Home searching online can be a bit of fun, but mostly annoying at the misinformation on many of those sites.
In the effort to perform my civic duty to those looking to purchase a 
home in the Greater San Antonio TX area, I thought I would give you a couple of handy clues to recognize that if you see an actual deal of the century...and if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Clue #1-If you see an ad on one of those sites selling a home for $2000, (or less than $10,000), it's most likely a scam or maybe a rental that mis-listed. I've had many people call me on a scam listing thinking they just found the miracle of all miracles to purchase a home for so little.
You can get some good deals in Real Estate and although $2000.00-$10,000 is a lot of money, it's definitely NOT going to purchase you a home.
By the way, if any home is really listed for that little, investors would have probably swooped in and bought it first.
Clue #2-If the actual "guestimate" is way higher than the list price, you may want to raise an eyebrow or two. Those "guestimates" are usually way off in the OTHER direction.
And, those "guestimates" aren't any good in our Texas by the way in either direction. Texas is a non disclosure State and we aren't supposed to put what price a home sold for on any site such as that.
For example, if you see New Home Construction for Sale in Cibolo TX with a price point that's extremely off, then it's probably a fake. Now to be sure, New Home Construction generally starts off at a lower price than what they end up selling for, but not 100s of thousands lower.
There's a brand new home listed recently for a little over $100,000 on those sites. These homes sell for more like $400,000 and the starting price is in the very high $300,000s. I have received a ton of calls on that little fake miracle today alone (hence this post).
Clue #3-If you only see an ID number on the home rather than an actual MLS number along with pricing weirdness it may be a scam. Brokers will list in the mulitple listing service or MLS and that's the number that should be associated with a listing unless it's a For Sale by Owner Listing. You will find that information at the top.
I don't mind you if you call me to check it out just in case there is a miraculous event that someone's selling the home for actual pennies on the dollar, I just hate crushing your real estate dreams and feel like the bad guy when I'm like "no way is this home selling for that amount".
This is not my effort to bash any of those sites by the way. I love them, because people call me and I gain many of my favorite clients.
Those sites can be great fun to look at; however, when you're ready to purchase a home, call a professional and get the actual information. Have your Realtor® set you up on an MLS search that meets your criteria for a home search or you can Search for San Antonio TX Homes for Sale Here if you like.
Bottom line, when searching those Real Esate portals, it's buyer beware and well...If it Sounds Too Good To Be True---Then it Probably Is.
Brenda Mullen – San Antonio Texas Real Estate Professional
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