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Find Your Next Home Right Here Using a Variety of Powerful Internet Search Tools!

Learn How to Use These Tools Most Effectively...

Search Tips

The ability to search through the database of available properties from the comfort of your home is an excellent application of modern technology.

For the most part, the search functions are easy to use. But still, sometimes thing can go wrong. Let me cover a couple potential problems to help your searching.

Contents of Search Databases

The goal of any competent real estate agent who is tasked to sell a home is to get as much exposure for that property as possible.  One method is to post the property on multiple real estate sites.  However, with so many real estate sites available,  it's possible the home may be represented in some search databases and not in others.

As your realtor, I have access to the most up to date information available from the local Multiple Listing Service.  This encompasses a wide region covering all of Southern California.

Avoid Overly Specific Searches

Some search tools allow you to specify many characteristics of the property you seek.  While more options is a good thing, used incorrectly you could miss out on finding the home you seek.

When specifying all the details of your desired home, be aware that with computerized searches you get what you ask for...

A simple example explains this best.

Assume you want a home with a 2-car garage and you are able to include this parameter in your search.  You will only get properties that satisfy this criterion...but here's the problem...

If the agent did not include the 2-car garage item when they submitted the information, and some data is optional, you may be missing a great home because of your overly specific search criteria.

My advice is to start with more generic search and see how many results you get.  Then you can add details to narrow your search.

The most obvious details are the location and price.  You won't be able to shop for a home effectively if you don't know where you want to live. Initially, you may want to search multiple areas to get a feel for prices and value.  And you may need to visit the area to determine if it meets your needs.

Before you can effectively search, you must know your price range.  Don't assume you know what you can afford.  Get with a lender and find out for sure.

Once you know how much you can afford, as well as how much you are willing to pay, you can use price to effectively eliminate properties that you won't be able to buy.  You may still want to search over your maximum price on the basis that some home sellers will accept a lower price.  Just don't get carried away and spend all your time looking at homes priced higher than you are willing to pay.  It will only lead to disappointment if you find homes you love that are out of your price range.

Search the Local MLS

Advanced Home Search with Listingbook

When you are serious about finding a home, you may want to gain access to the Listingbook free MLS search with advanced features.  To learn more about how Listingbook will help you, click on the link below:

Listingbook

Public MLS Search

Listed below are the multiple listing service websites that cover the Southern California area.  

Multi-Region MLS Public Website

Socal MLS Public Website

Search Using the Most Popular Real Estate Sites

The following links will lead you away from this site.  Each link will take you to a different database of results.

Please bookmark this page before leaving.

Realtor.com

Yahoo Real Estate

Zillow.com

Bonus for Buyers

The search pages provide access to a vast assortment of available properties. What may be of equal interest, but unavailable to the general public, are reports on closed sales within the neighborhoods YOU are considering. What better way to evaluate prices than know exactly what homes have been selling for in the area. I want to help you out, and here’s how I do it…

If you want access to sales data for a particular neighborhood, give me a call and tell me exactly what neighborhood you want and some details on what type of property you are considering buying (such as number of bedroom and baths, living area square feet, price range). I’ll extract the comparable sales data from the MLS database and provide you with a report.

Trulia.com

HomeGain.com

Homes.com

BRC Realty Group

Phil McCollum's Real Estate Information Site

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Copyright 2010 Philip McCollum

Serving the communities of the South Bay and Long Beach, including Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho  Palos Verdes, Torrance, San Pedro, Carson, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill. 

Broker/Agent does not guarantee the accuracy of the square footage, lot size or other information concerning the conditions or features of properties provided by the seller or obtained from Public Records or other sources as presented in this website.  Interested parties are advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.  Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed.