97% of buyers search for homes on the internet. 51% of homes on the market get sold online. Are you in the right place to sell your home to the right buyers or find your dream home in the Land of Opportunity?
YES — effortlessly, with Houzeo, America’s best home buying and selling website! As a seller, Houzeo helps you get your home on the MLS within 48 hours. As a buyer, you get to scroll through 179.5K+ homes for sale, and find one that suits you!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 5 Best Real Estate Websites: Houzeo, Clever, Redfin, Realtor.com, and Zillow.
- Houzeo: Best real estate website for buyers and sellers; free tools + 5-star support.
- Clever Real Estate: Good agent support, low fees for sellers, cashback for buyers.
- Real estate websites: tech-driven; Real estate companies: Manual, agent-driven.
- 3 Best Real Estate Companies: Watson Realty Corp., Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX.
Which Are the Best Real Estate Websites in the US?
Your experience of selling or buying a home depends on the website you choose. After all, navigating the States’ diverse housing market requires the right tools! Here are the top real estate websites in the Land of Opportunity:
1. Houzeo.com
100% Online
Listing Fee: $249With Houzeo, sellers get 3 Flat Fee MLS packages to list on the MLS:
- Silver Package – $249: Get a 6-month MLS listing with 24 photos. You can manage showings, host open houses, and make unlimited listing changes.
- Gold Package – $299: Get licensed broker assistance, a premium yard sign, and access to seller disclosures and upload maximum number of photos.
- Platinum Package – $349: List for 12 months with complete virtual support and concierge service to simplify communication with agents and buyers.
For home buyers, Houzeo offers these services and tools:
- Homes For Sale: Access over 180k+ homes for sale, including For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and agent-listed properties.
- Save Searches and Get Alerts: Save your preferences and get notified by email or app whenever there’s a new listing that matches your criteria.
- Mortgage Calculator: Calculate monthly payments based on home price, down payment, interest rate, and loan term with Houzeo’s Mortgage Calculator.
- Cost of Living Calculator: Get real-time estimates for housing, groceries, healthcare, and transportation, helping you assess a city’s affordability.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Real Estate Website because:
- Max Exposure: Your home listing gets syndicated to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and more.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo’s customer service desk is available 6 days a week. Plus, you can drop an email or chat at your convenience.
- 100% Online: Houzeo offers a complete online listing experience. The Houzeo Mobile App makes both home listing and home search effortless.
- No Hidden Fees: You pay a flat fee to list your home. Houzeo mentions the closing costs you need to pay, too. This avoids any last-minute surprises.
- Free Home Value Estimator: You can get a home worth calculator for free. It helps you set a competitive listing price to sell your home.
There are no deal breakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Yes, Houzeo is a legitimate platform and one-stop destination for real estate for both home buyers and sellers.
Houzeo has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google and Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Read why Houzeo is rated excellent by 11,100+ home sellers and buyers.
Houzeo is America's best real estate website. You get affordable Flat Fee MLS packages, max savings, and licensed broker support. Also, you can search your new home among over 179k+ homes for sale, request and manage showings - all at your fingertips.
2. Clever Real Estate
In-Person Realtor Assistance
Listing Fee: 1.5%For home sellers, Clever Real Estate offers services like:
- 1.5% Discounted Commission: You get to list your property on the MLS for 1.5% of your home’s sale price instead of paying the traditional 3% agent fee.
- Full-Service Support: You get in-person agent assistance that will help you price your home for sale, market it, handle showings, negotiate, and close the deal.
- Top Agents: Clever connects you with top-rated, high-performing agents, to ensure that your home sale is managed by experienced professionals.
Clever Real Estate offers the following benefits for home buyers:
- Agent Matching: You get connected with top buyer agents who possess local expertise and market knowledge.
- Cash Back Program: If your home qualifies for this program, you receive $250 cash back when you buy with Clever, and $500 when you sell with them too.
Here are the reasons why Clever Real Estate can be a good choice for you:
- No Upfront Fee: You don’t pay to list your property for sale. The commission is due only when your home sells.
- Full-Service Agent Assistance: You match with a full-service local agent who uses creative ways to market your house and helps with the paperwork too.
- Zero Commitment Process: You can interview as many agents as you like before choosing one. If it still doesn’t feel right, you can simply walk away.
- Nationwide Agent Network: Clever works with top-rated agents from major brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. They cover all 50 states.
