You know that saying, ‘Don’t believe everything you read online’? Well, this can actually apply to home advice, too.

There are a variety of apps like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and FSBO.com that can seem like they have all the answers. However, it might not be the smartest move to only base your home-buying decisions on their advice. According to financial news site Investopedia, much of the info found on house hunting apps isn't even that accurate.

So who do you trust then? The simple answer would be your agent, but let’s dive deeper into why this is the case.

Should you be wary of online listing sites?

House hunting online can be great for getting ideas on what you might be interested in, but finding and hiring a real estate agent is — in our opinion — the way to go. Let's take a look:

1 - Outdated Data

When searching online for a new home, you want the most up-to-date info possible. Unfortunately, online house hunting sites can have a lot of outdated listings. That's bad news for buyers, who might come across a listing that fits their budget, neighborhood preference, etc., only to find that the home was sold before it even made it online. Some sites may keep outdated listings live to remain competitive and attract more traffic and advertisers. But that doesn't help the buyer. You don’t want these outdated listings getting in the way of finding your dream home.

2 - Missed Warning Signs

Without a real estate agent, it can be easy for buyers to miss warning signs. They might even offer too much or spend time bidding on a home that won’t be appraised for as much as the value of their offer. Also, if you read the fine print on the online estimators, you'll find that the house hunting apps themselves admit that their estimates can be off by as much as 20% of the final sales price.

Plus, with many sellers opting for the less expensive route of online listings, it's not unheard of for a seller to rely on that "digital estimate" when determining the value of their home. But by having a knowledgeable agent by your side, you can be more confident in your home-buying experience.

3 - You Won’t Get The Full Picture

If you use one of these sites to find your next home, you should know that you probably won't see a good percentage of homes for sale in the area you're considering. That's because many of these third-party aggregator sites pull data from other online sources, and due to data inaccuracies, some realtors nationwide are removing their listings altogether. This way, they can ensure these listings are handled per the industry's code of ethics and respective state laws. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, that may mean that you're not getting the complete picture of what's available.

4 - Sometimes It Takes an Expert

Buying and selling a home is complicated and time-consuming. It’s important to know the ins and outs of the process and have a pretty good understanding of real estate laws, which vary from state to state. Having an experienced real estate agent can help guide you through complex steps quickly and help ensure you have a smooth home-buying process. Plus, it never hurts to have a little expert help, especially in this case.

5 - It’s Pays to be Local

We know it can be fun searching all the homes for sale, no matter the location. But when you're serious about putting down roots in a specific community, nothing beats working with a person who knows the neighborhood. That's because real estate is at its best when it's localized. Only someone who works the local streets will have direct access to the entire database of all local MLS listings. Even if you find something you like online and ask for more info, you might not get as much as an experienced local agent could give you.

6 - Spend Your Time Wisely

Since the listings found online or on house hunting apps might not even be up-to-date, you could spend your time falling in love with homes that are no longer available. However, a real estate agent can listen to your specific wants and needs and find you available homes to look at. This way, you can spend time actually looking at homes you can afford rather than worrying about if they’re still available. Basically, they can be a real timesaver when it comes to trying to find your dream home.

7 - Matchmaking Mistakes

In the end, real estate is a business. But it's a people business. Homebuyers and home sellers deserve to work with honest and knowledgeable realtors skilled at matching buyers and sellers with the homes that make them happy at a price they can afford. That's a lot different than a digital experience — however user-friendly its design — that matches prospective buyers with an agent without any vetting whatsoever. Sure, it's still a money transaction, but it probably won't be the place you'll refer your sibling or best friend to when they're looking for a home.

Why a real live realtor is better

Here's a quick list of why we feel first-time homebuyers (and everyone, really) get the best experience working with an agent.

• Real estate agents know a home's history; they can steer you away from troubled properties (like one's with nutty neighbors or near busy traffic issues).
• They also know secrets, like when a price on a home is could drop or when a new listing will pop before it hits the market.
• A buyer's agent may be able to find out information about the home that an online listing often lacks.
• A real estate agent tends to be a neighborhood specialist with first-hand knowledge of the community and the housing stock. They may even have personal experience with many of the houses on the same street you're considering. And they provide a personal touch you cannot get with an online search.
• When you're ready, a real estate agent will prepare your offer and explain each step.
• A real estate agent can guide you through the mortgage and inspection process.
• Plus, a local real estate agent complies with local laws, customs and practices and can navigate all the legal aspects of the transaction.

Ready to find yourself an agent?

Overall, having a real estate agent can really help guide you through the home-buying process and make sure you find a place that fits your personal needs. In a similar way, your loan officer is here to help make your home-buying experience as smooth as possible, too.

Have home buying questions or even need help connecting with a local real estate agent, contact a Movement loan officer near you today!