Tips For Home Searching

3 Tips for Home Searching Online

Now that you’ve got your wants vs. needs list in hand, the fun really begins! It’s time to talk about narrowing down those listings and deciding which ones to see in person.

First up, let’s talk about best practices for searching online. No doubt you know the sites (Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin, Trulia), but how can you get the results you want?

A few tips: 

• Use the search filters but not too much. You don’t want to restrict your search so tightly that you only have a handful of homes to view. Keeping your wants vs. needs list in mind, expand your geographic search, and add 25-50K to your max price since homes often sell under asking.
• If you find something that catches your eye, check out the Google street view. Online pictures can be deceiving so a virtual ‘walk down the street’ will give you a better sense of the house and surrounding area.
• Don’t shy away from a home because it is “pending” or “under contract.” Pending contracts do fall through, so keep it on your list especially if it checks all your boxes.

As a side note for the third tip, please message me as quickly as possible with homes you like as in this market – homes are going under contract/pending faster than I can write offers! And while you don’t want to shy away from them when it comes to creating your list, don’t get your hopes up either. We have an incredibly fast moving market and inventory is not lasting these days. (Good news if you have a home to sell though!)

After you’ve found a few homes you like, jot down the MLS number and address. Shoot the list to your agent and let him or her call the listing agents to gather pertinent info and gauge the seller’s motivation.

At this point, it’s time to look at the calendar and find a chunk of time to tour the homes on your shortlist. Carve out more time than you think you’ll need since you don’t want to be rushed if you find a home that may be “the one.”

Also you can do all your searching online right here on my website. It is accurate, easy to use and I’ll have all your information ready for when you are ready to start seeing homes. You can even create and account and save homes, as well as save and adjust your search criteria as needed!

Have you been searching online for your next home? Find something you keep going back to? Send me a message and let’s go have a look!

If you’ve been working through the 90 Day to Homeowner Challenge, way to go! You’re SO close to knowing all there is to know about the home buying process. 

And who knows? 2021 may be the year your homeownership dreams become your long-awaited reality.

Have you been searching online for your next home? Find something you keep going back to? Shoot me a message, and let’s get you inside that home. Can’t wait to hear from you soon!

If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to email or simply text or call me at 907-232-2807. I’m always more than happy to help!