Who would have ever thought that a people-oriented industry like real estate would ever become so technical? However, it seems the way of the future is upon us, and today’s buyers and sellers have a host of tools to aid in their transactions that would have been incomprehensive even just a few years ago. Back then, you’d have to jump through all sorts of hoops to research potential properties or get your house in front of prospective buyers. Now, an abundance of information is available instantly, right from your smartphone.
While these incredible resources are a long way off from replacing the human touch and expertise of a local real estate agent, they are fantastic for beginning your preliminary research when buying a home. What are these apps, and how can they take the stress out of your transaction while helping you buy or sell at the right price and terms that work for you? Let’s take a look!
Real Estate Dictionary
If you’re a little unseasoned in real estate, it can feel like a foreign language. Real Estate Dictionary is a handy tool to take yourself from knowing nothing to becoming a confident and educated buyer or seller. Inside, you’ll find clearly explained definitions of all the real estate lingo you may hear.
Mortgages, down payments, and real estate law are just a few topics covered. This is an excellent resource for your research stages and will help you know what to look for and how to spot any red flags.
A successful purchase always begins with information. And here are some great places to to start:
- Can You Buy a House With a Poor Credit Score?
- 5 Reasons to Make Guelph Your Next Home
- The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Buyers in Guelph
Realtor.ca
It probably comes as no surprise that Canada’s biggest real estate website also has its own app. Realtor.ca features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for the slightly less tech-savvy among us to begin their research. At a glance, you can glean information from thousands of listings all across Canada, including single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and more. You can even search for your next commercial investment if that’s where your interest lies.
- For buyers, you can save time by narrowing down your search to the homes that are the most likely contenders.
- For sellers, you can get your listing in front of thousands of buyers who are all on the hunt right now.
The convenience doesn’t stop at being able to find an available listing. With a single tap, you can take a virtual tour of any home that catches your eye. Whether the idea of moving is still a far-off dream or you’re ready to dive in tomorrow, Realtor.ca will help you clarify and research your goal.
Zillow
Zillow showcases available listings from all over North America. However, its functionality does not stop with finding potential properties to browse or grabbing the eyeballs of potential buyers. Constant updates ensure that the house you have your eye on is still available and has not been pulled from the market. You can even take a 3D tour of your favourite homes right from your smartphone.
Zoocasa
Like Realtor.ca, Zoocasa brings potentially thousands of listings nationwide to your fingertips. A different interface can turn up information you may have otherwise missed. For example, advanced filters allow you to narrow the scope of your search:
- You can perform detailed research on your prospective new neighbourhood.
- You can narrow it down to homes in your price range.
- You can even find details like local school districts in your region.
For sellers, tools like Zoocasa make it easy to showcase the best features of your home and attract buyers from all over the world.
House Sigma
What is the home you’re looking at really worth? Understanding and accurately interpreting vital statistics can ensure you don’t overpay when buying property. This type of information used to be almost impossible to find without connecting to a real estate agent. Now, some information is available at the click of a button, so you can get a rough idea of home values.
With House Sigma, you can research sold listings from as far back as 2003.
- See how much a house has sold for in the past.
- Sign up for sold alerts the moment a listing sells.
- Examine sold comparables of similar homes in the same neighbourhood.
You can even access AI-powered home evaluations to give an estimate of the value of a particular property. House Sigma’s home values aren’t always accurate, so you are wise to seek the advice of an experienced realtor.
Want to know more about how to finance your new home? The resources below can help:
- How to Choose the Right Mortgage Broker
- Straight Talk About Second Mortgages and Refinancing
- Common First Time Buyer Questions Answered By Mortgage Specialist
Canadian Mortgage App
Finding your dream house is only one part of the process; the real challenge is financing your purchase. Enter Canadian Mortgage App, an all-in-one solution that allows you to:
- Calculate the total cost of home ownership.
- Compare rates from various lenders.
- Determine if refinancing your mortgage is worth the penalty of breaking your term.
You can even take the stress test and get pre-qualified for a mortgage right from the app!
Each one of these apps can be an incredible research tool, but they don’t yet replace the expertise of a local real estate agent or mortgage broker. With a decision as monumental as buying or selling a home, nothing beats having a friendly and professional expert that you can call at a moment’s notice.
Still, when you think of all of the information and what you can accomplish in minutes, right from the comfort of your home, it’s easy to marvel at how far we have come thanks to technology.
Are you ready to take the next step in the buying or selling process? It can be as simple as a casual conversation. Reach out today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 for more information or to get started.
