Searching for home by real estate zone/listing code (Huntsville: houses, neighborhoods)

[JT Clark 45]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so a little about my self busy dad of 4 moving via BRAC from DC. We intend to research the area by ourselves for a week before the holidays. As a twist to the usual visit we plan to search by the way the local realators 'code' the realestate listings. By this I mean the standard MLS listings only allow us to search by price, number of BR, BA and so forth.

I realize that this is unusual, however I'm smart enough to know that the listing 'zones' are set that way for a reason. I like this sort of search because I like to understand themarket myself and avoid buyers remorse as much as I can. Tiffany says I over analyze, but I disagree...

My questing is twofold: Is this a good methodology? and am I correct that the listings are set up the way they are for a logical reason?

[kygman]

JT, go to Find Real Estate Listings, School and Neighborhood Information and More - Realtor.com® . There you can put in the zip code (or town if you don't know the zip) what size house and price range you're looking for and it will show the homes. It will also give you the MLS number for that house and you can see more by going to any realtor's site. I'm not in Alabama but my wife and I bought a house here in Ky. almost 3 yrs ago and my wife checked that site out every day. Good luck!

[Keeper]

I am not sure what you mean by code but I recommend you use Valleymls.com You can search for houses in different areas. You have to realize that Huntsville is small compared to the DC area. The traffic is not bad even during rush hour. Depending on what you are looking for you can live in H'ville, Madison, Decatur or a number of other cities or communities. S. H'ville and Madison are most recommended on this forum. There are a lot of small towns that are 20-40 minutes away.

We have several really good realtors here. They offer their advice at no charge and are very knowledgeable about the area.

[HB2HSV]

A better way to search here in Huntsville is by school district. Go to www.valleymls.com and click under "advanced search" and use school district as a search criteria.

For good school district go to GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community and decide for yourself. The 'consensus' here for good high schools are: Grissom, Huntsville high schools, and Bob Jones high school in Madison.

Chances are you will be working inside the Redstone Arsenal (RSA). The city of Huntsville and Madison are built around the RSA. You can get to work from all 4 sides of RSA entrances basically, and the traffic is nothing like the DC area, so basically you should be looking for good school district for your children and you can find houses in all price range within a given school district.

I echo what Keeper said about using good realtors. They can give you a pretty good idea on various neighborhoods and price ranges within one day of driving around. I'll encourage you to take advantage of this (free) service.

Good luck in your searches.

[JT Clark 45]

Ah, I see. I guess I am taking this to the next level. Realtors I think, by their nature, have set up the MLS by zones. Am I way wrong?

I am just guessing here that these zones will not be arbitary, they will be by schools, physical limitations (valleys, water zones, etc) and things of that nature. What I want to avoid is a situation where I find a home that we like but if we had looked just 1/2 a mile a way we would be in a differnt 'zone' which would better meet our needs.

You see I am the type where I want to understand everything before I decide. I do not pester realators with silly questions. I am the guy that goes to buy the car who knows the specs and the car paint codes before the salesman has a chance to look them up. Maybe I am a little morte clear now?

I am hoping that Huntsville is not set up by something real simplistuc like zipcodes or something along that lines. If that is the case then I guess I would have to understand the municipalities, schools, utilities and zoning. More variables for me to grasp.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by JT Clark 45

You see I am the type where I want to understand everything before I decide. I do not pester realators with silly questions. I am the guy that goes to buy the car who knows the specs and the car paint codes before the salesman has a chance to look them up. Maybe I am a little morte clear now?

A fellow controlling freak, eh? Must be another engineer coming down with BRAC

Ah, I see. I guess I am taking this to the next level. Realtors I think, by their nature, have set up the MLS by zones. Am I way wrong?

You seem to obessed with the word 'zone' where it can mean different things in different cities. Simplicitly speaking:

1. No, Huntsville is not classified only be zipcodes. It is also classified by many different things such as schools (elementary, middle and high schools), etc.
2. You'll need to go www.valleymls.com under the 'advanced search' option to know what I am talking about.

I am just guessing here that these zones will not be arbitary, they will be by schools, physical limitations (valleys, water zones, etc) and things of that nature. What I want to avoid is a situation where I find a home that we like but if we had looked just 1/2 a mile a way we would be in a differnt 'zone' which would better meet our needs.

That's where doing your homework will help, and also soliciting the help of knowledgeable people with the neighborhoods. This is where realtors come in and can help 'educate' you about the area.

I am hoping that Huntsville is not set up by something real simplistuc like zipcodes or something along that lines. If that is the case then I guess I would have to understand the municipalities, schools, utilities and zoning. More variables for me to grasp.

So far you have not share what's your search criteria. Tell us what you're looking for and maybe you can get more free help here.

[Angel Calzadilla]

Originally Posted by JT Clark 45

Hi, I'm new to the forum so a little about my self busy dad of 4 moving via BRAC from DC. We intend to research the area by ourselves for a week before the holidays. As a twist to the usual visit we plan to search by the way the local realators 'code' the realestate listings. By this I mean the standard MLS listings only allow us to search by price, number of BR, BA and so forth.

I realize that this is unusual, however I'm smart enough to know that the listing 'zones' are set that way for a reason. I like this sort of search because I like to understand themarket myself and avoid buyers remorse as much as I can. Tiffany says I over analyze, but I disagree...

My questing is twofold: Is this a good methodology? and am I correct that the listings are set up the way they are for a logical reason?

Dear JT Clark 45, no matter how annalitic or geeky you be , you will never can search properties by the way is coded in the MLX because that acces is exclusively reserved for licensed Real Estate agents. "Zones" is a number of 4 digits and usually indicates neighborhoods that are grouped in one area or township for some reason. The property search by area number as I said before is only reserved for agents. If you want to be more specific and accurate on a property search, then I highly suggest you to hire a realtor, because that's what they are for out there as professionals and they pay their license every year and the Real Estate Board dues to have acces to the MLX.
Good luck.

[JT Clark 45]

HB2HSV: My serach criteria is 4 - 5 BR, 2.5 BA 30 minute commute to gate 9, 350K +/-. This results in dozens of hits on any one of the MLS sites. Which again, in my mind places an emphasis on situational awareness. At this moment its too premature for us to seek a realestate professional.

[Elizabeth_G]

JT Clark 45, I would suggest (as HB2HSV did) starting with school zones and working your way down from there. If you have kids in school, this is the best way to begin. GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community is great for gathering non-biased opinions from parents who have children in the schools. Even if schools aren't important to you, they are important for resale typically. You know those Engineers...details, details, details, lol.

In the $350 up range, you can have a heyday here...we are saturated in that price range in most areas. Merry Christmas to you, lol.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by JT Clark 45

HB2HSV: My serach criteria is 4 - 5 BR, 2.5 BA 30 minute commute to gate 9, 350K +/-. This results in dozens of hits on any one of the MLS sites. Which again, in my mind places an emphasis on situational awareness. At this moment its too premature for us to seek a realestate professional.

OK, now we're getting somewhere.

What's important for you? Good school district? 10 ~ 20 acre of land? Does your family prefer living in downtown? suburb? or rural?

Based on your criteria above, you have lots of choices west to Decatur, north to Tennessee, east to Gurley/ Keel mountain, and south of the Tennessee river in Morgan county. But your price range will rule you out of more snobbish subdivisions here in town.

Need to narrow this down a bit?