The online real estate market has exploded in recent years, with companies like Xome and Zillow making it easier than ever for buyers and sellers to connect. But with so many options now, it can get confusing to understand the key differences between these real estate marketplaces.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down Xome Vs. Zillow to help you decide which platform may be best for your needs as a home buyer or seller.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Xome | Zillow |
| Listings Database Size | 2.5 million properties | 110+ million properties |
| Listing Accuracy | High – MLS-only listings | Lower – includes syndicated listings |
| Home Value Estimates | Xome Values | Zestimates |
| Search Filters | Basic | Advanced search filters |
| Advertising | None | Agents can advertise listings |
| Buyer Tools | Property search, affordability calculator | Property search, affordability calculator, tour scheduling |
| Seller Tools | Limited | Home claiming, visitor tracking, local expertise |
| Mobile Apps | Basic mobile site | Full iOS and Android apps |
Overview Of Xome And Zillow
Xome is a real estate marketplace owned and operated by Mr. Cooper, one of the largest home loan servicers in the country. It allows users to search for homes for sale or rent, get an estimate of home values, and connect with real estate agents.
Zillow is likely the most well-known real estate marketplace, with over 200 million monthly visitors. Like Xome, it provides listings for homes for sale or rent, value estimates, and tools to connect with real estate professionals. Zillow also offers listings for new construction homes, rental apartments, and commercial properties.
Both Xome and Zillow aim to provide transparency into the real estate market and make the process of buying or selling a home simpler. But there are some key differences between the two platforms.
Xome And Zillow: Key Feature Differences
Here’s an overview of how core features compare between Xome and Zillow:
- Listings database: Zillow has a more extensive database of for-sale and rental listings, with over 110 million properties across the United States. Xome has about 2.5 million active for-sale listings.
- Home value estimates: Both Xome and Zillow provide estimated home values via automated valuation models. Zillow’s Zestimates are more widely used and recognized.
- Listing accuracy: Xome only includes properties listed by MLSs, so all for-sale listings are confirmed active. Zillow also includes syndicated listings, which may include some outdated or duplicate listings.
- Search filters: Zillow offers more filters to customize your home search, including specialized options for features like basements or garage parking. Xome has a more streamlined search experience.
- Advertising: Zillow allows agents and landlords to advertise and promote individual listings. Xome does not have listing-level advertising.
- Rental listings: Zillow has a much more robust database of rental listings and apartment rentals. Xome is focused primarily on for-sale real estate.
- Mobile experience: Zillow offers feature-rich mobile apps for iOS and Android. Xome’s mobile experience is more basic, focused on search.
- Tools for sellers: Zillow provides more robust tools for home sellers, including options to claim your Zillow listing and track views and saves. Xome currently caters more to buyers.
Pros And Cons Of Xome Vs. Zillow
To summarize the key pros and cons:
Xome Pros
- Specialized focus on purchasing for-sale real estate
- Provides accurate, verified MLS listing data
- Simple search interface without distracting ads
- Estimate home affordability
Xome Cons
- Smaller database of listings
- Limited search filters and criteria
- Fewer tools for sellers
- Less established brand recognition
Zillow Pros
- Massive real estate database, including rentals
- Widely used home value estimate tool (Zestimates)
- Robust search filters to customize searches
- Advertising features for agents and landlords
- Popular mobile apps with many features
- More tools for home sellers
Zillow Cons
- Accuracy issues from syndicated listing data
- Cluttered interface with lots of ads
- Complex search can be overwhelming
- Zestimates not always reliable for all markets
Zillow And Xome: Which Is More Accurate?
When it comes to home value estimates and listings, Zillow and Xome take slightly different approaches which impact accuracy:
Zestimates
Zillow’s Zestimates use an automated valuation model that incorporates public and user-submitted data. They can provide a good ballpark estimate of home value, but individual accuracy varies significantly based on factors like location, home type, and the availability of data. Rural areas with fewer sales tend to see less accuracy.
Xome Values
Xome home values are also automated estimates, but the company says they use proprietary methods beyond just public data. By focusing on MLS listings, Xome may also avoid some accuracy issues from syndicated data. However, Xome still uses the same limited data for areas with low home sales.
Listings Accuracy
Experts give Xome the edge when it comes to accuracy of for-sale listings, since they only includes properties listed on MLSs. Zillow also syndicates listings from other sources, which can result in more duplicates, outdated listings, and FSBO properties.
However, Xome’s smaller database also means you’ll miss out on some legitimate listings that Zillow captures. There’s a trade-off between database completeness and accuracy.
Xome And Zillow: Which Is Best For Buyers And Sellers?
In general, most real estate agents recommend using both Xome and Zillow as part of your home search process. Here are some best practices:
For buyers
- Use Zillow for an initial broad search to find potential homes. You’ll get the most options.
- Compare addresses on Xome to confirm the home is legitimately on the market. This weeds out outdated listings.
- Get estimates from both Xome Values and Zestimates, but take both with a grain of salt. Actual value depends on condition.
- Work with an agent for more accurate data from MLS sources, not just portals.
For sellers
- List your home on the local MLS where real estate agents conduct searches.
- Use Zillow tools to claim your listing and maximize visibility.
- Understand Zestimates and Xome Values are estimates – consult an agent on pricing.
- Don’t trust Zillow or Xome to confirm an offer. Work through your agent.
Also Read: Differences Between Xome And Zestimate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Zillow and Realtor.com use different automated valuation models to estimate home prices. They incorporate different data sources and algorithms, so they can produce very different results for the same home. Estimates shouldn’t be taken as definitive appraisals.
For listed homes for sale, Realtor.com is generally considered the most accurate among the major sites because they draw listings directly from MLSs. Zillow and Trulia may include duplicate or outdated listings from other sources.
While widely used, Zillow is not considered the most accurate source for home valuations or all listings. Zestimates and value ranges are estimates only, and may be off in some markets. For sale listings may include inactive properties.
Different automated models and localized data on listing prices, property taxes, and market conditions can result in sites like Zillow and Redfin showing different estimated values for the same home. The estimates have a wide range and aren’t definitive appraisals.
Also watch the video about Xome!
The Bottom Line
Zillow undoubtedly offers house hunters the largest real estate database and a wide array of tools. But Xome provides a streamlined, accurate search process focusing on verified for-sale listings.
Savvy buyers and sellers are best served using both platforms to gather listing information, while relying primarily on their agent for pricing guidance, offer negotiation, and closing.
Ultimately there is no true substitute for an experienced local real estate professional when it comes to understanding nuances for your market and individual home value. The estimates and listings on sites like Zillow and Xome are useful starting points, not definitive sources.