The secrets to online home listings
We’ve all been (virtually) there – you’re about to click purchase on a product you found online, and you pause. You think to yourself, “That’s an amazingly low price for something that looks really nice.” You decide to search for a review of the company before handing over your credit card information. And you find out that you almost paid your hard-earned money for a rip-off.
Thank goodness you trusted your intuition.
That’s the hazard associated with ecommerce. It’s why the internet has forced us to become savvy shoppers to protect ourselves from scammers. And as more and more of our economic life migrates online, that’s become true when buying big-ticket items, not just your fake “high-end luxury” goods.
Home searching savvy
When it comes to buying a home, almost everyone starts their search online, looking at listings on real estate sites. Now, home shoppers can even look at listings in the Rate App, meaning that they can handle their whole homebuying journey, from searching and finding their home to getting a mortgage and financing it, all in one super app.
Here are some secrets to understanding home listings and making the most of them. They’ll help you see through deceptive or distracting practices and avoid mistakes when looking at a home online.
As always, the best way to start your search for a home is to get pre-approved with PowerBid Approval. It will give you a better idea of what you can afford and make sure you’re ready to move when you click across the home that you want.
Misleading terms
Home listings often use language designed to make the property sound more appealing, but some terms are used to hide issues. Be mindful of vague or overly positive descriptions—take them as cues to dig deeper into the home’s real condition.
Here’s a list of common misleading terms and what they might actually mean:
- “cozy” – tiny
- “fixer-upper” – renovations-needed
- “up-and-coming neighborhood” – there’s nothing nearby
- “comfy” – worn-out
- “partial view” of some landmark – you may pull a muscle trying to see it
- “generous-sized rooms” – normal-sized rooms
- “one-of-a-kind design” – there’s a reason no one else has this design
- “bring your ideas” – it’s a gut rehab
- “must be seen to be believed” – our pictures don’t look that good, probably for a good reason
- “vintage” – needs updating
- “great bones” – needs a renovation
- “location, location, location” – needs a better house
Low asking price
Usually when we search online listings, we search partly by asking price. A low asking price might catch your eye, but it can be a red flag. While some properties are genuinely priced to sell quickly, others may be listed low due to significant issues, such as structural problems or the need for extensive renovations. Make sure to ask questions and do your homework to understand why the price is lower than similar homes in the area.
Many price changes
Most online listings have a section called “Price history” or “Listing history.” This section shows each time a home has been listed for sale, had its price change or was sold or taken off the market. Checking the price history is key—you can see how the market has responded to the home based on its asking price.
If you notice a home listing with frequent price changes, it’s a signal that something may be off. A property that’s been reduced multiple times might indicate a seller's desperation or a home that’s struggling to find buyers. This could be due to problems with the house that aren’t obvious in the listing.
On the other hand, this could reflect a home that’s been overpriced when it was first listed. This could end up being a good thing for you. When a home starts dropping in price, some buyers may think that there are fundamental issues with the home and will ignore or avoid it. But if the owner’s pricing strategy was misguided, you may be able to take advantage of the negative perception of the home and find a deal.
Suspicious or missing photos
Photos are one of the most important parts of a listing, so if they’re missing or seem suspiciously limited, it’s worth being cautious. A lack of images for key areas like bathrooms or the kitchen might mean these spaces are in poor condition. If the listing says four bedrooms, but you only see photos for two of them, that should raise your suspicions.
Manipulated or AI-generated photos
With the latest technology advances, some listings may include digitally manipulated or even AI-generated images to enhance a home’s appearance. It’s not uncommon to see some images that have been “digitally staged” with virtual furniture placed in an empty room to help you envision the possibilities. This by itself is not a red flag and these images should note that they have been manipulated, which is the best practice for this type of photo.
But you need to watch out for pictures that look too perfect or have strange elements—like unrealistic lighting or overly symmetrical spaces. If something seems off, these images may not be an accurate representation of the home, and you should hold off on scheduling a showing.
Home removed then put back on the market
In the “Price history” section, you can see each time a home has been listed, went under pending contract, was removed or sold. Seeing a home back on the market after it was under contract can be a major red flag. Often, this signals that something went wrong during the inspection process—such as a pest infestation, structural issues, or problems with plumbing or electrical systems. These are usually costly fixes that may have caused the previous buyer to walk away, and may warn you to stay away, as well.
House has clearly been flipped
Flipped houses aren’t a bad thing per se and can be great if the work is done well. However, sometimes quick renovations just perform cosmetic fixes that hide deeper issues. If a home looks like it's been newly updated, be cautious. The listing should include information about when the home was last purchased and when it was put up for sale, so check those dates. If it is a flip, the time between the last sale and when the home was listed again could be a year or less.
If you suspect if could be a flip, you’re going to want to take a close look at the home in person. Inspect the quality of the finishes and ask about the renovation history to avoid costly surprises down the line. Also, find out information about whoever performed the renovations. Do they have a good reputation, or have they left a string of angry homeowners in their wake?
The listing is too good to be true
If a home listing feels too good to be true, it often is. A property that claims to have everything—perfect location, great price and high-end features—might be masking potential downsides. Research the neighborhood, double-check comparable prices and look beyond the surface to make sure there aren’t hidden issues that could turn your dream home into a nightmare.
See the home IRL
Real estate is not ecommerce – this is too big of a purchase to be done online, even if the latest tools make the process that easy. Visit the home in person and make the decision based on the best information you can get: your own personal experience.
The secrets shared here aren’t designed to replace your perspective. They will help you pick up on potential things to look at when you visit the property in person, or save you the trouble of visiting a home that looks good online, only to let you down once you see it with your own eyes.
As always, the best way to approach buying a home is to surround yourself with experts who know the homes in the areas you’re looking, and to work with a local lender.
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