Behind the Scenes, Blog

Searching Homes For Sale in Northern Virginia

Most people like to search online to find homes at the same time I’m searching. Ideally they are using my IDX or a Brokers IDX solution. Some people though, can’t help themselves and search on one of the dozens of real estate-like sites and are always disappointed by the results.

There are lots of places to look for listings but unless it is a REALTORs or Brokers IDX solution, the data is highly suspect. Those other sites get their information from real estate agent advertising but they keep it for content even after the home sells. They don’t have access to the MLS, nor should they, so they have no idea when a house sells. I use those sites to market homes and meet new buyers as well so I guess I shouldn’t speak ill of it but once you meet me or your REALTOR of choice to represent you with the purchase of your home, stop using Trulia, Zillow, realtor.com and the rest and start searching with your agents search tools.

Just the other day, Google announced that from any Google map, you can click “More” from the map itself, not the “More” at the top left of the page but the “More” that’s actually on the Map between “Traffic” and “Map” “Satellite” and “Terrain” It’ll show listings that… Google has found from various advertising outlets. It’s fun to try out as long as you don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s accurate. By way of example, one of the homes I found as “Active” on Google had gone to settlement 3 months earlier.

Again, a lot of fun but not practicle when your home search turns serious. That’s what I’m for ; )