7 Best Real Estate Websites in Illinois (2024 Updates)

Houzeo offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages.

• Bronze Package – $399+: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos.
• Silver Package – $399+0.5% at closing: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
• Gold Package – $429+ 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 – $449+ 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:

• 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.
• 100% Online: Houzeo offers a complete online listing experience.
• 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 8,000+ home sellers.

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 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.

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.

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 but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies 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  4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.

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

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 1.9 out of 5 stars from 170+ users on Consumer Affairs.

Dream Town Realty is a full service real estate brokerage. The pricing is not disclosed on their website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.

👉 Our Take: Dream Town Realty is one of the first local brokerages with an online presence. From traditional printed brochures to social media presence, their in-house marketing arm will you sell your home quickly.

Here are some advantages of choosing Dream Town Realty:

• User-Friendly Website: Dream Town Realty is one of the first local brokerages with an online presence. Their website is easy to navigate.
• Digital Marketing: They offer services like 3-D home tours and professional photography.
• Experienced Brokers: Dream Town Realty has 450+ exceptional brokers. They all are well versed with Chicago real estate market.
• Personalized Experienced: Dream Town Realty follows a “Boutique Model”. This model analyze your goals and accordingly personalize your services.
• Additional Services: This includes regular local market updates, neighborhood maps, building directories, photos and videos of neighborhood properties, mortgage services, and more.

Here are some red flags of Dream Town Realty, that could make your experience less satisfactory.

• No Mobile App: It does not have convenient services like a mobile app.
• Average Customer Reviews: Previous customers have complained about Dream Town Realty not being upright.

Dream Town Realty has a 3.9 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Yelp.

Century 21 is one of the world’s largest real estate brokerage firms. It operates in every U.S. state and in 82 other countries.

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

👉 Our Take: We recommend Century21 to first-time home seller. Along with listing, you will get access to contract reviews, offer management, closing, and a lot more.

Here are some advantages to choosing Century 21:

• Global Coverage: Century21 operates in every U.S. state and 82 other countries.
• Market Exposure: It has good brand recognition and over 14,000 independent franchise real estate brokers.
• Professional Real Estate Agents: According to previous customers, Century 21 agents are highly professional.
• Best for First-Time Home Sellers: You get to access your listing, review your contract, the closing process, and a lot more.

Century 21 has some major drawbacks that a user should be aware of.

• No Discounts: The agent’s fees at Century 21 are usually high. They do not offer any discounts or rebates.

Century 21 has an average rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Consumer Affairs.