Are you in the market for a new home or looking to sell your current property? With so many real estate websites available, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best real estate platforms to use for buying or selling your home. These top-rated websites offer accurate data, user-friendly interfaces, and the latest tools and features to help you find the perfect property or attract the right buyers.
Technology has created an enormous opportunity in the home selling market. Websites are popping up left and right, giving home buyers access to great prices, the ability to negotiate rates and see a bigger picture of what exactly is available. But what are the best real estate websites for buyers?
Most buyers will ultimately partner with a real estate agent when buying their home. However, many will do additional research online either before partnering with an agent or in addition to the information an agent gives them.
With many real estate websites available, buyers can look at many homes from the comfort of their own homes. Sites that do well are easy to search for, have quality images and housing market updates. Buyers want a site that they can easily navigate while hunting for the perfect home. In short, they want the best real estate websites for buyers.
Find the best real estate websites using technology.
For home buyers, being able to filter your search results is crucial. Nobody wants to spend time scrolling through numerous listings that don’t match their search criteria. Finding and saving properties you want to discuss with your agent are made simpler by the ability to reduce your options. Some websites can even help you save money by assisting you in choosing a real estate agent or the best mortgage options.
The top 10 real estate websites for buyers are listed in this comprehensive list. The websites in this collection offer tools, data analytics, and features that are simple to use. If you have already begun your home search, many of these will be familiar names. Even if there are a few newer websites, this list will give you insight into how the site functions and how best to use it to find the perfect home.
10 Best Real Estate Websites For Buyers
1. Zillow.com
One of the largest websites for real estate is Zillow.com. It was started in 2006 and stands today as the most robust website available for buyers, sellers, renters, landlords, agents, and home professionals. The tools are effortless to use.
Buyers can maximize their home search results and minimize their time by filtering their results by price, location, features, and home type. You can also see unique features directly related to the home’s neighborhood, and Zillow will give you a walk score, commute times, neighborhood statistics, even local schools.
While looking at the price tool, you can get an idea of monthly costs for the property, such as a mortgage, insurance, and taxes. If the property has an HOA, Zillow will list that as well as the last reported monthly fee. Their signature Zestimate will show the listing price, an estimated market value, and can show you the approximate rental rate.
2. Realtor.com
Realtor.com is linked to the National Association of Realtors. It has 800 regional Multiple Listing Services, making it by far the most accurate home website. On top of fantastic accuracy, Realtor.com has a lot of statistics and data available to home buyers.
There is information on home values, market forecasts, inclusive details about schools and businesses in the area, and commute times. The site even goes as far as to list crime rates. Realtor.com also has a wealth of knowledge about buying a home, determining your mortgage payments and can help you assess what homes fall into your price range,
3. Homes.com
This site fills its pages with homes from the MLS and other real estate sites. There is a decent search engine for comparing homes in your search area.
A unique feature is that you can see how the property value has fluctuated. Insight into the property values can give you a sense of if the neighborhood is gaining value, is stagnant, or is declining.
Its signature feature is Snap & Search. This tool allows you to take a shot of a home you like. It will match this snapshot with similar homes in the area to give you more options.
4. Redfin
Real estate brokerage Redfin is located in Seattle. As a buyer, Redfin gives you an overview of the home and is interactive. This feature takes the place of needing to see the home in person. The company uses its advanced technology to enhance the process for both the buyer and the seller.
They strive to make the entire process more user-friendly, from listing through selling. Redfin’s calculator gives you an idea of how much you can afford in a home. The algorithm is based on your neighborhood, income, down payment, and total debt.
5. RealtyTrac
RealtyTrac gives you the ability to look at 120 million foreclosed properties. If you subscribe, you will also have access to the property’s address, loan information, and the locations and dates for upcoming auctions.
If you are looking for a great deal and do not mind some light to heavy remodeling, RealtyTrac is a great place to search for affordable properties. All homes have a clean title, and you will not need to be concerned about any liens or back taxes.
The biggest downside is if you win the auction, the total has to be paid in full and in cash immediately.
6. Auction.com
Offering around 30,000 properties, Auction.com gives buyers access to foreclosed and bank-owned properties. Similar to RealtyTrac, you need to win the auction to get the property. If there is a popular home, the price can go up substantially in a bidding war. If you win the auction here, you will need to put down 10%.
7. MLS.com
MLS offers accurate listing and a host of valuable information. While real estate professionals most often use it, it is a free listing service that allows you to see various home types. MLS lists homes for sale, new construction, lots, acreage, commercial property, and more. It also has resources for frequently asked questions, mortgages, and even a mortgage calculator.
8. Trulia
Like Zillow, Trulia gives you the ability to locate homes in your area fairly quickly, and you can easily compare the properties. Trulia is a subsidiary of Zillow. It has advanced filters, including narrowing your search by features such as price range, home style, number of bedrooms, and more.
Trulia gives you an interactive map. With this map, you can see the neighborhood through the eyes of various filters. The filters show you the statistics in the area. The map will also show you where the schools are, the community’s age ranges, commute times, and restaurants and stores in the neighborhood.
9. Neighborhood Scout
Data-focused Neighborhood Scout focuses on finding the best neighborhoods based on a buyer’s profile. They found a way to take over 600 features and populate options for you based on your specifications.
While looking at a neighborhood is not a new concept, this version lets you take a closer look at the level of going block by block, ensuring you find your perfect neighborhood.
10. Home Finder
While HomeFinder has similar functions to Zillow and Trulia, it also has an extensive offering of homes available to rent on top of the homes available to purchase. You can use the search to narrow your options by price, size, and home type. HomeFinder also lets you look at properties that are no longer on the market, giving you the ability to see current market trends in the area.