The advent of the internet age has truly empowered real estate consumers, allowing buyers and sellers to access information about the local and national real estate market. This unfettered access is not without its pitfalls, especially for buyers browsing the internet for their next home. Below is a short guide to successful online house hunting.
Use a Reliable and Up to Date Website: There are a plethora of websites that provide real estate searches; however, not all of them are reliable. To get the most accurate information look for industry supported websites, such as Realtor.com, or most websites associated with reputable real estate brokerages, and websites that are directly tied into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Websites that are not connected to the MLS may provide listings that are actually under contract or already sold, proving a waste of time to the consumer. Our website at www.hrgdallas.com has the most up to date information.
Keywords to Look For: When searching for properties it is very important for the consumer to pay attention to the “Status” category. There are three main categories of status: Active, Pending, and Sold.
Active properties are those that are not currently under contract, however, there is a caveat to this. Active Option, or Active Contingent properties, do have a contract, but are either in the option period, or are contingent on one of a number of factors. For the consumer’s purposes, these can be good options, if the contract falls through, otherwise stick to properties that simple state “Active” for status.
Map out the Property: Location, location, location. It’s not just a saying, it’s a fact that real estate relies on location, and it is after all the only thing you cannot change about a property. It is always a good idea to map out the Active properties you find, and possibly even do a drive through of the neighborhood or a drive by of the house itself. There’s no point viewing a “perfect” house if it is in an unacceptable area or neighborhood.
Pay Attention to Pictures: In this day and age there is really no reason a property for sale and listed on the internet shouldn’t have pictures. That being said, there are a lot of bad real estate pictures out there, as well as some really great magic tricks photographers can perform. When browsing for properties on the internet it is important to look past the quality of photography, and focus on the
content of the photography. Do the pictures show finishes or details that appeal to you? Can you get a sense of the layout? Pictures are important, but remember, even if the pictures don’t appeal, but the property has most of the features you are looking for, it is probably worth a look in person.
The Internet is a Tool: Finally, and most importantly, the internet is simply a tool, and should be used as such. It should not be used exclusively nor should it be ignored. There is absolutely no substitute for getting out in the field and viewing properties, neighborhoods, and areas with a professional. Additionally, don’t feel obligated to conduct your own internet search.
One of the many appealing aspects of the internet is the vast amount of information it contains. But that amount of content can quickly become overwhelming. If you are working with a real estate agent, don’t hesitate to hand this task over, it is after all one of your agents many jobs in guiding you through your home buying experience.