Real Estate Listing As Research Tool

Obtaining a real estate listing is a great way to research properties before actually contacting a real estate agent and going to look them over. The pressure some may feel when working with a real estate agent can be lessened if the real estate listings are downloaded off the internet or purchased through a third party. It is not necessary to purchase a real estate listing however. Many banks, credit unions and real estate agencies offer listings for free of properties that have been foreclosed on.

Advantages of using a real estate listing first


Obtaining and reading a real estate listing before you look at any of the properties that you may be interested in can have its advantages. Ideally a listing will have a photo of the property as well as any pertinent information about the property. You will know ahead of time what features and amenities the property has. Other pertinent information will include the asking price, which usually can be negotiated even on a property that has been foreclosed on. The lot features such as lot size, sewer and utilities should be listed as well as building interior and exterior features. If appliances are going to stay they will be listed as well. Finally, if the school district is important to you look for that information on the listing. Obtaining the real estate listing ahead of time will save time when you are looking at the property because you will not need to ask if the appliances stay, what type of heating system the home has or even if there is a security system in place. Knowing this information ahead of time can also allow you to inspect each item carefully if you think this is the property for you. Homes that have been foreclosed on will not have a tenant or homeowner there so the real estate listing will be your main source of information. Looking at the listings ahead of time will help you eliminate the homes you are not interested in or that are out of your price range.

Viewing the properties

Once you have narrowed the list down by looking through the real estate listings you obtained then contact a realtor that specializes in the type of properties you are seeking. If you want to look strictly at properties that have been foreclosed on seek a realtor that knows about selling this type of property. Take the real estate listing with you so you can jot notes down about each property as you go. If you wait until you get home, pertinent information may be forgotten. Ask the realtor you are working with about financing if you need to obtain some. Getting pre-qualified can really help with the home buying process and insure when the right property comes along you do not miss out while waiting for financial approval.