There are no red flags with Clever Real Estate. However, note that your experience largely depends on you agent and the quality of service they provide.
Clever Real Estate has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 3,583 reviews on Trustpilot.
» Clever Real Estate Reviews: Find out more about what Clever Real Estate offers and how much you can save with them.
Clever connects you with full-service agents whose local expertise helps you streamline your home sale for reduced fees. If you are buying a home with Clever, you may qualify for cashback. Plus, you get an agent to guide you through the entire buying process!
3. Redfin
Refund/Rebate Program
1-1.5% Listing FeeFor home sellers, Redfin.com has three main features:
- 1.5% Listing Fee: Redfin charges a 1.5% discounted listing fee. This fee is further reduced to 1% if you also buy a home with a Redfin agent within a year.
- Professional Assistance: The standard package includes services from listing to closing, that is, from pricing assistance to closing coordination.
- Redfin Concierge: For high-value luxury homes, Redfin offers services like home staging, deep cleaning, and select renovations for additional costs.
Redfin.com offers these features for home buyers:
- Technology-Driven Search: Redfin offers powerful search tools, including map-based searches, saved searches, and instant updates on new listings.
- Redfin Agents: Some Redfin agents may offer a different incentive structure than traditional commission-based agents, making negotiation possible.
- Refund/Rebate Program: In some markets, buyers receive a portion of the buyer’s agent commission back as a refund at closing.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Cost Savings: You pay significantly lower than the traditional 3% listing/seller agent commission. Plus, you could qualify for a rebate.
- Professional Marketing: Professional photography and 3D walkthroughs are a part of Redfin’s standard package. This enhances a home’s online presence.
- Advanced Technology: With 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home.
- Local Agent Assistance: Local agents know their market better and can help you secure a good deal.
Here are some limitations we found with Redfin:
- Minimum Fees are Applicable: The 1.5% commission is a minimum percentage and varies by market.
- No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
- Service Variation: Redfin agents often handle a high volume of clients. This may limit personalized attention and reduce the range of services you receive.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
Redfin has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the 1% fees, pros, cons, and alternatives!
Redfin delivers a tech-forward real estate experience. You get services like home pricing guidance, professional photography, and digital marketing. Redfin also serves as a home-buying tool as it lets users schedule showings and connect with local agents. However, you don't get to select your agent yourself.
4. Zillow
Extensive Property Data
Free FSBO ListingZillow offers these benefits to home sellers:
- Free FSBO Listing: Zillow helps you list your home by owner. However, this means that you have to handle the selling process all by yourself.
- Home Value Estimate: The popular “Zestimate” tool provides an approximate market value of your home. This can be a starting point for home pricing.
For home buyers, Zillow provides these features:
- Extensive Property Listings: Zillow lets you scroll through a massive list of homes for sale. These include agent-listed properties and FSBO homes too.
- Saved Searches and Alerts: You can save your preferences and receive an email or app notification when there’s a new listing that matches your preference.
- Mortgage Tools: Zillow offers mortgage calculators, lender directories, and resources to help buyers understand financing options.
» Need to know more about Zillow? Read how Zillow works.
Here are some advantages to choosing Zillow:
- Massive Reach: Zillow has a huge user base which implies that listings get the exposure of many potential buyers at once.
- User-Friendly Interface: The website and app are generally intuitive and easy to navigate for home searching.
- Detailed Information: As a buyer, you get the property details, including photos, virtual tours, tax history, and neighborhood data.
- Access to Free Tools: Some of Zillow’s tools and services are free to use, like the home search engine, Zestimate calculator, or the FSBO listing service.
Zillow has some major drawbacks that a user should be aware of:
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is often inaccurate. This misleads both buyers and sellers.
- Scam Listings: Due to its open platform, Zillow occasionally has fraudulent or scam listings. So, you need to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance offered by other FSBO companies.
Zillow has a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow Reviews: A peek into the in-depth reviews to see how Zillow works for buyers and sellers.
While the Zestimate could be inaccurate at times, Zillow is popular for its free FSBO listing service. Through it, sellers get exposure to millions of buyers. Moreover, buyers get to make smarter decisions using a vast property database of listings which include 3D tours, price history, and advanced filters.
5. Realtor.com
Verified Listings
Pay Commission on Sale/PurchaseFor home sellers, this is what Realtor.com offers:
- Agent Matching Service: Realtor.com connects you with local real estate agents using an algorithm. This helps you find an agent as per your selling needs.
