Maui Homes Guide - Chapter 1 - Home Search Online With Confidence

Ready to begin searching for your new home? There are many different home search sites to find your new home; how do you know which one serves you best? The task is daunting, but modern technology has brought listings nationwide to your fingertips. Let's look at how these sites gather their listings and what factors rank some above others.

What is an MLS Listing in Real Estate?

You'll see the term MLS when looking for a home to buy. No, we're not talking about major league soccer. MLS stands for multiple listings service, a collection of local listings from an area. The challenge is that MLS databases get information from real estate brokers who mutually agree with other brokers. So the database only consists of information accessible to a specific group of brokers.

If there are hypothetically 20 listings in an area, but only brokers representing 13 of those listings have created an MLS database and agreed to share information, homebuyers would have to go to individual builder websites to get information on the other seven listings.

How do you get information on all 20 listings at once? Home search sites. These websites, such as ours, compile information from various MLS databases to simplify the home search process by delivering all relevant information into one place.

What is the Best Real Estate Website?

The next challenge: Determining which home search site is "best." A lot on the specific website and what you're looking to do within real estate - buy, rent, or sell. Let's break down a few factors when using a site to find homes for sale.

Filter Options

If you've searched anything on any website, filters have made your life easier. Filters allow you to get specific with your searches, so if you're looking at a home search site and only want to see homes within a particular city or area, you can specify that. Be sure the home search site you use has filters most relevant to you.

Are you looking to relocate to a highly-rated public school system? See if you can filter by the school district to help narrow your search).

Want to be closer to work? Map the distance from neighborhoods to your place of employment.

If you've chosen a site you like but don't have all the features, you can use a supportive website in addition to the home search site, such as?Great Schools.

How Often is the Site Updated?

An essential factor is that listings change regularly, which might be every few minutes in a hot market.

A home search website that is only updated once weekly isn't handy, as its information needs to be updated. Instead, visit a site updated at least once daily, if not more often; remember, timing is everything for purchasing a new home.

Property Information

It's all good if a site lists properties for sale, but if it only contains the barebones address and price information, it only does a little for comparison.

A good site lists thorough information on the property, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and elevation and upgrade options.

You can quickly review and compare many listings without visiting each builder or home.

Photos

Information isn't just about words on the page; it's also about the pictures available.

When you pull up a property you're interested in, are the pictures blurry and out of focus? Or is the same generic stock photo used for every single listing? If so, you need to get the most information from the site.

Use a home search website that displays clear, high-quality photos of each property.

Perhaps you're looking at new homes yet to be built - the renderings or digital mockups of what the property will look like when complete should be available for your perusal.

High-quality photos indicate the seller's vested interest in showing their property in the best light, which is a good sign. They'll be all the more helpful if you contact them for more information.

Community Details

Moving into a new home is more than just the four walls you'll live in and the community.

Home search sites should include information on the surrounding community, such as schools, local shopping and eateries, and amenities available to residents.

These are essential factors to consider for any home shopper, which will help narrow down final decisions.

Financial Information

Finally, high-quality home search sites will also provide resources for you to begin the next steps in the process.

Namely, they should include information about mortgage rates and offers that break down monthly payments for the property you're interested in.

You are no longer required to use one of the preferred lenders they list, as those on the webpage are likely receiving compensation from the home search site (look for an "advertiser disclosure").

Instead, use the lenders they list as a starting point to orient yourself as you begin securing financing for your home.

Start Looking

Many home search sites are available to help you find your new home; it comes down to your needs and, past that, a friendly user experience. Start your search now with my team and me at https://www.alohagroupmaui.com/anthony-freda/

Have other questions about the latest home searching, buying, and building process? Seeking referrals for trusted Realtors specializing in your neighborhood? Connect with a seasoned professional now at?MauiHomesGuide.com,?and follow us on social media!

Anthony Freda | RS-74661 | Aloha Group Maui

MauiHomesGuide.com | 808-990-2961

Keller Williams Realty Maui | RB-21851