Searching for a new home can be an exciting endeavor and a great place to start is online. The online real estate search engine, provided by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate come with special features that are designed to help you select properties with the specifications you require and homes for sale that fall within your budget. As you go through listings, imagine yourself settling into any one of the homes for sale listed in the site’s comprehensive database and find the home that is a perfect fit for you.
Preparing to Search Homes for Sale Online
Write a checklist of your requirements before you search for homes through an online website. Decide on the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms acceptable for your needs. Although prices are negotiable, you should still have an idea of the price range for your property search. A list of must-haves may also be helpful. Examples could include a pool, large backyard, finished basement or two-car garage.
Knowing the Terminology for Your Real Estate Search
If you’ve never conducted a search for properties online before, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the terms and abbreviations used often in real estate ads. For instance, here are some common abbreviations that you may come across: bedroom (BR), bathroom (BA), kitchen (KIT), dining room (DR) and living room (LR). Financing terms like “short sale” may also be found in real estate listings online, so it would be good to know that a “short sale” occurs in lieu of foreclosure and means the sale price will fall short of the liens owed against the property.
Narrowing Down Your Real Estate Search Results
On the landing page of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s website, you’ll see a toolbar used to search available homes nationwide. You can first search for apartments and houses by putting in the zip code, neighborhood or town name in the search field of the online real estate listing site. If your initial search for homes is in an area where a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office is located, you will be taken directly to that local website. That website will not only contain listings that you searched for but also relevant local information to your home finding needs. You can do this by specifying the number of beds and bathrooms you require; additionally, enter a price range, the property type and the desired amount of square footage for your new home.
You are also able to search for homes using the MLS listing number. Real estate agents assign each property with a unique identifying number in order to easily advertise homes for sale on various media platforms. The ID number not only helps you quickly locate a particular property, but will also help you find out the name of the agent who is listing the home for sale.
When you search homes for sale through Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, you’ll be able to view more than simply the basic details about the property. Enhanced features include information about neighborhood housing trends, school district data and price comparisons of nearby properties. Photographs and maps are also attached to each entry to help you determine your level of interest in the property. Once you have selected houses you’re interested in, you may work with your Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agent to set up a walk-through or attend an open house.