Use the Right Tools

If you are looking for a great way to increase your stress level and prolong your searching process, try using third-party marketing-based websites.

Many of these national websites make their money by selling advertising space to real estate agents and loan officers. They have no obligation to keep their inventory accurate, up to date, or to show all available listings. Some real estate agents and companies choose not to advertise their listings on these sites. A fair percentage of the homes on these sites do not have accurate status updates and often have accepted offers on them. This is yet another example of how you could be looking at the wrong homes while the right ones are selling.

Focus instead on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) direct sites that have broker reciprocity. This means that you will be seeing all possible listings that are active and available within the MLS. The MLS is the main database that all agents and brokers are required to use to list their properties. These sites are also obligated to be accurate and up-to-date with the listing status. There are many MLS direct real estate sites available to consumers these days. Some are great for map searches. Some sites offer more options to zero in on the features that you want. Other sites offer searches that draw boundaries based on commute times at different times of the day. Some have great assigned school ratings built right in. Others have maps that show crime levels. Therefore, it is advisable to ask your agent which tools suit your situation the best.