How Do You Search For Real Estate?

With all the advances in technology I am curious how home buyers are searching for real estate?

I ran into Ian Watt this morning at Raging Bean Coffee in Yaletown. Ian asked me how tech savvy I thought the residents of my neighbourhood were (Fairview, Vancouver). Fairview doesn't strike me as the most tech savvy area, although in hindsight this was based on my perception of the demographics and may not be accurate.

What follows is a description of the various methods one could use to search for properties for sale and a poll asking which is the first method you would use. Please take a minute to answer the poll, it would be most appreciated.

You can find the poll here http://www.kyegrace.com/ViewBlog/105/

MLS.ca/Realtor.ca - a website managed by the Canadian Real Estate Association which contains every property listed on the MLS system across Canada.

Web Search - There are numerous other sites where one can find properties for sale including http://Zoocasa.com, http://Craigslist.ca, http://Homes.Point2.com, http://RealtyLink.org or other online real estate search tools or online classifieds.

Google - Inputting the address into Google. If you search an address you will often find not only properties for sale but also sold properties with the address inputted. Very useful for condo buildings or townhouse complexes.

Newspaper - Your local newspaper, Province, or Vancouver Sun classifieds or real estate section.

Periodicals - Print advertising providing real estate listings. Examples would be Real Estate Weekly which is often found in the free newspaper boxes or a separate newsprint version included with your local news paper.

A Realtor - Contacting a Realtor and providing them your search criteria so they can provide you the results.

For Sale Signs - Traveling the neighbourhoods you are interested in, looking for ‘For Sale' signs.