THREE RESOURCES
Navigating the world of real estate, especially at a distance when looking for a second home or a retirement destination can be a daunting task. But, it doesn't have to be! If you're a home buyer interested in making the wisest real estate decisions possible, then you'll want to follow the lead of the smart home buyers who have gone before you. Purchasing real estate can be and often is a big investment—and a purchase worth spending time on thoroughly researching and investigating before you get to the closing table. Here are three real estate resources that I recommend to my clients and customers that have helped many buy the house of their dreams here in Emerald Isle and elsewhere on the Crystal Coast pf North Carolina.
1. Reputable Online Real Estate Sites
It goes without saying that in 2020, with information at your fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, smart home buyers go to the internet to do their initial research. The internet has a wealth of information so long as you know where to look. Numerous online sites offer up real estate information, but some have more reliable and more current information than others. I've compiled a list of solid websites that I recommend my wise home buyers to check out. Each has a unique insight and perspective, but all of them can give you some information on the latest trending topics in real estate and answers to many of your questions in your quest to find your perfect vacation or retirement house.
Forbes.com:. The real estate and investing section on this website focuses in on real estate hot topics and the latest news in the world of real estate trends along with their own professional expertise in the market. Local markets are not an emphasis.
Zillow.com: Zillow provides easy-to-access information on regional real estate markets around the country. In a few clicks, you can find out what's for sale in a particular area, view the real estate history of the home, search available and possible foreclosures, plus additional relative information on any homes you have an interest in pretty much anywhere in the country. Zillow's biggest weakness is accurate pricing.
Hud.gov: This US Housing and Urban Development website is a great go-to for first time home buyers who are seeking to understand the particulars of the home buying process. This website offers helpful links to loan information, home-buying programs, frequently asked questions and so much more. Relevant links to online tools and more specific real estate information are included on their Buying a Home page. The information may be overwhelming and users often find themselves going down an information rabbit hole.
MyHome.FreddieMac.com: My Home by Freddie Mac has the week's housing headlines, what-you-can-afford calculators, and current lending rates in the real estate market. The site also surveys lenders each week on the average rates, fees, and points for the most popular mortgage products so that saves you some time and effort when it comes to research. The information is fairly generic and every lending situation is unique.
HGTV.com: From fixer uppers to dream homes and everything in between, there's a lot of information available to you in the articles, slideshows and videos on this website. No doubt, there's a show or possibly an entire series that falls in line with your particular interests or situation. Fair warning! Much of the content is entertainment driven.
2. Local Real Estate Company Websites & Blogs
Once you have settled on which beach towns in what coastal areas you want to explore in depth, I instruct my clients to get the local perspective. ALL real estate is local. What do you care about real estate inventory in Malibu, California when you are seeking a home in Emerald Isle, NC? I tell my clients to explore the local real estate companies' websites in the geographic area of their interest. Don't worry too much about properties for sale. Focus more on websites, like mine at www.EIHomesforSale.com, that have a dedicated blog section that is up to date. A blog with regular postings about local information is far more valuable than a blog of home tours. Seek out blogs with evergreen content that is continually relevant and stays “fresh” for readers over a long period of time. And, when you visit my website and its evergreen blog, don't forget to visit my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to name a few, as they provide many of the latest updates and current information.
3. Knowledgeable Real Estate Agents in Your Area of Interest
The next logical step after researching online, both in general and on a local level, is to contact me! A professional, reputable and passionate real estate agent is a huge asset, a priceless resource and the KEY to your successful home-buying adventure. You need a personal contact with day-to-day experience in the place you are potentially going to call home. I can give you more in-depth answers to your questions and site-specific details that you won't find anywhere else. Let me guide you along the way and help you navigate the finer points of home buying. You'll be glad you did!
There you have it! My top three real estate resources worthy of your time when you're interested in coastal real estate or purchasing a home in Emerald Isle, NC. To learn more about the LOCAL real estate market, go to my website, www.EI HomesforSale.com to request my Guide to Living Where You Vacation or text your email address to: 919-308-2292. I'll help you out in any way I can to make your realty dreams a reality!
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