It’s no secret that finding and buying a home is a huge undertaking. The time and research that goes into the process can be exhausting and frustrating. There can be times where you want to give up and just stay where you are. The good news: this day in age, it doesn’t have to be like this.
Internet Searches
Keep this in mind: Back in 1981, 22% of homebuyers scoured through newspaper ads to search for a home for sale, and just 8% relied on word of mouth to help them find the perfect place. In 2018, a staggering 44% of homebuyers used the internet to look for homes – what a massive contrast!
Thanks to the giant real estate websites and apps such as Trulia, Redfin, and Zillow make the process a little less time-consuming. These sites are a great way to single out a particular area that you’d like to focus on and can be a great resource throughout the entire process. They even give alerts when a new property is listed, giving potential buyers a heads up before others come across it.
Local Word of Mouth
Even though a lot has changed since the 80s, word of mouth is still a great way to find your new home. Out-of-towners can feel like they are going in blind when trying to find a home in the Orlando area. It’s always a great idea to connect with locals in the area you are looking to buy in. They, of course, know the ins and outs of the area and can help you find or avoid anything you are looking at.
Internet forums like Trip Advisor or Area Vibes allow users to ask questions about a certain area or neighborhood and receive helpful answers from other users. Connecting with real, local people can be another great tool in the home-finding toolkit for homebuyers in 2019.
Local Real Estate Experts
Even the savviest of home buyers know that no search tactic or giant website can compare to the honest advice of a local real estate expert. After spending hours and hours researching and clicking through the real estate sites, you still really won’t get the whole story until you actually connect with an agent who knows the market and fair values.
If you’re starting your search in the Central Florida area, be sure to contact a local real estate expert. The Realty Medics are a team of professional real estate agents that can help you find and invest in the right property in Central Florida. Contact the Realty Medics today to learn more about how we can help you find and buy a home this year.
Sources:
National Associate of Realtors. “Real Estate in a Digital Age 2018 Report” Retrieved from: https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2018-real-estate-in-a-digital-world-12-12-2018.pdf. March 26, 2019.
Bankrate. “Deadline Desperation: 6 Strategies for Buying a House Fast” Retrieved from: https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/strategies-for-buying-a-house-fast/. March 26, 2019.
HouseLogic. “8 Tips for Finding Your New Home” Retrieved from: https://www.houselogic.com/buy/house-hunting/8-tips-finding-your-new-home/. March 26, 2019.