Technology Tuesdays

Technology really has taken all the guesswork out of buying a home—in large part due to the huge variety of tool available to homebuyers. Now we have the ability to apply for mortgages online and have banks compete for our business, we can browse for houses on our cell phones, and have lists of the latest area foreclosures sent right to our email.

Location Information

Walk Score will rate tons of properties and locations on a scale from 1 to 100, based on the nearby amenities. If proximity to schools, businesses, services, restaurants, malls, etc is important to you, then this will be an invaluable tool

 

School Information

Every home buyer with children should be checking out Great Schools—a website that lists the best schools in the country and indexes them based on qualities like the teacher-to-student ratio, parent reviews, testing scores, and more.

 

Credit Reports

The last few years have been doozies, and knowing where you stand financially is critical. If you have not gotten a detailed credit report already, then have one done soon—and before you apply for a mortgage. Even those who think they have an idea of their credit score is it is best to check before applying for a home loan—especially given that mortgage companies have tightened their belts.

Mortgage Tools- Lending Tree

Speaking of belt tightening, mortgages are no longer given out like gifts on the Oprah show– they have become more difficult to earn. If you are considering buying a home then you need to do your research on mortgages to find out what is realistic and to choose the best type for your family. Another good tool for those applying for a mortgage is a mortgage affordability calculator as far too many Americans have spent more than they can realistically afford.

Foreclosures

Speaking of foreclosures— foreclosures have become a large part of the current American real estate landscape and they can be a good way to get a great price on a quality home. Sites like Foreclosure.com have extensive listings; your local real estate agent can also compile you a list of local foreclosures.

 

Cost of Living Tool

If you are like the millions of American’s who have only a light grasp on their expenses, then consider planning for your home-buying future with a cost of living calculator. This tool is especially useful for homebuyers looking to relocate as it can help you calculate the cost of living based on state and city averages.

 

Google Street View

If you are on the computer searching for homes Google Street View can give you an up-to-date image of what the property currently looks like. This can save you a lot of time looking at lemons—remember, Photoshop is the best friend is dreary homes.

 

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This guest post is part of our Technology Tuesday Series. We seek out the latest and greatest technology companies out there whom we feel offer cutting edge products and services to consumers. Our readers are interested in the financial and real estate industries as consumers and professionals. If you feel that you or your company has something wonderful to offer and would like to write about it, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com