March 5, 2021
In a world that is always changing there remains one constant in real estate – the three questions real estate agents get asked all the time. It doesn’t matter whether the person owns a home, is looking to make their first purchase, or is a lifetime renter. The questions are always the same. We like to call them the big three.
We have heard nearly every iteration of the big three. A good realtor has the experience and local knowledge to not only answer these questions but take the time to educate you on those answers. Today, we will provide you with the best tools for answering them yourself.
There are many home search options available from Zillow to Redfin. However, two tools we think are great are RealScout and Aalto.
Realscout allows you to set your own search parameters (or your agent can for you) to send you the very latest in available housing. It also allows a more nuanced search than you can get on Zillow and allows you to add in your home likes and dislikes. Since your Realscout account has a login you can also talk directly with your realtor and send them listings to view that pique your interest.
Aalto – we have discussed before. But is a great tool for finding Off-Market listings.
The value of your home is in constant flux. Value is based on market interest – it is what buyers are willing to pay at the time of sale on the open market. There are many tools available that use an algorithm including our own [ link ]. One of the best tools for assessing your home value is to request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA uses comparable properties to tell us what price the market says will be successful. Although properties may not be identical to yours, the major price criteria: location, square footage, and the number of bedrooms and baths are close. Most agents will provide one for free. It’s time to ask.
Many factors are in play to determine the local real estate market. Metrics such as Days on Market, Inventory, List vs Sale Price can all be analyzed to determine whether the market favors buyers or sellers. We recommend signing up for a monthly SF Bay Area housing market analysis. So you can have the very latest market information sent directly to your inbox.
SIGN UP HERE TO GET MONTHLY MARKET NEWSLETTERS
Have another question? Drop us a line. We are here to help.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
July 4, 2025
Why Multifamily Could Be the Better Buy
July 2, 2025
A deep dive into June’s Bernal Heights marketbid.
July 1, 2025
In June there were 23 home sales in Pacifica. Closed listings range in price from $769,800 to $2,297,500. The closed listings had a median price per square foot of $88… Read more
June 24, 2025
Try Views, Solar, and Over 2,000 SqFt of Beatiful Living Space
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.