If you are looking to buy or rent a home, figuring out how to get started may feel overwhelming. Fortunately, real estate websites can simplify the process.
Your needs and goals matter when choosing which real estate website to use. While some sites have widespread capabilities, others are niche-specific.
No matter what your real estate needs are, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best real estate websites that will help you find the perfect home.
Table of Contents
Top Real Estate Sites
Shows comparable homes and offers a payment calculator.
Neatly organized, expansive, and easy to read property details.
You can search by city, price range, the number of beds/baths, and more.
When you are looking to buy a home, these are the best real estate websites and can be a great place to start your search.
You may want to precede your real estate shopping endeavor by getting preapproved for a mortgage.
There are two reasons for this:
- You can figure out how much house you can afford.
- It puts you in a position to get your offer accepted in a competitive housing market.
As a licensed real estate agent, I suggest partnering with a realtor who can represent you and help you get a fair deal. There is always “behind the scenes” information for houses that only realtors with access to the MLS can see.
That said, the sites listed here can be an excellent springboard for your home search.
1. Movoto
Movoto is not as well known as some of the other real estate websites on our list, but it has the highest Trustpilot ranking. It is an attractive site that’s easy to use.
The details page for each listing includes valuable information such as:
- Price per square foot
- HOA fees
- Average school rating
- Days on market
And more. Movoto shows comparable homes in the area and offers a payment calculator. This calculator is especially valuable for those who want to avoid becoming house poor.
When available, information about each home’s last sales date and last sales price is shown.
One of Movoto’s more unique features is called ClimateCheck. This shares drought, storm and fire risks.
You’ll also find information about nearby grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and commute times to nearby cities on the site.
Best for: Finding details about nearby stores, restaurants and clubs
2. Trulia
Trulia is one of the top real estate websites for several reasons. It is also one of the more well-known sites on our list.
It has various search features that make it easy to find exactly what you need. Some of the options include:
- Location (by city, county and more)
- House type
- Beds/baths
- Price
- Square Feet
The site is well laid out and easy to use. When you view a home, you’ll see information about features along with map views, street views, data on nearby schools and crime information.
Additionally, you’ll get to read the MLS listing realtor’s description, peruse pricing data and see sales history for the home.
Colorful graphs help you determine your potential mortgage payment. Better yet, quotes from locals about the area give you an insider’s view about what it’s like to live in the neighborhood.
Best for: Functionality on desktop and mobile devices
3. Redfin
Redfin’s claim to fame is their 1% fee when you both sell your home and buy another home with them. This fee reduction is applicable when you buy your new home within 365 of selling your existing home.
In regards to home searches, the Redfin site has a lot to offer. Home facts such as the year built, lot size and days on the market are clearly displayed below the main photo.
The site also lists upcoming open house times for the property and gives 3D and online video chat tour options when available.
Additionally, the property details section on Redfin is neatly organized, expansive and easy to read. This allows you to quickly determine if a home is a good fit for what you need.
Best for: Finding discount brokerage services
Related Post: Homelight Review: The Best Place to Find Your Next Realtor?
4. Homes.com
Homes.com starts listings with the MLS public remarks about the home, followed by information such as days on the market and the listing source.
As with other sites, Homes.com shares school information, payment information and price history. It will show you a list of similar homes nearby as well.
Be prepared to see an ad or two in each listing for local real estate agents. Fortunately, these ads aren’t overbearing.
Also, Homes.com shares information to help active military members and veterans get home loans. This is a somewhat unique feature that sets the site apart from others on our list.
Best for: Quick snapshots of home information
5. RE/MAX
The RE/MAX real estate website has a simpler layout than some of the other sites listed here. However, some readers might find that more appealing.
The first page you’ll see when viewing a home contains all you need to know about the house itself. However, you’ll need to click the “Additional Info” button at the top of the page for expanded information.
One thing to note is that the “Additional Info” page has a ton of information. You can check walkability and transportation, area demographics and more. This feature is great for detail-oriented buyers.
Best for: Selling or buying higher-end homes
6. Realtor.com
Realtor.com has many of the same search features as Trulia and Zillow. It’s easy to search homes by city, zip code, county and more.
The property summary at the top of each listing is easy to read. Under “Property Details,” you’ll have access to neighborhood information such as school and crime facts, expanded property information and more.
The site lets you access assessed values of the property from three different valuation companies. In addition, you can check out the values of nearby homes and get a monthly payment estimate.
As a bonus, Realtor.com has extensive education on selecting the right real estate agent for your needs.
Best for: Those in need of a real estate agent
7. HomeFinder
HomeFinder is one of the real estate websites that adds some extra details to property searches. You can learn about neighborhood information such as:
- Graduate degree percentiles
- Percentage of population with children
- Unemployment rate
- And more
School ratings by SchoolDigger are included where applicable.
Estimated loan payment information is available through the site. You can also view other nearby listings.
If you’re searching for a real estate agent, HomeFinder will connect you with local agents via their advertising services.
Check out the HomeFinder blog to find articles about the housing market, decluttering tips and more.
Best for: Specific demographics information
8. Zillow
Zillow is super easy to use. You can search by city, price range, the number of beds/baths and more.
Along with facts and features on houses, Zillow shows you the sales and property tax history. The site lets you estimate payments based on the most recent tax data and shows you samples of similarly priced homes in the area.
Zillow has a GreatSchools Rating feature that shows you schools in the area and how they’re rated based on several criteria.
You can also use the site to find real estate agents and other professionals to help with your home buying and selling needs.
Best for: Clear and concise snapshots of properties
9. RealtyTrac
RealtyTrac specializes in foreclosure listings. You can search pre-foreclosures, bank-owned properties and more.
The site shows you the estimated opening bid, auction date and photos of the property. It also shares environmental information such as flood and tornado risk as well as crime indexes for each property.
Basic information is free on RealtyTrac. However, you have the option to purchase a paid subscription. This will give you information such as sales history information, drug lab information and more.
Best for: Learning more about foreclosures and auctions
10. Auction.com
Auction.com is another site that can help you find foreclosure or auction properties. One way this site differs from RealtyTrac is that it offers a lot more detail.
It will share details about the property if they’re available, details about the auction process and the risks involved in buying a foreclosed or auction property.
You can search by city, county, zip code or other criteria. In addition, you can bid right online during the auction using the site’s mobile app.
Keep in mind that there’s a lot to know about purchasing a foreclosure property. There can be liens on the home that the new owner will be responsible for paying.
Also, potential buyers often aren’t allowed to view the property in person before they buy. Buying a property sight unseen can come with a variety of risks.
Consequently, it’s important to educate yourself thoroughly before taking part in a real estate property auction.
Best for: People who are serious about purchasing a foreclosure or auction property
Summary
Regardless of your real estate needs, the websites listed above can help.
Make sure you determine what is most important to you as you start evaluating sites. This can help you establish more effective search criteria to find the best real estate websites for you.
Are you in the market for a home? Before you start house shopping, consider checking out our definitive guide on how to save money for buying a house.
