What to Look for in Home Referrals and Searches

The Internet and mobile technology have changed the way people buy homes. Buyers have more ways than ever to research cities and towns, neighborhoods, home builders, and homes for sale—whenever they want and wherever they are. Before a potential homebuyer ever steps foot in the door of any new homes for sale, they may have already watched a virtual tour, checked out the builder’s reputation, and even read online reviews by neighbors. How do you know that to look for in home referrals and searches? Cothran Homes can give you some insight that our homebuyers have shared. First and foremost, ask people you trust about their homebuying experiences. Ask your family, friends (both personal and social media), neighbors, and co-workers about the real estate agent they used, what they know about certain neighborhoods, and other information about any home you’re considering. For any business or individual who will be involved in your new home search (e.g., agent, builder, lender), look for reviews on Yelp and Facebook. Check out the Better Business Bureau accreditation, reviews, and complaints (including how issues were resolved). But remember, it’s human nature for people to freely offer criticism more readily than compliments! Whenever you ask for an opinion, find out what that person liked and disliked. Their priorities may differ from yours so it’s important to clarify. Research the neighborhood.As you find homes that appeal to you, dig deeper. Is it priced fairly for the market? Look at third-party sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia to see the listing price of other comparable homes and the purchase price for recently sold homes. Find out about the property taxes and, if you have children, see how the schools are rated and find the location of the local parks and recreation areas. You can also learn about the crime rate on NeighborhoodScout.com. Some communities offer amenities, like a clubhouse, swimming pool, playground, park, or walking and biking trails. These features enhance your living experience, so be sure to check out each and determine how well they are maintained. If you’re close enough to visit the area, drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day and week. It’s likely to be more quiet on a weekday than a weekend afternoon, for example. Learn more about the home. The listing will give you basic information, like the size of the home and the lot, features, the year it was built, and its purchase history, to name a few. Look at how long it has been on the market, and price changes (increase or decrease). When considering a new construction home, check the builder’s website for comments from their homebuyers. Look for details about the experience of buying and building the home, not just the home itself. The ease of making the choices, the professionalism, and the quality of personal service are important things to know before you decide. If your homebuying process brings you to the Greenville, South Carolina, region, please include Cothran Homes. We build communities of single-family homes and townhomes in the area’s best locations. Read what our homeowners have to say. Browse our gallery of photos and videos. Then talk to us about how we provide an exceptional homebuying experience.