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Ask The Experts
Q
LINDA JONES asks: I hate running around looking at properties during the weekend, only to be disappointed by houses that do not match their descriptions. How can I identify a good property website from a pretender?
A
NASH COHEN replies: Property websites vary greatly in their user-friendliness and information provided. A good property website can streamline the house-hunt considerably, allowing prospective buyers to refine their criteria and sellers to be more clear and efficient when providing information.
 The structure of a site determines how user-friendly it is. Realty websites should provide buyers with all the necessary information to get a good feel for a specific property.
Proper visuals and all the available information should be placed on the site. Professional photographers should be used to provide high-resolution digital photos. There should also be a CAD floor plan showing the layout and sizes of rooms, as well as a series of 360-degree virtual tours. Additionally, a print-friendly brochure which includes all the information, pictures and floor plan for a specific property should be included on the website.
The site should be updated on a daily basis with any sold properties being removed immediately and any new properties being added; often, prospective buyers can locate new properties on the Internet before they are advertised in the print media.
Good property websites also offer free notification services via sms or email, and include smart searches that notify the property hunter only of properties that fit the given criteria.
Finally, realty websites should ideally also offer objective, easy-to-understand information about the buying and selling processes, buyer and seller protection, and other property-related issues. This shows that the website hosts are putting more of an effort into the collection of information to suit the readers’ needs.
Nash Cohen, Hunters, 086 161 6616, www.thehunt.co.za
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WIN!
