A website is the most important tool in real estate transactions. They are the ideal place to look up properties for sale. They are also the perfect place to list real estate because it makes it easier for potential buyers to look for homes.
This article focuses on the popular realtor sites that will make it simpler to perform due diligence when scouting properties and even selling them. Let’s begin.
- Zillow
Zillow is touted to be one of the most popular realtor sites for both home buyers and sellers. While the website has the largest database of listed properties, it is much more than a platform for browsing listings
The website shows users the historical property values in an area and anticipated values by neighborhood. There are also volumes of “how-to” guides on home selling and buying. There is a comprehensive suite of mobile applications, making it easier for users to do their research in their comfort.
In June 2022, the website received around 334 Mn visits, with an average session time of 11:40 minutes.
For sellers who list their homes by themselves, Zillow offers access to its sales proceed calculator Zestimate, your property’s “estimated” value, tools to assist in setting the price, and local news fed.
Having said that, Zestimate is only as accurate as the information fed to the database.
- Realtor.com
In the list of popular realtor sites, Realtor.com needs mention. Affiliated with the National Association of Realtors, Realtor.com uses MLS listings that are sourced from nearly 580 regional databases. It is regarded as the gold standard for quality listings.
Its list of for-sale properties is very comprehensive and so is the suite of tools to make informed decisions. For instance, the website offers an overview of local markets such as the average price per square foot or the median sale price in the area to help home sellers make an estimate of what their house is worth.
Realtor.com’s dashboard enables homeowners to manage their homes by tracking its value over time, managing home improvements and scouting similar properties in the locality.
However, the website does not have an option to search “for sale by owner” listings as there is no option to list a home that way.
- Houzeo
Rated 4.9 out of 5, Houzeo is a flat fee MLS service provider. The tech-centric company is building cutting-edge solutions to simplify the home selling experience. Set up in 2017, Houzeo is disrupting the flat fee MLS model with its world-class technology to make real estate easy and breezy for homeowners.
Houzeo reviews suggest that the listing paperwork has been intuitively digitized on the platform. All Houzeo listings are syndicated with more than 200 local MLS’ and multiple real estate websites such as Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.
Houzeo reviews also mention that one can finish the listing formalities in just 60 minutes.
The company has four packages that come with basic to premium features. With the help of this flat fee, sellers can save thousands in real estate commissions.
- Redfin
Founded in 2004, this Seattle-based real estate company is also among the popular relator sites. It also charges sellers a small flat fee.
The realtor claims that its agents close three times more deals than an average broker, giving them the experience to help sell your property for top dollar.
As a seller, this can considerably add to your home equity by paying a low listing fee to sell for more in a hot market. You can also give potential buyers an online interactive view of your house, eliminating the need of in-person showings.
Your property is promoted via social media ads, email campaigns and premium placement across Redfin.com.
The company is constantly deepening its technology beyond the initial search to make the listing, home tour, escrow process etc a lot faster and hassle-free.
- Beycome
Beycome is another online brokerage firm making waves in the real estate industry. Based in Miami, the company is one of the pro-good features and low-cost platforms.
To sell with the company, sellers will have to submit a form that outlines your property details and set the sale price. Depending on the plan that you choose, you will get different levels of support. As a flat fee brokerage, the company helps you bypass the listing commission and list your property for a flat rate.
The listings get syndicated to different MLS’ and hundreds of other real estate websites. However, its premium package charges a 1% commission on sale in addition to a listing fee of $599, making it costly for the sellers.
- FSBO.com
Serving homeowners since 1997, FSBO.com is a popular realtor for “for sale by owner” sellers who want to sell their homes on their own. The company has two packaged offerings. The basic plan of $99.95 includes a six-month listing on FSBO.com, unlimited photos and a video upload.
The second plan, which costs $399.95 includes listing on the MLS and syndication to multiple other websites.
The company does not have a mobile app though and fewer search and sort criteria on the website.
Bottom Line
From flat-fee service providers and those that enable sellers to DIY their home sale to traditional brokerages, the types of real estate websites one can opt for abound. Use the one that is best for you after comparing their features and understanding your needs.
