As part of LoCAR's continuing effort to inform the general public of real estate issues, the following article was submitted to the Morning Journal, The Chronicle-Telegram and LorainCounty.com:
Let’s just admit it...browsing for homes online is a window shopper’s Shangri-La. The elegantly decorated rooms, the sculpted gardens, the colorful front doors that just pop with those “come hither” hues.
Browser beware: 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. That handsome colonial with the light-filled photos? Might be hiding some super icky plumbing problems. That attractively priced condo? Might not actually be for sale. Imagine your despair when, after driving across town to see your dream home, you realize it was sold.
So let’s practice some self-care and set our expectations appropriately.
Step one, fill out our home buyer’s worksheet what you must have, what you want and what you can do away with. The worksheet helps you understand what you’re looking for.
Step two, with that worksheet and knowledge in hand, start browsing for homes. As you do, keep in mind exactly what that tool can, and can’t, do. Here’s how.
You Keep Current. Your Property Site Should, Too
You wouldn’t read last month’s People for the latest society gossip, 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 Multiple Listing Service (MLS), regional databases where real estate agents post listings for sale. That means that realtor.com’s listings are more accurate than some others, which may update less often. You wouldn’t want to get your heart a flutter for a house that’s already off the market.
The Best Properties Aren’t Always the Best Looking
A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. But what they don’t say is a picture can also hide a thousand cracked floorboards, busted boilers, and leaky pipes. So while it’s natural to focus on photos while browsing, make sure to also consider the property description and other key features.
Each realtor.com listing, for example, has a “property details” section that may specify important information such as the year the home was built, price per square foot and how many days the property has been on the market.
Ultimately though, ask your REALTOR® to help you interpret what you find. The best REALTORS® have local knowledge of the market and may even know details and histories of some properties. If a listing seems too good to be true, your REALTOR will likely know why.
Treat Your Agent Like a Friend
At the end of the day, property sites are like CliffsNotes for 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 REALTOR®. A REALTOR® who can paint a picture of the neighborhood is an asset.
A REALTOR® who can go beyond that and deliver the dish on specific properties is a true friend indeed, more likely to guide you away from homes with hidden problems and more likely to save you the time of visiting a random listing.
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 a starting point to the home-buying process--a good way for you to get a taste of the different types of homes that are 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 your REALTOR®.
Remember, the next time you’re in the market to buy or sell your home, contact a REALTOR® member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®. A REALTOR®'s knowledge about your local housing market is invaluable.
Using a professional REALTOR® is an important factor in your investment decision for there are so many nuances to the process. Your REALTOR® can help guide you through the buying and/or selling steps to achieve your goal.
The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of 1,200+ local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than one million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Ohio REALTORS®, with more than 36,000 members, is the largest professional trade association in Ohio. Leading with expertise, professionalism and an entrepreneurial spirit, REALTORS in Ohio are committed to their clients and communities.
REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Associations.
