7 Shortcuts to Internet Home Buying
Word Count:
804
Summary:
Searching for a home is becoming easier every day with more access to web sites across the country; Realtor.com is the king of real estate listings. There are real estate company sites such as ColdwellBanker.com and Remax.com where you can access the local affiliates and all their listings in the US, Canada, or International. Or a little back door play is to go to the state board of realtors where they list all the local realtor boards and the local MLS sites.
Keywords:
Home buying,Home buyer,BillCarey Realtor,MLS,Coldwell banker,realtor.com,REmax,real estate agent
Article Body:
Searching for a home is becoming easier every day with more access to web sites across the country Realtor.com is the king of real estate listings. There are real estate company sites such as ColdwellBanker.com and Remax.com where you can access the local affiliates and all their listings in the US, Canada, or International. Or a little back door play is to go to the state board of realtors where they list all the local realtor boards and the local MLS sites.
<b>1.Realtor.com –</b> The number 1 real estate web site bar none. It is comprised of all the local MLS realtor board listings. It has all the visual and virtual tours and more photos than the local MLS systems allow. Local real estate agents will pay to get good positioning on the webpages for advertising when their local area is requested you see them first or at least in the top six. You can also request information about any of the listings on the site and you will normally receive a response within 24 to 48 hours from the better agents. One draw back is that realtor.com is sometimes 3 to 5 days behind the actual listing date.
<b>2.ColdwellBanker.com –</b> The number 2 real estate web site. Has easy access to its real estate listings around the world. The <i>“Personal Retriever”</i> feature allows you to enter in your criteria and will notify you of any updates or new listing you can select to have the emails sent daily or weekly. Coldwell Bankers <i>“Lead Router”</i> system is state of the art in high tech features when you request information on any of their listings your request goes one stop and then directly to the agent’s phone who listed the home. During normal business hours you should get a return call within minutes with all the up to date information directly from the listing agent. No other real estate company or lead source has anything that approaches this system.
<b>3.Remax.com –</b> The number 3 real estate web site behind ColdwellBanker.com. Still has a long way to go your basic site allows you to search listings has local information available from the local franchise sites. Doesn’t approach anything like the <i>“Lead Router” or “Personal Retriever”</i> of ColdwellBanker.com. You can get easy access to their Remax listings.
<b>4.Realtor Pay for Leads Sites –</B>These companies sell you to real estate agents and mortgage brokers. You log on to the web site select the city and the zip code where you want to buy or sell a house and enter all your required personal information. The agents who have paid for you at $200, $400, $600 per month or $40 to $80 per lead decide based on your zip code and price range if they want to work with you in buying or selling a home. The pitch to you is that you pick the agent and there is a little truth to that because you do get to chose between 2 or 3 agents. The fact is that many people filling out all this personal information don’t get to choose an agent at all. The agents don’t take the leads because you are either buying or selling in the wrong price range or zip code. <i>Its one of those little steering or redlining things that slips under the federal and state government’s radar.</I>
<b>5.Realtor Association and MLS –</B> Searching local realtor associations by entering a search by state for realtor association this will bring up the state association and all the local associations within the state. Then you will have access to the public side of the local MLS. Some are now directing you to Realtor.com to see the listings.
<b>6.All the Other Sites –</B> Miscellaneous sites, sale by owner sites, agent sites, smaller real estate company sites, local company sites all have useful features but can’t give you everything you are looking for.
<b>7.Your Real Estate Agent -</b> When you get down to working with an agent, the internet savvy agent will have all you need. They will set you up on a <i>VIP Buyer or Seller program</i> very similar to Coldwell Banker’s <i>“Personal Retriever”</i> and your access to your agent will be better than <i>“Lead Router”</i> because you will have all of the agents contact numbers.
Searching for your home on the internet can be easy if you take your time and don’t get sucked into any on-line site that sells you and your information to the highest bidder. Remember local Chambers of Commerce, School Districts, and City web sites have great information about the local area. Keep a file in your favorites of all the websites you find useful.
Showing posts with label home buying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home buying. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
5 Ground Rules for Home Buying Success
5 Ground Rules for Home Buying Success
Word Count:
851
Summary:
There are five basic ground rules that you must know when it comes to buying a home and shopping smart, and they are ....
Keywords:
sell house fast, sell homes, house for sales, homes for sale, home selling, sales by owner, buy a house, buy a home, home buying, home loan, mortgage loan, real estate investement, foreclosure
Article Body:
There are few purchases in life that carry the financial and psychological weight of buying a home. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing your home and your life after the kids have gone, it is important to understand the ground rules for success in the world of buying a home.
Making the wrong decision in buying a home can have devastating and long lasting effects, while making a wise decision in home buying can greatly enhance the overall value of the investment. It is necessary to learn all you can about the world of home buying and mortgages before setting out to purchase the home of your dreams.
While there are plenty of web sites designed to help first time homeowners learn all they can, most financial experts say that there is no substitute for the good old one-on-one learning. Fortunately, most mortgage lenders, home inspectors and real estate agents will be able to provide this kind of one-on-one learning.
When buying a home it is often best to use a systematic approach as this is often the best way to be sure that all decisions are based on information and reason, not on impulse or emotion. Buying a home can be an emotional process, nevertheless it is imperative to keep your emotions under control and not let them cloud your judgment.
There are five basic ground rules when it comes to buying a home and shopping smart, and they are:
#1 – Get your financing before you get your home
There are few things in life as disappointing as losing out on the home of your dreams due to not being able to secure funding. While the desire to get out there are search for that great home is understandable, it is vital to line up the financing you will need before you start shopping for a home.
