The majority of what you do today is typically online. Whether watching movies, scrolling through social media, paying bills, or e-mailing for work, you are using the internet. It makes sense that the search would also begin online when you are in the market for a new home. Browsing through internet listings to find the perfect home seems like the best choice, but those listing might not have accurate or complete information.
You should consider several factors that online listings might not disclose. For example, the online listing might not reveal neighborhood traffic, minor home issues, outdated plumbing, or other circumstances. To deal with this situation, it's essential to look beyond the listing and work with others to ensure complete accuracy. To help you, here are some critical pieces of information that no one tells you about searching for your home online.
You should consider several factors that online listings might not disclose. For example, the online listing might not reveal neighborhood traffic, minor home issues, outdated plumbing, or other circumstances. To deal with this situation, it's essential to look beyond the listing and work with others to ensure complete accuracy. To help you, here are some critical pieces of information that no one tells you about searching for your home online.
Don't rely on the photos
If you've ever sold a house before, you know how critical professional photographers are to the process. Knowing that it's easy to understand how they use lighting and angles to make the absolute best features of the house stand out. Because of this, it's easy to look at beautiful photos and fall in love with a home, but there is so much more than those photos show you.
Let's start with the simple fact that absolutely nothing can or should replace viewing a property in person. The number of photos on the listing might not be a complete picture of the home, especially if the homeowner did not have every room photographed. The reason for this could be as simple as not having every room cleaned and staged at the time of the photo shoot. If a home stands out to you, it's best to see it in person and not rely on what you see online. Doing so also allows you to take a closer look at the details, indicating repairs that need to be completed. Bedrooms may be smaller than they appear, the layout might not work with your furniture, and so forth. It would help if you also considered that a home that seems less than perfect online, with few photos or an insignificant amount of information, maybe the ideal home in person.
Another reason to look beyond the photos is to scope out the area around the home. That picture-perfect bungalow you found online with the perfect amount of space might be sitting on a hectic road or outside the school district you prefer.
Let's start with the simple fact that absolutely nothing can or should replace viewing a property in person. The number of photos on the listing might not be a complete picture of the home, especially if the homeowner did not have every room photographed. The reason for this could be as simple as not having every room cleaned and staged at the time of the photo shoot. If a home stands out to you, it's best to see it in person and not rely on what you see online. Doing so also allows you to take a closer look at the details, indicating repairs that need to be completed. Bedrooms may be smaller than they appear, the layout might not work with your furniture, and so forth. It would help if you also considered that a home that seems less than perfect online, with few photos or an insignificant amount of information, maybe the ideal home in person.
Another reason to look beyond the photos is to scope out the area around the home. That picture-perfect bungalow you found online with the perfect amount of space might be sitting on a hectic road or outside the school district you prefer.
Pay attention to the listing details
Much like looking beyond the photos, paying careful attention to all the details of a listing is essential to the process. Pay attention to how long the home has been on the market. This factor is crucial in determining whether something may be wrong with the house or if there's another reason it's still sitting. A home in a small town might sit on the market longer than a home in the Raleigh housing market, for example, due to the market conditions and size.
You'll also want to look at any significant price changes to the home since it was listed. A home with considerable price drops since it was listed might indicate potential issues, whether they involve the house itself or the location. Listings also include expected property taxes which is a good thing to consider, especially if there are any notable plans for construction in the area that might raise those taxes later.
Look at the neighborhood and location of the home you're considering. This step is significant if you have a family and need to evaluate schools or proximity to shopping and dining. The house itself might suit your needs, but everything else might fall short of what you truly want. Many online listings readily share information on walk scores, school ratings, shopping, and other neighborhood aspects, so be sure to pay attention to those.
Not every listing is available
You might think a home listed online is available, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Several websites are not entirely accurate, and while many pull their information from the Multiple Listing Service databases, there are many more that are updated much less. Several websites use algorithms that pull data from public databases, so if a home is listed (or not yet removed), they will consider it available and publish it. The house has already sold in some cases, and in others, it's not yet listed. One of the easiest ways to get around this is by using an expert real estate agent.
Having an agent is still in your best interest
One of the biggest things to consider when searching for a home online is that having an expert agent will always be your best option. The internet is an excellent option for being able to research and find houses on your schedule, plus get an idea of how to refine what you truly desire. A Real Estate Agent can give you the knowledge and tools necessary to know how to use real estate websites to the fullest potential. Remember, agents know the market you're looking in, they deal with it every day, and they can provide so much more about a home than most listings.
While scoping out the internet is a great way to get an idea of what you want, what you like, and what you don't, the local experts can answer your questions and make you feel at ease. Consider finding a local agent you trust to help you along the journey, and you'll find the process much simpler.
As you can see, online tools can be a great way to start the search for your dream home. While they give you a sense of the current market, help you figure out what you want versus need, and provide a general sense of excitement, they are not comprehensive. Once you've begun searching homes for sale in North Raleigh online, contact Courtney Whalen, a trusted Real Estate Agent, to guide you the rest of the way.
While scoping out the internet is a great way to get an idea of what you want, what you like, and what you don't, the local experts can answer your questions and make you feel at ease. Consider finding a local agent you trust to help you along the journey, and you'll find the process much simpler.
As you can see, online tools can be a great way to start the search for your dream home. While they give you a sense of the current market, help you figure out what you want versus need, and provide a general sense of excitement, they are not comprehensive. Once you've begun searching homes for sale in North Raleigh online, contact Courtney Whalen, a trusted Real Estate Agent, to guide you the rest of the way.
