Now that you’ve got your wants vs. needs list in hand, the fun really begins!
It’s time to start looking at listings and choosing which houses to see in person. Tip: Keep your wants vs. needs list close by to reference! First up, let’s talk about best practices for searching online. You are probably familiar with the sites Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin, but how can you get the results you want? Try some of the tips below.
Using Online Real Estate Tools
Home Search Filters
Use the search filters, but don’t go crazy. 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 there is sometimes wiggle room with pricing and negotiations.
Google Street View
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.
Listing Status
If a home you like is “pending” or “under contract”don’t panic! Don’t shy away from a home because it is “pending” or “under contract.” Pending contracts do fall through occasionally, so keep it on your list, especially if it checks all your boxes.
Keep Notes
Jot down the MLS number & address. Send your list to me and I will call the listing agents to gather pertinent info.
Next, look for some time in your calendar to tour the homes on your shortlist. Hold more time than you think you’ll need.