Expert advice on using the internet to help you buy a home

11-Jan-2016

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Believe it or not, the internet can help you buy the perfect house at the most convenient price. The World Wide Web has changed completely the course of the real estate market in the recent years. Both tenants and buyers find it much easier to do a browser search rather than look for properties in person. Estate agents used to have a major role in the industry until the internet has taken over. In the past, people were compelled to hire agents – there was no other way to purchase a house. Right now, sellers post properties on real estate websites where potential buyers are at liberty to spend all the time they need before making a decision.

Should you ditch the realtor completely?

The internet is an extremely useful tool when trying to buy a home, and that’s because it spares you of the extra cost of finding properties to begin with. However, major property portals don’t offer any advice on what you need to do and what papers you need to actually buy. Very few people invest in the market through websites that advertise “for-sale-by-owner” properties, and once again the main reason for their reticence is connected to disbelief. Buying a house is challenging. A lot of paperwork is involved, including payments, authorizations, and so on. Simply put, going through such a demanding process is a lot more difficult than meets the eye, and unless you’re an expert in real estate, you shouldn’t do it all by yourself.

Get a closer look at your finances

Don’t look for houses online without having a budget in mind because you may end up buying something you won’t be able to afford maintaining in the long term. Also, don’t forget it’s the internet, and online nothing is what it seems. What you see in a photograph is usually not what you get. After you’ve settled on a budget, the next step is to calculate the amount of money you can borrow from a lender using a mortgage calculator.

Websites like Experian are an excellent tool to use to check your current credit rating – and it’s completely free. This is an extremely important – most lenders are picky about to whom they should lend money. The tinniest issue, mistake or blemish on your credit rating could jeopardize your application, and your loan may be denied.

In the end, it’s all about location

The best property websites offer videos and virtual tours with some of the houses on sale. Site like UpMyStreet and Nestoria include data on neighborhood statistics too (pubs, restaurants, schools, hospitals, supermarkets), so you might want to check those out before selecting a property. Use the Environment Agency to place your postcode; this will help you see areas predisposed to flooding or contaminated ground. Furthermore, you might want to keep an eye on reduce prices on houses, too. Zoopla is an excellent website to bookmark.

Periodic price verifications

Before the internet took over the real estate market, this kind of information was private. Right now, you can easily find out the real price of the property you want to but by accessing the Land Registry. It will allow you to verify prices and transaction volume for property buying/selling in your area.

Begin your search and be thorough

When searching for a new property, it is essential to be thorough. Know at least the basics about the demand for homes in your preferred area; also it doesn’t hurt to get more general info on the neighborhood. In spite of the fact that the future of online real estate sounds exciting, buyers will still have to be careful. Don’t agree to anything online, and make sure that all transactions are done face to face.

Buying property online is much easier than dealing with a broker. And yet you cannot believe that what you see is real; because it usually isn’t. Buyers are advised to check the web for more information, especially on current trends. However, don’t make rush decisions and ask for guidance. Whether you’ve decided to buy a residential property in Turkey or a cottage in the UK, the formalities are similar. So why take unnecessary risks when you can remain organized and eventually end up with a beautiful home?

 


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