When you’re searching for your first home or maybe your dream home — there’s so much information out there that it can make your head spin. In the information age, there are so many do-it-yourself real estate options, you can spend hours and hours researching homes. But is the information floating around the web accurate? It’s important to ask the right questions or you may end up wandering around cyberspace aimlessly or bouncing from open house to open house with no guidance. Here are a few key questions that can help you in your home search.

Find an expert in the area you are searching. An area expert will have all the information on the best neighborhoods, school zones, communities with amenities, local shopping, restaurants, attractions and more. Chances are everybody knows a realtor, but family and friends may not be the best choice. Credentials and experience matter, and purchasing a home is a business decision, so don’t feel bad if you don’t go with a friend or family member who might not be the right fit for your transaction.

While these websites might whet your appetite for house hunting, not all the information shown is accurate. These are syndicated and re-syndicated third-party providers. The information is gathered from the MLS but is not always updated correctly. These websites are in the business of gathering quantities of listings information, not necessarily quality. The information may even be very old. When you’re dealing with old information, the estimates and “zestimates” are often not reliable. It’s great to have access to all this information, but what good is it if you’re showing up to listings that are no longer active? This is where having a local real estate expert comes in handy. Your agent has direct access to the most current local information. Get to your dream house before the balloons on the open house sign are even inflated with up-to-the-minute accurate information from your agent.

Yes, but realtors at open houses will be representing the seller. Just like you wouldn’t go to traffic court and ask the prosecutor to defend you, you shouldn’t expect the selling agent to look out for your best interests. The agent showing the open house is required to provide truthful information, but that agent does not represent you and is not vested in getting you the price you need. You really need someone on your side of the table to negotiate a good deal. Being represented byyour own real estate expert is always your best bet.

Jacobson Realty and Home Staging has the latest information on area homes and expert, local realtor familiar with the area. You to see some current listings right now:

After viewing the listings, when you are ready, call (703) 753-0125 or emailBelinda@JacobsonRealty1.com.