First Time Buyer - 3 Tips for searching on line

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

1. Stay up to date. When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter. I recommend HAR.com for the Greater Houston area.
2. Pictures can be deceiving. Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms. Also, pictures may not show you what sits next door or across the street.
3. See (and smell) it to believe it. Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call me and I will schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. Visiting the home will help you determine any possible pet, smoking or food odors that may need additional remedial work done by professionals. I will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

Contact me with any questions you may have about scheduling your list of homes.

I will be posting additional articles in the remainder of August for First Time Home Buyers on Fridays. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on my tips.

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