SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR A HOME ONLINE?

In recent years, searching for homes online has become a new trend. It has clicked well with the average internet user…and why wouldn’t it?

With possibilities such as virtual tours, additional details and information about the property -- all online -- without the hassle of searching through a pile of papers, it’s difficult to see why someone would not prefer to search their dream home online.

…And not to forget, one can view hundreds of properties, and their photographs and descriptions all at the same time with just one click without any extra cost!

In short, online house hunting has become the most convenient option for those who do not wish to hire an agent for viewing or searching properties.

For those who are slightly hesitant of meeting new people, interacting with prospective buyers or property owners online opens the door to better probing and question – answer sessions.

Also, online searches can be coordinated as per one’s own luxury and convenience as compared to physically going out to look for a house. Plus, without the fear of losing an agent or hurting someone, one can view and shortlist multiple properties.

Searching for a house online enables one to simultaneously look at a wide variety of properties in the market, with the details and asking price of each.

Some people are natural ‘do-it-yourselfers’ and are more comfortable doing their own research rather than working with a real estate agent.

But there are many pitfalls in our complicated market… and searching online might leave one vulnerable to them. 

The first, foremost and biggest challenge an online search poses is the number of options available! Sometimes, that can work in one’s favor as it offers more choices… but most of the times it leaves one feeling confused and muddled.

 Another plus point of having an estate agent to work for you is that only he/she can help you quickly focus your search, especially if you don’t know a market very well. They are familiar with neighborhoods and areas and can help decide what meets your requirements. Online, such searches are not very accurate.

Another drawback of online searches is that online listings are only as good as the information that was input. This information might not always be authentic… and can be easily manipulated.

A house might show up as three bedrooms when everything else around it has only two because the third room used to be the hall… an agent can tell you this, an online listing can’t!

Online searches need to be backed up with good real estate agents… because a good agent knows what other comparable homes are selling for, and can take more variables into account than many Web sites do.

That can mean the difference between an offer that's rejected and one that's accepted, or the difference between paying the right price and paying too much!

Contacting the real estate agent who is selling a home means you’re dealing with someone who has an interest in both sides of the deal; if you have your own agent, she represents your interests, not the sellers’.

Only you can best judge whether online house-hunting all by itself will work for you, but consider the money you may save by hiring an agent.