One of the biggest investments we make in our life is our home. At each phase of our life, if we buy it right, that investment should serve our personal and financial wellbeing. Each home fundamentally should serve as a stepping stone for the next investment. Getting it right at each phase of your life is essential.

In Part I, I discussed websites to help you pick the area or areas you would like to focus your home search, now we need to get into the business of getting the home search started. 

1. Realtor.com Home Affordability Calculator

Once you begin your search in earnest, you will need to know how much you can afford to get a picture of where you are in terms of finances before you go off to the bank. This tool on Realtor.com can give you a better picture of the type of home you can afford and what price range you would be most comfortable.

This tool can be used as a motivational number for buying your dream home or a realistic look at what you should expect out of your first home. 

2. Re/Max.com Home Estimates Search

Is the home priced within the value range of the rest your desired neighborhood? Is it the most expensive home in the neighborhood?

By entering an address, you will see a map of the houses and their estimated values. This website is no replacement for the type of assistance that you will receive from a real estate agent, but it can at the very least give you an idea of the areas you want to focus your home search.

3. HomeTrackr.com 

Ahh…this is where it gets tricky. Homes should be priced based on market value, but then adjusted based on condition. To get an estimated look at these values when you are first starting your home search check out this website. It is like CarFax for houses. HomeTrackr.com you will find information on permits and contractors of public record. Just type in an address to get a full report in the covered areas.  

If you find houses that you want to look at in person, a professional real estate agent, like Christina Lowry James, help you assess both—value and condition. 

 

4. BirminghamWelcomeHome.com Market Report

On this website, we have a tool that can give you a side-by-side comparison of houses in similar areas with similar features. 

These tools and those in the previous blog will help you decide which areas are best suited for your interests as well as those that you should avoid In the process, you will be able to narrow down your choices and as a result, make the best decision possible. Paring these online resources with the local knowledge of a real estate agent will help ensure that you are prepared to make the best purchase you can make.

 

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