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5 Simple Ways to Utilize the Internet When Buying a Home

By U.S. News & World Report

The internet is one of the most valuable assets to homebuyers, and with instant access to newly listed homes on the market, it can be downright addictive.

There is much more to utilizing the internet as a homebuyer than simply searching for homes. Knowing what information is available can help relieve some of the stress of buying a home. Here are some practical ways that homebuyers can leverage the internet to help them during the purchasing process.

Local Neighborhood Info

One of the most important aspects of buying a home is understanding the neighborhoods and areas in which you are interested. Using the internet to learn more about the areas you’re considering can help narrow down the neighborhoods that work best for your needs.

Many neighborhoods with homeowners associations now post their bylaws, covenants and restrictions online. You can find all kinds of valuable info in these documents, and even the fiscal health of the association. Simply do a quick Google search of the neighborhoods in which you are interested to find out more about them.

YouTube videos are one of the fastest growing types of content in the real estate industry. You can find great insider information from local brokerages and agents who post about neighborhoods on a regular basis. This is especially helpful if you are an out-of-town buyer wondering what certain neighborhoods look like. Local community videos can reveal all sorts of interesting details about the area.

[See: The Best Apps for House Hunting.]

Step-By-Step Guides

For many first-time homebuyers, the process of buying a home can seem daunting. Fortunately for us, the internet has an endless supply of information on each step of the buying process. Real estate professionals and brokerages are constantly posting new articles, videos, and infographics to help online consumers understand the steps involved.

How-tos on getting a mortgage, finding a real estate agent and making an offer are all right at a homebuyer’s fingertips online. Even if you have previously bought and sold a few homes, it’s still nice to know that this information is online, in case you need a quick refresher course.

But note that the process of buying a home can vary slightly based on different regions of the country. Be sure to find resources that are specific to the area in which you are looking for a home.

Finding Professional Services

Most homebuyers will need the services of real estate professionals to get the job done. Realtors, mortgage lenders, title companies, home inspectors and appraisers are all a part of the process. The internet is a great resource to research and find the right professional that fits your needs.

There are many websites that offer paid ad placement for real estate professionals. Be wary of using these sites to find professionals as any real estate professional can pay to show up there. Just because a real estate professional has a presence on the internet does not necessarily mean that they are a good fit for you.

A simple internet search of “homes for sale in X city” can reveal some of the top local brokerage websites in your area of interest. You can look through these websites for client reviews and to see what kind of information they share. If they seem knowledgeable and openly share information that helps you, they may be worth checking out.

[See: 10 Ways to Save Energy and Reduce Utility Bills at Home.]

Property Tax Records

Tax records can show when a property was last sold, how much it sold for, how much the buyer financed and details about the previous owners. This information can be valuable for many different reasons.

Property tax record websites differ by area — many times they are maintained by the county. If your county has a property tax website, this can be a great resource to find data about certain homes online.

In some cities, the property tax records may only be accessible through the real estate agents’ multiple listing service portal. You may need to do some research to find the best way to access this information, but it’s usually available online somewhere.

Be wary of third-party websites that offer automated valuations on properties based on the property tax info, as these can be wildly inaccurate. It’s always best to work with a local real estate professional to gather real-time information from the local MLS to determine accurate property values.

Permit History

Most counties have some sort of regulation on building and construction permits. It’s likely that this information is available online and available to the public. If so, you can learn a lot about a property based on this information. Homebuyers can check to see when the water heater and roof were last replaced, or whether a deck addition was fully permitted or just a project that the homeowner did themselves without a permit.

Home inspectors will often look up these permit history records when they are doing an inspection for a homebuyer. However, you shouldn’t assume that they will — it’s best to check out the information yourself to determine the accuracy of what you receive from others. A quick scan of the permit records up front can save you time by revealing important issues that may not show up until much later in the process.

[See: Weird Home Features That May Confuse Homebuyers.]

Use More Than One Source.

The internet is unregulated and can serve up information that varies wildly. Be sure to consult multiple resources to cross-check facts to make sure that you are receiving correct information. Consult with your local real estate professional as well. They can help guide you to the most reputable resources while you research online.

Knowing how to best leverage the internet when buying a home can relieve stress and help homebuyers feel empowered. The internet is an amazing resource that has brought change to the entire real estate industry over the last decade. Utilize it to its fullest and you can save time, money, and undue stress.

More from U.S. News

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10 Ways Millennials Are Changing Homebuying

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5 Simple Ways to Utilize the Internet When Buying a Home originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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