Nowadays, the first thing people do when they are thinking of buying a home is search the web for the house of their dreams. Thanks to the internet, home buyers are easily able to find market information and also see virtual tours of properties without leaving their home. However, there are best practices for house hunting online that may be helpful for you, especially in today’s highly competitive market.
USE A TRUSTED REAL ESTATE AGENT
Online websites don’t offer the same personalized experience that a real estate agent is able to provide for home buyers. For example, an agent knows the best neighborhoods, school districts, and places to live based on your desires. They are also able to verify listings and schedule showings for a home you’re interested in. This is key when using real estate sites as they can become outdated quickly.
DON’T RELY ON PROPERTY PHOTOS
Photo angles and lighting can make property photos look deceiving compared to how the property actually looks in person. They may also leave out unappealing parts of the home such as outdated bathrooms or a chaotic backyard. Make sure to read important details of the listing such as dimensions, square footage and layout. It may be a better idea to either take a virtual or in-person tour that will allow you to experience every angle of the home and to envision yourself actually living in the home. This is also something that a reliable Realtor would be able to help you with.
CONSIDER LOCATIONS
Finding a community and location that fits your lifestyle is just as important as falling in love with the house itself. Make a list of what you need to have nearby such as a grocery store or a gym. Maybe consider the school district of the home to ensure that you can see your family living there long-term. A home located near good schools also has the potential to increase home values when you decide to sell in the future.
STAY UPDATED WITH RELIABLE SITES
While popular listing websites such as Zillow, Realtor.com, or Trulia can be helpful when searching for a home, they are sometimes a few days behind and can show a home as available when it’s actually pending or under contract. A multiple listing service (MLS) gives agents access to a larger, more updated and accurate database of available homes for sale. This is another reason why it’s important to hire an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent when purchasing a home. Feel free to reach out to one of Mainframe’s agents if you are currently searching for a Realtor in Florida.
