Which Real Estate Site Is Most Accurate?

marketing213926
Aug 15
2 min read

If you’ve ever searched for homes online, you’ve probably noticed something confusing, the same property can have different details depending on which real estate site you’re on. One site might say “For Sale,” another “Pending,” and sometimes, a listing might even appear on one site but not another. So… which site is telling the truth?

The Short Answer:

The most accurate real estate site is usually the one connected directly to your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the database where real estate agents list and update properties in real time.

Why the Differences Happen

Big-name real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Trulia pull their data from a variety of sources, not all of which update instantly. This means:

Lag Time: It can take hours (or even days) for a change in the MLS to show up on a national site.
Missing Listings: Some sites don’t have agreements with every MLS, so they might not display every available home in your area.
Outdated Statuses: You might see a home marked “For Sale” online that actually went under contract days ago.

So Which Site Is Best?

It depends on your goals:

For the most accurate and up-to-date info in Southwest Michigan: Use a local real estate site (like ours!) that pulls directly from the MLS.
For browsing across the country: National sites are great for big-picture searching, but keep in mind the info may lag behind.

Pro Tip:

Even with the best online tools, nothing beats having a local agent who can check the MLS in real time, give you the full story on a property, and even alert you to homes before they hit the market.

Final Takeaway

If accuracy is your top priority, skip the guessing game and go straight to the source: your local MLS, or better yet, connect with a local real estate professional who can make sure you have the most current, complete information.

Want access to the most accurate, up-to-date listings in Southwest Michigan?Contact the Keefer Fischer Team and we’ll make sure you never miss the right home.