Process: Realtor.com has manual and offline procedures which can be very complex and time-taking.
  • Poor Reviews: Many of their users complained about their customer support and realtor’s services.
  • Unwanted Calls: Once you inquired about a property on Realtor.com, you start getting unsolicited calls from their agents.

Realtor.com has a poor rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars from 1000+ users on Trustpilot.

Realtor.com has a lot of statistical data as it sources listings from 800 regional MLS systems. This information is updated regularly. This makes it the most accurate real estate database.

It is the official listing website of the NAR. However, Realtor.com has manual and offline procedures. This can be very complex and time-consuming.

4. Trulia

Informative App

Trulia

trulia
  • Based in California
  • 3.5 Stars 3.2/5 (70+ reviews)

Trulia doesn’t charge users for features like browsing listings, photos, or contacting agents. However, renters do have to pay $29 rental screening fees.

👉 Our Take: Trulia is a good option for buyers and renters but does not offer much for sellers.

» What is Trulia Estimate?: Click here to get an actual value of your property.

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. This helps you make informed decisions.
  • 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: They provide 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 red flags you need to consider before choosing Trulia:

  • Pricing Information: Trulia does not publicly disclose specific pricing information. For detailed pricing and package options, agents should contact Trulia directly.
  • Listings Can be Outdated: Sometimes even if the house is sold, the listing is not updated. This can mislead the buyers.

Trulia has a rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars from 70+ reviews on G2

»  Trulia Reviews: Click here to know the reason behind the 3.2 star review on G2.

Trulia is a dynamic, powerful, and easy-to-use house-hunting website. Also, you can narrow your search based on price range, home style, number of bedrooms, and many more.

Trulia is Zillow’s subsidiary that aims to be the one-stop solution for all home buyers.

5. Homes.com

Online Home Buying Site

Homes.com

Homes.com Logo
  • Snap and Search Feature
  • 3.5 Stars 3.1/5 (100+ reviews)

Homes.com is free to use for homebuyers and renters. However, real estate agents can pay to advertise their listings on the website.

👉 Our Take: Homes.com is a valuable resource for homebuyers and renters. The website provides extensive property listings and tools for home searches.

Here are some advantages of choosing Homes.com:

  • Extensive Listings: Homes.com aggregates listings from a various sources. This gives users access to a wide range of properties.
  • Snap and Search Feature: It allows you to take snapshots of the home you like. Later, the app will match the snapshot with similar homes in your area.
  • Advanced Search Filters: You can filter your search results based on various options, such as price, location, features, and amenities.
  • Saved Searches: You can save your searches and receive email alerts when new listings that meet your criteria are added to the website.
  • User-friendly Interface: The website is easy to use and navigate, even for first-time homebuyers.

Here are some red flags of Homes.com:

  • Sells Leads: Homes.com sells home buyer and seller contact info to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders.
  • Listing Accuracy: Homes.com aggregates listings from multiple sources, potentially leading to inaccuracies or outdated information.
  • Limited Agent’s Information: It does not provide direct contact information of listing agents. Instead, users have to submit a contact form through the website.

Homes.com has a rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Trustpilot.

Homes.com is one of the leading MLS listing sites and offers over a million listings, which attracts a large number of homebuyers. Also, it is partnered with several local MLS organizations.

However, you cannot save on realtor commissions as you have to pay the average real estate agent commission of 6%.

6. HomeFinder.com

Off-market Properties Available

HomeFinder

homefinder-logo
  • Foreclosure & Rental Properties
  • 3.5 Stars  3.1/5 (13 Reviews)

HomeFinder is a popular real estate platform. It allows users to buy or rent properties. They provide various services for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.

Pricing is not disclosed on the website, this means you might end up paying the traditional  3% to 6% commission.

👉 Our Take: We recommend HomeFinder for its mobile application. This app allows you to save your searches and favorite listings.

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.

HomeFinder.com has 3.1 out of 5 stars ratings on Consumer Affairs.

Previously known as “homescape.com”, HomeFinder.com is one of the most popular real estate platforms in America. Their user-friendly website is easy to navigate.

However, they have mixed customer reviews that should be considered before working with them.

7. RealtyTrac.com

Largest Database of Foreclosed Properties

RealtyTrac

RealtyTrac Logo
  • Foreclosure, auction, and bank-owned properties
  •  4/5 (50+ reviews)

RealtyTrac offers 2 types of membership.

  • Free Membership: You will have full access to the basic service for no fee.
  • Paid Premium Plan: You’ll have to pay $1 for a 30-day trial period. If you choose not to cancel, you will be charged $49.60 per month.

