Redfin

It's a great search engine when it's available on your area. But buying real estate is complicated and there's a lot of forms and processes and inspections and other options you might not consider unless you have a dedicated agent's advice and undivided attention. If you've bought a house before maybe they're a good tactic to save some money on closing costs and fees. But I'd say if you're inexperienced an actual agent can hold your hand more. Up to you though. I've had no experience with them in the selling department so can't say for sure in terms of that.

I found out about this site through good friends who recently bought their home in the Bay Area and found their new home using Redfin. I'm not sure it's the premiere source for serious buyers, but it's a fun source for looking at homes.

Typically, I use the app rather than the website. It's useful for getting an overview of what's available. If you're traveling and want to see what the local real estate averages are, you can easily and quickly get a sense of that particular local market.

Our realtor in purchasing our home was Royce Stringer of The Zona Team in Prescott, AZ. We put this poor man through more than any realtor should have to endure. He smiled, laughed, and remained perfectly professional through it all. Three contracts on three houses within a month. Had to cancel the first two due to undisclosed situations with each property. The third one was our "meant to be" house though, and we have been in it for almost a month now. Royce is as accommodating as a realtor can be. Great communication, prompt action on addressing issues, and a skillful negotiator. Highly, highly recommend.

If you want tons of details updated frequently on homes for sale it's a great site. You may find it frustrating to wade through so much data. Do you really need to know the name of the township, that parcel identification number or that the condo's lot dimensions are common before you see a property?

Don't get lured into using their agents. A scheduler will schedule your showing. A driver will accompany you on the showing. Another agent will handle the contract, etc. You're put on an assembly line. Good luck if there's an issue after you've signed a contract.

I have been using redfin.com for the last few months to research houses to purchase. This site has the most up-to-date information; it will tell you DAYS faster when a house comes on the market, and if/when one goes under contract so you don't waste time imagining life in a house that's already been sold. Like other real estate sites, it also has information about the demographics of the neighborhood, crime rates, schools, etc... I've tried the app on my Windows phone, but for me it is easier to maneuver back and forth on the full website. I would highly recommend this site to anyone on the market for a new home.

They use your information for their own advertising and do nothing about it when you ask them not too! Information can be invalid but still used for their own gains. Place blame on others and not accountable. STAY AWAY!

I had terrible neighbors that would beat on the walls and ceiling for 5 month. They put holes in there apartment. I asked to get out of my lease and was told they would work on it. Greystar manages the property and after 5 months I just moved out. Greystar then said I broke the lease and refused to negotiate the lease termination fee. They just want to threaten to put it on my credit,

This site is easy to use compared to many other sites out there. I added my email notifications to notify me anytime a new house came on the market. This was great because I was the first one to usually see a new place I liked.

Redfin is a great website where you can find your dream house! You can look at the prices, claim a house, and even find a selling house! I personally haven't used this website that much, but from a little experience, I can tell that this is an amazing website!

Don't touch these. I've put money in but find it impossible to withdraw. I've now made three attempts to withdraw funds and they have all been ignored. Leave them alone.

I haven't used this site to purchase a place, but I am very impressed with how quickly the information is updated when the house is sold. It's the first place to list the selling price and date.

They do not give you all the information and trap you in a 6 month penalty if you fire them. Horrible.

Redfin
Has some very good agents and some very poor agents. Read reviews
Before you choose an agent.

My beef with Redfin is their online computer generated value for my home
I have for sale is over 10% lower than comparable sales around my home.
I have called in to customer support and they say "nothing we can do
Because the computer algorithm determines home prices" When I tried to
Do an 'Owner's Evaluation' of value the comparable sales prices are all
Adjusted downward by about 10%. I called in about that and was told the
Sale prices are adjusted for different locations and square footages. I
Then told them my home had the EXACT same square footage, more upgrades,
And in a BETTER location - their response "Huh, interesting". Nothing
Has been done to rectify the situation or research the problem. A person
Came to my open house and said my home price is too high and when I
Asked why they said that their reply was 'I looked up your home on
Redfin and it says your almost $80,000 too high!"

The whole point of this is 1) there is no way to contact upper
Management or corporate, 2) the front line people have no knowledge or
Control over how the computer evaluates home values, 3) if you DO list
Your home with Redfin, I have read that they block your house from
Showing on Zillow, Trulia, etc., 4) they say they care but the person I
Talked to in customer support got very snippy and when I reminded her
That all calls are recorded she hung up on me!

This really has been a sore subject for me as I do like the Redfin
Agents I have met and have several rental properties I will be selling
In addition to the one I currently am now selling myself. Because of
The technical issues with their website, I will not be taking my
Business to Redfin. In addition, everyone that comes in contact with us
Has something negative to say about Redfin. Oddly enough it is with the
Management rather than particular agents. Go Figure.

Anyway, they have a great sales idea but they lack follow through with
Real customer service. I do NOT recommend Redfin.