More and More Home Buyers are Using the Internet for Their Home Search

Kimberley Guelker, 2012 President, Lorain County Association of REALTORS®

Kimberley Guelker 2012 LoCAR President

It used to be when someone wanted to buy a home they rode around in the back seat of a real estate agent's car until they either found a property they liked, or both parties became exhausted and postponed the buying decision. Times have changed.

A growing number of consumers are finding there are many benefits to taking the on-line route in their initial home search.

Through the Internet, a potential homebuyer can see many properties and their specifications quickly. Listings on the Internet usually include at least one picture of the home. Increasingly, however, more Internet property listings now have three-dimensional, panoramic 360-degree views of the property, which gives prospective buyers an even better idea of what the interior and exterior of the home is like.

In addition to viewing the physical appearance of a potential home through the Internet, buyers can also check out various neighborhoods including their proximity to important features such as schools, churches, shopping and other amenities.

Other useful information that can be found on the Internet include an area's traffic patterns, tax rates, crime statistics, even the location of underground hazards and other problems that might be in the vicinity but not easily visible or readily disclosed.

Potential homebuyers who use the Internet for their initial search often are able to eliminate a large number of properties and neighborhoods that might be less suited to their needs and tastes, and concentrate on the few that are probable prospective choices. The Internet does not eliminate the need for a real estate agent or to visit potential properties, however, it just makes the process more efficient, organized, and oftentimes less frustrating.

Typically, the Internet-savvy consumer sees fewer properties than in the old days, spends less time on the search process, makes a more informed decision and ends up more satisfied than was possible before this new technology became available.

Another vital area where the Internet is increasingly serving today's potential homebuyers is in the financial arena. Properties listed on the Internet will have price information--not a trivial matter since the price factor is typically the first factor used by buyers to determine a property's suitability. After evaluating price trends in an area, consumers who shop the Internet first in their home search oftentimes are in a better position to spot bargains.

While there are a number of good sites available on the Internet to choose from, one of the most comprehensive is REALTOR.COM, the proprietary site of the National Association of Realtors® and the premier source of homebuying, selling and virtually all housing and shelter issues.

REALTOR.COM is constantly being updated, and covers the entire country. The information is free, timely, and besides property listings, the site contains a wealth of background information for the consumer interested in homes. It should be the cornerstone of any search.

Another website to consider is www.OhioOpenHouseFinder.com. This website was launched by NORMLS (Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service), which is this region's multiple listing service. Open houses can be searched in a similar manner. Each open house listing features a photo and a reasonably detailed description. You also have the choice of printing out each individual open house you're interested in.

Remember, NORMLS is an Internet based online advance technology system through which local member REALTORS® agree to share listing information.

When the time comes to make the American Dream of homeownership a reality, make sure you utilize the expertise of a professional—a REALTOR® member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of more than 1,200 local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than one million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Remember, home ownership matters. Do your internet research, get pre-approved by a reputable lender and work with your "partner" in your search for that special home: Your partner … your REALTOR®.

Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Associations.