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6 min read Jan 18, 2024

7 Best Real Estate Websites in Austin, TX (2024 Update)

In Texas, 47% of buyers search for properties online while 18% contacted a real estate agent. Moreover, 80% of buyers found the property descriptions and photos to be very useful online. This shows that more people are using real estate websites to find their dream home.

A good real estate website increases your chances of getting an offer. However, it comes with a hefty 6% agent commission that you have to bear. An FSBO real estate website eliminates the listing agent fee. You have to pay only the buyer’s agent commission i.e., 3%.

Houzeo is one of Texas’s best FSBO websites. It offers maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer service, and listing exposure.

We’ve spent thousands of hours researching and reviewing the best real estate websites in the City of the Violet Crown. Here are our rankings:

7 BEST REAL ESTATE SITES IN AUSTIN, TX

  1. Houzeo: High on Technology
  2. Realtor: Accurate Data
  3. Zillow: Biggest Database
  4. Redfin: Best Discounted Brokerage
  5. Compass Real Estate: In-person Support & Technology
  6. Coldwell Banker: Best For Local Market
  7. Sotheby’s International Realty: Best For Luxury Properties

Reviews: Best Real Estate Websites in Austin

1. Houzeo.com

MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Houzeo.com

Houzeo Logo
  • Listing Fee: $399
  • 5 Stars 4.9/5 (5,000+ reviews)

Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.

  • Bronze Package – $379+: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
  • Silver Package – $399+: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
  • Gold Package – $379+ 0.5 at closing: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
  • Platinum – $349+ 1% at closing: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, disclosures, and closing.

👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. It gives you access to high-tech features like Houzeo Offers and Houzeo Showings.

» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is 100% online. You can finish listing formalities in less than 60 mins.

Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 4 reasons:

  • 100% Online: Houzeo offers a complete online listing experience.
  • Max Exposure: Your listing gets syndicated to popular real estate websites like, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and more.
  • 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week. This is rare in today’s world.
  • No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. And remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the listing agent commission.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Is Houzeo Good?  Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.

Houzeo has 4.9 out of 5 stars from thousands of home sellers on Google and Trustpilot.

» Houzeo Reviews: Read why Houzeo is rated excellent by 5,000+ home sellers.

Houzeo.com is Austin’s #1 real estate website, as it provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.

Houzeo gives Austin FSBO home sellers affordable Austin Flat Fee MLS listing packages. Your home will be listed within 48 hours. Even if you’re new to selling FSBO, Houzeo’s offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.

2. 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 was founded in 1995 as the Realtor Information Network (RIN). It was a closed network providing proprietary information to members of the NAR. The site relaunched in 1996 as a public website displaying property listings.

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

3. Compass Real Estate

BEST FOR IN-PERSON SUPPORT & TECH

Compass

compass_200x90
  • 3% - 6% Commission
  • 4.5stars 4.24/5 (20+ reviews)

Compass does not disclose pricing on its websites. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.

  • Agents’ commissions vary according to their region of operation.

👉 Our Take: Working with Compass agents will guarantee you sell your property for top dollar.

Compass offers good service in the states they are available in:

  • Market Exposure: Compass promotes your property using print, digital, and social media.
  • Compass Concierge: This includes everything from staging and painting to cosmetic renovation. You will not be charged a fee until your home sale has gone through.
  • Private Listings: The company has a separate section named ‘private exclusive’. These are off-market listings. The sellers decide the information they want to share.
  • Cloud-Based Software: From the initial meeting to closing, agents have all the tools at their fingertips to streamline the process.

In our research, we came across some deal breakers with Compass.

  • Limited Coverage: Compass Real Estate is only available in 17 states.
  • Traditional Realtor Commission: The company follows the traditional realtor commission model. This means you will end up paying a 6% commission.

Compass Real Estate has an average rating of 4.24 out of 5 stars from 20+ reviews on Agent Advice.

Compass was launched in the year 2012. Its success is attributed to its technology. Their technology supports real estate agents, buyers, sellers throughout the home-buying process.

However, they only cater to 17 states. They also follow traditional realtor commissions. This means you will end up paying a 6% commission.

4. Zillow

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 was founded in the year 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle.

Zillow extracts data from top MLS platforms and helps buyers view the listings directly on the platform. However, it provides users with an on-demand buying experience with a seamless end-to-end service.

5. Redfin

BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE

Redfin.com

redfin-logo-DRB
  • Listing Fee: 1.5% of Sale Price
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 1.5star 1.5/5 (130+ reviews)

Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.

  • It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.

👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option. They have a strict clause for this rebate. There are other real estate companies, who are willing to offer a higher rebate.

» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.

Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:

  • Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
  • Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
  • Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
  • Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.

Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.

  • Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
  • No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a 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 additional services.
  • Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.

Redfin has an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars from 130+ reviews on Consumer Affairs.

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

Redfin is one of the largest discount broker companies in the U.S. David Eraker, David Selinger, and Michael Dougherty founded the company in 2004. Since 2017, Redfin has been a publicly traded company.

Redfin offers great services. One of them is their mobile app. It is quite practical and helps you do your real estate transaction on the go.

