✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
About 47% of people living in Rockford, IL searched for properties online in 2023. That’s because these real estate websites allow you to add attractive photos and property descriptions. 80% of homebuyers find them useful when looking for their new home.
A good real estate website boosts your chances of getting an offer. But it comes with a hefty 6% agent fee. That is a whopping $24,000 on a $400,000 house! A Flat Fee MLS listing service like Houzeo can cut this in half. You pay only $12,000!
With its advanced tech and 5-star customer service, your home will be on the MLS within 24 hours. You can also hire professional real estate photographers via Houzeo to showcase your home’s best features online.
We’ve spent thousands of hours researching and reviewing the best real estate websites in Forest City. Here are our rankings:
🏅 7 Best Real Estate Sites in Rockford
- Houzeo: High on Technology
- Realtor: Most Accurate Database
- Trulia: Best App for Buyers
- RE/MAX: Good Exposure
- Gambino Realtors: Various Services
- Rocket Homes: Best for Home buyers
- Zillow: Biggest Database
Reviews: Best Real Estate Websites in Rockford
1. Houzeo
MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Houzeo.comHouzeo 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.
- 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.
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 10,000+ home sellers.
Houzeo.com is Rockford’s #1 ranked real estate website for its Flat Fee MLS service. Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology. To avail of these services you can purchase one of its packages.
In Rockford, the Bronze package costs $399. The Silver package costs $409 +0.5% at close and the Gold package costs $429 +0.5% at close. The Platinum package costs $449 +1% at close.
2. Realtor.com
Verified Listing
Realtor.comRealtor.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.
Realtor.com was founded in 1995 as the Realtor Information Network (RIN). The site relaunched in 1996 as a public website displaying property listings. Realtor.com has a lot of statistical data as it sources listings from 800 regional MLS systems.
Realtor.com has a mobile app that helps you find homes, gives information about apartment rentals, listing details, etc. However, some users have found the texting interface in the app to be glitchy.
3. Trulia
Informative App
TruliaTrulia 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 stands out for its user-friendly interface and extensive property listings. It offers valuable tools like neighborhood insights and crime maps. Trulia is a good choice for those seeking a convenient home search experience.
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.
- 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: It provides 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 disadvantages of Trulia:
- Incomplete Data: Some listings may lack details, such as neighborhood insights or detailed property histories.
- Outdated Listings: Sometimes even if the house is sold, the listing is not updated. This can mislead the buyers.
Trulia has a rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars from 70+ reviews on G2
» Trulia Reviews: Click here to know the reason behind the 3-star review on G2.
Zillow owns Trulia. You will find that a lot of information on Trulia is similar to that on Zillow. Trulia differentiate itself by providing information based on user feedback.
Trulia provides a comprehensive database of properties. However, it doesn’t list your property on the MLS. Which means you have to consider alternatives to list your home for sale.
4. RE/MAX
Good Exposure
RE/MAXRE/MAX has its headquarters in Orlando, FL. The company does not disclose agent commissions on its website. However, based on reviews you may have to pay 3% to 6% as commission.
- No corporate fee is involved with RE/MAX referrals. You can choose the agents or vice versa and set the terms of your agreement.
👉 Our Take: RE/MAX is known for its reputation and credibility. It is a solid choice for home sellers due to its extensive network and experienced agents. The company offers unparalleled exposure for your property.
Here are the key features of RE/MAX:
- Global Reach: RE/MAX has over 135,000 agents, and its network is spread over 100 countries.
- Competitive Home Pricing: Agents at RE/MAX will conduct an in-depth evaluation and a CMA of your property to price your home competitively.
- Additional Service: RE/MAX Collection and RE/MAX Commercial offer specialized tools and advertising programs to luxury and commercial real estate professionals.
Here are some drawbacks of RE/MAX:
- Limited Discount Options: The company focuses on traditional full-service brokerage rather than discount or low-cost options.
- Inconsistent Service: Service quality may vary depending on the local franchise office.
RE/MAX has a poor rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 300+ users on Consumer Affairs.
RE/MAX, LLC is a subsidiary of RE/MAX Holdings, one of the world’s largest real estate franchisors. The company operates in over 100 countries and has over 140,000 agents worldwide.
With RE/MAX Company you have to pay a 3% – 6% commission. So, you may not be able to save significantly with it.
5. Gambino Realtors
VARIOUS SERVICES
gogambino.comThe Gambino Realtors is a local real estate firm. They have been active in Rockford since 1923. They offer a range of services, including residential and commercial sales, property management, and relocation assistance.
Pricing is not disclosed on the website, this means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.
👉 Our Take: We recommend this company for its map search feature. This helps users to get the exact location of the house.
Here are some advantages of Gambino Realtors you should consider before choosing them:
- Home Selling Services: Gambino Realtors provide services like marketing you home, virtual market analysis, market trends, and many more.
- Map Search: They offer a map search option on their website, which helps users to get the exact location of the house they are looking for.
- Strong Realtor Base: There are 100+ Realtors trained with a result-oriented mindset.
- Property Valuation: They provide property valuation services, which let you find your home worth and proceed accordingly.
- Lots & Land Search: They also let you search and buy land and plots.
- Add-on Services: They provide buying, leasing, and hosting services and manage open houses.
Here are some red flags you should consider before choosing them:
- Mobile App: They do have a mobile application but it has been removed from the store.
The Gambino Realtors is rated 4 out of 5 stars from 90+ reviews on Google reviews.
Gambino Realtors has been a popular real estate company in Rockford since 1923. They offer services like home search, map search, property valuation, and many more. They have a strong realtor base.
Gambino Realtors also help you determine the value of your home with their Custom Home Value Report. This helps you price your home competitively.
6. Rocket Homes
Best for Home Buyers
Rocket HomesRocket Homes 3 ways for sellers to sell their homes.
