Ten Best Online Real Estate Resources

The internet is a valuable resource for homebuyers and sellers. Still, consumers need more than just mortgage rates and home prices to make intelligent real estate decisions. With that in mind, here are ten helpful resources that cover real estate with information on everything from savings to schools to environmental issues.

Real Estate Journal

Real Estate Journal from the Wall Street Journal is loaded with information and perspectives from those with a constant eye on the market. More than just mortgage rates and trends, Real Estate Journal takes a close look at everything from buying in a college town, understanding foreclosures, new tax laws or building an addition. The topics covered are wide and in-depth, often with personal stories from those navigating real estate’s ups and downs. Mortgage calculators, information on money & rates, valuation and relocation tools are also part of the deal as are a great line-up of regular columns including Teardown Diary, Money’s Worth and House Talk.

CBS Market Watch

This resource provides a look a real estate from the big picture. A watchful eye covers the mortgage market with expose as well as advice and tips. ‘Home Expenses’ keeps tabs on energy trends, oil prices and anything else that tips the cost of homeownership. Realty Q&A is a great spot to find answers to credit problems, savings plans and other helpful ideas. Market Watch is full of the latest news on home buying and selling, housing prices across the nation, mortgage information and home improvement. Securing loans, avoiding mortgage and credit mistakes, negotiating on property and selling tips are all included in this comprehensive resource.

CNN Money Real Estate

Subprime woes, energy bills, mortgage frenzy - whatever is making real estate news is covered on CNN Money Real Estate, and then some. This resource also keeps an eye on the best places to live, latest home prices nationwide and is filled with money saving ideas and tactics for navigating the market. Money 101 covers everything from banking, borrowing and saving to taxes, real estate investing and buying insurance. Real Estate Tips presents ideas for remodeling, repair, landscaping, storage solutions and more. CNN also provides calculators for reducing debt, mortgages and savings.

Bankrate

Bankrate is a favorite internet stop of mine. The site offers news, tips and advice for everything from mortgage rates to home equity loans to credit cards. It is a comprehensive financial resource that offers a lot to homebuyers and sellers alike. The calculators here are easy to use and offer multiple ideas for creating budgets, savings and debt reduction plans. This is an ideal place to start for buyers who are trying to maximize their down payment through strategic savings.

My Fico

It’s not easy to get around a credit score when you are shopping for mortgages. Today’s mortgage woes make your credit standing even more important as banks and lenders start tightening what has been a very loose lending belt. Getting your credit score healthy is one of the best money management strategies, one that can help you get the best rates and save you thousands of dollars in interest. My Fico is the place to start and you also might like to try Suze Orman’s Fico Kit.

Zillow

Zillow is a lot of fun and can be useful if used properly. This resource scours the real estate market across the US for prices, sales and provides its own property value estimates called “Zestimates”. These tend to run high but savvy Zillow users can compile their own estimates by sorting through the sale prices in the area they are interested in. There is a great discussion forum, real estate “how to” and tips for buyers and sellers. Also see Does Zillow Overestimate?

Homethinking

Homethinking.com is set up to be a review and ranking site for real estate agents. It is a great idea that has the potential to become a real tool for homebuyers and sellers. It’s meant to help consumers find top agents, find what other clients have to say and match you up to the right realtor. Still a little shaky on some of the criteria (for instance doesn’t account for buyer agents), Homethinking does compile selling data and reviews which can be helpful if your realtor is listed. See also Homethinking.com: Ranking Real Estate Agents.

Family Watchdog

Family Watchdog is a quick, free way to get information about sex offenders which can be useful when searching for a new home. The site allows visitors to search by typing in an address or name and then shows comprehensive information on registered sex offenders in the area. See also What Your Realtor Can’t Tell You.

School Matters

For homebuyers with children, schools are often a deciding factor when searching for a new place to live. School Matters provides statistics like academic performance and student-teacher ratios. It is a site for educators, researchers and policymakers to access information about public schools but it is valuable to parents as well. You can search by school, region, state or look nationwide to find statistics about demographics, college prep, spending, staffing trends, student performance and state overviews.

US EPA EnviroFacts

The environment is a hot topic these days and certain aspects affect real estate, as well as health and quality of life. The US Environmental Protection Agency offers a free search for consumers who are interested in the natural aspects of a particular region. Visitors can search for information about waste, drinking water, toxics, air releases, land and radiation by zip, city, county or state. There is a map query which allows an “at a glance” of superfund sites, hazardous waste sites, impaired water bodies and much more. Also valuable is the “Window to My Environment” tool which provides interactive maps and tools with answers to many common questions regarding air, land, water and the local community, state or federal actions in place to protect the environment and nearby residents.

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.