Home Search Begins on the Internet
Most home buyers today begin their search for a new home on the Internet. But which site do you use? Sites such as Trulia, Zillow, and Craigslist are common places new buyers go for information, but unfortunately, those listing are typically stale and are not the most up-to-date. By far the most accurate, up-to-date information on homes for sale in central Oklahoma is the Metro OKC MLS (Multiple Listing Service). The local MLS is the “gold standard” for property listings in central Oklahoma. Why? Because local Realtors are responsible for the data on the MLS, and there are strict rules in place that require each Realtor to keep that listing information accurate and correct. Only licensed Realtors are allowed to update the MLS info, and some information on the MLS is only available to Realtors. Consumers are not allowed direct access to the MLS, but you can access most of the MLS data through feeds such as mine at KayPratt.com.
The Best Properties aren’t Always the Best Looking
A picture is worth a thousand words, right? What you often don’t see in pictures – especially those of homes listed on the MLS – is a picture can also hide a thousand cracked foundations, leaky pipes and poorly-maintained HVAC units. So while it is natural to focus on the pretty photos when searching, don’t forget to also pay attention to the property description and other key features.
Each of my listings have a “property details” page that shows detailed information from the listing Realtor and pulled directly from the OKC Metro MLS. If you have questions about a particular property or how to set up your own search criteria, be sure and give me a call. In addition to the information in the MLS, I usually know all about the neighborhood, school, homes recently sold in the area and a lot of other local OKC market knowledge. If a listing seems to good to be true, often it is!
KayPratt.com
My web site was the first web site in Oklahoma to have a direct feed from the OKC Metro MLS. All listings on my site are updated nightly so you always have the most accurate, timely listings of homes available for sale in the OKC metro. You can search by a multitude of criteria, including square footage, school district, price, bedrooms, and many more. You can also pull up a map showing listings in the area that meet your criteria. This allows you to search for homes that meet your needs right from the comfort of your own couch, and you can share that information with me as we search for your next home. As you find homes that you want to visit in person, you can easily send those to me and I can set up showings, pull tax records, mortgage information, historical sales data and comparable recent sales in the same neighborhood. This way I can provide you a wealth of information on the homes you are considering, helping you to make an informed choice about your next home.
Automated Listing Notifications
If you sign up on my site you can set up custom search criteria for homes in central Oklahoma and when a new property comes on the market that meets your criteria, my site will automatically send you an email notification so you can see the property details. This is the best way to stay up-to-date on the latest home information in the Oklahoma City metro housing market.
Map Search
In addition to standard and advanced searches, you can also search by an on-line map. Draw the boundaries of your search area, put in your price requirements, and my site will show you all the properties in that area that meet your criteria.
Dig Deeper
If you want to dig deeper and find out more information about a particular home or neighborhood, there are a number of web sites you can browse to find more information:
School Ratings
Crime rates and statistics
Walkability and public transportation
Hospital ratings
Time to talk to your agent – ME!
Just remember: Your propably not going to find the “perfect” home while looking at listings on your iPhone. Searching on-line is a great way to narrow down the list and to see what is available. But when you are ready to really dig in and look at the homes that fit your needs and meet your budget criteria, it is time to hit the road with me and see some homes!