How the Internet Helps You Shop for Real Estate

Get started on your search for a new home by checking out the best real-estate listing sites. These free public listing sites give you an idea of what’s available, where’s it’s available, and how much it costs.

While there’s no financial charge to use these sites, they are by no means free.These sites want your contact information. Then they startemailing you.

Those emails come from realtors who want your business. TIP: Create an email address specifically for your real-estate searches. Write the address down so you won’t forget it.

Here’s a quick look at the three major public listings sites:

1. Zillow (2006). With more than 100,000 listings, the largest public listing site in the world. They make money by selling leads to realtors. Your inquiries represent their leads. Find your own realtor before Zillow finds one for you.
2. Realtor (1996).Affiliated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), this site gets listings from nearly 600 MLS databases. Since the data comes directly from realtors, it’s considered highly reliable. They sell leads too.
3. Trulia (2005). Now a subsidiary of Zillow, Trulia is lauded for its mobile application. The site features map overlays containing neighborhood info.Unlike Zillow, Trulia doesn’t offer estimates of home valuations.

Looking to rent an apartment? Apartments.com is the country’s largest public listing service for apartment rentals. If you don’t know how to locate an agent specializing in the area that interests you, just sign into one of these public listing sites and agents will contact you.

MLS Listings: Run By Real Estate Agents, For Real Estate Agents

Public listing services depend upon realtors for their listings. Either the realtor manually enters the listing, or the site arranges to use listings from Multiple Listings Services (MLS) run by local real-estate associations. About 600 realtor-based listing services operate in the United States.

The public listing sites pepper you with constant notifications. Real estate agents, on the other hand, only contact you when you want them to. And real-estate agents have access to all the added data offered by MLS listings.

There are more than 35 MLS association-run MLS services in Florida. MLS service size is measured by the number of agents registered to use the service. In Florida, the three largest MLS services serve:

1. Tampa. Called Stellar, this MLS serves nearly 70,000 agents. It’s the fifth-largest MLS in the US.Serves 18 realtor organizations across Florida, stretching from Tampa on the west coast to Daytona on the east coast.
2. Miami. Stretching the Treasure Coast to south Miami, Beaches MLS serves more than 36,000 agents. It’s the 13th largest MLS in the country, serving Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.
3. Jacksonville. Named RealMLS, this service is run by the Northeast Florida Realtors Association. Nearly 12,000 registered agents use the service, which covers six counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.

Public listing sites can get you started by providing you with basic details. For more in-depth information, turn to a realtor who has access to MLS listings.

Education and Data: Another Reason to Use Internet Real Estate Sites

Besides listing access, the internet is good for teaching yourself about real estate. Investigate the sites below not only for their listings, but also for the unique data they provide about the locality.

Run into terms with which you’re unfamiliar? Check Investopedia for great definitions and explanations of financial terms. Three websites that offer an amazing amount of free information for home shoppers are:

1. Redfin. A lot like Zillow, except these guys produce better research.The website’s news section is a great way to keep up with real estate. If you’re a longer term lookey-loo, sign up for their monthly newsletter.
2. Neighborhoods.com. Between the city of your choice and the home of your choice lies the neighborhood. Check this site to compare neighborhoods like you compare cities or homes. They also have a good newsletter.
3. Neighborhood Scout. If you’re ready to spend a little to help your decision, check out this site. They’ll provide you with investor-level data to help your decision-making process. Important information for second-home buyers.

Ultimately, you’ll need to select an agent to help you find a new home. Real-estate websites are a great way to educate yourself so you choose the right agent.

Need a real-estate agent you can trust? Contact your Good Greek Real Estate Concierge to meet agents who specialize in the neighborhoods that interest you.