Real Estate Investing Resources: 6 Best Zillow Alternatives to Use

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Any real estate investor knows Zillow is a go-to source for finding properties on the market. Moreover, Zillow acquired Trulia in 2015, which resulted in Zillow becoming the most prominent online real estate resource in the United States.

But did you know that there are other alternatives out there that can offer you more benefits?

They're just as easy and free to use as well!

In this article, we'll show you the best alternatives to Zillow and highlight the differences that will give you more advantages as a real estate investor. Read on to expand your investment knowledge.

1. Redfin: Full-Service Brokerage Services

Redfin is a national real estate brokerage company that offers its own website with many of the same features as Zillow and other leading real estate websites. It also claims to update its data every five minutes—which is quite impressive.

But one key advantage of using Redfin is that it offers full-service brokerage services in addition to its already-comprehensive website. This means that if you find a property you're interested in through their website, you can work with a Redfin agent to help you through the purchasing process.

2. Homesnap: Mobile App Convenience

Homesnap is a newer real estate website that's gaining popularity among investors and homebuyers. One of the main reasons for its growing popularity is that it offers a mobile app that allows users to easily take photos of properties and get detailed information about them instantly.

This can be extremely helpful when you're out looking at properties and want to quickly gather information about them without going back to your computer. The app even works on unlisted homes, condominiums, apartments, and off-market properties. Plus, Homesnap's property listings are provided by MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data, which is more accurate and updated than what you'll find on Zillow.

3. Realtor.com: Connecting with Realtors

Realtor.com is another online real estate website, but one that is owned by News Corp. The site is simpler and isn’t as robust as leading real estate websites like Zillow, but it’s connected to the MLS with the most current market listings—making it a good place to start your property search.

Key differences from Zillow include information on local schools and neighborhoods, and home value estimates (called the "Listing Price") that are more accurate than Zillow's "Zestimate". The site also has a texting option where you can connect with real estate professionals directly and a pricing feature to know how specific property features (e.g., garage or a number of rooms) affect the cost.

Here’s our pro tip: Once you find a home listing, you can have a blended strategy where you review the property on Redfin and Homesnap, then contact the Realtor via this website immediately.

4. FSBO.com: No Agent, Just Motivated Sellers

FSBO.com stands for "For Sale By Owner" and is a website that helps people sell their homes without using a real estate agent. While you can find properties listed on FSBO.com from all over the country, the site is particularly popular in areas where the real estate market is slow and there are a lot of "motivated sellers" (i.e., people who are willing to sell their homes for less than what they could get via an agent).

If you're looking for property deals, FSBO.com is definitely worth checking out. However, it's important to remember that you'll be dealing directly with the seller (without the help of a real estate agent), so it's important to be cautious and do your due diligence before making an offer on a property.

5. Foreclosure.com: Pre-Market Properties

Foreclosure.com is a website that focuses on foreclosed homes and allows you to search in multiple ways. For example, you can look for “cheap homes” nationwide, where Foreclosure.com will provide estimated potential profit on the property and other details. You can also search for rent-to-own and city-owned homes, if you so choose.

Foreclosure.com is an excellent place for property searching. Still, you’ll be dealing with distressed sellers (and possibly paying more than the property is worth), so you’ll still have to do your due diligence before making any offer on a property you find on the site.

6. Other Zillow Alternatives

Aside from the general Zillow alternatives we’ve listed above, here are some other specific options:

• for investors in California that offers listing and services to users
•  links firefighter, law enforcement, military, EMS worker, teacher, and healthcare professional homebuyers with real estate agents and lenders for the best local deals
• helps homebuyers and sellers scan comparable sales and appraisal estimates, so you’ll have another data point on the property’s worth before the official appraisal arrives
• has all the MLS listings plus foreclosures and bank-owned auctions—it has also partnered with mortgage lender Mr. Cooper so you’ll have a direct cash-out refinance when borrowing
• Your local MLS, which you might access without getting a real estate agent (e.g., if you’re from New England, you can see the MLS for Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of New York via NEREN.com)

Zillow Alternatives for More Real Estate Investing Resources

As you can see, Zillow isn't the only player in the real estate game. Other competitors have joined in the race to create the best real estate investing experience for their clients.

If you're looking for more resources to make the best investment decisions, do yourself a favor and bookmark this page for later. One of these Zillow alternatives might just be the best thing for your portfolio growth in 2023 and beyond.

Do you need more help with real estate investing? Are you curious about the Metro Detroit market?

Contact us directly (my inbox is always open!) or get in touch with our team of experts at Logical Property Management. We’ve been operating in the Detroit market for over two decades, and have everything you need to succeed in the landscape.