America’s 8 Best Home Buying Websites

Zillow is the largest real estate marketplace in the United States and has more than 40 million unique users every month.

FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.

MLS Listing via Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: A Zillow Premier Agent will assist you throughout your home selling process. However, this is the traditional way to sell your home and not the FSBO way.

👉 Our Take: If you are going FSBO, then we do not recommend Zillow as it limits your exposure. Further, you can also get multiple unsolicited calls from listing agents.

Here are some advantages of choosing Zillow:

• Biggest Database: Zillow has 135 million homes in its database. That makes Zillow the best website to start your home search on.
• Advanced Search: Zillow has saved your search criteria with its “save search” feature. It has more than 20 filters to narrow down your ideal property based on the preferences of price, beds and baths, home type, and many more.
• Largest Marketplace: With many tools and information for buyers, Zillow is the largest real estate website for buyers, renters, real estate agents, and much more.
• Mobile App: Yes.

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

• Poor Customer Reviews: Poor customer reviews and record-breaking debacles, as seen on Trustpilot.
• Your Listing Will be Hidden: Zillow hides FSBO listings under the “Other Listings” section, which most home buyers aren’t aware of.
• Buyer Leads go to Local Agents: Zillow does not prominently display owner information. Any buyer who tries to contact you will be matched with a Zillow agent instead.
• Your Info Will Become an FSBO Lead for Listing Agents: Agents target Zillow FSBO listings to extract owner info. You will get numerous unsolicited calls from these agents asking you to list with them.

Zillow has a poor rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

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.

Realtor.com is America’s most comprehensive source of property listings. It is regarded as the best house-searching website and is the official listing website of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Pricing is not disclosed on the website. Although you will have to pay the common closing costs, home inspection, appraisal, etc..

👉 Our Take: We recommend Realtor.com if you are house-hunting. Accurate listing information and a substantial property database make it stand out from other real estate sites.

» Best FSBO Websites: High-tech FSBO sites are helping home sellers save $$$.

Here are some advantages of choosing Realtor.com:

• 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.
• Neighborhood Information: Realtor.com is available nationwide and provides information about the property as well as neighborhood details.
• Accurate Data: It has accurate local information from 800 regional MLS, local broker associations, non-profit organizations, etc.
• Agent Support: Realtor.com provides a variety of options for selling through an agent.
• Home Value: Realtor.com offers accurate home value estimation.
• REALTORs Database: It has the biggest database of trust-worthy realtor communities.
• Best Calculators: Realtor.com provides mortgage and refinance calculators.
• Mobile App: Yes!

Realtor.com has 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: Realtor.com has very poor reviews on Trustpilot. Many of their users complain about their customer support and realtor’s services.
• Unwanted Calls: If you have ever inquired about a property on Realtor.com, you should expect unsolicited calls from their agents. As mentioned in some of their reviews.

Realtor.com has a poor rating of 2.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Trulia, a Zillow subsidiary, is an online real estate marketplace for buyers and renters. They do not provide an MLS listing and instead only provide a comprehensive database of properties.

Trulia doesn’t charge users for features like browsing listings, photos, or contacting agents. However, it does offer premium features and advertising options that require payment.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Trulia’s app as it is powerful and that is easy to use

» Trulia Reviews: Is It Truly a Smart Choice to Sell or Rent? Read the comprehensive review to know more!

Trulia has an easy-to-use app that is preferred by a lot of customers. It has other following features:

• Extensive Listings: Trulia is a well-established online real estate marketplace with vast listings. It covers several property types and locations, allowing users to explore various options.
• Neighborhood Information: Trulia provides valuable neighborhood information, including crime rates, schools, amenities, and transportation options. This feature helps users make informed decisions about where they want to live.
• Agent Connectivity: Trulia allows users to connect with real estate agents directly through the platform. This service may benefit those who prefer to work with an agent when buying or renting a home.
• Mobile App: Trulia offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 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.

» What is Trulia? Check this out to know more about Trulia and its working.

