Non-Creepy Ways To Stalk A Future Home

Non-Creepy Ways To Stalk A Future Home

Home buyers and renters can turn up plenty of information about their new home with just a little digging online. Curbed.com offers a few tips on how home shoppers can scour the internet to discover more about a property’s history before making an offer:

Look closer at the online listings.

Plenty of sites—like realtor.com®—are available to help them search for properties. Many of these sites also track the property’s listing history. Buyers will be able to see how much it sold for in the past compared to its previous asking prices and how long it has lingered on the market. These sites also provide snapshots of year-over-year changes in property taxes. Streeteasy allows visitors to search apartment buildings to find out what other units are renting for in the building.

Google it.

Google the address to see what turns up. Remember to check the news tab, too.

Check for any permit violations.

Many local governments’ building departments offer an online database of building permits filed for renovations or changes to buildings. It’ll show which permits have been approved or issued. The building department also tracks violations against any properties. Sites like AddressReport may also be able to turn up such information. Plug in the address and the site reveals construction projects and any violations that have been issued against the property or complaints reported.

Monitor hyperlocal sites.

Neighbors can be a wealth of information, and many are talking online. Sites like NextDoor is a free forum for neighborhoods to talk about local events, real estate, crime, and more. Neighborhood groups are also increasingly popping up on Facebook. NeighborhoodScout provides a full report of the local real estate, demographics, school, crime, and home value trends of the area.

Make a bedbug check.

Apartment renters, particularly, may want to check out this registry. The Bedbug Registry is a crowdsourced database that provides reports of buildings that might be have bedbug infestations. The registry also lists places nearby that have had infestations.

Research the landlord.

New websites are popping up that review landlords, such as Rate My Landlord, Review My Landlord and Whose Your Landlord. A building address will reveal any reviews posted from tenants.

Get more tips on useful sources at Curbed.com.

Source: “8 Ways to Scour the Internet to Learn About Your Prospective Home,” Curbed.com (Nov. 30, 2017)

The Caton Team strives to be more than just Realtors – we are also your resource.  If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here.  Contact us at your convenience.   Info@TheCatonTeam.com

I read this article at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2017/12/01/non-creepy-ways-stalk-future-home?tp=i-H43-Bb-1Dd-1Nky7-1p-EHi7-1c-1NlB1-2C9oHy&om_rid=20438431&Om_ntype=RMOdaily&om_mid=4689

Remember to follow our Blog for the local real estate beat, a pulse on the San Francisco Peninsula at: https://therealestatebeat.wordpress.com

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help.  

Email Sabrina & Susan at:  Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522  Office: 650-365-9200

Want Real Estate Info on the Go?  Download our FREE Real Estate App:  http://thecatonteam.com/mobileapp

HomeSnap: http://www.homesnap.com/Sabrina-Caton

Visit our Website at:   http://thecatonteam.com/

Visit our INSTAGRAM page:  http://instagram.com/thecatonteam

PINTREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thecatonteam/

Visit us on FACEBOOK:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Susan-The-Caton-Team-Realtors/294970377834

YELP us at: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-caton-team-realtors-sabrina-caton-and-susan-caton-redwood-city

Or YELP me:  http://www.yelp.com/user_details_thanx?userid=gpbsls-_RLpPiE9bv3Zygw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCatonTeam

Connect with us professionally at LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawendtcaton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancatonrealtor

Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at:

http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading – Sabrina

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina – A Family of Realtors

Effective. Efficient. Responsive.  What Can The Caton Team Do For You?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

Sabrina BRE# 01413526 / Susan BRE #01238225 / Team BRE# 70000218/ Office BRE #01499008