- Multiple Selling Options: You can explore different ways to sell your house. For example, list with an agent or sell to a company that buys houses for cash.
- Standard Packages: Based on the location, property size and advertising options you choose, you pay real estate commission to the agent listing your home.
Home buyers benefit from these tools and services which Realtor.com offers:
- Advanced Search Options: You can search for properties using various criteria like property type, number of bedrooms, and specific neighborhoods.
- Neighborhood Information: You have access to data on housing market trends, recently sold homes, and local information like school district reviews.
- Buyer Guides: The platform offers extensive resources and guides for homebuyers. It also provides helpful information on mortgages and insurance.
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.
Realtor.com has a rating of 1.2 out of 5 stars from 1,000+ users on Trustpilot.
Listings from traditional agents as well as Flat Fee MLS services appear on Realtor.com, giving sellers wide exposure. Some features and support may be limited compared to full-service brokerages. Nevertheless, buyers benefit from accurate data, interactive maps, advanced filters, and mortgage tools which help them make informed decisions.
Houzeo is the most accurate real estate website, primarily because of its Flat Fee MLS listing service and homes for sale sourced directly from the MLS. Clever Real Estate, Redfin, Zillow, and Realtor.com are few other accurate real estate websites.
Research Methodology 🔍
How Did We Choose the Best Real Estate Website in the US?
These are the aspects we considered while curating the list of the top ranked real estate websites:
- Cost Savings: We looked for websites that help sellers save on commissions and provide licensed broker assistance. We prioritized sites that offer a wide database of homes for sale for buyers, alongside tools like mortgage and cost of living calculators.
- Cost Savings: We looked for websites that help sellers save on commissions and provide licensed broker assistance. We prioritized sites that offer a wide database of homes for sale for buyers, alongside tools like mortgage and cost of living calculators.
- Advanced Technology: We shortlisted technology-first websites that offer features like quick listing, interactive floor plans, and 3D walkthroughs.
- Maximum Exposure: We chose real estate sites that give max exposure, sync the listing on other top real estate websites, give options for social media sharing, and customizable yard signs.
- Search and Filtering Options: We gave priority to realty websites that provide advanced search filters beyond beds and baths, like those that include pools, garages, and school districts.
- Mobile-First Design and App: We ranked websites with high-tech mobile apps which send push notifications, allow in-app messaging, and offer GPS-based property searches.
- Active Customer Service: We considered websites that allow live chat, have a concierge service, and provide email support to all the clients.
What Are the Types of Realty Websites?
Real estate websites can be classified into two main types, based on whether you’re selling or buying:
1. Home Selling Websites:
Be it a New York City high-rise or a suburban home in Dallas, the best home selling websites give you the tools to sell with ease. Here are the types of home selling websites you can opt for:
- Flat Fee MLS Listing Services: The best sites for real estate sale help you list your home on the MLS for an affordable flat fee, rather than paying a hefty 3% commission.
- FSBO Websites: Some of the best realty sites let you choose to sell your home yourself, helping you from listing to closing. However, you won’t get MLS exposure with free FSBO sites.
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: These brokerages offer the benefits of full-service real estate agents at a reduced commission rate, ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%.
- Cash Buyers: These companies help you sell your home fast for cash by providing instant cash offers for your home.
2. Home Buying Websites:
Property finding websites help buyers explore everything from beachfront condos in California to rustic cabins in the Rockies — all online! The best home buying websites provide:
- Virtual Home Tour: House finding websites offer 3D interactive tools to let you explore properties online, from the comfort of your home.
- Mortgage Calculator: Housing websites help you estimate your monthly payments and affordability based on loan terms and rates.
- Cost of Living Calculator: Some house search sites offer a Cost of Living Calculator which lets you compare expenses and make relocation decisions as per your budget.
- Advanced Search Filters: Property search websites help you find homes that match your exact preferences, with customizable search options.
Top real estate search engines collect property data from MLS databases, brokerages, and FSBO sellers. They present this data in a way that helps buyers filter homes by location, price, size, and amenities while giving sellers exposure to a wider audience.
3. Best Rental Websites:
Whether you’re a tenant searching for a home or a landlord listing a property, these websites simplify the process for you. The best rental websites go beyond basic listings, often providing tools for applications, background checks, and even online rent collection.
How Much Can You Save With a Real Estate Website?
Almost $22,000!
