Best Way to Find Homes for Sale in Coeur d’Alene
I get asked all the time, “What is the best way to search for homes currently for sale in the Coeur d’Alene area”. Unlike other states, Idaho is a non-disclosure state. This means that real estate sales prices are not available to the public. Furthermore, in most non-disclosure states, when a real estate transaction occurs, the sale price is not required to be submitted to the county.
The Benefits of Living in a Non-Disclosure State like Idaho are:
REAL ESTATE TAXES
Our non-disclosure rules mean that the county tax assessor’s office is on their own to determine the assessed value of one’s home or land for tax purposes. The advantage here in Idaho is that the assessed value often lags actual market values resulting in lower real estate taxes.
PRIVACY
The price you paid for your Idaho home is not advertised to the public. Here in Idaho we feel that your finances should be a private matter and we strive to protect your confidence.
The Challenges of the Non-Disclosure Rules:
ZILLOW ZESTIMATES®
We all know about Zillow’s automated valuation models (AVM) – Zestimate® and others like it. Because these models rely on accurate sales data, they are not at all accurate in Idaho. You see Zillow is an aggregator, similar to Trulia, Homes.com, Realtor.com… While they receive the information about new listings as they hit the market from the Coeur d’Alene Multiple Listing Service, they are not routinely update and certainly do not know when the home sells or for what price it sold. This makes them great sites to window shop, but unfortunately that is about the limit of their usefulness in North Idaho.
I once had a client send me a property they found on Zillow that was just perfect for their family. They were booking their flights to come and see it. They said “If the pictures did it justice they were ready to buy.” Unfortunately, when I check its availability on the MLS I leaned the property closed escrow nearly 3 months prior.
So what is the BEST way to search for Homes for Sale in Coeur d’Alene Idaho?
- Engage the services of a Coeur d’Alene REALTOR®. Let’s face it; there are a lot of properties for sale out there! A qualified Coeur d’Alene REALTOR® can help you find the most desirable homes or properties in the area. Additionally, your REALTOR® has access to far more listings than you do. Our access and expertise ensures you see all the properties within your parameters. Don’t waste your time browsing countless web aggregators, realty magazines and advertisements. We will get you on the right track by sifting through the all of the homes right from the start.
- Use the Search Tools Provided by your REALTOR. Searching is the fun and frustrating part. Be as clear as possible and work off a New Home Questionnaire to help organize your thoughts. Have your Coeur d’Alene REALTOR® set you up on a “Portal” through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), if available. Unlike the aggregators such as Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com and Realtor.com, the Coeur d’Alene MLS will have the most current information. Having accurate information will greatly enhance your home search.
HAPPY HUNTING!
Call The Bennett Realty Group Today for any additional questions you may have or request one of our FREE Coeur d’Alene Relocation Guides or to a FREE analysis to find out what your home is worth.
We want to be your Coeur d’Alene Realtor and look forward to hearing from you, and you are always welcome to Search ALL Current Area Listings on our website www.kbennett.com
