Searching for homes
Starting your search
Your agent will be your biggest ally in your home hunt. He or she will give you multiple listing sheets (MLS) based on the price and desired amenties that you talked about. Real estate publications and classified ads both online and in print are a good source of properties that you or your agent may not have previously considered. It’s also a good idea to take a drive through the neighborhoods and towns you are considering to get a feel for what specific areas you really like and to help narrow your search. Once you’ve found properties you’re interested in, your agent can arrange viewings for you.
About MLS
MLS, or multiple listing service, is a private realtor-owned multiple listing service that provides services to the real estate community in Massachusetts – think of it as a one-stop-shop for finding listings. MLS provides service to more than 29,000 real estate professionals in New England and has a comprehensive database consisting of tens of thousands of listings. Most real estate professionals use this service as it provides details of most homes currently on the market. However, much of the information listed in MLS can also be found on public websites, but you might have to hit multiple sites to see everything.
Other ways to search
The Internet has been a growing source of real estate listings and is a way to see a wide variety of homes on the market– including listings that might not be included in the MLS. There is a lot of information to be had on these listings as well – everything from square footage to multiple photos to virtual tours are there to entice buyers to take a closer look. The listings in the Sunday paper are also a good way to see what’s on the market as are real estate for sale books and publications.
Adventure drives are another great way to see homes and neighborhoods. Seeing a home in person is always going to be better than in a photo. Something you might have taken a pass on just by looking at a photo might actually be right up your alley, or a potential dream home.
