Chattanooga Times Free Press

A STAY-AT-HOME GUIDE TO SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME

- Jordan Cornelison President, Home Builders Associatio­n of Chattanoog­a

People across the Tennessee Valley are still spending a lot of time at home in response to Covid-19 distancing measures, so conducting a house hunt online has become the new standard. While you might still want to hire a realtor to help you with your search, you can begin looking at area inventory via websites realtor.com, zillow.com, redfin.com and trulia. com. Use the tips below to enhance your online search.

Check for Updated

Content. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a home only to find out it’s no longer on the market. If you’re looking to purchase within the next six months, you’ll want to see updates in real time. Real estate agents have access to up-to-the-minute data from a multiple listing service and are a good starting point for accurate and recent informatio­n.

Look for Details. Almost all websites and mobile apps with home listings have photos and maps, but not all websites have details about the type of neighborho­od in which a home is located. Does the area have a good school system? What crimes have been reported in the area? At what price points have homes in the area recently sold? Websites like areavibe. com provide a complete profile of your future home and neighborho­od, so you can make a more informed decision about your purchase.

Sign up for Notificati­ons. In a hot market or desirable neighborho­od, affordable homes are sold quickly. Look for websites that allow users to sign up for e-mail or text alerts, and notificati­ons on homes sold or new listings. This is a useful tool if you’re looking to purchase a home in the next three months.

Don’t Overlook Mobile Apps. Another resource to boost your new home

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Jordan Cornelison

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