According to statistics, most of today’s buyers discover their ideal home online. With the proliferation of online homebuying websites, it can be challenging to determine which one is trustworthy and which offers the most accurate and up-to-date information. Buying a home is one of the most critical investments, so finding the best websites for home buying is essential.
A practical home buying website should be user-friendly, informative, and exhaustive, offering a wide range of properties, helpful tools, resources, financing and mortgage information, and tips and advice for navigating the home buying process. They also must provide easy access to detailed information about each property, including photos, videos, virtual tours, and information about the neighborhood, local schools, and facilities.
This article explores the best 15 homebuying websites available, emphasizing their key features and benefits to help buyers make informed decisions and find their ideal home.
Table of Contents
Features of the Best Home Buying Websites
The best real estate websites provide various features and functionalities to assist users in quickly buying, selling, or renting properties. Here are some features that distinguish a real estate website from the competition:
- Provides a user-friendly interface and improves navigation for a better user experience.
- Ensures comprehensive and accurate property listings to assist buyers in making informed decisions.
- Offers advanced search options with detailed filters to help users find their desired properties quickly.
- Enhances the website with interactive maps and virtual tours of properties to give users a realistic view of the properties.
- Provides up-to-date market data and trends to inform users of the real estate market’s latest developments.
- Offers information on local schools, amenities, and neighborhoods to assist users in making the best choices based on their preferences.
- Makes real estate agents or brokers available for guidance and assistance to help users throughout the buying or selling process.
- Incorporates customer reviews and ratings of the website and its services to ensure continuous improvement.
- Provides mobile responsiveness and compatibility with different devices to allow users to access the website anywhere.
- Provides features such as mortgage calculators, home value estimators, and property alerts to give users a comprehensive experience.
Best Websites for Home Buying
Real estate websites receive a lot of monthly views because they benefit buyers and sellers. Potential buyers can spend a few hours perusing hundreds of listings without leaving their sofas. Homeowners also benefit from these websites since many buyers observe their properties.
The best websites for home buying offer a wide range of properties, update listings quickly and accurately with detailed information, and provide buyers and vendors with several tools to get the best data. To help you get started, here is our evaluation of various homebuying sites based on their search capabilities, customer service options, and overall pricing structures.
Overview of Top Home Buying Websites
| Websites | Highlighted features | Mobile App | Search Criteria |
 Zillow | Offers an extensive database of property listings Provides an estimated value of a home by Zestimate Connects users with local real estate agents through the Premier Agent program | Location, price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property type, square footage, lot size, year built, property features | |
 Realtor.com | Retrieves data from MLS Connects users with local real estate professionals Provides users with access to various real estate resources | Location, home value, best schools and businesses in the area, crime rates, commute times, square footage, years built | |
 Trulia | Offers a comprehensive database of property listings Provides users with interactive maps Suggests personalized home options for users based on their search history and preferences. | Crime statistics, travel times, neighboring schools, typical ages of the local population, house cost ratings, the locations of local shops and restaurants, property type, square footage | |
 Redfin | Offers a rebate program for buyers Provides discounts on selected houses to qualified buyers. Pulls data from MLS | Location, price, property details, schools, open house, tour, agent | |
 Homes.com | Allows buyers to compare homes in their area Offers Snap & search tool Offers a mortgage calculator app for Android | Location, lot size, parking, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, listing type, home features, price, heating and cooling system | |
 FSBO.com | Offers a package to list on MLS and syndicated real estate websites including Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor Connected with Foreclosure.com Is a DIY website | No mobile app | Location, minimum and maximum price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, foreclosure search |
 HomeFinder | Includes FSBO listings Offers categories such as “off market properties” and foreclosed homes Provides an interactive search tool | No mobile app | Foreclosures, rent to own house, home size, price, property type |
 Auction.com | Offers kists of bank-owned and foreclosed properties Provides a transparent bidding process Connects agents with buyers | Top foreclosure deals, bank-owned properties, location, number of beds and bathrooms, asset type, buying type, home condition | |
