mdolla: 5 Helpful Websites To Aid You in House Hunting

The value of real estate is constantly on the rise in many areas, and with it, rents are surging up too. These are some of the factors that make buying a home seem more attractive than ever. In addition to owning a home, there are some extra tax deductions, unlike renting, which are bonuses that wouldn’t hurt, since tax savings mitigate the cost of ownership.

However, buying or selling a home is a big commitment with a process that can be both complicated and a big headache. Although the market is on the rise, mortgage rates still keep fluctuating, making aspiring homeowners a little bit hesitant. Finding a new home can be a tough hurdle that requires a lot of know-how and experience, especially for first time buyers or sellers. This is why you need to do a lot of research and consultation before deciding what kind of home you need.

I recently purchased a home, and it was quite an ordeal. Here are some of the websites my partner and I went through in researching and comparing for the ideal home that would best suit your lifestyle and budget. They were helpful, and I know they can also help you find the perfect home for you.

1. Realtor.com

This list, (just like my home hunt) cannot begin without the mention of Realtor.com. This is one of the biggest real estate websites, with over 900 listing services updated every 15 minutes, with real estate information from all over the country. There are several great features to guide you in your buying and selling, like market summaries, which includes price check, neighborhood insights, and advice articles. Realtor.com is the official website of the National Association of Realtors, and it’s the first place we went when we started our hunt. You can be certain that this is a valuable and credible place to start (and maybe end) your home search.

2. Savills

This site breaks down its listings by unique category, from continent to country, to the type of building and the use of the building, which is quite helpful for home buyers who are not really sure of the specific type of listing they want to pursue. They also have guides and professionals that can give you information and walk you through the process of buying a home step-by-step. I really liked the prompt feedback, so it’s definitely a thumps up for this helpful site.

3. Kutsevich Realty

I stumbled upon this site during my many queries on Google, and it was very helpful. A user-friendly site, it really narrowed down the specifics for me, providing an easy way to search for the basics, such as property type, city, county, etc. In fact, it made things very easy and helpful with capabilities for calculating mortgage rates, and viewing listings on the map. They also provided in-depth market reports of areas. I am sure you would find it helpful too.

4. Sothebys Realty

For the well-loaded aspiring homeowners, this is the marketplace for you. When I came across this site, I couldn’t help it – I had to have a look. This international real estate site lists some very beautiful and luxury destination homes from around the world. If you are looking to buy a luxury home or rent a home for vacation, I really think Sothesby would be the best place for your search. They have listings from all over the world: the Carribeans, Africa, Europe; it’s quite interesting. Most of the listings were above my price range, but they were amazing, and I loved browsing through them. I am sure you would find some amazing homes there if your budget is within their listed price ranges.

5. Christie’s Real Estate

If you thought Sothesby was luxurious, then you need to check Christie’s. I did find Christie’s during my hunt, and even though I found nothing within my price range, I am sure celebrities and other wealthy people reading this would appreciate the heads up. The listings are breathtaking and outstanding. If you are are looking to buy an exclusive and luxury home, then you should head to Christie’s. On this website, you can even buy an island. Yes! – there are islands for sale on the listings. It’s just amazing. You can buy and sell your luxury homes, mansions, estates, and islands on this site.

If you found this list, it means you are probably looking to buy or sell a home, and you need some information. You don’t have to panic, or be frustrated when buying or selling homes. Taking your budget, your lifestyle, and your needs into consideration, all you need is proper research, planning, and the help of a good real estate company or agent, and you can find your dream house. Good luck finding your perfect home!

Featured photo credit: Elle Decor via elledecor.com

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