Best housebuying websites: Your ultimate guide
To find the best homebuying website, consider each one’s tools, features, and property types, as well as the pros and cons.
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Nick Dauk is a Credible authority on personal finance. His work has been featured in Business Insider, The Edge, Bisnow, The Telegraph, BBC, and Culture Trip.
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Valerie Morris is a content editor with a focus on personal finance. She has seven years of experience editing copy for accuracy, clarity, and conciseness to inform and empower readers. Previously, she worked for news outlet The Hill, editing articles about politics and policy.
Updated August 16, 2024, 2:25 PM EDT
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The National Association of REALTORS® reported that all homebuyers used the internet to search for a home in 2023, and 41% of buyers looked online at properties for sale as their first step in the homebuying process.
Some homebuying websites like Zillow and RE/MAX facilitate real estate transactions while websites like Realtor.com and Redfin can help you find properties and real estate agents.
What are the top housebuying websites?
Housebuying websites allow you to search properties for sale in a given area, often letting you filter results based on price, size, or other features. Some of the top housebuying websites include:
- Realtor.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
- Redfin
- HomeFinder
The best real estate websites are those which have the features and information you need to help you throughout the homebuying process.
Features to look for
The most important feature of a housebuying website is whether its listings are accurate and up to date. Outdated or inaccurate information is not only disappointing, but it also could disrupt your search for a home. For instance, if the listing price is incorrect, you may apply for a mortgage amount that is more or less than you need.
Another important feature to look for in a housebuying website is whether you’ll receive direct or third-party support from a real estate agent. Some websites, like Zillow, don’t employ real estate agents and will connect you to an agent or broker in your area. Other websites, like RE/MAX, match you with an agent and can virtually support you through the homebuying experience.
How to use housebuying websites effectively
Some websites offer special tools to help you streamline your home search. Redfin, for instance, has several AI tools that range from chatbots to being able to virtually redesign a home — seeing what your potential changes to walls, floors, and countertops would look like if you bought the property. Zillow shares a Zestimate, which estimates the selling price of an off-market home. Though these are unique features, they don’t replace the benefits of seeing a home in person and any estimates (or listing prices, for that matter) don’t necessarily align with a home’s appraisal value.
Tip:
Compare each site’s features and find out where the site pulls its home listings from, how it manages real estate agents, and what kind of fees are charged if the site acts as a broker.
Pros and cons
Property search websites and homebuying apps are valuable resources for experienced and first-time homebuyers, but they’re not without their disadvantages.
Rose Kemp, president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association in Orlando, Florida, said one significant advantage is that there’s more market visibility for homebuyers.
“Homebuying websites are especially beneficial for out-of-state buyers to browse options without having to physically be there,” she said. “Out-of-state buyers can have their REALTOR® tour the home for them and let them know if it’s worth seeing in person.”
Tip:
Real estate agents tend to have firsthand knowledge of a market that isn’t necessarily included in an online listing, according to Kemp. Agents may also have support from inspectors, appraisers, and lenders who can help you.
However, she also said searching for a home online can be overwhelming for buyers who try to go it alone.
“The biggest drawback is that real estate is a local business, and a strong network is important to finding the right home and guiding buyers through the process,” she said. “Choosing to navigate the homebuying process independently carries more risk than seeking a professional's assistance and utilizing available online resources.”
Here are some pros and cons of popular homebuying websites and apps:
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Housebuying websites FAQ
Can you buy a house directly from these websites?
Not all househunting websites allow you to buy a home online. Housebuying apps and websites may help you find a home and make an offer online or they may direct you to an agent to complete the sale. For example, you can purchase a home virtually using the RE/MAX website and sign all documents electronically. Realtor.com, however, will help you search for houses and match you with a licensed REALTOR®.
How accurate are the listings on these websites?
The accuracy of the listings may vary, depending on the source of the information. According to Kemp, listings on websites like Zillow are automatically populated from the MLS. If a property is not listed on the MLS, it won’t automatically be listed on a housebuying website. Some websites like Zillow and Trulia allow users to create FSBO listings that aren’t on the MLS.
Kemp encourages prospective home buyers to work with a REALTOR® who has direct access to the MLS so the buyer can obtain all information that the seller and listing agent provide. A licensed real estate agent can help verify the accuracy of properties listed for sale on any housebuying website.
Do these websites charge any fees?
Some housebuying websites charge fees depending on the service they provide. You can usually search for and view homes for free without a registered account on most housebuying websites. However, if you purchase a home directly from a real estate site, you may need to pay service fees. For instance, if you use a Redfin agent to purchase a home through Redfin, you’ll need to pay a commission.
Remember that enlisting the help of professionals at any stage of the homebuying process will likely incur fees, even if you don’t use a real estate agent. Make sure you understand the fees associated with buying a house online and compare those costs to the fees you’d pay when purchasing a home traditionally.
What is the best website for first-time homebuyers?
Each website has benefits and drawbacks, so the best option for you will depend on your homebuying needs. First, decide if you want to employ the help of a real estate professional or if you’re going to purchase a home using a title company only. If you’re looking for an agent, Realtor.com and Redfin can help connect you with one. If you’re looking for a wide variety of possible homes, Zillow compiles properties that are listed on the MLS, as well as FSBO listings, auctions, and foreclosures.