The Internet has made it easier than ever to search for a home. There is an abundance of websites to choose from and you can start browsing far in advance of actually being ready to buy. However, this also means that you may be spending a lot of time on home searching prior to getting important preliminary guidance from a real estate agent. So, here are a few pieces of information that you would normally receive from an industry expert.
Don’t Rely Solely on Pictures
As you browse through photos of homes, keep in mind that sometimes a home shows differently in person than in photos. For example, with a wide angle lens and proper lighting, rooms can be made to look much larger in photos. The reverse can also be true. A home may not look great in photos but may show beautifully in-person.
Use photos to help give you a sense of layout and features, but also try to keep an open mind.
Don’t Roam Aimlessly
It’s fun to search for homes online. In fact, it can be so fun that you start searching in higher and higher price ranges. Naturally, the more expensive a home, the better it will be. There’s a psychological danger in viewing homes above your price range. Any home that you can afford will obviously look less appealing. You may set yourself up to be disappointed and discouraged. Try and stay within your price range. You will be much better off in the long run.
Use Tools That Save Time
There are many services that will send you email alerts on new listings matching your criteria. This can save significant time and energy. Why browse through the same listings day after day, trying to pinpoint what may be new versus old. With email alerts, you will know exactly what new listings are available for you to review. Best of all, these alerts ensure that you don’t miss out on any new listings. This will be particularly important when you are ready to buy.
Suzanne Plewes is a Broker Associate at RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland. If you have questions regarding real estate, please write to 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, call (970) 290-0373 or email [email protected].