6. Coldwell Banker

Best For Local Market

Coldwell Banker Homes

coldwell banker adv
  • 3% - 6% Commission
  • 1.5 Star 1.9/5 (100+ reviews)

Coldwell Banker does not disclose pricing on its website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.

To get an exact figure about your commission, contact your local Coldwell Banker office.

👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker is one of the oldest real estate franchises. It has a global network and offers a wide range of services. However, the traditional agent commission can burn a hole in your pocket.

Here are some advantages of choosing Coldwell Banker:

  • Good Presence & Reach: They have 94,000+ affiliated sales agents and a diverse network of over 3000 offices.
  • Technology Integration: They have developed a tech suite. This includes RealVitalize®, AARP® Real Estate Benefits by Anywhere, CB Estimate®,  and more.
  • Strong Brand Recognition and Loyalty: They attract more customers and referrals due to their long history and reputation in the real estate industry.

Here are some disadvantages of Coldwell Banker:

  • Additional Costs: There are additional costs for signs, advertising, photography, etc.
  • Platform Issues: Previous customers have reported issues related to their agent platform.

Coldwell Banker has an average rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars  from 100+ users on Consumer Affairs.

Coldwell Banker is a real estate franchise that operates in 49 countries and territories. It is owned by Anywhere Real Estate, with headquarters in Madison, New Jersey.

Coldwell Banker has a long history and reputation in the industry, dating back to 1906. It became the first national real estate company to offer GPS enabled listings.

7. Sotheby’s International Realty

Best For Luxury Properties

Sotheby's International Realty

sothebys-international-realty
  • 3% - 6% Commission
  • 4.5 Stars 4.58/5 (10+ reviews)

Sotheby’s International Realty is a luxury real estate company. It provides a platform for buying, selling, and renting high-end properties across the globe.

Sotheby does not disclose its pricing on its website. Buyers will have to pay common closing costs.

👉 Our Take: Sotheby’s International Realty has presence over 70+ countries, with over 1000 offices.

Here are some advantages of Sotheby’s International realty:

  • Global Reach: Sotheby’s real estate has a presence in 70+ countries and territories.
  • Unrivaled Marketing: Sotheby’s offers a marketing suite to increase traffic and generate exposure for listings.
  • Curate App: This app will give you a idea about how your house will look once you are done furnishing.
  • Mobile App: Sotheby’s International Realty provides a user friendly app.

As per our research, we did not find any deal breakers.

Sotheby’s International Realty has a rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from 10+ users on agentadvice.com

Founded in 1976, Sotheby’s International Realty is a global real estate company. In the year 2004, it became part of Realogy Holdings.

The company is known for luxury homes. Its SIR Mobile app provides integrated video and virtual reality on properties. You can also design banners, add custom paints, and see how your house will look after furnishing.

Types of Real Estate Websites in Austin

Real estate websites can be categorized into 6 main types:

Types of Real Estate Websites
  • Home Selling Websites: Home-selling websites in Austin help home sellers list properties online. The best home-selling websites provide maximum exposure to the property and make the sale in a short time.
  • Home Buying Websites: Home-buying websites in Austin help buyers search for properties online. Perfect home-buying sites must provide efficient tools, adequate resources, and impressive features to work upon.
  • Best Rental Websites: Rental websites help you find rental properties in Austin. Some rental websites also allow property owners to lease their properties and reach out to potential customers.
  • Best Property Search Websites: The best house-hunting websites help you search for all types of properties online. This includes homes, rental properties, plots, ranches, and commercial properties.
  • Best MLS Listing Websites: Best MLS listing sites help you list your property online for free or for a small listing fee. These best real estate listing websites list on other MLS to provide greater exposure to the property. Check out the best Flat Fee real estate services in the US.
  • Best Real Estate Investor Websites​​: Websites for real estate investing help investors with property resources, price trends, and community forums on the best property sites.

How to Choose the Best Real Estate Website in Austin?

You can choose the best real estate websites based on these important factors:

  • Maximum Exposure: Find a website that will give maximum exposure to your property. This could also include MLS listing, social media sharing, and customizable yard signs.
  • Strong Technology: Websites with robust technology can make selling or buying a house faster and more efficient. Look for features like virtual tours, high-quality photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
  • Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can make your real estate transaction go smoothly. Find a website that offers prompt and helpful customer service.

Why Houzeo is the #1 Real Estate Website in Austin?

Houzeo.com is the #1 real estate website in Austin due to the following reasons:

  • Max Exposure: It gives you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
  • 100% Online: Easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
  • 5-star Customer Service: You get assistance from the list to close with Houzeo Concierge.
  • No Listing Commission: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to get access to the MLS.
  • 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

Real People, Real Stories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best real estate websites Texas?

The best real estate websites in Texas are Houzeo, Realtor, Compass Real Estate, Zillow, and Redfin.

Are there fees for real estate websites in Texas?

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 websites likes Houzeo that offer listing services for free.

Are real estate websites safe in Texas?

Yes, real estate websites are safe as long as you find the right sites. However, there are scam sites, so make sure to do your research before you venture in.

Austin Real Estate Websites Texas

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