The #1 tip for finding your dream home online is to write down your wants before you begin your search.
Needs and wants are two separate categories. Needs are things you cannot live without, such as the number of bedrooms or a specific price range, and wants are items that you would like to have but do not necessarily need, such as a pool or 1st-floor master suite.
The needs and wants you write down will be invaluable as a guide when searching for a home, along with helping you fill out the online search forms. When looking at a long list of homes, it's easy to lose sight of what you need from a home. By putting down and prioritizing what you want in a home, you can choose the homes that are the best match for your lifestyle.
The #2 tip is to keep your search for a home as wide as possible in the beginning.
You should keep in mind that an online search tool is only as effective as the database of homes it has access to. Many times, homes will not be listed correctly in the databases or features may be left out of the databases, which will make it harder for you to find the right home for your needs.
When you are beginning your search, I recommend starting broad and picking only the general area, price range, and a minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms. It is important to ensure the maximum number of possible homes is shown and it is less likely that a home will be overlooked due to an error in the database. By selecting additional parameters, you can narrow your search results as you progress, but start broad.
Tip #3 is to make the most out of automatically saved searches.
Generally speaking, the best houses in a good location in good condition sell very quickly these days. When a buyer finds a home he/she loves, it is reasonably likely that another buyer will have found that same home and will compete with you to make a purchase. As a result, finding your perfect home and having the chance to negotiate for it first is crucial. In addition to the help of your real estate agent, finding your perfect home quickly when it first appears on the market is preferable to having as many options as possible.
It is possible to create an account on most search platforms and set up automatically saved searches, which will email you a list of properties that match your search criteria. You can use these systems to keep up with market trends and to learn what's available on the market. Creating multiple saved searches can also help you find out what's really for sale on the market and categorize homes.