Real Estate Search

WAV Group decided to research what the most popular destinations for property search are in these markets.

• In 4 out of the top 10 Markets, Realtor.com is the most popular real estate site.
• In 3 out of the top 10 Markets, Zillow.com is the most popular real estate site.
• In 2 out of the top 10 Markets, the MLS website is the most popular real estate site.
• In 1 out of the top 10 Markets, Yahoo! Real Estate (powered by Zillow) is the most popular real estate site.

With the exception of Zip Realty in Phoenix, not a single real estate broker website appears on this list. What we see is that Real Estate brokers, working in concert with one another tend to create a share of voice. Realtor.com represents a chorus of real estate brokers providing listing information to consumers.

Imagine how Trend and FMLS could support their brokers if they offered property search on their public facing website. We extended the list in Detroit and in Atlanta to show how MLS consumer facing websites are benefiting members in these markets where they are available.

Many brokers tend to frown on MLS consumer facing websites as competitive to their own site. Ironically, they are also sending listings to third party websites that are dominating them online. There are only a handful of brokers who rank in the top 3 for real estate search in their market. Examples include Edina Realty in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Howard Hanna in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Most-Searched Markets

1. Chicago

• Median list price: $212,000
• Top property search sites: Realtor.com, Yahoo! Real Estate, Zillow, Trulia

2. Detroit

• Median list price: $89,900
• Top property search sites: Realtor.com, RealCompOnLine.com, Yahoo! Real Estate, Zillow, Trulia, MoveInMichigan.com

3. Las Vegas

• Median list price: $125,000
• Top property search sites: Realtor.com, Zillow, Yahoo! Real Estate, Trulia

4. Phoenix-Mesa

• Median list price: $147,900
• Top property search sites: Zillow, Realtor.com, Yahoo! Real Estate, Zip Realty

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach

• Median list price: $325,000
• Top property search sites: Zillow, Yahoo! Real Estate, Realtor.com, Trulia

6. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

• Median list price: $143,000
• Top property search sites: Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Yahoo! Real Estate

7. Philadelphia

• Median list price: $240,000
• Top property search sites: Trend, Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow

8. Atlanta

• Median list price: $159,900
• Top property search sites: FMLS, Yahoo! Real Estate, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, GAMLS

9. Dallas

• Median list price: $189,900
• Top property search sites: Yahoo! Real Estate, Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow

10. Orlando

• Median list price: $158,000
• Top property search sites: Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Yahoo! Real Estate

Source: “April 2011 Real Estate Data,” Realtor.com (April 2011) and WAV Group WIN Reports – April 2011