Shopping Online For A New Home


The internet: A wonderful tool to help find a new home, or
a frustrating time-waster? That depends on how you449 Nottingham Drive
use it.


Here's the upside of  home
shopping online.


You can:


• See photos of homes available, often even
individual rooms and other property features.
• Access details: Like lot size, number of bedrooms,
square footage, and other features.
• Access information on the neighbourhood, surrounding area,1905 Matterson Road
location of schools, parks and public transit, etc.
• View “virtual tours” (when available), taking you on a virtual walk-through.

Online previews can be a real time saver, quickly giving you a sense for whether or not a property meets
your basic criteria before taking the time to visit it.


Now here's the downside:

 

  • Pictures and descriptions on the internet don’t always tell it

like it really is.
Unappealing to you on a website? Could be amateur photography.

But it could turn out to be the perfect
home when you actually go to see it. (Imagine
missing out on that potential dream home.)

  • Even these days, some homes are listed and sold so

fast that they never make it to the internet. You might miss out on these hot deals.

(No time to post this one online...It's gonna go!)


The solution? Blend the two.

Work with a REALTOR® who can help you set up the perfect online search AND knows how to find
homes on the market that are a good match for you. You may also get the inside track on a new listing coming on-stream that may be perfect for you.  Be sure you choose someone who knows
how to make the entire home buying process go quickly and
smoothly.

 
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11 Comments on Shopping Online For A New Home

APR
16
2011
1 Featured Post

Great post, Rhonda! Gotta give buyers the best of both worlds, the internet AND a great agent!
3:06pm • #1
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Thanks Luz! I do agree....Nothing but the best will do for our clients!
3:12pm • #2
1 Featured Post

Very true!  I have the biggest issues with pictures online.  Buyers will make a list out of listings I send and they are mostly based on the pictures.  Even though I warn them before picking that pictures don't always show the whole story, they sometimes get disappointed when they pick one that looks great and then the view is a sewage treatment plant or the pictures were taken before tenants moved in and the house has seen better days.
3:16pm • #3
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Jenn, You hit the nail on the head. True perspective on the property can only be gained by personally visiting it.
3:26pm • #4
362,373 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Rhonda, you make a few good points. I always say that the interet is a screening tool, nothing more. One has to get inside to get the real picture.
10:23pm • #5
868,771 Points 5 Featured Posts

Rhonda,

You raise some good points. It's easier to drive around a neighbourhood using a mouse than using a car.

Brian
11:19pm • #6
APR
17
2011
447,681 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

All great points rhonda, the internet is a great way to have a sneak peek at properties and decide which ones are going to work.
10:18am • #7
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Ted, That's right, you need more than just photos to decide.

Brian, The mouse is an excellent shortlisting tool for sure, though the combination of internet and experienced agent is the best way to go.

Malcolm, Thanks for your input...Glad you like the post!
4:10pm • #8
474,262 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rhonda, Those Internet photos are one of the reasons it is so important to prepare you home for sale. The thing that puts me off some Internet pics is the improper use of wide angle lenses. They can give such a distorted view of a room.
7:18pm • #9
APR
20
2011
1,652,693 Points 134 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rhonda,

All kinds of shopping has gotten easier during the past few years.  I love the ability to shop online for anything and everything,
11:03pm • #10
APR
21
2011
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Janice, I agree...A picture does not always tell the complete truth.

Judi, It certainly has had an impact on how we as agents do business.
12:08am • #11


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RhondaHeaslip NanaimoRealEstate

Nanaimo, BC

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RE/MAX of Nanaimo

Address: 1 -5140 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 2K8

Office Phone: (250) 751-1223

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