The Secrets of Online House Hunting

Online real estate listings with photos and virtual tours are making house hunting easier than ever.
asdfasdf
Online real estate listings with photos and virtual tours are making house hunting easier than ever.

Today’s homebuyers no longer have to wait for a call from their real estate agents to find out about potential listings. The Internet has made it easy for anyone to track the market, search for desirable homes and even take virtual video tours without ever leaving the house. Yet there’s more to online house hunting than looking up a neighborhood on Zillow or Realtor.com.

National websites like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin and Realtor.com are great resources for homebuyers or for sellers following their local market. These sites let you search for homes based on location and your price range. You can also narrow the search with specific criteria, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, or whether the home has a fireplace, basement or garage. However, there are limits to searching national sites.

A recent study by the WAV Group, a real estate consulting firm, found that homebuyers could find more accurate information by searching on local real estate brokerage websites than by looking at the same listings on national portal sites. Sites run by local brokers showed listings sooner and removed sold homes more quickly. This is because local real estate sites are directly connected to a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database which nearly always update daily, while national portal sites may update their information less frequently (such as, once a week).

In a seller’s market, finding out about an available home as soon as it is listed could easily mean the difference between getting the home and missing out to another buyer. Wasting time on homes that are no longer available can also be frustrating during your online search.

Although most homes are listed through an MLS, homes sold directly by their owners are not. This means that there may be more available homes in your area than what you see when searching national portal sites or through local real estate websites. You can find out about these homes online by searching websites such as ForSaleByOwner.com.

Your online house hunting is also unlikely to turn up new construction homes unless you expand your search to sites devoted to new homes. If you have a favorite builder, you can visit their website to find out about new developments in your area. In some regions, you can also search by location with resource sites like NewHomesGuide.

To make the most of your online search, use multiple sources to find your new home. National portal sites are a great place to start, but also include at least one website from a local real estate agent. If you are working with a specific real estate agent, you can ask to be added to an automatic MLS search based on your criteria as well. When you do find a home that you like online, be sure to act on it quickly. Contact your real estate agent to confirm that the home is still available and arrange a visit.

Online house hunting is convenient, but it can still take time to get the results you want. Checking multiple sites regularly will help you get a jump on the other homebuyers and soon find the home of your dreams. Of course, if you are looking for a home in an active adult community, 55places.com is your best resource. We now feature listings of homes for sale in each community on our website and the information is updated daily. Be sure to check back often for new listings.

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!

Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com.
Details here.

We're here to help! (800) 928-2055

Call us to speak with a customer service representative.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get Weekly Updates

I agree that 55places and its affiliates, partner providers or agents may call, text, or email me about my inquiry, which may be made with automated means. I understand that my consent is not a prerequisite for buying a property. I may revoke my consent at any time by contacting optout@55places.com. Message/data rates may apply. I also agree to 55places.com’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

The Best Places to Snowbird in 2021

We’ve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. For each entry, we’ve also provided a list of recommended 55+ communities in the area. If you’re ready to find your own winter retreat this season, here are some of the best places to consider.

A boat pier at sunrise in Lake Placid, Florida.

Lake Placid Living: A Look at 55+ Communities in This Central Florida Gem

8 minute read Located in the heart of Central Florida, Lake Placid offers the best qualities of small-town America. Surrounded by scenic lakes, nature preserves, and cultural attractions, the “Town of Murals” is perfect for active adults. With two 55+ communities in Lake Placid—Covered Bridge and Tomoka Heights—the area’s affordability makes it an appealing option

Relaxed 55+ adults camping with friends and drinking a cup of coffee while enjoying retirement.

How to Choose the Right Retirement Community for You

Choosing the right retirement community is an important decision. There are questions you should ask yourself when considering an active adult community. These are some of the most important questions to ask yourself when choosing the retirement community for you, as well as some active adult communities to consider.

Mature couple plays tennis, enjoying an active adult lifestyle.

How Can I Be Sure the Active Adult Lifestyle Is Right for Me?

As you approach retirement, it’s natural for your lifestyle needs to change. That lively neighborhood with young families may have been perfect in the past. However, now you might prefer something different. What does an active adult lifestyle involve?

Award badge over an outdoor, resort-style pool at On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida.

The Best Large 55+ Communities

Join us on a journey to uncover the gems among the largest 55+ communities. These fifteen attractive neighborhoods all offer 1,000 homes or more.

About 55places

We’re changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, we’re a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. Whether you’re interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet.

Scroll to Top