Getting the financing ahead of time has a number of important advantages, including knowing how much you can buy and gaining more respect from the listing agents. By knowing how much home you can afford before you shop you will avoid wasting your time looking at unaffordable properties, and the listing agent will be more than willing to show you the homes in your price range.
It is also important to take a good look at the various types of mortgage on the market before getting started in the home buying process. These days, mortgages come in far more choices than the typical 15 or 30 year. For that reason, potential home buyers need to understand how each type of mortgage works, and to gauge which mortgage is the best choice for their needs.
#2 – Look at the community, not just the home
It is a good idea to look at the entire community, instead of focusing on a single home. This can be a particularly important thing to consider for those moving to a new metropolitan area, as these buyers will be unfamiliar with the local climate and lifestyle. It is crucial to determine the areas of town that are most desirable, and to consider things like distance from work and local shopping opportunities.
We have all heard that location is the key consideration when it comes to real estate, and that is certainly the case. Buying a house in the wrong area can be a big mistake, and it is important to choose the location as well as the home. Potential buyers can learn a great deal about the nature of the various neighborhoods simply by driving around town, as well as by talking to other residents.
#3 – Be fair with your first offer
Trying to lowball a seller on the first offer can backfire, as can paying too much. It is important to carefully evaluate the local market, and to compare the asking price of the home with what similar houses in the neighborhood have sold for.
Comparing the sales of comparable homes, what are known as "comps" in the industry, is one of the best ways to determine what is fair, and to make sure that you neither overpay or underbid on the property.
#4 – Always get a home inspection
Always investigate the home for any possible defects before making an offer. Compared to the cost of the average home, the price of a quality home inspection is virtually negligible. Hence, get a good home inspection done before you buy.
To find the best home inspector, it is a good idea to seek out word of mouth referrals as many of the best home inspectors rely on word of mouth advertising.
#5 – Do not alienate the sellers of the home
Many real estate deals have fallen apart due to the personal animosity of the buyer and the seller. It is important to avoid alienating the seller of the home during the process, and to avoid nitpicking every little detail during the sale.
Keeping the good will of the seller will help the transaction go smoothly, and it will provide the best environment for seller and buyer alike.
Word Count:
851
Summary:
There are five basic ground rules that you must know when it comes to buying a home and shopping smart, and they are ....
Keywords:
sell house fast, sell homes, house for sales, homes for sale, home selling, sales by owner, buy a house, buy a home, home buying, home loan, mortgage loan, real estate investement, foreclosure
Article Body:
There are few purchases in life that carry the financial and psychological weight of buying a home. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing your home and your life after the kids have gone, it is important to understand the ground rules for success in the world of buying a home.
Making the wrong decision in buying a home can have devastating and long lasting effects, while making a wise decision in home buying can greatly enhance the overall value of the investment. It is necessary to learn all you can about the world of home buying and mortgages before setting out to purchase the home of your dreams.
While there are plenty of web sites designed to help first time homeowners learn all they can, most financial experts say that there is no substitute for the good old one-on-one learning. Fortunately, most mortgage lenders, home inspectors and real estate agents will be able to provide this kind of one-on-one learning.
When buying a home it is often best to use a systematic approach as this is often the best way to be sure that all decisions are based on information and reason, not on impulse or emotion. Buying a home can be an emotional process, nevertheless it is imperative to keep your emotions under control and not let them cloud your judgment.
There are five basic ground rules when it comes to buying a home and shopping smart, and they are:
#1 – Get your financing before you get your home
There are few things in life as disappointing as losing out on the home of your dreams due to not being able to secure funding. While the desire to get out there are search for that great home is understandable, it is vital to line up the financing you will need before you start shopping for a home.
Getting the financing ahead of time has a number of important advantages, including knowing how much you can buy and gaining more respect from the listing agents. By knowing how much home you can afford before you shop you will avoid wasting your time looking at unaffordable properties, and the listing agent will be more than willing to show you the homes in your price range.
It is also important to take a good look at the various types of mortgage on the market before getting started in the home buying process. These days, mortgages come in far more choices than the typical 15 or 30 year. For that reason, potential home buyers need to understand how each type of mortgage works, and to gauge which mortgage is the best choice for their needs.
#2 – Look at the community, not just the home
It is a good idea to look at the entire community, instead of focusing on a single home. This can be a particularly important thing to consider for those moving to a new metropolitan area, as these buyers will be unfamiliar with the local climate and lifestyle. It is crucial to determine the areas of town that are most desirable, and to consider things like distance from work and local shopping opportunities.
We have all heard that location is the key consideration when it comes to real estate, and that is certainly the case. Buying a house in the wrong area can be a big mistake, and it is important to choose the location as well as the home. Potential buyers can learn a great deal about the nature of the various neighborhoods simply by driving around town, as well as by talking to other residents.
#3 – Be fair with your first offer
Trying to lowball a seller on the first offer can backfire, as can paying too much. It is important to carefully evaluate the local market, and to compare the asking price of the home with what similar houses in the neighborhood have sold for.
Comparing the sales of comparable homes, what are known as "comps" in the industry, is one of the best ways to determine what is fair, and to make sure that you neither overpay or underbid on the property.
#4 – Always get a home inspection
Always investigate the home for any possible defects before making an offer. Compared to the cost of the average home, the price of a quality home inspection is virtually negligible. Hence, get a good home inspection done before you buy.
To find the best home inspector, it is a good idea to seek out word of mouth referrals as many of the best home inspectors rely on word of mouth advertising.
#5 – Do not alienate the sellers of the home
Many real estate deals have fallen apart due to the personal animosity of the buyer and the seller. It is important to avoid alienating the seller of the home during the process, and to avoid nitpicking every little detail during the sale.
Keeping the good will of the seller will help the transaction go smoothly, and it will provide the best environment for seller and buyer alike.
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