research online about the place, like the taxes, and check out Google Earth to see how the home was situated in relation to the neighbors. Then, if we still liked what we saw, we’d compile a list and do a drive-by.” She and her husband prepared; their search wasn’t random or simply lucky. Their research led to them cruising by a house for sale in Fremont, New York. They took a look inside, contacted the real estate agent, submitted their offer, and made their purchase. “Doing thorough research online can really help you narrow your options — and save you time and effort,” writes Sager. In contrast, another home shopper Sager interviewed, Steven Eliades, looked at houses for years. “You name it, I looked at it,” Eliades said. “There was something just not right. The yard was too big. The yard was too small. It was too far from town.” Eventually, he found the perfect Victorian home that met his needs and even had extras, such as a wraparound porch and an active, vibrant community with neighbors and a nearby grocery store. “Sometimes you have to shop around to get a firm handle on what you like — and dislike — and what your market has to offer,” Sager noted. “Don’t think of it as wasted time if it takes a while for the right house to appear; consider it time well spent honing your house-hunting skills.” Some home shoppers struggle for years to find the right home, no matter how much online research they do or how many onsite visits. Lynne Freda and her husband ended up buying a home that wasn’t even for sale. One day, they were driving with their agent. Suddenly Freda’s husband saw a house and
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