Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2008 · 24 posts · 5 votes
Any investors out there who use these sites? Any opinions on which one(s) is(are) the best? If they're not useful for investors, does anyone have any ideas on what could make them more attractive/useful to investors (as opposed to "regular" sellers and buyers)?
I use online sites such as Relator.com as you mentioned, however, I use them for specific purposes and I know that the information may not be 100% accurate. I use Realtor.com for comps and current listings in a specific area.
I think a lot of these online sites are useful. Many also use zillow.com, but in my experience, their valuations are almost never accurate, so keep this in mind.
What would be really useful to me would be comps. Thorough listings of comps, especially in an easily usable form are hard to find. Yeah, I know, use a Realtor to get comps. Use public records, use a title company. I want all of that, and all easily accessible in a zillow style mashup.
Use a Realtor to get comps. Use public records, use a title company. I want all of that, and all easily accessible in a zillow style mashup.
I think the mashup would be sweet as well. And as a web/software developer I'd love to build it. I think what may be missing from public records, title companies and such are APIs developers can utilize to build the mash up. If those APIs were available to feed developers that data through a secured web service, and any legal issues were already ironed out, I assume zillow, cyberhomes, etc... would already have that built in. I am sure it will be on the way soon. It's probably in the works by now somewhere. I doubt it will be free like the listings in zillow/cyberhomes. If the APIs are there let's build it!
You cant list your properties on those sites as a fsbo. You could pay for some limited service from a broker I guess if you wanted to just get your properties out there. Even when I was not an agent, I used to sell properties via an agent. Its just quicker and easier. Buy off the mls, but sell on the mls.
I was under the impression that the online brokerages have agents people can list with (both listing and buyers' agents).
In another forum, I heard from an investor that if these sites had a special area specifically for investors, inluding allowing properties not on MLS to be listed/advertised in it (e.g. FSBOs) that as an investor he himself would find them more useful and attractive.
Any other opinions on whether or not investors would use such a channel (special investors' areas on the online brokerages' sites) to find and post non-MLS properties would be welcome and appreciated.
Thanks again.
(p.s. Sorry if I mis-use any terminology -- real estate is clearly not my area of expertise :)
Hi Sarah,
As an investor you'll be tracking local market indicators, neighborhood pricing trends and of course properties. All this can be accomplished using [REMOVED]. Here are a few ideas:
1.) To start, try customizing our homepage with tailored widgets for your marketplace. From there, you can watch foreclosures, particular homes even neighborhood vitals.
2.) Try using our "Maps" tab to get a visual display of neighborhood characteristics.
3.) Use the comparable properties to see what else on the market has been moving and at what price.
4.) Take advantage of our 17-Page property/market reports (For this report, search a home and look to the toolbar above the address. look for the "Report" button.)