Top Five Online Real Estate Web Sites

Finding the Right Real Estate Web Site

As a first time home buyer you may be overwhelmed by the volume of information presented to you online. There are hundreds, if not thousands of real estate web sites that address everything from MLS listings to alternative real estate financing options. If you would like to educate yourself before you plow through some of this information then you may want to start with these five informative web sites. These sites are designed to provide information and resources for fist time home buyers, as well as for seasoned home buyers.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The HUD website, located at www.hud.gov is a great web site to begin your real estate education. Here you will find information about Fair Housing Policies, grants, buying real estate, selling real estate, and consumer information. You will also have access to the HUD library which contains information about HUD approved lenders, housing reports, home owner's insurance, housing programs, information about homelessness, community information, funding opportunities, and legal information that pertains to real estate.

USDA Rural Development

If you are interested in funding opportunities and assistance programs for homes located in rural areas of the United States then you should visit the USDA Rural Development web site located at www.rurdev.usda.gov. Here you will find information about grant programs, down payment assistance programs, and property eligibility requirements. There are several different real estate assistance programs offered by this agency that are perfect for first time home buyers and for home buyers that need help meeting the down payment requirements for traditional home loans.

Office of Property Disposal

Another great site for first time home buyers is the Office of Property Disposal. Here you will find listings for government real estate auctions. These properties range from bare land to residential and multi-family units. This site provides photographs, property descriptions, and online bidding opportunities. 

HomeSales.gov

HomeSales.gov is another government web site that offers access to government owned home listings. These listings include homes in all fifty states, as well as listings for properties located in U.S. possessions like Puerto Rico and Guam. This site is great for searching for value priced single family homes that are currently offered for sale by HUD, the USDA Rural Development Agency, and the VA. This site also provides information about how to submit an Offer to Purchase and how to complete a Contract of Sale.

State Government Web Sites

Before you start exploring real estate web sites you should visit your state government's real estate web site. Here you will find information about real estate scams, real estate licensing information, and other general real estate information that will help you select a Realtor and also help you to understand the process of buying a home. While you are here you may also want to review the state real estate laws that pertain to disclosure, contracts, and home owner's insurance.