A few real estate web sites we rely on for articulate and helpful observations and information.
A website by real estate agents and for them, but provides a nice "inside" peak at what the industry's practitioners are thinking. Some of the postings are "political" and others are pitching their services, but occasionally a customer will happen on the site, see something I've written, and contact me for assistance. Come to think of it, maybe I should start posting more articles there...
HGTV appeals to many with a casual interest in real estate -- my wife is a fan -- for its real life examples of regular folks searching for a home. Front Door is HGTV's web site, with articles that will appeal to those looking for helpful hints in buying and selling homes, to real estate voyeurs who just want to watch.
Okay, so I've criticized the National Association of Realtors for artificially inflating expectations in 2007/8 when any reasonable observer of the real estate industry saw dark clouds forming. But under new leadership today, the organization seems more balanced, and their articles and listings of homes for sale across the U.S. can give a prospective buyer a decent overview.
Competition is good, right? Trulia provides a slick alternative to Zillow. If you want an accurate assessment of the value of your house, or the one you might buy, go to both sites and split the difference. Or for a much more accurate assessment, ask three local Realtors for an analysis and then average them all.
Fun, but the results can be squirrely. You might not want to check out the latest "Zestimate" on your home since it is largely based on what has sold in your neighborhood lately, an important criterion but not the only one (especially if you poured $125,000 into your kitchen renovations and they didn't). Still, it is fun to have an idea of what virtually every house in America is worth.
