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6 min read Aug 05, 2024

7 Best Property Search Websites in America (2024 Updates)

✏️ 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.

It is commonly believed that a real estate agent is the most common way to find a home. However, a recent NAR report shows that 47% of home buyers looked at properties online first.

As a home buyer, you need a website that can give you access to thousands of listings, advanced search filters, and stellar customer support.

A good property search website can steer your way through these choppy waters and give you smooth and hassle-free real estate transactions.

We’ve spent thousands of hours researching and reviewing the best property search websites in America. Here are our rankings:

Rankings: Best Property Search Websites Updates of 2024

🏅 Rankings: Best Property Search Websites

  1. Houzeo: Best Technology
  2. Zillow: Biggest Database
  3. Realtor: Accurate Database
  4. Redfin: Best Discount Brokerage
  5. Trulia: Best Mobile App for Homebuyers
  6. Craigslist: Biggest Classified
  7. Homefinder.com: Best Home Browsing Features

Reviews: Best Property Search Websites For Property Search

1. Houzeo.com

MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Houzeo.com
Houzeo Logo
  • Listing Fee: $399
  • 5 Stars 4.9/5 (10,000+ reviews)

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 the #1 for sale by owner website. It provides the best combination of maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, and listing exposure.

Houzeo’s Bronze package is priced at $329. The Silver package costs $399, and the Gold package costs $379 + 0.5% (Minimum $999) at closing. The full-service Platinum package costs $349 + 1% (Minimum $999) at closing.

2. Zillow.com

Extensive Property Data

Zillow
Zillow
  • Free FSBO Listing
  • 1.5 Star  1.5/5 (300+ reviews)

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 the most popular real estate website in America. It extracts the data from top MLS platforms and assists buyers and agents to view the listings directly on the platform.

Sites like Zillow provides an on-demand buying experience. However, Zillow has poor customer reviews and record-breaking debacles.

3. Realtor.com

Verified Listing

Realtor.com
Realtor Logo
  • Based in California
  • 1.5 Star 1.6/5 (1,000+ reviews)

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 has a lot of statistical data as it sources listings from 800 regional MLS systems. This information is updated regularly, making realtor.com the most accurate real estate database.

It is the official listing website of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, Realtor.com has manual and offline procedures which can be very complex and time-taking.

» Best Home Selling Websites: Check out our rankings of 2024’s best house selling websites.

4. Redfin.com

BEST TECH-ENABLED BROKERAGE

Redfin.com
redfin-logo-DRB
  • Listing Fee: 1% of Sale Price
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 4.25 stars 4.2/5 (60+ reviews)

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 America’s best discount real estate brokerage that specializes in home buying. It also offers a 0.5% refund if you sell and buy a house with Redfin within a year.

Redfin is a good option for anyone who wants to save as much money in the house-buying process as possible. But make sure to check the customer reviews first.

5. Trulia.com

Informative App

Trulia
trulia
  • Based in California
  • 3 Stars 3.2/5 (70+ reviews)

Trulia 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.

Trulia is a dynamic, powerful, and easy-to-use house hunting website. It offers the best home-buying features like a comprehensive map to narrow down your search based on price range, home style, number of bedrooms, and many more.

Trulia is Zillow’s subsidiary that aims to be the one-stop solution for all home buyers. However, it does not provide FSBO listings.

» Best Home Buying Websites: Check out our rankings of 2024’s best house hunting websites.

6. Craigslist

BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS

Craigslist
Craiglist Logo
  • Listing Fee: $0
  • Available in 80+ U.S. Markets
  • 1.5 Star 1.4/5 (300+ reviews)
  • FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0
  • User-Friendly Website
  • Free FSBO Listing
  • Good for Distressed Property
  • Huge Traffic
  • Lowball Offer
  • Scammers and Pranksters
  • Short Lifespan of Ads

Craigslist has a poor rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.

» How to Sell a House on Craigslist: Learn the step-by-step process of selling your home on Craigslist.

Craigslist is the biggest classifieds website in the U.S. In terms of traffic, it is the second most visited website with more than 140 million monthly visitors.

While Craigslist can give your listing decent exposure, it can also attract scammers and fraud cash house buyers. Hence, we recommend you request identification from anyone who makes an offer.

7. HomeFinder.com

Off-market Properties Available

HomeFinder
homefinder-logo
  • Based in California
  • 2.5 Stars  2.3/5 (10+ reviews)

HomeFinder is a popular real estate platform. It allows users to buy or rent properties. They provide various services for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.

Pricing is not disclosed on the website, this means you might end up paying the traditional  3% to 6% commission.

👉 Our Take: We recommend HomeFinder for its mobile application. This app allows you to save your searches and favorite listings.

Here are some advantages you should consider for choosing HomeFinder:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Their website is easy to navigate, with a relatively user-friendly interface.
  • Varieties of Properties: They have a huge database of properties, including both for-sale and rental listings. This means that you are likely to find a property that meets your needs.
  • Rent-to-Own Service: They provide a unique Rent-To-Own feature for unsettled people. They also provide foreclosed home services.
  • Mortgage Calculator: HomeFinder allows you to calculate your mortgage loan rates, interests, and payments.
  • Mobile App: They provide mobile application services to their customers.

Here are some red flags we found during our research:

  • Incomplete Data: Sometimes, property listings on HomeFinder.com may be incomplete or outdated.
  • Poor Customer Reviews: They have received poor reviews regarding negligent customer service.

HomeFinder.com has 2.3 out of 5-star ratings on Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.

Previously known as “homescape.com”, HomeFinder.com is one of the most popular real estate platforms in America.

Their user-friendly website is easy to navigate. However, they have mixed customer reviews that should be considered before working with them.

Types of Real Estate Websites

Types of Real Estate Websites
  • Home Selling Websites: Home-selling websites help home sellers list properties online. The best home-selling websites provide maximum exposure to the property and make the sale in a short time.
  • Home Buying Websites: Home buying sites help buyers search for properties online. Perfect house buying websites must provide efficient tools, adequate resources, and impressive features to work upon.
  • Best Rental Websites: Rental websites help you find rental properties. Some 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: Best MLS listing sites help you list your property online for free or for a small listing fee. These best real estate listing websites list on other MLS to provide greater exposure to the property. Check out the best Flat Fee real estate service provider in the US.
  • Best Real Estate Investor Websites​​: Websites for real estate investing help investors with property resources, price trends, and community forums on the best property sites.

Features of Best Property Websites

You can choose the best-selling websites based on these below factors:

  • Large Database: Best home search websites have millions of property databases. A large database exposes properties and helps compare prices with similar properties.
  • Advanced Search Option: Top property search websites have 10-20 filter search options for the listed property. This helps to narrow down the choice as well as search for a specific type of property.
  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Almost all real estate sites have a user-friendly interface and quick loading time. They also have their own app which is easier to use on the go.
  • Coverage: Best property search websites should have nationwide coverage. Many websites offer a comprehensive map and filter feature to make looking for information about the property easier.

Find Out The Best Property Search Real Estate Websites in America

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best real estate search websites in USA?

The best real estate search websites in the USA are: 1. Houzeo.com, 2. Zillow.com, and 3. Realtor.com

» Top Property Search Websites:: Check out the list of America's best property search websites in 2024.

Are property search websites accurate?

The accuracy of property search websites remains a challenge. Few websites have improved their accuracy by validating the information collected by them. Websites like Houzeo.com and Zillow.com are known for providing accurate details of property listings and their features.

Are there fees for property search websites?

Yes, almost all property search websites charge fees for their services. However, there are a few other websites that services for free.

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