Baltimore Real Estate Investing Blog

Homes Database, a New MLS for Home Buyers

Homes Database opening page

A new tool is available for consumers looking for a home. HomesDatabase.com is a new website to search listings in the greater Baltimore / Washington DC area. Consumers have previously had access to listings, via places like Zillow, HomeGain.com, MLS.com etc., however Homes Database is run by and gets it’s information from the same local MLS service that agents use.

Homes Database Is Easy to Use

In the opening page that you see above, you simple enter some basic information. What comes up is the window below. The map shows where the listings are. You can click one of the little houses and a brief description comes up. If you want more detail click again and a more detailed listing pops up. Alternatively all the homes on the map are listed one the left side with the brief description and a picture.

Now here is the really cool part, you can use the cursor (it show up as a hand like in adobe acrobat) and move the map around and everything automatically recalculates. All the listings down the left adjust for the new view of the map. You can rescale the map and the same thing happens.

Yes some other sites do the same things but it seems to just work better on Homes Database.  It really is an easy to use website.

Results Window

Other Features of HomesDatabase.com

There is no need to register but if you do you get access to a few other features.

• You can save favorites, so properties you are interested in are easy to find when you come back.
• You can make notes about your favorite properties.
• You an get turn by turn directions, making a day of house hunting easy.
• Email alerts, as new properties come on the market you can have them emailed right to your computer.

What Is in it For Investors

The best features are the ability to quickly screen by price and zoom around on the map. I was able to quickly find some REO properties that could be decent buys. You get a full description of the property and sometimes multiple pictures.  You an also easily see properties for rent to get an idea of the rental market.

While each detailed listing does have comparable properties. It says “provided by CyberHomes.”  This is clearly from the public records and does not have the detailed info you need to use as comparables. It does not list the number of bedrooms for example.  However it is just about as good as you are going to get from any free site.

Overall I like it, mainly because it is easy to use. It is a heck of a lot easier than the pay MLS service that I use.  Let me know what you think of it by leaving a comment. Let others know about it by clicking The “Share This” button below and sending it to your favorite social media site.

Happy house hunting,

Ned