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he best real estate websites offer a range of features, including free and informative housing listings, mobile capabilities, easy-to-use interfaces, and valuable consumer education. Our research identified Zillow as the top overall real estate website, while Realtor.com excelled in international listings, and Trulia stood out for its mobile app. For those seeking foreclosures, Foreclosure.com is a top choice, while Apartments.com is ideal for renters. FSBO.com is the best option for consumers looking to buy directly from owners.
The US housing market remains challenging, with high mortgage rates and a shortage of available homes. With over 4.5 million homes in short supply, buyers need reliable resources to find their dream home. Our list highlights the top real estate websites for various needs, including international listings, mobile experiences, foreclosures, rentals, and FSBO listings.
Zillow tops our list as the best overall real estate website due to its extensive property catalog, which includes over 165 million listings in the US and Canada. The site offers a clean interface, accurate dwelling details, and valuable educational resources. While it lacks international listings outside of Canada and commercial properties, Zillow's comprehensive database makes it an excellent choice for buyers.
Realtor.com excels in international listings, offering a wide range of properties across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The site features a simple interface, news and research resources, and educational content. However, it has limited real estate listings compared to other sites and lacks commercial listings.
Trulia stands out for its mobile app experience, providing a sleek and intuitive design that allows users to browse available properties on their phones. The app offers interactive maps, 3D tours, and personalized alerts for new listings. While Trulia lacks educational resources and commercial listings, its mobile capabilities make it an excellent choice for buyers.
Foreclosure.com is the best website for those seeking foreclosed homes, with over 1,170,000 listings in its database. The site offers a seven-day free trial and provides access to distressed properties before they hit the wider market. However, users must pay for premium services, and the site lacks virtual viewing capabilities.
Apartments.com is ideal for renters, offering a comprehensive listing of rental properties across the US and Canada. The site updates its listings within one to two hours, providing accurate information on available rentals. While it lacks international listings outside of Canada and charges for rental applications, Apartments.com remains a top choice for renters.
FSBO.com excels in assisting independent property owners with selling their real estate without agents. The site offers convenient services, including unlimited photos and video uploads, but packages can be expensive. FSBO.com supports various property types, including farms and timeshares, but lacks educational resources and interactive features.
Our research team at Investopedia analyzed 14 top real estate websites, collecting data on 22 essential criteria to identify the best platforms for buyers, sellers, and renters. We assigned weights to each category, including amenities, management fees, pricing, education, and customer support. Based on our findings, we recommend Zillow as the best overall real estate website, Realtor.com for international listings, Trulia for mobile apps, Foreclosure.com for foreclosures, Apartments.com for rentals, and FSBO.com for FSBO listings.
