The web-savvy homebuyer

Most homebuyers can find houses on the Internet now, but there is a lot more information out there than you'll find on most realtor websites. Here's a few ways to broaden your horizons:

* Municipal websites: Most towns have the assessor's database online. Find out what the current owners paid (and when), verify the square footage, view basic condition ratings, and in some towns, see construction permits. Belmont even rates street noise.

* The MBTA: Find out just how "convenient" that bus or T stop is, and exactly how long your commute would be. Check out the indispensable service nearby and trip planner tools.

* ZipRealty and RedFin: I can't vouch for their discount realty services, but they offer interactive map-based searching, community demographic and crime data, plus information from Zillow (another great site) about recent, nearby home sales.

* Live Search is astonishingly useful to homebuyers. Zoom in on "birds-eye" view: you just might find an ugly warehouse next door, a gas station around the corner, or a Big Box store down the street (we've seen all three). The amazing path/trail tool lets you calculate the walking distance -- in yards -- to a T stop, grocery store, or whatever.

Information is power. Happy surfing.