The How

The Fine Art of Portal Searching (How to Spot a Gem)

Use filters, time-on-market, and language tells to find overlooked listings—then validate your short list with the Convenience Scanner so you don't fall in love with an impractical address.

1) Filter foundations

Age on market:Look for stale-but-not-dead (e.g., 21–45 days) and recent price cuts.
Lot and structure:Include keywords that indicate hidden value: "estate," "needs TLC," "unfinished basement," "oversized lot."
Exclude instant non-starters:"No inspections," "as-is with no disclosures," or HOA restrictions that don't fit your plan.

2) Reading between the photos

Odd crops, missing exteriors, or only wide-angle lenses can be tells. Compare satellite view for roof/driveway hints, then schedule an early showing if the metrics line up.

3) Map overlays and sanity checks

Check hazard layers and utilities where available. Then run our Convenience Scanner to understand daily errand friction.

4) Language tells in titles/descriptions

"Motivated," "make an offer," "estate sale" →timing leverage.
"Sold as-is" →budget for contingencies; don't waive inspection lightly.
"Cozy," "quaint" →verify square footage and layout usability.

5) Building a watchlist

Save candidates and set alerts for price drops or status changes. Re-run convenience and commute checks when something shifts.

This is educational content based on our personal experience, not professional advice.