When it comes to finding a rental home or apartment, the process can be daunting. There are many websites, resources, and strategies available to help you make the best decisions during your search. Currently, the best rental listing sites in the United States are Zillow, Apartments.com, HotPads, and Rent.com. All four offer unique features, pricing plans, and user experiences that can make your rental hunt easier. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the features, pros and cons, and pricing of each of these sites. We’ll also discuss strategies you can use to make the most of your rental search and get a great home or apartment.
Zillow
Zillow is one of the most well-known rental listing sites in the United States and has become a household name, thanks in part to its massive online presence. Renters and buyers alike turn to Zillow when they’re considering a move—rentals, sales, or both.
Features
What sets Zillow apart from other rental listing sites is its suite of tools designed to help users during their rental search. For one, Zillow has a mobile app so you can search for rentals from anywhere. The app also includes filters to narrow your search by price and location, making it easier to find the exact rental you’re looking for. Additionally, you can use the ‘Nearby’ feature to search for nearby rental properties. Zillow also features helpful photos and descriptions of each rental property, providing comprehensive information about the rental before you even visit.
Pros and Cons
One of the primary benefits of using Zillow is the extensive network of rental listings it offers. Rentals on Zillow come from Craigslist, HomeFinder, Trulia, and other major online marketplaces. Plus, with over 200 million listings on the site, you’re sure to find the ideal rental quickly and easily. On the downside, Zillow’s limited search tools can be inconvenient when you’re looking for a specific type of rental. You may also be charged a fee when responding to a listing, or be required to create an account to view all available listings. Finally, you won’t be able to post or edit a rental listing directly on the site.
Pricing
Zillow’s rental listing services are free for renters and buyers. There are no monthly membership fees or signup costs. However, you may be charged a fee to respond to a listing, or a fee to post a listing as a member of a real estate broker.
Apartments.com
Apartments.com is a strong contender for the best rental listing site in the United States and is owned by the CoStar Group, one of the largest real estate networks in the world. It features thousands of rental listings, from studios to multi-bedroom homes, in major cities and suburbs throughout the nation.
Features
Apartments.com is designed with renters in mind and has many features to help simplify the rental search process. The website has an interactive map view where you can get a better visual picture of the neighborhoods and compare prices of rentals in different areas. Additionally, you can use filters to narrow your search by price and location. Plus, the site’s advanced search tool allows you to quickly find a rental based on specific criteria, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. You can also search by pet policy or by the availability of utilities in the rental.
Pros and Cons
One of the biggest advantages of using Apartments.com is its extensive listings. With over 1.5 million listings on the site, you’re sure to find rentals in any area of the country. The site also offers helpful photos, videos, and descriptions of each property, so you can get a better feel for the place before you visit. While it’s easy to search for rentals, the listings may not be as up-to-date as with other sites. Additionally, some of the detailed information on Apartments.com is only available with a paid membership.
Pricing
Apartments.com offers both free and paid rental listing packages. With a free account, you can search for listings, find contact information for landlords, and use the map view. However, the paid membership gives you full access to all the site’s features, including unlimited photos, videos, and detailed information about each rental property. The basic membership costs $19.95 per month, and the premium membership costs $39.95 per month.
HotPads
HotPads is another popular rental listing site in the United States. The site features thousands of rental listings from around the country, and has become a go-to resource for many.
Features
HotPads provides several features to help make your rental search easier. You can use its interactive map view to explore the area around each rental listing and compare prices in different neighborhoods. Additionally, you can use the ‘Neighborhoods’ tool to get an even better sense of an area before you visit. You can also use HotPad’s advanced search tool to narrow down your listings with filters like price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and amenities.
Pros and Cons
HotPads has an extensive network of rental listings, with more than 500,000 properties on the site. It’s easy to search for listings, and you can contact landlords directly from the site. The downside is that some of the detailed information about the rental property isn’t available without a paid membership. Additionally, unlike some other sites, HotPads does not include any photos or videos of the property.
Pricing
HotPads’ rental listing services are free for renters. However, you may be charged a fee for posting a rental listing on the site.
Rent.com
Rent.com makes it easier to find rental homes and apartments throughout the United States. With more than two million rental listings and a customizable search engine, renters can quickly find the right place for them.
Features
Rent.com has a range of features that make it easier to search for rental listings. First, its interactive map view allows you to visualize the neighborhoods around a given rental property. You can also use the advanced search tool to narrow your search by price and location, and to find listings that meet your specific criteria. Additionally, you can use filters to refine your results even further. For example, you can search for pet-friendly rentals or for rentals with utilities included.
Pros and Cons
One of the main benefits of Rent.com is its extensive network of rental listings. With over two million listings on the site, you’re sure to find the perfect rental quickly and easily. Additionally, Rent.com offers helpful photos and descriptions of each rental property, so you can get a better feel for the place before you visit. However, you won’t be able to post or edit a rental listing directly on the site.
Pricing
Rent.com’s rental listing services are free for renters and buyers. There are no membership fees or signup costs.
Final Thought
When searching for a rental home or apartment, it’s essential to use the right resources to make the process easier. Currently, the best rental listing sites in the United States are Zillow, Apartments.com, HotPads, and Rent.com. All four offer unique features, pricing plans, and user experiences. Each site has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your needs before deciding which site will help you find the perfect rental. With the tools and strategies mentioned above, you should be well on your way to finding a great place to call home.
