Property-hunting with your computer

Imagine the convenience of shopping for a new property in the comfort of your own home or office using your personal computer.

It is now possible through the online Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sponsored by the Canadian Real Estate Association on behalf of its members. All you have to do is type the MLS Online address, http/ /www.mls.ca and you will land on the MLS home page. It contains a series of easy to understand icons or buttons to help you navigate through the system.

To begin your search, position your cursor over “Properties for Sale.” You will see a new page giving you a choice of residential, recreational or industrial and commercial properties. If you’re looking for a house, choose residential.

The next page is a map of Canada. Choose the province, either on the map or by name in a box on the side. When you choose a province you will be given a choice of different regions and you keep selecting even smaller areas by clicking on the map until you arrive in a district of a city or town where you want to concentrate your search.

The next selection allows you to choose the features of your home. You can pick from a house, condo, triplex or lots of land. You can also choose whether you want an ocean view, lake front and the number of bed and bathrooms. Finally you select the price range for your house. After a few seconds, the computer will show you a selection of houses, as well as their MLS numbers, that meet the criteria that you have set.

To read the details about a property, you can click on its MLS number with your cursor and a color photograph and a description of the house appears.

Once you’ve made your choice on a particular property, it is easy to contact the REALTOR. There is usually an e-mail link directly to the REALTOR’S computer, along with his or her phone number.