Approximately 80% of home buyers use the Internet during their home search. The reasons why are obvious -- the Internet puts a wealth of information at your fingertips.
But with so many websites out there, where do you start? How do you know which sites are worth visiting and which are not. It can be a real case of information overload. This article will lighten your load by recommending some premium online resources.
Finding a Home
When looking for a house to buy, use as many different sources as possible. Read your local newspaper. Keep an eye out for those "For Sale" signs. And of course, use the Internet. Here are some sites to help you with your search:
www.Homes.com
www.Realtor.com
www.realestate.yahoo.com
You should also seek out the websites of real estate agents in your area. You can use Google to find them, simply by entering "homes for sale +your city name."
Mortgage Calculators
Online mortgage calculators are a quick way to determine the approximate monthly mortgage on a particular house, based on the price, the interest rate and the length of loan. Keep in mind these numbers don't account for closing costs and other variables. Still, they give you a pretty good idea as to where your comfort zone lies, based on monthly payments.
Always use more then one mortgage calculator, to verify the numbers they give you.
www.mortgage-calc.com
www.mortgage101.com/calculators
www.fanniemae.com/homebuyers/calculators
www.homebuyinginstitute.com/calculators.html
www.money.cnn.com/tools
Current Interest Rates
Interest rates are one of the ingredients that determine your total monthly payment. Here are some sites that will help you keep up with interest rates. As with everything else, it's wise to use several different sites to get an accurate overall picture.
www.mortgage101.com/rates
www.money.cnn.com/rates
www.interest.com
www.bankrate.com
www.compareinterestrates.com
Finding a Home Inspector
A home inspection is a "must have" for any home buyer. With a home inspection, you'll enjoy peace of mind and avoid costly oversights. Here are some websites to help you find a certified home inspector:
www.homeinspections-usa.com
www.homeinspection.com
www.ashi.org (American Society of Home Inspectors)
www.nahi.org (National Association of Home Inspectors)
Real Estate News
Keeping up with real estate news will help you understand the market you're entering. By knowing what's happening across the nation and in your state, you can better prepare yourself for the home buying process. Here are some websites to help:
www.inman.com
www.rismedia.com
www.money.cnn.com/real_estate
A Complete Home-Buying Resource
The websites listed above will help you research individual topics. But what if you want to learn about the home buying process from A to Z? The Home Buying Institute has hundreds of helpful articles across 12 home buying categories. You'll also find mortgage calculators, real estate news, an A-to-Z home buying glossary and more!
Visit: www.HomeBuyingInstitute.com
* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article (unaltered) provided you keep the byline and author's note. Please leave the author's hyperlink active.
Realtors