Homes For Sale Albany NY Capital District

There are two general ways
to search for homes on the Internet:

(1) Searching at various real estate company websites, realtor.com or timesunion.com or

(2) Have a member of the local MLS (Multiple Listing System), in this case - CRMLS - the “Capital Region MLS”, enter your search criteria into the MLS so listings can be emailed directly to you as they come on the market.

What is the difference?
I’m glad you asked, although you probably
didn’t think there was a difference.
But there is.

First, Real estate company websites
restrict the number of homes
that show on their site.

Sometimes they only show the company listings
or provide an “IDX” - Internet Data Exchange - feed.

What is an IDX feed? It is a direct link to the MLS but with a big exception. Some real estate companies convince home sellers that it isn’t to their advantage to have their home advertised and shown on other real estate company websites and thus they get their sellers to “restrict” the listing to being available on the MLS only and not through the IDX feed.

I’ve estimated on occasion that as many as 500 to 1000 properties are restricted in this manner. So what does that mean? If you are searching real estate company websites, you aren’t seeing all the listed homes for sale in the area and thus might be missing out on the perfect home.

Second, the listings
on many real estate company websites
are stale and outdated.

That’s right, many listings shown, especially in-house listings, may have been sold or are no longer available. Yet they appear on the website as if they are still for sale. Why? To attract unsuspecting buyers. They want you to call so they can redirect your interest into other homes that are for sale. Tricky!!!

What about realtor.com and timesunion.com?

These websites are better as they use a different feed from the MLS, however, it still restricts some listings but not as many as the IDX feed does. Also, as this is a direct feed from the MLS, it is current and there isn’t the game playing and sales tactics that go on with individual real estate websites that contain stale or outdated listing information.

What is the best option?

If you are serious about buying a home in the greater Albany, NY, Capital Region, you really need to have your search criteria loaded in the MLS so that you are searching ALL the homes for sale by agents in the area and so you get new listings emailed to you daily. If you are interested in this option please feel free to call me (518.524.8875 - 800.383.8322) or email me so we can discuss your home buying criteria in more detail so that you have the opportunity to search all the homes for sale by agents in your specific area of interest in the greater Albany, NY - Capital District.

The link below will take you to our Home Search page to begin a search. This is an IDX feed so not all the homes will be shown. However, it is a good start until you feel comfortable contacting me to set up search criteria directly in the MLS.

Search the MLS for Albany, NY - Capital District Homes for Sale

Keep in mind, I represent home buyers only. I’m an “exclusive buyer agent”, “exclusive buyer broker”, “buyer agent” and I have nothing to sell you because I don’t represent sellers, write listings or market homes for sale. I will give you my unbiased opinion about the market and any home you might be interested in. I can show you and help you buy any home for sale in the area without the conflicts that all other real estate agents and companies have. I will also spend the time with you to educate you about home buying and to consult with you and help you increase your credit scores and obtain a mortgage that is right for you. I’m here to help you, not to sell you anything. “Be Served - Not Sold”®. It’s more than a motto, it is my way of doing business. Please feel free to contact me.

Tom Wemett