- Sell With a Partner Agent: Rocket Homes connects with their partner agent to sell your home. With this plan, you get a rebate of 0.5% on your final sale price.
- Free FSBO Listing: You can create a free home listing on their partner site ForSaleByOwner.com and save on commission.
- Already have a Buyer: You can pay a flat fee of $495 and get a help of a licensed advisor.
👉 Our Take: Rocket Homes is a good choice if you want several services on the same platform. They have an extensive network of agents, who are available in more than 3000 counties.
Here are some advantages of choosing Rocket Homes:
- Extensive Agent’s Network: Rocket Homes has a network of partner agent in more than 3000 counties.
- One-Stop Shop: With a single platform, you can browse properties, connect with agents, and secure loans.
- Multiple Selling Options: Rocket Homes offers 3 ways for sellers to sell their homes. i.e., with an agent, without an agent, and cash offers.
- Mobile App: Rocket Homes offers a user friendly app. The app offers various features to both buyers and sellers.
Here are some red flags of Rocket Homes, that could make your experience less satisfactory.
- No Financial Incentives: Rocket Homes do not offer any financial incentives, you will have to pay the standard 6% commission.
- High-Interest Rates: The loan interest rates of Rocket Homes are high. Also, they provide only two options for loan purchase and refinance i.e., 15 years and 30 years of the fixed loan period.
Rocket Homes have a 4.6 out of 5 stars from 500+ users on Google.
Rocket Homes is an agent referral network. It has an affiliation with Quicken. This helps you get mortgage pre-approval.
Rocket Homes is a one-stop shop for the entire home-buying process. Additionally, it connects homeowners with an agent who helps them throughout the home selling process.
7. Zillow
Extensive Property Data
ZillowZillow offers the following listing plans for home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.
- Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: This is the traditional way to sell your home. An agent assists you through the home sale process.
👉 Our Take: You can list your home on Zillow FSBO free of charge. So, you save money on agent commissions, which are 2.5% to 3% of the home sales price.
» How Does Zillow Work? Read further to learn the process of Zillow.
Here are some advantages to choosing Zillow:
- Free Listing: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: You can cancel your Zillow listing without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Market Exposure: It is one of the most popular real estate websites, with millions of visitors each month. This means that your listing will be seen by a large number of potential buyers.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow FSBO is present in all 50 states in America.
- Easy To Use: Zillow’s website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties by location, price, features, and other criteria.
Zillow has some major drawbacks that a user should be aware of.
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is often inaccurate. This misleads both buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance offered by other FSBO companies.
- Lead for Real Estate Agent: Your listing information gets sold to Zillow’s agents. You’ll get calls not from buyers but from agents.
- Hide FSBO Listings: Zillow hides FSBO listings behind agent listings. FSBO listings are hidden 2 clicks away and get almost no traffic.
Zillow has a poor rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow Reviews: Read further to know why customers are dissatisfied with Zillow services.
Zillow is a good platform to showcase properties for buyers and sellers in America. It was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle. With 373 million monthly visits, it is one of the most popular real estate websites.
Zillows’ paid listings get your property on the MLS. Alternatively, it offers free listings on its website. However, Zillow’s default search results prioritize agent listings.
Types of Real Estate Websites in Rockford
Real estate websites can be categorized into 6 main types:
- Home Selling Websites: These websites provide maximum exposure to the property and make the sale in a short time. They also help sellers price their homes competitively and attract potential buyers.
- Home Buying Websites: These websites help buyers search for properties online. Perfect home-buying sites must provide efficient tools, adequate resources, and impressive features to work on.
- Best Rental Websites: Rental websites also allow property owners to lease their properties and reach out to potential customers.
- Best Property Search Websites: The best house-hunting websites help you search for all types of properties online. This includes homes, rental properties, plots, ranches, and commercial properties.
- Best MLS Listing Websites: The best MLS listing sites help you list your property online for free or for a small listing fee. Top real estate websites share your listing details with other sites, giving your property more exposure.
- Best Real Estate Investor Websites: These websites help investors with property resources, price trends, and community forums.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Website in Rockford?
You can choose the best real estate websites in Rockford based on these factors:
- Strong Technology: Websites with robust technology can make selling or buying a house faster and more efficient. Look for features like virtual tours, professional photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can make your real estate transaction go smoothly. Find a website that offers prompt and helpful customer service.
- Maximum Exposure: Find a website that will give maximum exposure to your property. This could also include an MLS listing, social media sharing and customizable yard signs.
Why Houzeo Is the #1 Real Estate Website in Rockford?
Houzeo.com is the #1 real estate website in Rockford for:
- Max Exposure: It gives you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 100% Online: Easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
- 5-star Customer Service: You get assistance from listing to closing with Houzeo Concierge.
- No Listing Commission: In most states, you’ll be paying just a small flat fee to get access to the MLS.
- Real Estate on the Go: The Houzeo Mobile App allows you to access features of Houzeo’s web platform on any device.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We have got you covered. Check out how Houzeo works and how you can list your property on the MLS with Houzeo.
How to List on MLS With Houzeo?
5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo by owner
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best real estate websites in Rockford?
Houzeo, Realtor and RE/MAX are the top contenders for best real estate websites in Rockford. However, Houzeo provides unique packages that can help home sellers with a quick and smooth home sale experience.
Are there listing fees for real estate websites in Rockford?
Yes, almost all real estate websites charge listing fees from sellers. Some even charge convenience fees to the renter who wants to apply for an apartment. Websites like Houzeo offer listing services at an affordable flat fee in Illinois.
Are real estate websites safe in Rockford?
Yes, real estate websites are safe as long as you find the right sites. However, there are scam sites, so make sure to do your research before you venture in.