 Homesnap | Provides comprehensive home search Offers virtual home tours Includes real-time updates | Location Price range Property type Number of bedrooms Number of bathrooms Square footage Lot size Year built Days on market Open houses School district Amenities Accessibility features Foreclosure status | |
 ForSaleByOwner | Provides advertising tools, step-by-step guidelines, and 24/7 customer support Is a site for DIY sellers Offers services such as home valuation, property listing, and marketing tools | No mobile app | Property type, price, listing status, property size, year built |
 RealtyTrac | Offers information on distressed properties, foreclosures, and auctions Connects buyers with local real estate agents Offers unlimited saved search | Android | Off-market deals, bank-owned homes, pre-foreclosure properties, property status, online auction, recently sold properties, occupancy, lot size, year built |
 Facebook Marketplace | Offers various homes for buying or renting Is a great place for finding FSBO listings Is user-friendly | Location, home type, property status, price | |
 Craigslist | Offers local FSBO listings Is free to use Provides buying, renting and selling lists | Property type, home size, zip code, price | |
 LandWatch | Specializes in buying and selling rural properties Provides listings of various lands such as hunting land, farms, timberland, ranches Offers land ads | No mobile app | Location, price, parcel size, property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square feet, activities, availability, sale type |
 NeighborhoodScout | Generates lists according to factors like the school district and crime rate Matches people with the best communities and builds neighborhood profiles Offers a block-to-block level of granularity | No mobile app | A school district, crime rate, population, location |
Zillow
Zillow is a well-known homebuying website that offers many tools for finding the ideal house. It’s user-friendly, and its app is among the most widely used on Android and iOS. Many different types of homes are available on the website, and every listing has detailed information with images, videos, and virtual tours. Zillow offers homebuyers a wealth of resources like mortgage calculators, information on funding, and how-to guides for the homebuying process to help them make educated choices.
The Zillow app allows you to browse real estate listings, post your property for sale or rent, take virtual tours of houses with photos and videos if available, communicate with real estate agents and mortgage brokers, and save and recall results for later use.
One of the standout features of Zillow is its comprehensive neighborhood and community information. The website provides valuable information about local schools, facilities, and transportation choices, allowing buyers to assess the livability of a potential neighborhood.
Zillow limits homebuyers’ search by various factors, including location, price, home type, and features. Users can also set up notifications for new listings that fit their requirements on Zillow, ensuring they never miss out on any possible ideal house.
Zillow also provides a “Zestimate,” a particular estimation of a home’s true worth based on recent sales and development in that area. Zillow’s Premier Agent program connects home buyers and sellers with local real estate agents who are experts in their respective markets. This feature helps buyers and sellers find the right agent to help them with their real estate needs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide range of properties to choose from | Zestimate, Zillow’s home value estimator, needs to be more accurate. |
| User-friendly interface | Some listings may not be updated in real-time. |
| Supporting postings from MLS and non-MLS sources | Realtors and lenders pay the site for leads. |
| Detailed information and tools to help buyers make informed decisions | |
| Links to obtain pre-approved financing | |
| Comprehensive neighborhood and community information | |
| Numerous guides about buying and selling a house |
Realtor.com
Realtor.com is one of the best websites for home buying that provides comprehensive information about each property, including pictures, videos, and virtual tours, and compares area factors such as pollution levels. The site updates all listings in real-time and offers valuable tools and resources to assist buyers in making educated choices, such as mortgage calculators and funding information.
Realtor.com retrieves data directly from Multiple Listing Services (MLS), ensuring that all listings are accurate and up-to-date. It is user-friendly and offers detailed area and community information, such as local school evaluations, crime rates, and facilities. The app and website are free to buyers and renters, and users can set up notifications for new listings and price decreases.| Pros | Cons |
| Accurate and up-to-date information extracted directly from MLS | No option to search “for sale by owner” listings |
| Comprehensive neighborhood and community information | No option for homeowners to list their homes |
| Ability to set up notifications for new listings and price decreases | The application can be glitchy |
| Facilitated search for properties located in specific districts | Limited search options and filters compared to some other sites |
| Links for buyers to pre-qualified funding and financial calculators | |
| Various properties to choose from |
Trulia
Trulia is an all-inclusive website for home buying that makes it simple to discover and evaluate properties. This website allows you to find houses based on various criteria, such as desired location, price range, number of bedrooms, and more.
