On the Island, the home you have been waiting for may only come up once in a while, especially in a smaller community like Kensington or along a particular stretch of the North Shore. When it does, being among the first to know can make all the difference. That is what listing alerts are for. Here is how to set them up on my website and how to tune them so they actually help.
What listing alerts do
When you sign up through my new listing alerts page, you can save the searches you care about and get email notifications when matching homes are listed. Alerts can also let you know about price changes and other updates on homes you are watching. Instead of checking every day, the right listings come to you.
Step one: start broad, then narrow
A common mistake is making a search so specific that nothing ever matches. I suggest starting a little wider than you think:
- Set your price range slightly above and below your target
- Pick an area rather than a single street
- Choose a minimum number of bedrooms instead of an exact number
Watch what comes in for a couple of weeks. Then tighten the search once you see what is realistic.
Step two: use more than one saved search
Your wish list probably has a few versions. For example:
- A three-bedroom home in town
- A country property with some acreage within a short drive
- A cottage near the water, if the numbers work
Separate saved searches keep your inbox organized and make it easy to compare options.
Step three: draw your area on the map
Community names don't always match how people think about an area. A home you'd call "near Kensington" might be listed under a nearby community name. Using a map search lets you draw the area you actually want, which can catch listings that a name search would miss.
Step four: think about features that really matter
Some details are worth filtering for, and some are better left open. Good filters to consider:
- Property type: house, cottage, duplex, land
- Lot size, if you want space
- Waterfront or water view
- Garage
Features like a finished basement or updated kitchen are better judged by looking at the photos, since listing details can vary.
Step five: act quickly, but wisely
When an alert lands and a home looks promising:
- Look at the photos and the map location
- Note any questions, like heating type or water source
- Call or message me to book a showing
Being ready with a mortgage pre-approval means you can move with confidence if it turns out to be the one.
Adjust with the seasons
Listing activity on PEI tends to pick up in spring, and there are often fewer new listings in the depths of winter. Revisit your saved searches every month or two. If your budget, timing or must-haves change, update your searches so the alerts stay useful.
Don't forget: alerts are a starting point
An email can tell you a home exists. It can't tell you how the neighbourhood feels, whether the road is busy, or if the basement smells damp. That is where a local REALTOR® comes in. I can often tell you a little more about a property or an area than a listing can, and I am always happy to drive by a home before you make a trip.
Already registered?
If you have an account, take a minute to review your saved searches. Are they still pointing at the right price range and area? Small tweaks can make a big difference.
Tips for sellers watching the market
Alerts are not just for buyers. If you are thinking about listing, a saved search for homes similar to yours shows what is coming up, how they are priced, and how long they stay on the market. It is a low-key way to get a feel for your competition before we sit down to talk about pricing and timing.
Let's find the right fit
Set up your alerts today, and if you want help building the right searches, I'm glad to do it with you. Contact Jodi Bernard, CENTURY 21 Northumberland Realty, and let's make sure you never miss the right listing.
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