✏️ 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 North Carolinians 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 the Tar Heel State. Here are our rankings:
🏅 7 Best Real Estate Sites in North Carolina
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- Redfin: Best Tech-Enabled Brokerage
- Realtor: Most Accurate Data
- Zillow: A Huge Database
- Century 21: Brand Recognition
- EZ Home Search: Best For Local Market
- Realty Trac: Largest Database Of Foreclosed Properties
Reviews: Best Real Estate Websites in North Carolina
1. Houzeo
MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo 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 North Carolina’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 North Carolina, the Bronze package costs $0. The Silver package costs $0 and the Gold package costs $0 . The Platinum package costs $0 .
📞 Need Help? Schedule a FREE Consultation
A Houzeo expert can answer all your questions regarding our packages.
Book a FREE Call
2. Redfin
BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE
Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price4.2/5
Redfin does not disclose its pricing on its website. Sellers will have to pay common closing costs.
- It offers 0.5% buyer’s rebate. To avail this, you’ll have to buy and sell with them.
👉 Our Take: Redfin offers 1 rebate option but with a strict clause. While, other real estate companies are willing to offer a higher rebate.
» Redfin Reviews: The reality of the buyer’s rebate.
Here are some advantages of choosing Redfin:
- Advanced Technology: With 3D walkthroughs and 40+ filters to narrow down your search, the Redfin app makes it easy to find the right home from anywhere.
- Paired With Local Agents: Local agents know their market better. This can help you secure a good deal.
- Home Tour: You can see updated listings every 5 minutes on their website. You can also schedule a home tour for the same day.
- Nationwide Coverage: Redfin covers 80+ markets in the US.
Here are some limitations we found with Redfin.
- Strict Rebate Criteria: Clients who sell and buy with Redfin within one year get a rebate of 0.5%.
- No Freedom in Agent Selection: You get an agent assigned automatically without having a choice in the matter.
- Agents Are Less Incentivized: Unlike traditional agents who work for commission, Redfin agents get a fixed salary. This can demotivate them from offering you additional services.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Customers have complained that agents are often unreachable and unprofessional.
Redfin has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 60+ reviews on Google.
» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of the 1% Fees, Pros, Cons, and Alternatives!
Redfin is one of the largest discount brokerages in the US. David Eraker, David Selinger, and Michael Dougherty founded the company in 2004. Since 2017, Redfin has been a publicly traded company.
Redfin offers great services at lower rates. It operates nationwide through its network of agents. You will be paired with a local agent if you choose to use Redfin’s services. However, you don’t have the privilege to select a specific one.
3. Realtor
Verified Listing
Based in California1.6/5
Realtor.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). It was a closed network providing proprietary information to members of the NAR. It also has a lot of statistical data as it sources listings from 800 regional MLS systems.
Although Realtor.com has an easy-to-use interface, most of its process is offline which can delay your listing on the MLS.
4. Zillow
Extensive Property Data
Free FSBO Listing1.5/5
Zillow 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.
5. Century 21
💫Brand Recognition
3% - 6% Commission1/5
Century 21 is one of the world’s largest real estate brokerage firms. It operates in every U.S. state and in 82 other countries.
Pricing is not disclosed on the website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Century21 to first-time home seller. Along with listing, you will get access to contract reviews, offer management, closing, and a lot more.
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.
Century 21 has an average rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Consumer Affairs.
Century 21 was founded in the year 1971. The company operates in every U.S. State and 82 other countries.
With 14,000 independent franchises, It is one of the world’s largest real estate brokerage firms. However, many customers have reported delayed services and high agent fees.
6. EZHomeSearch.com
BEST FOR LOCAL MARKET
3% - 6% Commission5/5
EZHome Search does not disclose the pricing on its website. This means you might end up paying the traditional 3% to 6% commission.
The fees for their services may vary depending on the type and complexity of the transaction, the location and market conditions, and the negotiation between the parties involved.
👉Our Take: EZHome Search is a legitimate real estate company that offers a variety of services to its clients. However, the traditional agent commission can drain your wallet.
Here’s why you can consider listing with EZ HomeSearch:
- User-Friendly Website: EZ HomeSearch website allows users to search for properties. it also comes with various filters such as location, price, size, type, and more.
- Network of Trusted Agents: They have a pool of trusted professionals. They can offer personalized advice and support to you.
- Calculator: It provides a home valuation calculator for evaluating your home sell price.
Here are some common issues we found while going through EZ HomeSearch Website:
- Fewer Services For Sellers: Apart from listing, EZ HomeSearch does not provide any other services to home sellers.
- Less Coverage: EZ HomeSearch only caters to southeast region. This includes states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia.
- Insufficient Reviews: We did not find sufficient reviews for EZ HomeSearch.
EZ HomeSearch has a 5 out of 5 stars rating from 1 user on bbb.org.
EZ HomeSearch was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are partnered with local brokerages to offer up-to-date listings that match your preference.
However, they are not available in other regions outside Southeast of the U.S.
7. RealtyTrac
Largest Database of Foreclosed Properties
Foreclosure, auction, and bank-owned properties4/5
RealtyTrac offers 2 types of membership.
- Free Membership: You will have full access for a 30-day trial period.
- Paid Premium Plan: This plan is for $99 for 30 days. It will give you full access. If you choose not to cancel, you will be charged $49.60 per month.
👉 Our Take: RealtyTrac can be a good option if you are looking for foreclosed properties. However, there is no clarity about services under each plan.
Here are some advantages of RealtyTrac.
- Affordable Properties: As a buyer, you get these properties for less. Banks sell these properties to quickly recoup their losses.
- Off-Market Properties: You can also get off-market deals on bank-owned homes and pre-foreclosure properties.
- Background Check: RealtyTrac helps you reduces the possibility of existing liens or unpaid taxes.
- Accurate Information: RealtyTrac keeps you updated with current information about foreclosed properties, upcoming auctions, and more.
- Subscription-Based Model: RealtyTrac provides access to listings and an opportunity to participate in auctions.
Here are some major deal breakers with RealtyTrac:
- Fewer Features in the Free Plan: Unpaid subscribers do not get access to detailed property information.
- Limited Options: RealtyTrac sells only foreclosed and distressed homes.
- No Mobile App: RealtyTrac does not provide any mobile application for users.
RealtyTrac has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 50+ users on Consumer Affairs.
RealtyTrac is the only major real estate website to offer foreclosure, auction, bank-owned, FSBO, and resale properties. It is based out of Boca Raton, Florida, and covers 90% of U.S. households.
RealtyTrac is a one-stop shop for home buyers and agents for the most trusted listings. However, they only sell foreclosed and distressed homes.
Types of Real Estate Websites in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
You can choose the best real estate websites in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Houzeo.com is the #1 real estate website in North Carolina 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 the list to close 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 list your property, manage showings, compare offers, and even counter an offer.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best real estate websites in North Carolina?
Houzeo, Redfin and Realtor are the top contenders for best real estate websites in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina.
Are real estate websites safe in North Carolina?
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.
