Finding a home can be challenging. You search and search and can’t seem to find what you’re looking for. You may feel like you’ll never find the home of your dreams.
Don’t be discouraged! There are tons of ways to find homes that aren’t even on the market. You just have to learn a few key tricks first…
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Use online resources.
Constantly check apps and websites.
There are plenty of resources to help with finding you a great home. If you continually check these sites, eventually you will find what you’re looking for.
Zillow is arguably the best app for buying and selling a home, so many sellers will be on there. Spend a few minutes a day scanning through Zillow and apps similar to it to find what you’re looking for in a home.
Keep an eye out for off-market listings online.
There are multiple off-market listings as well. Although off-market listing has changed slightly in the past few years, it’s still a viable option for you.
Opendoor is a great option for off-market listings. This company does what it can to cut out any unnecessary steps in the selling process so you can buy quickly.
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Find the right people.
Know the best agents.
A big aspect of house-hunting is knowing the best local agents. Real estate agents are great with on-market listings, but they also may know the off-market, pre-foreclosure, and foreclosure situations.
Network!
Networking is one of the best ways to find exactly what you’re looking for. Find real estate events, Facebook groups, or just find some friends in the real estate world. Even builders and contractors can add some knowledge when it comes to finding your perfect house.
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Do some digging.
Research your options.
There are tons of online, print, and in-person resources you can use to find a home. This may be an old-fashioned approach, but you can still search through the newspaper to find what you’re looking for.
Another great option is staying up-to-date on public records. You can request property records from your state’s government. Just do a quick web search for where to find your state’s housing information!
Driving for Dollars.
One way to find a home is by driving up and down the streets you’re interested in. If you see a property you’re interested in, use the resources that are stated above and see if that house is your new home.
You may see an abandoned house with no “home for sale” sign. There are ways to track down the owner or history.
The County Assessor assesses the home’s value. This means that they have their hands on the home’s history. These records are free and public, so it’s a great place to start if you see a home with potential.
You can either call or check the website to find the owner’s mailing address or contact information for the house you’re interested in. Many of the County Assessor websites have a public portal where that information is already listed.
From here you can contact the individual to tell them you’re interested in purchasing the property and see what happens. You never know unless you ask!
Don’t give up!
Although all of this may sound exhausting, don’t give up on your search to find a home. The most important thing is to keep checking everything. Be consistent and you will see the fruit of your work!
Check those websites as frequently as you can. Set search alerts so you can be the first one to see the new listings. Also, stay in close contact with the people you find along the way.