When you sell your house with a Realtor, you’ll have to shell out a hefty 5.5% to 6% in traditional agent commissions. This translates to $19,284 on a $321,408 home. However, with Houzeo, the best real estate website, you get to save a huge $17,428!
Best Real Estate Websites Near You
| Region | States/Cities | Best Real Estate Websites Near Me |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | States | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | Connecticut |
| Northeast | Cities | Jersey Shore, NJ | New York City, NY | Manhattan, NYC | Brooklyn, NYC | Boston, MA | |
| Midwest | States | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
| Midwest | Cities | Chicago, IL |
| South | States | Alabama | Arkansas | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Washington DC | West Virginia |
| West | States | Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming |
| West | Cities | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA |
Real Estate Websites vs. Real Estate Companies
Here are some of the key distinctions between real estate websites and companies:
| Feature | Real Estate Website | Real Estate Company |
| What Is It? | Online platform for listing, searching, and managing property transactions. | Licensed brokerage providing agent-led representation and advice. |
| Fee Structure | Flat fees, rebates, or discounted commission options to lower costs. | Percentage-based commission (typical 5–6%), sometimes negotiable. |
| Core Service | Tech tools, MLS access, DIY or hybrid agent support. | Full-service marketing, negotiation, and transaction management. |
| Best For | Sellers and buyers who want control, transparency, and savings. | Clients seeking hands-on guidance and personalized support. |
| Drawback | May require more DIY effort or vetting agents yourself. | Higher fees and less price transparency compared with online options. |
Which Are the Top Real Estate Companies?
Here’s a list of the top real estate companies in the US:
1. Prevu
Lower Commission
Listing Fee: 1.5% of Sale PricePrevu is a full-service brokerage that is tech-enabled that offers these features for the sellers:
- 2% Listing Fee: Prevu charges a 2% listing fee, which is lower than the traditional 3% fee. This does not include the buyer’s agent commission.
- Full-Service Agents: Prevu agents provides a range of services, including a CMA Report, professional photography, 3D tours, and negotiation support.
- Digital Platform: The company emphasizes its online platform for quickening and streamlining the home-selling process.
For home buyers, Prevu primarily provides these services:
- Smart Buyer™ Rebate: You get a rebate of up to 1% of your home’s purchase price. However, this amount can differ from transaction to transaction.
- Dedicated Agents: Your dedicated Prevu agent guides throughout the process – from viewing properties to closing deals.
- Technology-Driven Search: Prevu’s platform allows you to easily search for properties and simplifies your communication with your agent.
Based on our research, the benefits of Prevu are:
- Significant Savings for Buyers: Your rebate can add up to thousands of dollars. You can use this money to pay closing costs and other expenses.
- Lower Fees for Sellers: The 2% listing fee is a discounted amount against the traditional 3%, helping you save on commission.
- High Customer Satisfaction: Prevu’s customer reviews often praise the significant savings clients make and the expertise of the agents.
Here are some limitations we found with Prevu:
- Variable Rebate: The rebate is “up to” 1% and not a guaranteed amount. It can be subject to minimum commission requirements.
- Seller Savings are Less Dramatic: While the 2% fee is a discounted percentage, it is not as low as other flat-fee or low-commission models on the market.
- Hand-off Approach: Prevu’s model often requires independence and effort from buyers. This may not be ideal for those who need guidance.
Prevu has a stellar rating of 5 out of 5 on Google.
» Prevu Reviews: Is it a good idea to choose Prevu? Read the comprehensive review to learn more.
Prevu offers a discounted, full-service experience for sellers. The agents provide professional marketing and transaction support for a reduced listing fee. For buyers, the company provides expert agent assistance and a significant "Smart Buyer Rebate" of up to 1% of the purchase price.
2. RE/MAX
Global Real Estate Brand
Up to 6% CommissionRE/MAX operates on a commission model. Here’s how it helps home sellers:
- Agent Expertise: You connect with agents who have a deep understanding of local markets. You also get to negotiate the agent fees you’ll be paying (max 6%).
- Global Network: Your home gets exposure because of the company’s extensive global network of over 135,000 agents in more than 115 countries and territories.
For home buyers, RE/MAX is beneficial in these ways:
- Online Search Tools: With the RE/MAX website and mobile app buyers can look for home listings, save searches, and take virtual home tours.
- Agent Assistance: Buyers can connect with RE/MAX agents who assist with finding properties, navigating the purchase process, and negotiating deals.
