If there is one thing the recent pandemic taught us, it is that digital house hunting is a useful tool. Digital house hunting works well for buyers who have very little time to house hunt or for those that are searching in an area that is a long distance from their current residence. If you find yourself searching for the home of your dreams online consider these important do’s and don’ts of digital house hunting. 

Do: Enlist a trusted real estate agent

Virtual house hunting may be a bit easier than traditional house hunting since you don’t need to drive from location to location to view a home.  However, if you find a home that you are interested in, you should hire a real estate agent to assist you. He or she can begin discussions with the seller’s agent so that you can quickly begin the home buying process. 

Don’t: Overlook the neighborhood

It can be difficult to get a true sense of a neighborhood when you are learning about it on the internet. But if you need to shop for a home virtually you may not have any other choice than to rely on online information. Really dive into the true nature of the area by looking it up on social media sites, using neighborhood specific websites, and getting information about the local school district from the district website. 

Do: Set a budget and get pre-approved

Yes, there are many beautiful homes on the market.  But if they are too far out of your budget there is no reason to waste time looking at or requesting virtual tours to see them. So before you even begin your house hunt, set your budget.  Next, find a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage.  Once this is done you will have an easier time negotiating with sellers and moving the buying process along once you find a home you are interested in. 

Don’t: Forget your needs and wants

Your search should have a few items that are absolutely necessary. For some that may be location, for others that may be the number of bedrooms, and for others that may be outdoor space or a garage.  Whatever your absolute need is, don’t forget it, especially when you begin viewing multiple homes. That last thing you want to do is get drawn in by home upgrades that you do not need. 

Do: Ask for a live or virtual tour

Just because you can’t physically view a house, doesn’t mean you need to be limited to pictures or written description of the property. Along with your real estate agent, you should ask the seller’s agent for a live or virtual house tour.  During the tour, ask questions.  Don’t be afraid to ask for a closer look at specific areas where you may have concerns such as cabinet space, closet space, or other areas that are not visible from photos.  

Don’t: Overlook comparable sales

It’s easy to fall in love with a house and want to rush to buy it in fear that it may be swept up by another buyer.  However, rushing into a contract might lead to you paying much more than necessary. Before you even consider purchasing a property, look at comparable sales within a certain radius of the house you are considering. Generally you can look at the past three months of home sales in the area as well as the sale price of homes in the area that have similar age, construction style, and same square footage.  

With the help of a trusted real estate agent you can find the home of your dreams online. Digital house hunting may require a few additional steps but it is still a very effective way to search for and purchase your next home.