All Topics / Overseas Deals / How to get the skinny on a property? Online research tools?

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Profile photo of labradorinlovelabradorinlove
    Member
    @labradorinlove
    Join Date: 2012
    Post Count: 48

    I spend a lot of time searching through properties online and then calling listing agents to try and acquire more details.

    Can anyone help with suggestions about online research tools?

    Currently I use websites like-

    Trulia, Zillow, ziprealty, walkscore,  neighborhoodscout

    These show price history (Zillow doesn’t always have this info), local rental comparisons, crime rates

    Where to get more info about the history and development of a place?

    I would be so grateful for any suggestions about how to go about digging up more info about properties online.

    Profile photo of Jamie MooreJamie Moore
    Participant
    @jamie-m
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 5,069

    Hi there

    Which country are you looking in? These websites don't sound familiar.

    Cheers

    Jamie

    Jamie Moore | Pass Go Home Loans Pty Ltd
    http://www.passgo.com.au
    Email Me | Phone Me

    Mortgage Broker assisting clients Australia wide Email: [email protected]

    Profile photo of Texas Cash Cow Investments AustraliaTexas Cash Cow Investments Australia
    Participant
    @texas-cash-cow-investments-australia
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 71

    Hi Jamie,

    Referring to the USA. Zillow & Trulia are sites that offer computer modelled estimates of values of homes. Sort of like a realestate.com.au on steroids !!. They also include homes for sale or for lease.

    Zillow provides what is called a "zestimate" of value. They don't offer a high degree of accuracy but do provide useful information like what labrador mentioned. In a state like Texas (which is a non disclosure state….meaning sales prices do not get recorded at a county office) and 9 other states….zillow estimates are completely out of whack and their website disclosures tell you such.

    labrador…..try another called sawbuck.com

    Profile photo of Joel.MacdonaldJoel.Macdonald
    Member
    @joel.macdonald
    Join Date: 2012
    Post Count: 52

    A couple of rough valuation sites:

    http://express.realquest.com/search.aspx

    https://www.chase.com/online/Home-Lending/home-value-estimator.htm

    Again, this will give you a rough estimate, but valuation numbers are hard to manage currently with so many foreclosure sales pulling pricing down in the same neighborhood.

    Probably better off paying $150-$300 for a full appraisal prior to settling on the property

    Profile photo of worldinvestorworldinvestor
    Participant
    @worldinvestor
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 297

    I am playing in the Atlanta market   –  This is what I do to keep the figures real and work out whether I am buying well in terms of price only.

    If the asking price is $50K and the size of the property is 2500 sq ft simply divide sq ft into the purchase price to establish what you are paying per sq ft and you will need to know what it would actually cost to build per sq ft today. For this example I would be paying $20 per sq ft for this property in Atlanta.

    I know It costs anywhere from $65-90 sq ft to build in Atlanta so at $20 per sq ft an absolute bargain. Of course there would be other boxes that it would also need to tick, but at least this is a start to try to get your head around values.

    Cheers WI

    Profile photo of TZTZ
    Member
    @tz
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 70

    I like http://www.city-data.com and http://www.usatoday.com/news/census/index also http://www.findcompsnow.com but all to be taken with a grain of salt, as unlike Australia in the USA one street can be "Wisteria Lane" but the next can be a ghetto. The aggregated data models can't differentiate very well, so it is essential to have ears and eyes on the ground.

    Jayman
    Participant
    @jayman
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 63

    There are so many sites to look at, whether it's for pricing, walk ability, crime, schools, sold or for sale, etc etc. that everyone seems to have their favorite one they refer to. and yes in most cases you have to still use your own judgment as many are so far of the truth, especially for pricing, the area info is normally pretty good though.

    It's still strange that many use Zillow for their pricing values, and even they themselves tell you that they can be way off the mark and in many cities or states, they can't get the info so they just use their own Zestimate.

    To give an example, right now i have beautiful tri level property in a really good middle class location in Kansas City, selling for $70K appraised at over a $100,00, but Zillow has it at over $250K, absolutely crazy.

    You really have to have the right contacts and local neighborhood experts, it even takes true wholesalers many years to develop their contacts and form business relationships locally to get the better deals, so what chance does the odd person have, especially from overseas.

    So when looking at buying, ask a lot of questions find out about who you are really buying from and what their experience and local knowledge is.

    Do your own due diligence, and you should get a good overall picture of what you are paying for..

    Jeff

    Profile photo of M.InvestigatorM.Investigator
    Member
    @m.investigator
    Join Date: 2012
    Post Count: 134

    I've mainly invested in Australia, not so much in the USA yet, although some good online websites for researching US properties that were referred to me by others include http://www.redfin.com and http://www.gosection8.com

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. If you don't have an account, you can register here.