👉 Our Take: RealtyTrac can be a good option if you are looking for foreclosed properties. However, there is no clarity about services under each plan.

Here are some advantages of RealtyTrac.

  • Affordable Properties: As a buyer, you get these properties for less. Banks sell these properties to quickly recoup their losses.
  • Off-Market Properties: You can also get off-market deals on bank-owned homes and pre-foreclosure properties.
  • Background Check: RealtyTrac helps you reduces the possibility of existing liens or unpaid taxes.
  • Accurate Information: RealtyTrac keeps you updated with current information about foreclosed properties, upcoming auctions, and more.
  • Subscription-Based Model: RealtyTrac provides access to listings and an opportunity to participate in auctions.

Here are some major deal breakers with RealtyTrac:

  • Fewer Features in the Free Plan: Unpaid subscribers do not get access to detailed property information.
  • Limited Options: RealtyTrac sells only foreclosed and distressed homes.
  • No Mobile App: RealtyTrac does not provide any mobile application for users.

RealtyTrac has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 50+ users on Consumer Affairs.

RealtyTrac works with foreclosed and distressed properties. With a subscription-based model, it provides access to listings. Additionally, you can also participate in auctions.

However, detailed information about a property is available only with a paid premium plan.

8. Auction.com

Foreclosed Properties

Auction.com

aution.com-logo
  • Service Charge: 5%
  • 2.5 Stars 2.4/5 (400+ reviews)

Auction.com is an online auction marketplace for residential bank-owned, foreclosure, and short-sale properties.

  • Buyer’s Premium: With Autcion.com, you pay a service charge of 5%. If you don’t wish to pay a percentage, you can also pay a premium of $2500.

👉 Our Take: Auction.com is a valuable resource for buyers and sellers of distressed properties. They offer a wide range of features to streamline the auction process.

 » How Does Auction.com Work? Click here to know the step by step process of Auction.com.

Here are some advantages of Auction.com.

  • Online Auction: With Auction.com, they you give the convenience of joining an auction from anywhere.
  • Bank-Owned Property Auctions: These are safer bets as these properties are owned by bank themselves. Auction.com has a provision for you to buy them.
  • E-Auction Feature: Auction.com’s “Foreclosure Interact” tool, gives you real-time status updates of auction.
  • Proxy Bidding: This feature allows users to place a bid before the auction officially begins.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Auction.com covers all 50 states in the United States.

Here are some disadvantages of Auction.com:

  • Lack of Transparency: Auction.com doesn’t always provide comprehensive information about the properties on their platform. They lack critical property details and legal disclosures.
  • Poor and Substandard Communication: Several customer reviews highlight problem with the customer support team regarding ineffective communication.

Auction.com has 2.4 out of 5 stars from 400+ users on Sitejabber.

» Auction.com Reviews: Find out whether Auction.com is an ideal place to buy or not.

Buyers have multiple options, including foreclosure properties, bank-owned residential properties, and properties marked as short sales.

Auction.com is primarily for buyers. Therefore, we recommend that you calculate and compare your home’s final closing cost if you are looking to sell your property.

Why is Houzeo the Best Home Buying Website?

Houzeo.com is the best home-buying website thanks to its combination of max savings, 5-star customer service, and cutting-edge technology.

  • 100% Online: Easy searches, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
  • 5-star Customer Service: You get assistance from listing to closing with Houzeo Concierge.
  • Digital Showing Scheduling: Buyers and buyer agents can directly request showings from the mobile app or the web listing.
  • Counter Offers: Counter, not just the price, but the closing date, earnest deposit, or any other offer parameter.
  • Real Estate On the Go: The Houzeo Mobile App allows you to access features of Houzeo’s web platform on any device.

Check out how does Houzeo work and know why Houzeo is the best for sale by owner sites out there:

Houzeo Reviews

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Here are the Best Real Estate Websites in America

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Best Home Buying Website?

The best real estate websites are: 1. Houzeo, 2. Redfin, 3. Zillow.

» Top Real Estate Websites: Check out the list of America's best real estate websites in 2023.

2. Are real estate websites accurate?

Yes. Many websites like Houzeo.com and Zillow.com provide accurate details of property listings and their features. Others, like HouseCanary, provide accurate estimates of a property's value.

3. Are there fees for real estate websites?

Yes, almost all real estate websites charge listing fees from sellers. Some even charge convenience fees to the renter, who want to apply for an apartment. Although there are a few other websites that offer listing services for free.

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