Let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is a window shopper’s paradise. The elegantly decorated rooms, the sculpted gardens, the colorful front doors that just pop with those inviting hues.
Browser beware, though. Those listings may be seductive, but they might not be giving you the complete picture.
That perfect split-level ranch? Might be too close to a loud, traffic-choked street. The handsome colonial with the light-filled photos? Could be hiding some nasty plumbing problems. That attractively priced condo? It miiiight not actually be for sale. Imagine your despair after you drive across town to see your dream home and realize it was sold.
So, let’s practice some self-care, shall we, and set our expectations appropriately.
- Step one: Fill out our home buyer’s worksheet, which will help you understand what you’re looking for.
- Step two: With that worksheet and in hand and some knowledge, start browsing for homes. As you do, keep in mind exactly what that online tool can and can’t do. Here’s how.
You Keep Current. Your Property Site Should, Too
First things first: You wouldn’t read last month’s news about your favorite celebrity, right? So you shouldn’t browse property sites that show old listings.
Get the latest listings from realtor.com®, which pulls its information every 15 minutes from the regional databases where real estate agents post listings for sale. That means that realtor.com®’s listings are more accurate than others that may update less often. You wouldn’t want to get your heart aflutter for a house that’s already off the market.
The Best Properties Aren’t Always the Best Looking
A picture is worth a thousand words, the saying goes. But what that saying doesn't mention is that a picture can hide cracked floorboards, busted boilers, and leaky pipes. So while it’s natural to focus on photos while browsing, consider the property description and other key features.
Each realtor.com® listing, for example, includes important information such as the year the home was built, the price per square foot, and the number of days the property has been on the market.
Ultimately though, ask your real estate agent to help you interpret what you find. The best agents have hyperlocal knowledge of the market and may even know details and histories of some properties. If a listing seems too good to be true, your agent will likely know why.
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Treat Your Agent Like Your Bestie
Property sites give you a glimpse into a neighborhood. They show you active listings, sold properties, home prices, and sales histories. All that data will give you a working knowledge, but it won’t be exhaustive.
To assess all of this information — and gather facts about any home you’re eyeing, like how far the local elementary school is from the house or where the closest gym is — talk to your real estate agent. An agent who can paint a picture of the neighborhood is an asset.
An agent who can go beyond that and dish on specific properties is a true friend indeed. They're more likely to guide you away from homes with hidden problems and save you the time it takes to visit a random listing (when you could be playing with your canine bestie).
Want to go deeper? Consider these sites and sources:
- School ratings: Data from GreatSchools.org and the National Center for Education Statistics, and the school district’s website.
- Crime rates and statistics: CrimeReports.com, NeighborhoodScout.com, SpotCrime.com, and the local police station.
- Walkability and public transportation: WalkScore.com and APTA.com
- Hospital ratings: HealthInsight.org, LeapfrogGroup.org, and U.S. News and World Report rankings
Just remember: You’re probably not going to find that “perfect home” while browsing listings on your smartphone. Instead, consider the online shopping experience to be an amuse bouche to the home-buying entree — a good way to get a taste of the different types of homes available and a general idea of what else is out there.
Once you’ve spent that time online, you’ll be ready to share what you've learned with an agent.
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