Today many search options are available online.  One of the easiest ways to start a home search is to use Google or another search engine.  Key phrases like Portland Houses for Sale will give a million results.  Most of which are Realtor sites or sites that link to major companies like John L Scott, Re/Max, or Prudential.

Here’s a bit of education that the average shopper may not be aware of.  Portland’s Realtors input listings of homes for sale into RMLS (Regional Multiple Listing Service).  Regardless of which company or agent lists the home information will be input into the same database, RMLS.  All sites showing on the results page from search engines get their data exported from RMLS.  You’re seeing second hand information.

What’s wrong with second hand information?  Nothing for the most part except that it’s not always complete.  Depending upon which website you’re searching results can differ slightly and in the end a house or two could be missed.  I’ve witnessed this numerous times over the years.  While some searches are very accurate some are out to lunch.

One of the best ways to make certain buyers end up with a complete list of houses available is to hook up with a Portland real estate agent.  Agents pay for access to the RMLS database and set up search parameters based upon input from their buyers.  Search results can be sent automatically as new properties hit the For Sale market.  Benefit is that you’re getting information directly from the horse’s mouth rather than second hand.

Additional searching on the buyer’s end is incredibly common, kind of human nature.  Outside of Craigslist or a For Sale by Owner site it’s all redundant searching.  Even these two websites generally have their listings already on RMLS.

Many buyers will insist on continued searching on their own, however, convinced that their agent could not possibly be sending all the listings.  When agents get specific information the search is set up based upon buyer-set parameters.  As long as given information is accurate, so are the search results.  But, garbage in, garbage out.  Problems occur when requests for house parameters are too specific.

The best thing you can do?  Give your agent a broad spectrum.  Instead of saying 1990 and newer homes only say 1985+.  Instead of saying 1800 sq ft 3 bedroom 2.5 bath, say 1700+ sq ft and leave it at that.  Much better to weed through a larger list of candidates and find that there’s a house with 2 bedrooms and a den that will potentially work than miss out.

Map searches of properties for sale are the worst.  A good number of listings can potentially not show up due to a couple of reasons; data export parameters from RMLS and inaccurate location information input by the listing agent.  Recently agents are required to verify gps mapping location on any new listing.  Some agents plain just don’t bother to make sure map location is correct.  This explains why clicking on mapping links occasionally puts a selected house in a completely different city.

Map searches are fantastic for getting an overall feeling of what sort of house prices are available in a specific area and getting ball park ideas.  Freely browse sites and search online for Portland homes for sale until you’re serious.  Then contact your agent to get the latest up to date selection near your target area.  You’ll be assured of seeing all listings!

Happy searching