Resources for Online Property Searching

Once upon a time, the requirements for an extensive property search were a good map, and some seriously robust shoe leather. This was before the birth of the internet and the availability of online property search. Nowadays almost all property searches begin online and although, as property finders, we don’t recommend spending too much time online, we are happy to provide some tips on how to conduct the online section of your search successfully.

Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Online Property Searching

At Stacks, we have always warned against spending too much time property searching online. Property simply isn’t a ‘virtual’ commodity. The impression you get from pictures and descriptions available online may vary dramatically from the real thing. So, by all means start your search on the internet, but get on the phone, talk to the agents, and go and see as much property as you possibly can. Online is an aid, not a substitute for an exhaustive property search.

We understand that your time is precious and you may be looking at properties that are a distance away from your current location. That’s where our buying agents come in. we act as your eyes and ears and can find and visit properties on your behalf. With the great relationships we have with local estate agents, we can plan a full day of property viewings in the local area so you only have to visit once to get the most out of your time spent travelling. We have buying agents stationed across the UK so contact us today to take your property search offline!

Online Property Searching – Online Resources You Can Use

Although we are suggesting taking your property search offline as much as possible, beyond the property portals there are a vast array of websites and apps that can help you assess your shortlisted properties.

Here we point you in the direction of some of the most useful online resources (many now have a corresponding app) to help you with everything from commuting times to flight paths and local schools. While we think these are incredibly useful sites, when information really matters, don’t rely on website/desktop information alone – adopt a belt-and-braces approach, double checking vital information in a non-virtual manner.

Google Earth and Street View – Can’t believe your eyes? Has clever photography succeeded in cropping out busy roads and eyesores next to, or opposite, that beautiful property? Google Earth and Google Streetview are your friends. Have a good look around from the comfort of home to find out the things that the agent might prefer you not to know, but remember these can also be significantly out-of-date!

Schools Guide – For buyers with children, the local schools may sway your property search location.  Goodschoolsguide.co.uk is a wonderful online schools information resource, from an initial search telling you what’s where, through to the minutest detail on individual schools. We have no idea what people who needed to find out about schools did without it! (In-depth reviews only available with subscription). Ofsted reports are available free on reports.ofsted.gov.uk.  Nappyvalleynet.com has a great school catchment area finder for SW London.

Broadband Quality – If you’re looking for a remote location, the broadband quality may be one of the elements that contribute to your search area.  Type in a postcode to broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk and it will show you what speeds are available in the area from which providers. Very useful tool, but if broadband speed is vital to you, we would strongly suggest a proper road test when visiting.  Likewise phone signals – all the companies will claim total coverage, but do check, and remember thick, old walls can impact reception.

Flight Paths – A fascinating (and slightly terrifying!) mashup of Google Maps and aircraft flight data, flightradar24.com allows you to zoom in to the area you’re interested in, and watch the planes come and go in almost (slight delay) real time. Utterly compelling, you may become something of an anorak, but also very useful if you’re checking out a new area.

Flooding Information – This is something that can often go overlooked but is so easy to check when property searching online. You can use environmentagency.gov.uk to check the flood risk in a postcode area. Click on the map and find out whether the risk is very low, low, medium or high. It’s worth noting that this site won’t give you information on flash floods, and can’t predict what data your insurance company will rely on (they have their own proprietary algorithms).

Crime Stats – You can gain speedy access to an overview of crime statistics in a specific postcode: ukcrimestats.com

Planning Permission and Local Developments – Worried about planning applications in an area? Or do you want to know about a local council’s planning policy? Most district councils now have a good online resource. You should be able to look at current and historical planning applications on the planning register (check more broadly than your immediate street), and check their status. If you’re interested in property development then this is a useful online recourse, also ensure you understand the planning policies in force.

Mortgage calculator – This is probably something you would be researching at the beginning of your property search. There are plenty of these, but moneysupermarket.com is easy and very useful, offering a range of mortgage types (re-mortgage, new home, BTL etc), and an easy device for putting in property value, loan required, timescale, and coming up with specific deals from an enormously wide range of providers.

Stamp Duty Calculator – Stamp duty becomes more and more complicated. stampdutycalculator.org.uk has an easy device for finding out what duty is payable, whether it’s a first or additional property etc.

House Prices – If you’re looking for a property investment rather than a residential property for yourself, then seeing the change in house prices in the area you’re searching in will be of interest to you. The Land Registry website landregistry.data.gov.uk is a useful resource, as is nethouseprices.com and zoopla.co.uk is very user-friendly.

Sold Property Prices – (historical and recent) and current value estimates are easy to find. Remember that they don’t know if improvements/extensions have taken place between sales,  and, again, some data is out of date as you can remove your history from the publicly accessible data that the Land Registry sell to third parties.. It will still be a  good basis of understanding prices for the property you’re looking at, and others in the area. Our advice would be to ignore countrywide and even street-centred ‘averages’ which are meaningless for most individual buyers. But track your preferred area well in advance of looking seriously.

Specific Online Resources for Online Property Searching in London

Whether you’re moving to or from London, there are some resources you may find useful for online property searching.

Life After London – Leaving London? A huge range of forums, e-guides and articles aimed at property buyers leaving London and heading into the country can be found on lifeafterlondon.com.

How the Tube Affects Your Property – Why is my house shaking? This map shows you where the tubes run in relation to streets, so traintimes.org.uk/map/tube/ is a handy resource for anyone worrying about subterranean rumblings.

Getting around London –  It used to be a matter of trial and error for new Londoners. Buses were always a mystery! But tfl.gov.uk plans you a journey from anywhere to anywhere, giving you options for all different types of transport (including walking), and allowing you to select your preferences.

Walking Routes – Walkit.com provides walking directions via a journey planner, giving you ‘direct’, ‘less busy’ and ‘low pollution’ alternatives. (Also gives you calorie burn, step count and carbon saving).

Working with a Property Finder

If you’re looking for a property finder to support your online property search then contact our team today. We can help you find your dream home and support your in your search.

But just remember, property is NOT virtual.