The website and mobile app are user-friendly, providing a high-level view of the neighborhood and the available homes for sale or rent. You can narrow your search by using categories to discover homes that match your particular requirements, such as area, price range, and preferred features.
Trulia has several useful tools, including a map feature where you can apply criteria to learn more about the area, crime statistics, travel times, neighboring schools, typical ages of the local population, house cost ratings, and the locations of local shops and restaurants.
| Pros | Cons |
| Details about particular neighborhoods | No value estimates for available properties |
| Customized alerts based on your criteria | Required login or registration to save search criteria |
| User-friendly website and app | Homeowners can’t list their houses for sale |
| The app includes resources for pre-qualified funding and financial calculators | Monthly payment estimates are frequently incorrect |
| Wide range of up-to-date listings |
Redfin
Redfin is a well-known real estate homebuying website with certified real estate agents who can assist you in buying or selling a property. It is a discount real estate agency with additional features, such as the “Redfin Compete Score,” indicating whether houses in the area sell above or below their advertised price.
This website provides search filters and monthly payment calculators; its app makes it simple to find the ideal home from anywhere. Redfin offers a variety of listings with comprehensive information, including photos and 3D walkthroughs. The website updates its listings every five minutes, so you’ll be informed when the perfect house becomes available.
| Pros | Cons |
| Listings refresh every five minutes | FSBO (for sale by owner) sellers cannot post their listings |
| Discount for services | Displays listings in areas where the company has in-house agents |
| Data is pulled directly from the MLS |
Homes.com
Homes.com is a property search platform that uses data from the MLS and other real estate portals. It provides buyers with newly listed houses, condos, the most viewed properties, houses with reduced prices, luxury residences, and open houses. Its user-friendly interface lets buyers compare homes in their area and view how the property’s value has varied. They can use this to learn more about recent home price increases in their area and to forecast future home prices.
Homes.com has a unique and helpful function called Snap & Search. With Snap & Search, you can easily snap a photo of a house you like, and the website will find nearby properties with the same features and design. It also provides real estate agents and brokers with various advertising materials and online marketing services to broaden their reach to potential homebuyers and sellers. Homes.com connects consumers directly to the listing agents most familiar with the property.
| Pros | Cons |
| Listings refresh every five minutes | FSBO (for sale by owner) sellers cannot post their listings |
| Discount for services | Displays listings in areas where the company has in-house agents |
| Data is pulled directly from the MLS |
FSBO.com
If you’re looking for a website that connects you directly to sellers, FSBO.com is an excellent option. It focuses on “For Sale By Owner” listings, in which property owners advertise their houses for sale without using a real estate agent. Advertisements can include pictures, videos, descriptions, and title lines like “Reduced” and “Must Sell” to entice potential purchasers. Additionally, they can add Open House dates to their listing with the enhanced Open House function.
One of the main advantages of FSBO.com for buyers is the ability to save money on commission fees. Since the website connects buyers directly with homeowners, there is no need to pay a commission to a real estate agent, which can save thousands of dollars in closing costs. Additionally, FSBO.com provides a wide selection of properties with detailed descriptions and photos, which can help buyers to find the perfect home that fits their budget and needs. The website also offers resources and tools such as home value estimators, mortgage calculators, and legal forms that can simplify buying and provide additional savings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost Savings | No mobile app |
| Direct Communication between the seller and buyer | Limited filtering and ordering criteria |
| Simple MLS entry and real estate website sharing pricing | Fewer property details than conventional broker sites |
| Connected with Foreclosure.com |
HomeFinder
HomeFinder has a variety of fascinating categories, such as “off-market” homes, and millions of postings to help homebuyers, sellers, tenants, and landlords achieve their real estate goals while also focusing on making the discovery process easier for the customer.
