One of the first things you’ll probably do when you decide to consider a new home is to go online and see what is offered where you want to buy. Whether that’s local to you currently or you’re moving across the country, you need to be able to see homes that fit your price range. There are a lot of real estate websites to choose from, but they aren’t all created equally. Because they can all be a little bit different, you want to make sure you get the right one for your needs, and that the information you’re receiving from it is accurate and complete.
1). Have you considered the source carefully?
Consider the site you’re using to find homes. Have you heard of it? Does it have a large presence and a standard web address? Can you find reviews about it and see what other people are saying? You don’t want to get a lot of information on houses and find out that most of it was inaccurate. That can be very disappointing, in addition to resulting in a lot of wasted time and effort on your part. Looking at homes online can be exciting, and you want to make sure you get all the information you need to make an informed decision. Don’t end up using a website that won’t help you.
2). Why don’t the public records match the listing?
Public records are what has been recorded about the house through the county, state, or city. This information may not be the same as what the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) shows. That could mean an error on the part of the agent who created the listing, or could also mean that the government records are incorrect. Unless the two pieces of information are drastically different it’s usually not a cause for worry, especially when you’re just starting to look at homes. Still, it’s important to know that there is a discrepancy, so you can make sure you get the right information if you’re going to make an offer on the property. Then you won’t have worries about getting to closing and finding out the house isn’t really what it is supposed to be.
3). How long has that home been on the market?
As you start to look at homes, one of the areas you should look at is the days on market. Homes that have been listed for a very long time may be great deals if you’re looking for a seller who is willing to work with you. Of course, there’s usually a reason that those homes haven’t sold, too. It could be that there’s a serious problem with the house, and it could also be that whatever is turning other people away from buying the home isn’t something that will really matter to you. Consider how long a home has been for sale, but don’t automatically rule out one that has been available for a long time. It might be just the right place for you to fall in love with and call home.
4). Did you reach out to every listing agent?
When you see a house online that you want information about, it makes sense to email or call the agent who has the listing. That way you can find out more. You don’t want to be contacting a bunch of different agents, though. That can get confusing, and it’s important not to waste the time of a lot of agents who may be expecting to work with you. Contact one agent, and ask them about the houses you’re interested in. Even if they aren’t the listing agent, it’s not that difficult for them to find out the information you want to have. Then you can work with just one person, and having one point of contact when you see another house you like is easier.
5). Have you driven by the home?
Not all real estate websites give you information that’s reliable, so it’s important to take a careful look at where you’re getting your data. Much of that data can be confirmed by driving past the home and taking a careful look on your own. Especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer, you want to know everything you can about the house. The online listing also doesn’t tell you anything about the neighborhood, so it’s important that you’re paying attention to that on your own. Drive by the house if you can. Use Google or another service to see the neighborhood online if it’s not nearby. That way you get a good idea of what the whole area looks like, instead of only seeing the house.
6). Do the pictures really tell the whole story?
Pictures very rarely tell the whole story. While they won’t necessarily be a lie, they will show the house’s best features and avoid the problem areas, in most cases. You should expect that when you look at homes online, and be prepared for it when you see the home in person. You don’t want to be caught completely off-guard, but that can happen if there aren’t many pictures of the home. Expecting some issues or areas that need fixed or updating is a good idea, especially if it’s an older home that will likely need some work. Look carefully at the pictures, but don’t expect them to tell you everything you need to know about the home.
2 Point Highlight
Looking at homes online can be exciting, and you want to make sure you get all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Not all real estate websites give you information that’s reliable, so it’s important to take a careful look at where you’re getting your data.
