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Shopping for a home online is not like buying on Amazon.com

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass

 

 

You can look for houses online, browse by price, location, ameneties, even lifestyle.    However, you can't buy a house online.  If you click on a house you see listed, it is best to try to communiate with the agent on the other side of that screen and remember a few important tips while doing so to get the best experience.

1 ) Just because it's on the internet does not mean it is really available.

Houses are all over the internet, as are buyers, and Realtors®.    Thanks to syndication of listings from MLSs, as well as direct input on sites like Trulia and Zillow, there are a LARGE number of inaccurate listings online.   I wrote large in all caps because it is really big.   Potential home buyers need to remember this when house hunting online.  If you want to see a house and it is no longer available, you might want to think about working with a local Realtor® who can give you notice of homes as soon as they are listed, perhaps even before. 

2) Not all agents listed next to a house are the listing agent for the home.  They could be a "buyer" agent for the home who might do a great job of helping you buy it, but may not know the entire history of it right when you call. 

I get a steady number of inquiries on homes from prospective buyers, some of which are on Zillow, some come from my blog or website.   On Zillow, they put "buyers" agents up next to homes for buyers to contact regarding a house.    This is also important to know and remember when looking for homes online.   These agents can often be very helpful and represent your interests well, but give them a chance to research the home, and help you figure out a way to see it or potentially buy it.

3) Agents with a heavy internet presence are probably not sitting by their phone 24/7 waiting on you to call.  

An agent who has taken the time to market themselves well on the internet probably has a lot of business.   We get booked up for the week in advance and rarely have time to show houses within less than 24 hours.  There are always exceptions, but don't expect that we can just run over and show you something within a few hours.  I have some weeks that are literally booked hour to hour 7 days a week, others that are not, but especially in the spring, schedule an appointment with an agent to see a house in advance. 

4) When you inquire about a house online, give your name, email and phone number.

When we get anonymous emails like this:

glg99zzzww@yahoo.com wants to know more about 1243 Main St in Pleasantville.

The first thing I think is -  Is this spam,  is this a serial killer, or just someone who is clicking around on the internet out of curiosity?  Think about it.  If you got an email like the above that said nothing else,  what would you do/think?  Compared to an email like this:  

Hi, Coral:

I found your name next to 1243 Main Street in Pleasantville on Zillow and think the house looks nice.   Can you tell me how long it has been on the market and the approximate square feet?  How might I possibly schedule a showing?  I have been pre-approved for a home in this price range and this looks like it could be a good fit.   

I can be reached at 212-555-2234 or at amanda2004@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Amanda Smith

Which one would you sit up and pay attention to?  

5) Be nice.  You are trying to get an agent to pay attention to you, right?  So being friendly will help.  If the agent asks you questions, answer them, and don't try to make the agent who has been kind enough to respond to you, feel stupid, as they are only trying to best serve your needs.  For example, I once got an inquiry on a rental that was not only not my listing, but not even really active on Zillow.   It was for a condo, I knew the building, but it was simply not listed for rent anywhere I could find.   When I responded to the person inquiring, I wrote after the standard, "Dear Susie Q,  thank you for contacting me...I cannot find this house for rent anywhere, are you sure you clicked on the right address?"  I got back "It is not a house it is a condo and yes, I clicked on the right address and it has your name right next to it!"    

 Again, put yourself in the recipient's shoes.  Would you bend over backwards to help this person?  Probably not.

6) Just because a home is listed on the internet, it does not mean you have a right to see it in person.  

Having internet access and a computer does not give you the right to walk into another person's home.   Getting pre-approved for a loan and having that letter available is your ticket into that house.   If you are serious about home buying, this is a critical part of the process and if you want the best agents to take you seriously, you need to have done this homework. 

The internet is a lovely place, and can be a great way to find a home.  But at some point, you are going to need a human being to help you if you want to actually step in the house, or get advice on market value, negotiations, writing an offer, disclosures necessary, etc.  and it's a good idea to remember these tips if you want some help seeing homes you find on the internet.

 

 

 

Comments (10)

Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

The number of listing that are not on the market is staggering.

Mar 25, 2012 01:29 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Coral - This is great advice.  Many out there don't realize what it looks like from the agent's perspective.  Suggested.

Mar 25, 2012 01:35 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Coral,  Yours is a very well thought out and presented post.  Buyers seem to think that internet access is also carte blanch for any and all data, immediate access, etc.

Mar 25, 2012 02:04 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

This is such a great post and all things that prospective buyers who are in the online phase of house hunting need to remember.

Mar 25, 2012 03:55 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Featured in the group:  BARTENDER, MAKE IT A DOUBLE.

Mar 25, 2012 03:56 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Coral, I love your post today.

I think that there is a need to surf the net just to get a feel for being involved. Getting a sense of what is out there, seeing how many homes are available, or even what my money can buy; all may bring a sense of "knowing".

This will not replace the agent, but may help in better understanding everything involved.

Mar 25, 2012 04:43 AM
Coral Gundlach
Compass - Arlington, VA
Real Lives. Not Just Real Estate.

Elite - So True!  And it's not my fault :).  

Thanks Debbie.  I thought an alternate theme could be "Buying a home is not like shopping on Amazon."   I do think the prevalence of internet shopping makes people forget that houses are a little more complicated than most other online purchases, especially because you can't buy a house online!

Bill - Thanks.  Yes that is the impression some do leave.  My most productive internet leads have been those who find me online and then they pick up the phone and call me.

Chris Ann - Thanks!  

Thanks Tom.  Yes, all that info can't open the door, that's for sure.  It also won't tell them if the price is on market or not.

Mar 25, 2012 07:20 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Excellent blog Coral, and another suggested by this home inspector.

But hey, as a Boy Scout I LOVED spam.  Now it has been turned into a four-letter word, to my utter chagrin.

glg99zzzww sure is interest piquing though!

Mar 25, 2012 07:12 PM
Coral Gundlach
Compass - Arlington, VA
Real Lives. Not Just Real Estate.

Thanks Jay.  Sorry about your Spam.  I never liked the canned meat.   

Mar 25, 2012 10:08 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Coral, excellent tips to those buyers looking at homes on the internet. The most common problem is buyers thinking we're not sending them the entire inventory because they find nicer homes on Zillow/Trulia than what we send them. Nine out of ten times, that home is no longer available.

Apr 02, 2012 12:46 AM