With the advent of smart phones and a mobile app for just about every consumer need, the question pops up: “what is the best app to use while we are out driving around looking for homes for sale?”
The answer might surprise you.
A buyer can get caught up in the minutia of information using different apps and become overwhelmed rather quickly. One app will tell you the estimated market value is a certain amount, while 4 other apps provide totally different and skewed values.
It’s understandable, when you are out driving around looking at homes, that you want the latest information on what the homes are listed for and what the neighboring homes sold for. And yes, real estate is dynamic, and data can change in a moment.
What apps should you use to get information on homes for sale?
So, while you’ve down loaded all those apps and are moving between them to glean information, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff?
It might come as a surprise to find out there is no more current information on a specified property than what is provided from the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
The local MLS syndicates listing information to third-party sites (the apps you may be using), so there is often a delay in real-time information. For example, REALTOR.com, which is owned by the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR), admits that there is a 15-minute to 48-hour lapse in real time information. Again, current real time information is not available from any place other than the MLS.
If there is a price change on a listing, it may take days for other providers to update their databases.
Prospective buyers often see a home while out driving around that appears to be actively for sale according to their app. They contact their agent and are frustrated with the misinformation being streamed from these third-party sites when they find out the home is under contract, or has been sold for some time.
Some third-party portals (the apps you may be using) only allow a portion of the home’s listing pictures and information to transfer for various reasons. Limited photos and descriptions result in you not getting the most complete information available.
The bottom line: There is no app that can replace qualified advice from a highly skilled real estate professional that has access to the local “real-time” MLS feeds.
Did you know? If you have identified a specific area in which to live, your Realtor can set you up to receive emails of listing activity in “real-time” – including new to the market listings, price changes to current listings, status changes (to “under contract” or “sold”), and final selling prices.
If you subscribe through a Realtor, the information is FREE and you get the information sent directly to your email account or to a portal that can easily be accessed anytime of day or night. And, the MLS has its own app, and for the reasons described above, it’s the most accurate app out there.
Looking for DC Ranch homes for sale? Contact me at 480-360-0281, or by filling out the form below, to set up your search, including your real-time email updates, your personalized listing portal, and access to the new MLS app.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
