For those of your who are looking for a new Carlsbad home, searching on-line is probably the most efficient strategy you can employ. Recent studies by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in 2005 found that about 79% of buyers were using the Internet to search for a home, and many do this even before they contact any agent. It is likely that this percentage has grown since that study was done. (While my focus here is on Carlsbad, the strategy is the same no matter what area you are looking in).
The advantages to searching on-line are many. Most properties that are for sale are on-line somewhere - individual MLS sites, agent or brokerage sites, for sale by owner sites, Realtor.com - so your chances of finding homes that meet your criteria are pretty darn good. Keep in mind that once data is entered into a website it must be modified by someone, and if that is NOT done the listing may not reflect current conditions (price may changed, property may go off the market, etc).
Realtor.com, one of the most frequently visited real estate sites, pulls its Carlsbad listings (and elsewhere) from individual MLSs. So, once the data are changed in the MLS by an agent, Realtor.com will change as well - however, this does not happen right away, and may take several days. Thus the downside of Realtor.com is that is does not show homes that are brand new on the market ,nor indicate that they have changed status (e.g., under contract, price change) right away so data are old. In a slower market this may be less of an issue, but in a fast-moving market you can miss out on properties that are new. Thus it is smart to use a multi-site approach. And if you do have an agent, that person's automatic email system (daily) that sends listings matching your criteria, may be more effective. And of course staying in touch with your REALTOR is the best method.
Because of today's technology, the Internet offers you, the buyer, a wealth of information on individual listings (depending on the site), virtual toursof properties, multiple photos, videos, blogcasts, web commercials, and more. Thus you can arm yourself with a tremendous amount of information about homes you like, and the market in general, without leaving your home. The more you can learn about Carlsbad homes you like and market conditions, the more effective a consumer you will be. Keep in mind, always, that the data on a home are only as good as what the agent (or whoever loads it) inputs (i.e., JUNK IN, JUNK OUT). Information may be missing, or inaccurate, and photos may be poor or missing altogether (I do not recommend overlooking a home simply because it does not have a photo - it may end up being a great property for you).
One other searching suggestion. The RE/MAX.com website now lists properties from all over the country, and not just those of RE/MAX. The site is now getting more than 2 million hits per month and is ranked Number 1 out of all the brokerage websites. Don't overlook using this site in your searching (yep, I am a RE/MAX agent so this is my personal plug). But I would not suggest this if I didn't feel that, as a consumer, you can benefit from searching here. But if you are hooked up with an agent, please be loyal, respect the relationship, and use their personal website or information from their broker site.
Bottom line? Use the Internet wisely in your search for a new home in Carlsbad. Gather all the information it offers, but don't let this substitute for using a knowledgeable REALTOR and visiting properties in person.
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Jeff - Happy to hear that the "bugs" present at launch appear to be fixed. Geat Post - and very ethical too!