Real estate question for people in Europe. Not a financial thread.
 

Do most people in Europe look for places online, or do most people go to agents and let them find places?

I always look online. There is a very good selection available online in the US and they usually provide a decent amount of information and pictures, but I find this isn't true for Europe. There doesn't seem to be any real authority sites. Atleast those that are found via English searching. Most are designed terribly and lack information.

So, am I right in the assumption that most people use real estate agents as opposed to online browsing?

Correct.. prospective buyers know the location they want and visit all the local estate agent offices.

The net is a tool in their marketing, but most properties are listed in the local press etc.

Hmm, well then there is definately something to be done with this.

Where are you located Webby? You seem knowledgable on Europes housing market.

I'm in Costa Rica right now, but from the EU.

On thing to check out ... use the term "estate agent" for eg the UK - common term equivalent to "realtor" in the US. Google that and see what comes up.

In The Netherlands, most people use the internet (specifically funda.nl).

Well, I'm just wondering about the market for people looking to purchase properties in Europe who live in English speaking countries. I'm not sure how big the market is, but it definately seems to lack any great portal for finding places.

Do European countries have an MLS # system like the US?

I'd think that is a substantial market, tho with each Euro country there are local customs and slight variances, but there is prob something valid in having a portal where a range of property agents from differing Euro countries could feature their homes/properties.

It may be also be worth probing some webmasters from places like Holland, Germany etc when they come online in the "Euro morning" to get some feedback.

PS.. "Niched" realtoring is a good biz :)

What's an MLS? :winkwink:

Essentially, a # that the property is assigned. you can look up properties quickly by that number. In the US, I believe realtors have access to a huge database thay lists all properties for sale. I could be a little off on it, but my friend has access to it and browses it all the time. You can find everything.

Yes.. basically central property registries. But as far as I know these are usually operated by governments (and some elements such as rating records are operated by local councils) - and last I used one, it cost money to get a detailed property summary and took time. It does not sound as though that would help with online stuff.

On that subject, the privacy laws can be fairly strong and it's unusal to allow information to be released - unless it's fairly "non personal".

From that angle.. I doubt what exists would be of much value towards a portal.

Here in norway most ppl look online (especialy using finn.no).

I think the same is true in many other European countries, however the reason you cant find many good sites is that they are in the local language. As a Norwegian I have no intrest in using english when looking for real estate. I would guess the same is true for the germans, frenc, spanish etc.

Multiple Listing Service is a compilation of all properties listed in a given area regardless of the listing agent or agency.

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As far as searching for houses online abuse of keywords has rendered most searches worthless. Last year I wanted to find a house with a swimming pool.
Sounds simple, sounds like I would narrow my choices quickly. Wrong, Every home with a community POOL, near a community POOL. access to a community POOL, zoned for a POOL, every agent that would help me find a house with a POOL, etc ... also came up

Fuck-it ... I limited my search to newspaper ads only.

What may be easier is deal with estate agents and either have them pay a fee for listings - or, (slightly less safe), let them give you a % cut of their fees for all sales, or, based on a fee per referral.

We are doing a kinda similar thing here, but not net-based, but with realtor partners in Costa Rica and organizing property exhibitions in the UK, Italy, Germany and not sure yet, but maybe other places for the sale of properties in Costa Rica.

Yes.. suspected that Nazgrel. What's your thoughts on an English language (or even multiligual website/portal) for covering prospective purchasers in the US, Canada, UK and well - any English-speaking country?

Anyway, as not to throw all my ideas out there, I'll probably stop posting here and just read it. I appreciate your input, Webby, as well as anyone else who has posted or will post.

Truth is L-Pink - it's often the case that there are "net prices" for real estate and "real prices" locally. It's prob better to deal local.

No problemo man :winkwink: :thumbsup

Europe is not a country, every country is unique.
Some countries use the net some doesnt even have internet ;D

I always look online, but then get an appointment and check out the place with an agent. Pictures are one thing and reality the other :upsidedow

in the UK I use www dot findaproperty dot co dot uk

I just bought a new house and I´m selling my old one. There are some online resources for real estate offers in Europe. For example:

http://www.huislijn.nl/ (The Netherlands)
http://www.immobilienscout24.de/ (Germany)

These are examples only, there are some more sites online.

yes, but we call it football :upsidedow

Classified ads in the local paper are a great resource for values and they are usually online.

you should just make an all purpose expatriation service for americans that want out of america, do all the leg work finding them the right country for them and helping them with property and visas/residence permits

- Seth

www.rightmove.co.uk is a good property site

Have to disagree with you there. Here in the UK, most people use local estate agents, perhaps (as others have said) using online websites as a lead to the properties available in an area, but usually they go the local estate agent first - even if it's just for a quick browse in the window of the properties available.

In the Uk, the market is pretty competitve

http://www.findaproperty.com
http://www.propertyfinder.com
http://www.home.co.uk
http://www.primelocation.com

This is just a few exampes off the first page of the results on google