Here are some red flags you need to consider before choosing Trulia:

• No MLS Listings: Trulia does not directly provide access to MLS (Multiple Listing Service) listings. The company primarily relies on listings from agents and other sources.
• Limited FSBO Options: Trulia primarily caters to real estate professionals, so the site focuses on listings represented by agents. Thus, Trulia may not provide as much visibility to a For Sale By Owner home as an FSBO website.
• Pricing Information: Trulia does not publicly disclose specific pricing information for its premium advertising options for real estate professionals. 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 out of 5 stars on G2

» Trulia pros and cons: Let’s find out all the merits and demerits about them.

Homes.com contains millions of listings and attracts a huge number of home buyers. That’s why it is featured among our list of top real estate search sites.

Pricing is not disclosed on the website. Although you will have to pay the common closing costs, home inspection, appraisal, etc..

👉 Our Take: We recommend them for their Snap and Search Feature. Customers who want to gauge property value variations and understand if the neighborhood is gaining value, stagnant, or declining, will find this website helpful.

Here are some advantages of choosing Homes.com:

• Snap and Search Feature: The flagship Snap and Search feature allows users to take snapshots of the home they like, and the app will match this snapshot with similar homes in the area to increase their options.
• Property Value History: This feature allows users to examine a property’s value history and compare it to the history of other properties in the neighborhood.
• How-To-Hub: Homes.com has a great “How-To-Hub” repository for in-depth knowledge of real estate terms.
• Property Assessment: Homes.com provides a great feature for property assessment and interactive features for home searching.
• Mobile App: Yes

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

• Sells Leads: Homes.com sells home buyer and seller contact info to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders.
• Complaints From Agents: Thousands of agents are available at Homes.com but they have a lot of complaints about their customer support team.

Homes.com has a rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

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.

RealtyTrac has the largest collection of foreclosed and distressed properties. It provides access to listings and the ability to participate in auctions.

• Paid Premium Plan: RealtyTrac provides detailed information on a property available only with a paid premium plan.

👉 Our Take: We recommend them for investors and homebuyers who are looking for a great deal and affordable properties.

» Buying Houses for Cash: See why cash is king when purchasing a property!

Here’s why you can consider listing with RealtyTrac:

• Affordable Properties: RealtyTrac provides access to foreclosed or auctioned properties. Usually, these properties are sold for way lower than other neighborhood properties.
• Off-Market Properties: You can also discover off-market deals on bank-owned homes and pre-foreclosure properties.
• Background Check: All homes listed on RealtyTrac have been through a background check. This reduces the possibility of existing liens or unpaid taxes.
• Accurate Information: RealtyTrac provides accurate and detailed information about foreclosed properties, upcoming auctions, loan information, property details, and more.
• Subscription-Based Model: With a subscription-based model, RealtyTrac provides access to listings and the ability to participate in auctions. It also includes unlimited access to property addresses, auction dates, locations, and loan history.

In our research, we found some major deal breakers with RealtyTrac:

• Not For Other Properties: RealtyTrac works only for foreclosure and distressed properties.
• Fewer Features in the Free Plan: Unpaid subscriptions do not give access to the property information.
• No Mobile App: RealtyTrac does not provide any mobile application for users.
• Limited Options: RealtyTrac sells only foreclosed and distressed homes.

RealtyTrac has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs.

Auction.com provides buyers with the option to bid on foreclosed and bank-owned properties.

• Service Charge – 5%: You may have to pay a premium of $2500 or a minimum service charge of 5% when you are interested in buying a home.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Aution.com for investors looking to purchase foreclosures and REOs.

» Closing Cost Calculator: Click here and check your closing cost.

• Properties On Auction: It offers the option to bid on residential bank-owned, foreclosures, short sale, and rental properties.
• Tech-Friendly: Auction.com provides accessibility to cutting-edge software with its mobile application for better transactional processes and user interaction.
• Nationwide Coverage: Auction.com has national coverage.
• Transparent Information: It provides complete transparency about property details with buying and selling options.

• Hefty Earnest Money Deposits: A deposit of 10% has to be made if a particular bidder wins the bid.
• Hidden Costs: It has tons of hidden legalities which are not mentioned on the website.
• Poor and Substandard Communication: Many customers have complained about its irresponsible customer care service. Even the customer support team does not make any effort to communicate with a user.
• Complicated Process: It is an auction.com is a very tedious process. You need to pay huge amounts of deposits for bidding with the risk of losing everything if the reserve is not met.

Auction.com has 2.4 out of 5 stars on Sitejabber.

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