Many of us shop online for almost everything these days, and you can’t beat the comfort and convenience of shopping from home. It’s quite common these days, but beginning your search for a new St. Louis home online is a great way to begin the process. There are a few strategies that can improve your results though, and here are some to consider:

Check Often

New listings show up online all the time, so don’t be discouraged by what’s available on your first search. Get in the habit of searching regularly. That way, you can spot new listings soon after they show up online. It will also help you get a better sense of what’s available and what median prices are like. Instead of expecting to find the perfect house and feeling frustrated after hours of searching, put in a little time each day. It will lessen the pressure and make it so there’s less to search through.  

Pictures Only Convey So Much

Listing photos are helpful, we have some idea of what we’re looking for, and pictures tell us immediately if that particular house is in our target range. But we can only get so much information from photos. And, by nature, they’re designed to entice by highlighting the home’s high points. If you like the photos, keep exploring the listing. Read all the details, request more information, or contact your agent. Beautiful pictures only tell half the story. Sometimes, the same is true for lackluster photos. Maybe the seller didn’t splurge on expensive photography, or perhaps their style of decor is making it hard to imagine yourself in the space.

Create a Must-Have List

Online home searching can get overwhelming very quickly. With so many choices to browse through, buyers need a way to narrow their search. Creating a list of your must-haves will give you a filter to simplify your search. You’ll want to factor in things like your budget, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, neighborhoods, and any other features you have to have.

Utilize your Realtor

When you find a property that you like, it’s time to enlist your real estate agent. They can dig a little deeper into the listing and help you plan for the next steps. An experienced agent familiar with the local market will help make the process considerably easier for you. They will act as another filter asking questions that you may not thought of, and researching the area to make sure that the asking price is in line with other recent sales nearby.

There’s only so much information that we can find through online home browsing, but it’s a great way to begin your search.

If you’d like a recommendation for an experienced, local Realtor, or if you’d like to get preapproved for a mortgage so you know what you have to work with, please reach out. We’re always happy to help.