Dallas Fort Worth Homes and Real Estate for Sale

HOME SEARCH GATEWAY - THE EASY WAY TO SEARCH FOR HOMES ONLINE IN DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Thanks to the internet, it is now easier than ever to search for homes online.  It is estimated that as many as 94% of homebuyers begin the search for their new home via the internet.  And while there's little doubt left that the internet has simplified the home search process for many consumers, there can be some pitfalls to searching for a home online. 

For starters, many websites only allow a very narrow set of search criteria.  For example, a buyer searching for a three bedroom, two bath home in Dallas will quickly find that they have an overwhelming number of choices.  How can buyers narrow down their search to the more specific criteria that's relevant to their individual needs and wants?  And how can they eliminate the homes that don't fit their criteria so they don't have to keep sorting and resorting their favorites from the rejects?

Is there a better way to search for a home online?  YES!  It's called a Gateway search, and it can only be set up by a local Realtor®.

WHAT IS A GATEWAY SEARCH?

A Gateway is a customized home search linked directly with the MLS system, which is the computer and home search system used by all Realtors®.  Only Realtors® have direct access to the full MLS system and the ability to create a custom Gateway search for a consumer. 

The Gateway is essentially a custom website prepared by a Realtor® for a potential buyer.  Instead of receiving an email with dozens or even hundreds of home listings to sort through, the Gateway sends an email once a day with a link to all homes that fit a buyer's specific requirements.  And the search is updated every 24 hours with new listings, price and status changes and other updates.  So once the criteria is entered by the Realtor®, the search process becomes much easier and more focused for buyers that have a specific idea of their wants and needs. 

The criteria can be changed at any time, and multiple searches can also be added to a Gateway.  For example, a buyer looking for a home either in the Frisco or Plano School District could have seperate search links for homes in each district. 

But aside from the simplicity, the Gateway also offers many other features that make the process of finding a home even more efficient and enjoyable.  Here are some other features the Gateway allows:

SAVE FAVORITES, POSSIBILITIES AND REJECTS TO SPECIFIC FOLDERS

The Gateway offers users the ability to save favorites, possibilities and rejects to folders for easy sorting and reference.  They can also write and save notes on each home listing, and the Realtor® can make notes as well.   This cuts down on multiple emails and phone calls once a buyer narrows down their selections and helps to keep all of the information and correspondence in one place. 

SEARCH CRITERIA CAN BE CUSTOMIZED VERY SPECIFICALLY.

The MLS system allows for very specific search criteria to be entered on a Gateway search, whereas most online search engines only allow very general criteria, such as price range, bedrooms and city. 

An example of some of the search criteria the Gateway allows:

• SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EVEN SPECIFIC SCHOOLS.  Many cities in D/FW lie in multiple school zone boundaries.  Furthermore, most school districts have specific boundaries for each school.  So if you have specific needs as far as school or district, a Gateway search is the best way to find the home you're looking for!
• HOME FEATURES.  Looking for a home with gas utilities?  Or a pier and beam foundation with a backyard at least half an acre?  The Gateway will find it.  What about a two-story home with wood floors and energy-efficient windows?  They are out there, but you'll be looking through a bunch of lemons to find that lemonade if you're only searching by price and bedrooms. 
• SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION - Say you want a home within a five mile radius of your office.  Or perhaps you want to be within the borders of specific roadways, such as "North of LBJ Freeway, West of the Tollway, South of Campbell Road and East of Central Expressway".  Or perhaps you want to search multiple areas that aren't connected to each other and would like more than one custom search.  The Gateway Search can do that!
• ROOM DIMENSIONS AND LOCATION.  Have a need for a garage at least 22 feet wide?  Or want a two-story house with the master bedroom downstairs?  A Gateway search will find it. 

And in addition to these features, the Gateway allows all listings to be mapped as well. 

It goes without saying that there is currently an oversupply of homes in most markets.  With all the choices, why waste your time searching multiple websites, making phone calls and spending hours of your time viewing homes that might catch your eye online but don't meet the specific criteria that you're looking for? 

It's your time, and you deserve a better way to search for your new home. 

Contact me today to customize a Gateway search to fit your specific needs and criteria.  The setup process is short, the service is free and it can easily be expanded to include multiple searches.