Zillow vs Realtor.com - Which is the better resource for buying a home?
Buying a home can be a daunting task, especially for first-time buyers. With dozens of real estate websites available, it can be challenging to figure out which one suits your needs. Two of the most popular websites for buying homes are Zillow and Realtor.com. Both platforms offer a vast range of features, so it's hard to determine which one is better.
In this blog post, we will compare Zillow and Realtor.com to help you decide which platform suits your needs.
User Interface
When it comes to user-interface, both websites have a simple and easy-to-use interface. The Zillow's interface is more user-friendly compared to Realtor.com's. The filters on Zillow's page are more refined and provide more details for home buyers. On the other hand, Realtor.com's page is more suitable for real estate agents than buyers.
Available Listings
Both platforms offer a massive collection of available listings. As of 2021, Zillow claims that it has more than 110 million homes in the US, whereas Realtor.com has more than 1.4 million listings in the US. That being said, Zillow has more listings compared to Realtor.com.
Accuracy of Listings
The accuracy of listings is significant when it comes to purchasing a home. It is crucial to ensure that the houses available listed are genuinely available. Both websites have tools that enable them to screen the listings, but Zillow's screening process might not be as thorough, and sometimes the listings may no longer be available. However, Realtor.com seems to have a more thorough screening process than Zillow.
Mobile Applications
Mobile applications have become a crucial element of the real estate business. Zillow's application is easy to navigate and does an excellent job for users to filter out the unnecessary information to ensure customer satisfaction. The Realtor.com app is also straightforward to use, but it lacks the advanced features that Zillow offers.
Customer Support
Customer support is essential, especially when it comes to big purchases such as buying a home. Both platforms provide adequate support to their customers through their support team. On Zillow, the customer support team is available seven days a week. On the other hand, Realtor.com provides support to its users via helpline, email, or messaging from Monday to Friday.
Pricing
Both websites provide services free of charge, and earn revenue through advertising. However, Zillow charges real estate agents for advertising their listings on their site. Realtor.com also charges real estate agents for rendering their services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Zillow and Realtor.com are excellent resources for buying a home. However, in terms of user-interface, number of listings, and ease of navigation, Zillow has an edge over Realtor.com. On the other hand, when it comes to listing accuracy and mobile applications, Realtor.com offers a better service.
Before deciding on which platform to use, it is crucial to figure out your personal preferences, and which website offers what you personally need.
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