When you decide to look for homes for sale, it may seem like all of a sudden you can't seem find many in your area that fit your needs. Unless you live in a low inventory area, there are usually plenty of homes for sale in most areas. Not all listing are posted on popular real estate websites. You just have to know where to look.

Ask Your Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent is a good source of finding homes for you to look at. After you've given your agent a list of things you're looking for in a home, they will bring you around to look at the properties. To get the most from your real estate experience, be specific about your requests so the agent doesn't spend a lot of time on houses you won't really be interested in.

Browse Local Real Estate Publications

There are many printed magazines and newspapers dedicated to real estate listings. Most of them are available free to the public. You might find them in supermarkets and even real estate office reception areas. Many agents and homeowners advertise property in these publications, and you might see something interesting that you can ask your agent to show you in person.

Drive Through Neighborhoods You Like

Is there a particular neighborhood that you'd like to live in? Drive through those neighborhoods and keep an eye out for small signs planted in the front yard. Sometimes homeowners will put up "for sale" signs before the official house listing, or if they are planning to try to sell the house without using an agent. If you find a property you like, you can give the contact info to your real estate agent to set up a viewing.

Look Online in the Classifieds

Classified ad websites frequently have a real estate section where homeowners can quickly list their property for sale. Again, these may be homeowners who aren't using an agent to sell their property, or they may be willing to consider unconventional buying arrangements, such as owner financing or lease to own. Remember that you can still use your agent to arrange the viewing and/or purchase. Simply pass on the relevant contact information to your agent for professional handling of your home purchase.

Once you start working with an agent, perusing periodicals, cruising desirable neighborhoods and looking through online classifieds, you'll discover there are lots of hidden gems in the housing market in your area. Homes for sale are all over the place when you know where to look!