It works similarly to Zillow or Trulia and offers a live search engine that sorts for the price, size, geographical area, and property type to link you with the appropriate house in all 50 states. One of the main advantages of using HomeFinder for buyers is the comprehensive and detailed property listings available on the website. Also, HomeFinder’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for buyers to navigate the website and access the information they need quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive and detailed property listings | Users may receive emails and notifications from HomeFinder, which can be overwhelming for some. |
| Simple and user-friendly website and tool | Limited access to properties listed exclusively with agents |
| Advanced search options |
Auction.com
Auction.com is a repository for bank-owned and foreclosed homes. To rapidly sell properties, it offers buyers access to the biggest and most renowned sale programs, an extensive marketing network, and data information and insights. One of the main advantages of Auction.com for buyers is the ability to purchase properties at below-market prices through the auction process.
This website offers a wide selection of properties, including residential, commercial, and industrial real estate, as well as land and foreclosure properties. It also provides detailed information on each property, including photographs, property descriptions, and auction details, allowing buyers to research and evaluate properties before bidding.
It provides a transparent bidding process letting buyers view the current maximum suggestion and place bids. Most items on Auction.com have a set minimum price; if no offer reaches or surpasses that price, the sale will conclude without a customer. Also, if a property generates great interest, a bidding conflict can frequently drive the price significantly. Auction.com specializes in housing, communities, and veterans looking for the best investment in residential bank-owned, short-sale, foreclosed, and rental properties. Using digital and smartphone technology makes the accessibility and visibility of properties on this site more straightforward, and buyers can set notifications to check new listings.| Pros | Cons |
| Transparent bidding process | Competitive auction process |
| Wide selection of properties with detailed information | Limited access to inspection before purchase |
| Mobile app | |
| Potential to purchase properties at below-market prices |
Homesnap
The platform offers a range of features, including a comprehensive home search experience, virtual home tours, and the ability to take a photo of any home in the U.S. to access information about the property instantly. With Homesnap, users can browse millions of homes for sale, save their favorite properties, and even schedule home tours directly through its app.
One of the unique features of Homesnap is its ability to provide users with valuable information about the local real estate market. With access to current home values and recent sales data, users can make informed decisions about buying a home. Additionally, Homesnap offers a mortgage calculator and the ability to connect with local real estate agents, making it a one-stop shop for all your home buying needs.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface in the mobile app | The app tends to promote the listing agent rather than the user |
| Safety Timer feature for added security during property visits | |
| Mortgage calculator |
ForSaleByOwner.com
ForSaleByOwner.com is a hub for those who want to buy the house directly from the owner. One of the main advantages of this website for buyers is the potential cost savings, as there are no commission fees to pay to a real estate agent.
Additionally, the website offers a variety of resources and tools for buyers, including mortgage calculators, home value estimators, and home buying guides. However, since this site is designed for DIY sellers, if the seller has overvalued their property, your banker will likely only accept your mortgage for the appraised value, which may create problems during closure.
| Pros | Cons |
| Potential cost savings | Fewer listings than other sites |
| Resources and tools for buyers | |
| Direct communication between the buyer and seller |
RealtyTrac
RealtyTrac is one of the best websites for home buying and an online marketplace that provides access to foreclosed and defaulted properties throughout the United States. The website gives users access to property data, statistics, and foreclosure listings to help them make educated real estate investment and buying choices.
Customers who want access to foreclosure addresses, loan records, and sale times and places ought to buy the subscription service; Afterward, they can get great discounts by browsing foreclosures. The houses at a foreclosure sale are typically sold for a fraction of their original purchase price, the amount still owed on the mortgage. However, remember that the total cost is usually expected to be given in cash at the time of purchase.| Pros | Cons |
| Access to a large database of foreclosure properties | Expensive services requiring subscription |
| Customizable search options, including location, property type, and price range. | |
| Competitive process | |
| Resources and tools for buyers | |
| Foreclosure trends and market analysis reports |
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is an online platform that allows users to look for properties to buy or rent. It is an option for traditional real estate websites, and it can be a quick and easy method to discover homes in particular areas.
