7 Best Real Estate Websites in California (2025 Updates)

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.
• 100% Online: Houzeo offers a complete online listing experience. Its powerful property search app makes your home visible to interested buyers on the go.
• 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.
• Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are some advantages of Vanguard Properties:

• Deals in Commercial Real Estate: Vanguard Properties has 30+ years of multifamily and commercial experience.
• Vast Network: It offers you a vast local and global agent network. The agents can help you get a good deal on your property.
• Add-On Services: The company offers various services like open houses, premium technology systems, and marketing research.

Here are some disadvantages of Vanguard properties:

• Limited Coverage: It only covers San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma and Napa Counties, and East Bay.
• No Mobile App: It does not have its own mobile app to ease out the process.
• Poor Customer Reviews: The company has average to poor customer reviews on Yelp.

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.