The 5 Best House Buying Websites in 2023
Before you can buy your dream home, you need to find it. But where should you look? We’ve compiled a list of the best home buying websites so you can quickly find ALL the houses for sale in your area and get a jumpstart on your search.
From the best house buying websites like Zillow and Realtor.com to the top websites for real estate knowledge like Clever, our list gives you the tools and information you need to navigate every step of your home buying journey.
Ready to start house hunting? We can match you with the best realtors in your area. And, on eligible purchases, you could also earn a cash-back refund that saves you thousands when you buy your dream home!
1. Zillow
Zillow is the most popular real estate site and app slot bonus new member out there. It’s an incredibly easy, free way to search for property listings in a given area — and also offers some additional built-in benefits.
Buyers can filter homes by location, price, home type, features, and more. You’ll get an estimate of monthly costs, including mortgage fees, insurance, and property taxes. Zillow also provides neighborhood info, like local schools, commute times, and walkability scores.
If there’s a property you have your eye on, you can receive push notifications through the app for updates on the local market. You also have the option to connect with mortgage professionals through their online network of lenders.
In addition to the list price, Zillow features a “Zestimate” — a proprietary estimate of a home’s true value, based on recent sales and appreciation in that area.
2. Realtor.com
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Realtor.com is another one of the best house hunting websites. Like Zillow, it lets you research homes on the market in your area.
What sets Realtor.com apart is its attention to detailed statistics and data. You’ll find highly accurate data on home values, the neighborhood’s and region’s housing market forecast, information on the best schools and businesses in the area, as well as crime rates and commute times.
This real estate website also offers additional support and tips about how to buy a home, calculate your mortgage payments, and determine how much home you can actually afford.
However, Realtor.com has one noticeable drawback. Its home search tool only shows homes that are listed on the multiple listing service (MLS), so it may not show houses that are “for sale by owner” (FSBO).
3. Clever Real Estate
Clever also offers a free service that connects home buyers like you with the best real estate agents in your area. Clever’s partner agents come from top companies like Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and RE/MAX, so you can be confident you’ll find the right agent to guide you on your home buying journey.
By working with a Clever agent, you’ll get instant MLS alerts, on-demand showings, and an expert negotiator to help you craft a winning offer.
The best part? You could save thousands through Clever Cash Back. On qualifying purchases, you’ll earn a cash-back refund back in your pocket after closing. Find out how much you can save on
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4. Trulia
Like other popular home browsing tools, Trulia can help you find and compare homes easily. You can search for homes based on a variety of factors, including number of bedrooms, price range, type of home, and more. The website and app are simple to navigate and give you a general overview of the surrounding neighborhood and other properties in the area.
One unique and helpful tool Trulia offers is an interactive map feature where you can learn more about the neighborhood. For instance, when you click on the “crime filter” you can see where crime is highest or lowest in a given area.
5. Redfin
Redfin is a real estate brokerage with licensed agents, but it’s best known for its popular house hunting website.
✍️ Editor’s noteRedfin’s home search tool only works in areas where you can buy or sell with a Redfin agent. If you live outside Redfin’s service area, your best bet is to browse homes on websites like Zillow and Realtor.com.
For the most part, you’ll find the same homes on Redfin as other similar house websites, but Redfin also includes a couple extra useful features. For example, each listing includes a “Redfin Compete Score,” which gives you an idea of whether homes in the neighborhood are selling above or below their list price. If there’s a neighborhood you’re interested in, you can receive push notifications through the app with updates about new listings on the market.