Facebook Marketplace provides a user-friendly interface that is simple to navigate. That is one of its primary advantages. Additionally, it is a great place to find FSBO listings and undeveloped land. The site is Facebook-connected, and users can quickly narrow their search based on criteria like location and price.| Pros | Cons |
| Simple interface | Limited information on some properties |
| Offering nearby options | |
| Ability to directly contact property owners or agents through the Facebook Messenger app | |
| Easily filtering search results |
Craigslist
Craigslist is a website that features local classified ads and forums for various topics, including housing. It’s a marketplace for buying, selling, and renting homes and other real estate and a wide selection of postings for residential buildings, single-family homes, and business spaces.
It is an easy and handy tool for anyone seeking to promote or discover real estate. One of the primary advantages of using Craigslist for real estate is that it is free to use, which can significantly benefit those seeking to reduce advertising expenses.
One of the main issues of using Craigslist is the absence of authentication and security measures, which can make determining the validity of postings difficult. There is also the possibility of fraud and scams, which can be a primary concern for buyers and sellers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use | Lack of verification and security measures |
| FSBO listings | |
| Ability to search for properties in a specific location |
LandWatch
LandWatch is an online platform and part of the Land.com network that specializes in buying and selling properties, such as farms, ranches, land, and other forms of rural real estate. Using this site, you can contact land buyers and get the most advertising for your property.
If you’re looking to build a new house, find a quarter-acre property in the suburbs, or an isolated mountain retreat, LandWatch is an excellent spot to start. The website provides listings from across the United States, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in investing in rural property.
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide variety of rural and agricultural properties | Charges fee for some features |
| Providing guides and reports for buyers | |
| Customizable search options |
NeighborhoodScout
NeighborhoodScout is the neighborhood search engine with the complete collection of hyper-local real estate info on the market today. Lists are organized according to factors like school district, crime rate, and population on this data-driven website that uses this information to find the best possible place for customers.
It matches individuals with the best communities and builds neighborhood profiles all over the United States they choose using a new and unique approach and proprietary methods. This website saves users a lot of time by quickly narrowing down their options to only those properties that fit their particular requirements.| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive and detailed information on neighborhoods | Some features are only available for paid subscription |
| Up-to-date and personalized information | |
| Providing community profiles, housing market trends, and investment analysis |
Final Word
Buying a house can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience, but luckily, the internet has made it easier than ever to find your dream home. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, countless websites can help you find the perfect property. From the user-friendly Zillow to the rural-focused LandWatch, there are options for every buyer. These websites make it easy for home buyers to browse properties, learn about neighborhoods, and connect with real estate professionals. By exploring different websites and using the tools and resources available, home buyers can make informed decisions about their home purchase and find the right property.
FAQ
It’s difficult to determine which home selling site is the most accurate as each site has its methods and sources for collecting and presenting data. However, reputable real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com use multiple listing services (MLS) to access up-to-date and accurate information on homes for sale. These sites also have a large user base, which helps to ensure that listings are current and reliable. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to use multiple websites when searching for a home to get a well-rounded view of the market and ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
Many great apps are available for home buying, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s always a good idea to try a few different options to find the one that works best for you. Here are the most popular ones:
- Zillow: Offers a range of features for home buyers, including access to millions of homes for sale or rent, 3D home tours, and a user-friendly interface for customizing your search.
- Redfin: Provides comprehensive home search experience, including access to MLS data, virtual home tours, and the ability to schedule home tours directly through the app.
- Realtor.com: It’s a user-friendly app that offers a range of features, including search filters for specific amenities, neighborhood information, and alerts for new listings that meet your criteria.
- Homesnap: This is a unique app that allows users to take a photo of any home in the U.S. to instantly access information about the property, including its value, ownership history, and more.
- Trulia: Offers a variety of features for home buyers, including customized search filters, neighborhood information, and alerts for new listings. The app also includes a mortgage calculator and the ability to connect with local real estate agents.
