Whether it’s buying a first home, downsizing or searching for a home to better meet a changing lifestyle, using real estate apps and websites to aid in the search makes the process easier for buyers. Many real estate apps and websites offer similar features such as comparing homes, checking out local neighborhoods and schools and giving a mortgage estimate. With so many search options, it’s hard to know which ones to use.

All of the apps and websites listed below allow potential home buyers to search within the same parameters, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, acreage, price, etc. What sets each site, or app, apart is how often their data is updated, ease-of-use and how an agent is contacted about a property. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular real estate websites and apps to assist home buyers in their journey. 

1. Zillow – Zillow is one of the most well-known real estate platforms in the world. Their website and app provide millions of property listings for sale and rent, and can recommend homes based on previous browsing history. While the information on Zillow is updated regularly, it does not happen in real-time, which means, if a property goes pending in the morning, it may not show that status until 24 to 48 hours later. 

   One Zillow feature many home sellers like is the “Zestimate.” This is the approximate value Zillow places on a home; however, the “Zestimate” should be viewed with caution because it does not take into consideration the most recent sales of comparative properties and the location, among other variables. Often, “Zestimates” are inflated and do not accurately represent how much a home could realistically sell for.

2. Realtor.com – Trusted by Realtors, Realtor.com is another popular go-to for home buyers. This platform updates more often than some of its competitors, giving home buyers more accurate data and search results. For home sellers, the site also provides a property’s estimated value. This estimate is more closely aligned with what a Realtor would suggest, but it’s highly recommended to speak with a licensed Realtor about home pricing and not only accepting the recommendations from websites. 
3. Homes.com – Many people have heard of this platform recently due to their Super Bowl commercials. The platforms operate similarly to the previous ones described and is constantly adding new features to make the app and website more user-friendly. But, the biggest difference is how a property’s Realtor receives leads from prospective buyers. Other sites may sell leads to other agents, but Homes.com will send possible leads to the listing agent, which is a great benefit to Realtors and home sellers. Properties listed here are updated within 24 hours.
   
   
4. RealScout App – While this app may not be the first one someone downloads when looking for a home, it should be considered. Most major real estate companies use this app to add and update listings, which makes it one of the first sources to receive the most recent real estate data for properties, including new listings, pending sales, updated pricing and more. What sets this app apart from others is its ability to allow home buyers to collaborate with their Realtor. Potential buyers can rate homes as they’re scrolling through them, request their Realtor to set up showings on certain properties and compare multiple homes’ features (bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.). The only way to access the vast database within RealScout is through a link from a licensed Realtor, so this is most suitable for buyers who are ready to start the process versus casual browsing. 

There are several other popular real estate apps and websites that offer similar interfaces and services to the ones described above. When considering which one to use for a home search consider how often the data is updated and whether or not it is displaying all available properties. It’s always important for home buyers to remember to get pre-approved before starting the home-buying process and to speak with a Realtor about what features are preferred in a new home.