About 47% of Alabamians searched for properties online. 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 Cotton State. Here are our rankings:
🏅 7 Best Real Estate Sites in Alabama
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- Trulia: Best Mobile App
- Realtor.com: Most Accurate Database
- Zillow: Biggest Database
- RE/MAX: Good Exposure
- Auction.com: Foreclosed Properties
- Homes.com: Online Home Buying Site
Reviews: Best Alabama Real Estate Websites of 2023
1. Houzeo
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 Alabama’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 Alabama, 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.
📞 Need Help? Schedule a FREE Consultation
A Houzeo expert can answer all your questions regarding our packages.
Book a FREE Call
2. Trulia
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.
In 2015, Zillow acquired Trulia. As a result, Zillow and Trulia combined have a vast database of properties. Trulia differentiates itself by providing information based on user feedback.
Trulia’s database has detailed listing information such as neighborhood insights, crime rates, estimated monthly living costs, and other details. Additionally, it offers both agent and FSBO listings on its website.
3. Realtor.com
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
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. RE/MAX
RE/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.
RE/MAX also offer specialized tools and programs to luxury and commercial real estate professionals. However, the company has received a number of negative reviews from previous customers.
6. Auction.com
Auction.com is an online auction marketplace for residential bank-owned, foreclosure, and short-sale properties.
- Buyer’s Premium: With Autcion.com, you pay a service charge of 5%. If you don’t wish to pay a percentage, you can also pay a premium of $2,500.
👉 Our Take: Auction.com is a valuable resource for buyers and sellers of distressed properties. They offer a wide range of features to streamline the auction process.
» How Does Auction.com Work? Click here to know the step by step process of Auction.com.
Here are some advantages of Auction.com.
- Online Auction: With Auction.com, you get the convenience of joining an auction from anywhere.
- Bank-Owned Property Auctions: These are safer bets as these properties are owned by bank themselves. Auction.com has a provision for you to buy them.
- E-Auction Feature: Auction.com’s “Foreclosure Interact” tool, gives you real-time status updates of auction.
- Proxy Bidding: This feature allows users to place a bid before the auction officially begins.
- Nationwide Coverage: Auction.com covers all 50 states in the United States.
Here are some disadvantages of Auction.com:
- Lack of Transparency: Auction.com doesn’t always provide comprehensive information about the properties on their platform. They lack critical property details and legal disclosures.
- Poor and Substandard Communication: Several customer reviews highlight problem with the customer support team regarding ineffective communication.
Auction.com has 2.4 out of 5 stars from 400+ users on Sitejabber.
» Auction.com Reviews: Find out whether Auction.com is an ideal place to buy or not.
Auction.com is an online marketplace for residential bank-owned, foreclosure, and short-sale properties. They allow users to place a bid before the auction officially begins.
Auction.com is primarily for buyers. It offers more than 13,000 investment homes that aren’t available on the local MLS. While it has a large inventory, property descriptions on its website may lack some crucial information.
7. Homes.com
Homes.com is free to use for homebuyers and renters. However, real estate agents can pay to advertise their listings on the website.
👉 Our Take: Homes.com is a valuable resource for homebuyers and renters. The website provides extensive property listings and tools for home searches.
Here are some advantages of choosing Homes.com:
- Extensive Listings: Homes.com aggregates listings from a various sources. This gives users access to a wide range of properties.
- Snap and Search Feature: It allows you to take snapshots of the home you like. Later, the app will match the snapshot with similar homes in your area.
- Advanced Search Filters: You can filter your search results based on various options, such as price, location, features, and amenities.
- Saved Searches: You can save your searches and receive email alerts when new listings that meet your criteria are added to the website.
- User-friendly Interface: The website is easy to use and navigate, even for first-time homebuyers.
Here are some red flags of Homes.com:
- Sells Leads: Homes.com sells home buyer and seller contact info to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders.
- Listing Accuracy: Homes.com aggregates listings from multiple sources, potentially leading to inaccuracies or outdated information.
- Limited Agent’s Information: It does not provide direct contact information of listing agents. Instead, users have to submit a contact form through the website.
Homes.com has a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 100+ users on Trustpilot.
Homes.com was founded in 1999. The company is located in Richmond, Virginia. It covers all the 51 states of the U.S.
Homes.com offers over a million listings, which attracts a large number of homebuyers. Since the company gathers listings from multiple places, you may find some outdated information.
Types of Real Estate Websites in Alabama
Real estate websites in Alabama 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 Alabama?
You can choose the best real estate websites in Alabama 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 Alabama?
Houzeo.com is the #1 real estate website in Alabama for:
- Max Exposure: It gives you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate 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 Alabama?
Houzeo, Trulia and Realtor are the top contenders for best real estate websites in Alabama. 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 Alabama?
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 Alabama.
Are real estate websites safe in Alabama?
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.