Most people looking to buy a home today will start their search online. Buyers can search from the privacy of their own home, and do their searching on their own time, which is especially helpful for those beginning their home search. But some ways of searching are better than others. Here are some tips to make the most out of searching for homes online.
1. Know where sites like Trulia and Zillow are feeding in from for the location you are looking to buy in. In some locations like Chicago and Boston, Trulia feeds in from the MLS, which will have very accurate listings. However, in other locations, third party sites like these are not connected to the MLS, and can have gaps in homes that are available. Up to 36% of properties listed on their site have been found to be no longer for sale. This can be discouraging, finding a home that meets your needs, using time to look into it, and then finding out the property is gone.
2. Realtor.com, (which just underwent a redesign to make it more consumer-centric) will feed from the MLS, making its posts very likely to be accurate and complete.
3. Realtors' consumer facing websites (like mine, for example), are updated by the Realtors working with the properties, and are usually kept accurate as well. Also, many Realtors' sites will allow you to find any properties on the MLS in your preferred area as well. You can also find other neat features, with ways to compare locations, and find out great things about the area from those currently working in it.
I would love the opportunity to work with you to find your next home. Start your search today on my website.
Sources: Inman1, Inman2, Inman3, Inman4
