Gone are the days when house-hunting meant driving through your favorite Northern Colorado neighborhoods or asking friends and family for a recommendation. Today, conducting your house hunt online has become the new standard. Websites such as Realtor.com, Redfin.com and Trulia.com have maps, photos and even virtual tours of homes for sale. Here are six ways to use technology to help find your next home.
Check for Updated Content
If you’re looking to purchase a home within the next six months, you’ll want to utilize a website that updates its content frequently. Real estate agents have access to up-to-the-minute data from a multiple listing service and are a good starting point for accurate and recent information.
Look for Details
Almost all websites and mobile apps with home listings have photos and maps. But not all websites have details about the type of neighborhood in which a home is located. Does the area have a good school system? What crimes have been reported in the area? At what price points have homes in the area recently sold? You should utilize websites that provide a complete profile of your future home and neighborhood, so you can make a more informed decision about your purchase.
Sign up for Notifications
In a hot market or desirable neighborhood, affordable homes are sold quickly. Look for websites that allow users to sign up for email or text alerts, and notifications on homes sold or new listings. This is a useful tool if you’re looking to purchase a home in the next three months.
Don’t Overlook Mobile Apps
Our cellphones have been a resource for everything and that includes house-hunting. Most mobile apps have features that allow you to easily share listings with family and friends via text, email or even social media. Phone numbers and emails are optimized on apps, which makes it easy to contact listing agents.
Consult a New Home Directory
If you’re having trouble finding a new home that fits your needs, you may want to seek out a custom homebuilder. A homebuilder can create a design that fits your specific needs. Check out a list of local homebuilders on our website.
Beware of Dated or Misleading Websites
Make sure any website you use reports on delinquent homes, sold homes or pending sales. You do not want to fall in love with a home that is not available. Websites make money by selling ads, so the realtor next to the home listing you are reviewing may not be an area specialist. Be sure to ask questions to determine his or her knowledge of the area in which you are looking to purchase a home.
For more information on how to find a home in Northern Colorado, contact NoCo HBA at (970) 686-2798.
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