When I’m in Relocation Limbo and I get the tiniest glimmer of hope in the form of a maybe location, I’m on Realtor.com faster than you can say moving van.  I’ve had my share of heartache, as well as joy on this real estate finder, but it’s an indispensable tool of pre-house hunting.  Here are some tips to help you make the most of the time you spend searching for your dream home.

Pictures Lie

Keep in mind that objects may be smaller than they appear, or scungier, or located next to a meth lab.  That great looking colonial with the big yard may had it’s picture taken from the neighbor’s front porch.  And that brand new construction with the drawing because it’s not complete yet?  Try to picture the house without all those mature trees.

Time Yourself

Warning:  Realtor.com is like crack.  Before you know it you’ve blown a whole day drooling into your computer screen.  Give yourself a time limit and stick to it.  Seriously – set a timer.  It’s that addictive. 

Virtual Reality is Not the Whole Picture

It’s great to get an idea of what’s available in a location, or a ballpark of what you can get for your money, but don’t rely exclusively on sites like Realtor.com for all your information.  No matter how great the house is you need to put more value on the neighborhood.  If you’re unfamiliar with your destination, start asking around.  Someone you know is bound to know someone who knows someone who can give you the skinny on the ‘hoods. 

No Picture, No Clicky

Life is too short.  Unless the inventory of homes is very low, don’t waste your time perusing listings without photos.  There are just too many that have them.

Advanced Search Options

The basic search asks you to indicate your target price as well as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but the advance options lets you narrow down your search by things like amenities, square footage, and age of homes.

Make sure to Add Nearby Areas.  The city where the job is may not be where you actually want to live.  Again, you’ll find this out by asking around!