Best Websites to Find SF Bay Area Real Estate Listings
By Rasneet Kaur, Bay Area Realtor®, Christie's International Real Estate Sereno
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most complex, fast-moving, and competitive markets in the country. As a licensed Realtor® specializing in Silicon Valley and San Francisco Peninsula homes, one of the most common questions I'm asked is: "Which websites should I use to search for homes?" While national platforms like Zillow and Redfin are familiar, they don't always show the full picture—especially in a market as nuanced as ours.
Here are the best platforms I recommend to my clients, along with insider tips you won't get anywhere else.
1. MLSListings (Agent Portal) – Most Accurate and Real-Time
As a Bay Area Realtor®, I have direct access to MLSListings—the only platform that updates within minutes. This is where every listing originates before it's syndicated to public sites.
Why it's the best:
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Most accurate data
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Real-time property status
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Includes coming-soon and members-only listings
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Shows agent-only notes, disclosures, and comments
I provide all my clients with a personalized MLS portal, giving them behind-the-scenes access that no public website can match.
2. Redfin – Best Public Search Tool
If you want a smooth, user-friendly search experience, Redfin is excellent. It updates faster than Zillow and offers clean data visualizations.
Best for: Quick browsing, maps, price filters, open house schedules.
3. Zillow – Good for Estimates & Broad Visibility
While the Zestimate is often inaccurate in the Bay Area (sometimes off by 10–20%), Zillow is still helpful for:
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Exploring price ranges
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Seeing photos and broad trends
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Checking neighborhood insights
When clients work with me, I always compare any Zestimate with true market data and comps.
4. Compass & Sereno Listings – Luxury + Off-Market Opportunities
High-end brokerages often post homes before they hit the MLS. Christie's International Real Estate Sereno (my brokerage) frequently has:
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Off-market luxury listings
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Coming-soon homes
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Private network opportunities
These are homes buyers never see unless they're working directly with a connected agent.
5. New Construction Websites
For buyers seeking brand-new homes in San Jose, Santa Clara, or Mountain View:
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Toll Brothers
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Tri Pointe Homes
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Lennar
Builders update availability before Zillow does.
Final Thoughts
The smartest Bay Area buyers use a combination of public sites + an MLS portal powered by their Realtor®. I set up customized MLS alerts for all my clients—ensuring you see a property the minute it's listed, not hours or days later.
If you'd like me to create your personalized home search portal, I'm always here to help.