- Local Market Knowledge: The agents you connect with are experts whose local market knowledge helps you make the right home-buying decisions.
The key features of RE/MAX are:
- Personal Agent Guidance: RE/MAX assigns a personal agent to you. This agent guides you as per your requirements and local market trends.
- Pricing Assistance: Your agent evaluates your home and gives a CMA Report to price it competitively.
- Extensive Marketing: RE/MAX agents use tools like the RE/MAX Hustle video editor to produce high-quality home-tour videos with just a few clicks.
The major dealbreakers of RE/MAX are:
- High Commissions: Agents typically charge traditional commission rates. These rates are higher than discount brokerages and flat fee listing services.
- Varied Quality of Service: The quality of service agents provide isn’t uniform. Try to meet brokers across branches to find what suits you.
- Manual Processes: RE/MAX provides traditional services more than tech-oriented solutions. This makes the real estate transactions slower.
- Timeline Lapses: Some RE/MAX customers complain about their agents with context to delays in communication and missed deadlines.
RE/MAX has a rating of 1.7 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs. However, note that these reviews could differ widely from agent to agent and branch to branch.
For sellers, RE/MAX provides comprehensive support which is backed by the agent's regional expertise. Buyers, too, have thousands of MLS listings to filter through. Nevertheless, the company's primary focus remains agent-driven services over purely tech-oriented solutions, making the process slow.
3. Century 21
Brand Recognition
3% - 6% CommissionCentury 21 is a traditional real estate brokerage with a franchise model. For sellers, it offers:
- Traditional Commission Model: You can negotiate the Realtor fees to some extent and have it split between the listing and buyer’s agents.
- Comprehensive Marketing: Your agent’s service includes pricing strategies, professional photography, listing on the MLS, and managing showings.
- Seller Ready Program: Some franchises provide this program that offers a line of credit for home improvement and staging, repayment due at closing.
For home buyers, Century 21 provides:
- Local Agent Expertise: You are paired with a local agent who offers extensive knowledge of the area and guides you from pre-qualification to closing.
- Global Reach: As a globally recognized brand, Century 21’s network gives you access to a vast number of listings and resources.
- Full-Service Support: Your agent assists with all aspects of the purchase, from property search to negotiating the offer and contract.
Here are some advantages of choosing Century 21:
- Strong Brand Recognition: As a globally recognized brand, Century 21 offers trust, reliability, and good experiences related to real estate transactions.
- Full-Service Experience: The company provides a professional real estate experience through their agents who assist you on every step of the way.
- Vast Network: Century 21 offers wide coverage and local expertise through its massive network of independent brokerages and thousands of agents.
Here are some disadvantages of choosing Century 21:
- Higher Fees: Century 21 does not really offer commission rebates for buyers or discounted listing fees for sellers, which means higher costs for consumers.
- Service Variation: The company is a franchise network and so, the quality of service can vary from one office or agent to another.
- Lack of Transparency on Costs: Fees and commission structures are not publicly listed. So, you need to negotiate with the local agent properly.
Century 21 has a rating of 1.2 out of 5 stars from 100+ reviews on Consumer Affairs.
Century 21 offers sellers comprehensive support, including professional marketing, pricing analysis, and a wide-reaching listing network to maximize exposure. For buyers, affiliated agents provide full-service assistance from the initial search and property showings to expert negotiation and transaction management.
Research Methodology 🔍
How Did We Choose the Major Real Estate Companies?
These are the aspects we considered while declaring the list of top real estate companies in the United States:
- Agent Quality: We prioritized companies whose client reviews highlighted agents offering insights on school districts, commuter routes, recreation centers, and more.
- Strong Communication: We evaluated each company’s reliability based on client feedback about communication, selling timelines, list-to-sale price ratios, and their track record in closing deals.
- Comprehensive Support: We shortlisted companies which offer negotiation assistance, help with financing and access to home inspectors, title companies, and legal guidance.
Are Real Estate Websites Worth It?
Yes, real estate websites are absolutely worth it, especially the Flat Fee MLS Companies! They empower sellers with effective pricing and broad exposure, while helping buyers find their ideal home.
For complete control and big savings, Houzeo is America’s all-in-one real estate solution. Sellers can list homes, manage offers, and get licensed broker assistance. Buyers can browse homes, schedule showings, and submit offers with just a few clicks!
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is the best home buying and selling website.
