July 16-18 2010 Asian Journal Weekend Edition
Realty Connect
By Jo Ann Israel
The internet has obviously become the number one resource for any homebuyer who is looking to purchase a property either for the first time, or moving up for better housing opportunities. As a professional realtor, I also do research in order to provide my clients quality information and be able to direct them to useful sites that will eventually help them decide where to purchase (location), how much home they can afford( mortgage prequalification), etc.
Doing your own research and identifying priorities are important in the homebuying process. Trimming down the list of ‘must haves from those nice to have but can be sacrificed’ will eventually help you narrow down your choices of homes to choose from. At the end of it all, where you buy and what you buy will depend on what you value most. Let me share with you some useful websites that can help you trim down that list.
www.Realtor.com - ranks # 1 when you type in ‘ real estate’ in Google. As the official website of NAR ( National Association of Realtors), this is the place to browse thru active and current listings of properties in your search area. Sign up for BUYER ASSIST- as you do so, the freshest and newest listings will be delivered to your inbox, according to your search requirements, for free. Save precious time!
www.Walkscore.com - this site has become the ‘walker’s homebuying guide.’ The site enables users to enter an address, calculate from that address the distance to amenities like restaurants, grocery stores, movie theatres & public transportation. Today, walkable neighborhoods are not only situated in city centers, new developments are organized around main streets with stores and restaurants, & the town center being just a couple of blocks away. If you cannot compromise walkability, this site will help you trim down your search area.
www.Meganslaw.ca.gov - this site lists all registered sex offenders by name, ZIP code, with detailed personal profile on each registrant. Megan’s Law Database Disclosure is now part of a real estate transaction and buyers are advised by sellers & brokers to check this website during the buyer’s inspection contingency period. It is wise to check this site early on as a guide for your selection of a city/area.
www.Zillow.com - boasts of its Zestimate, which pulls public data to determine the square footage of a property, number of beds & baths, lot size, year built. The website then integrates these information to determine the Zestimate of a property in a particular area. The site, however, is limited to what it can pull out of public records, it will not be able to compute additional value for extra features like an added patio with permit, or upgraded doors and windows. In the same way for buyers, zillow.com can show you the estimate price range of properties in your target zip code. This working knowledge of price range can help you narrow down your zip codes based on affordability, especially when you have already obtained a prequalification and you have determined your maximum loan amount.
www.Bankrate.com – If you don’t own a mortgage calculator, this website will calculate for principal and interest payable monthly. Just enter a purchase price, interest rate and mortgage term in years. Bankrate.com is also a good place to look at daily prevailing interest rates not only for home loans but for auto loans, credit cards etc.
Homebuying can be a satisfying and an enjoyable experience, if you know exactly what you want, need and can live with. Make use of the information online. Given the maximum loan amount you will qualify for & your monthly desired mortgage payment, be open to possibilities but be decisive on your priorities.
Engage the services of a professional Realtor, who will represent you solely. The services of a buyer’s agent is free and would not cost you a penny. Complement what you have come to know about homebuying with the actual and hands-on expertise of a Realtor who will guide you every step of the way.
Realty Connect
By Jo Ann Israel
The internet has obviously become the number one resource for any homebuyer who is looking to purchase a property either for the first time, or moving up for better housing opportunities. As a professional realtor, I also do research in order to provide my clients quality information and be able to direct them to useful sites that will eventually help them decide where to purchase (location), how much home they can afford( mortgage prequalification), etc.
Doing your own research and identifying priorities are important in the homebuying process. Trimming down the list of ‘must haves from those nice to have but can be sacrificed’ will eventually help you narrow down your choices of homes to choose from. At the end of it all, where you buy and what you buy will depend on what you value most. Let me share with you some useful websites that can help you trim down that list.
www.Realtor.com - ranks # 1 when you type in ‘ real estate’ in Google. As the official website of NAR ( National Association of Realtors), this is the place to browse thru active and current listings of properties in your search area. Sign up for BUYER ASSIST- as you do so, the freshest and newest listings will be delivered to your inbox, according to your search requirements, for free. Save precious time!
www.Walkscore.com - this site has become the ‘walker’s homebuying guide.’ The site enables users to enter an address, calculate from that address the distance to amenities like restaurants, grocery stores, movie theatres & public transportation. Today, walkable neighborhoods are not only situated in city centers, new developments are organized around main streets with stores and restaurants, & the town center being just a couple of blocks away. If you cannot compromise walkability, this site will help you trim down your search area.
www.Meganslaw.ca.gov - this site lists all registered sex offenders by name, ZIP code, with detailed personal profile on each registrant. Megan’s Law Database Disclosure is now part of a real estate transaction and buyers are advised by sellers & brokers to check this website during the buyer’s inspection contingency period. It is wise to check this site early on as a guide for your selection of a city/area.
www.Zillow.com - boasts of its Zestimate, which pulls public data to determine the square footage of a property, number of beds & baths, lot size, year built. The website then integrates these information to determine the Zestimate of a property in a particular area. The site, however, is limited to what it can pull out of public records, it will not be able to compute additional value for extra features like an added patio with permit, or upgraded doors and windows. In the same way for buyers, zillow.com can show you the estimate price range of properties in your target zip code. This working knowledge of price range can help you narrow down your zip codes based on affordability, especially when you have already obtained a prequalification and you have determined your maximum loan amount.
www.Bankrate.com – If you don’t own a mortgage calculator, this website will calculate for principal and interest payable monthly. Just enter a purchase price, interest rate and mortgage term in years. Bankrate.com is also a good place to look at daily prevailing interest rates not only for home loans but for auto loans, credit cards etc.
Homebuying can be a satisfying and an enjoyable experience, if you know exactly what you want, need and can live with. Make use of the information online. Given the maximum loan amount you will qualify for & your monthly desired mortgage payment, be open to possibilities but be decisive on your priorities.
Engage the services of a professional Realtor, who will represent you solely. The services of a buyer’s agent is free and would not cost you a penny. Complement what you have come to know about homebuying with the actual and hands-on expertise of a Realtor who will guide you every step of the way.
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.
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