When you’re looking for a new home, it’s easy to find real estate listings on the internet and through apps on your smartphone. While this is a convenient way to search for homes for sale, there are a few things you need in order to understand the listings. JoAnn Meier at RE/MAX First Choice in Waterloo, IL, has over 30 years of experience as a Realtor^® and can help you find the home you’ve been dreaming of. Here, she gives a few tips on what to look for when scouring the internet for real estate listings. 

How to Search For Real Estate Listings

1. Inspect the Photos

It is a good sign if the listing has plenty of photos for buyers to look at. However, if you notice that most of them are taken at weird angles or are unnaturally cropped, it could mean the lister is attempting to hide something. Similarly, photos taken with a wide-angle lens will make the rooms seem larger than they are. You can detect overly distorted wide-angle photography easily since straight lines in the picture might appear curved.

2. Look at the Surrounding Area

If you are impressed with the real estate listing, you’ll want to inspect the surrounding neighborhood to see if it is a good fit for you and your family. Utilizing Google Earth^™ or Google Street View^™, you’ll be able to see the neighborhood from a 180-degree street view or bird’s eye view. 

3. Pay Close Attention to the Wording

While seeing the words “New Renovation” and “Updated" might get you interested in seeing the real estate listing, be sure to read into exactly what updates the owner has completed and when they were done. Sometimes, these phrases are used to excite buyers even though the updates to the home are minimal or completed a while ago.

For more help with searching for your next home, get the help of a trusted real estate agent. JoAnn Meier at RE/MAX First Choice can help you interpret the many real estate listings you come across. As a native of Monroe County, she has a good grasp on the neighborhoods and homes in the area. To see her current listings, visit her online or give her a call at (618) 939-6003.