Free Web Resources

The Internet is full of great resources, so many, in fact, that it’s sometimes hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. So we’ve made it easy: Here are six Web sites that’ll broaden your knowledge on a variety of topics, from home inspections to interior decorating. For more sites worth your while, read our semimonthly Web reviews at REALTOR® Magazine Online.

Sperling’s Best Places (www.bestplaces.net). This site bills itself as “the ultimate resource for relocation, recreation, and retirement,” providing neighborhood profiles and rankings of how different locales fare for stress levels, dating, and other quality-of-life issues.

American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ashi.com). Expand your knowledge of what goes on during a home inspection and learn what red flags to look out for. Take a virtual tour of a home to see photos of typical problems found in each area.

HowStuffWorks.com. When you have a question about how something works—from blogs to credit reports—you can find answers here. Learn about the inner workings of home appliances, landscaping tools, Wi-Fi, and other stuff that will help you be more knowledgeable on the job.

FindLaw (www.findlaw.com). Get information on legal issues relating to tenants’ rights, neighbor relations, and construction defects. Also, search for law definitions and read state and federal legislation on real estate matters.

HGTV.com. The online base for Home & Garden Television offers free resources on decorating, remodeling, crafts, and gardening. The best parts of this site are its fun interactive tools and online demos that show you exactly how a project gets done.

REALTOR.com. This site will start customers on their way to finding the perfect home. In addition to searching more than 1 million home listings, consumers can learn about different neighborhoods and figure out which architecture styles they like most. Another tool, “Market Conditions,” provides a snapshot of current conditions in customers’ areas, as reported by local real estate professionals.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online