investing in real estate is an exciting proposition. Whether you're buying residential real estate, other real estate, commercial real estate, a parcel of land, or even an investment property, you'll discover hundreds of real estate properties, nationwide, on eBay.

Select the Right Real Estate for You

No two people have the same take on the same real estate, but you can use guidelines to help determine whether a property is right for you.

* Location, location, location: Before you buy real estate, make sure the community appeals to you. Consider proximity to schools, markets, and other amenities you find important. A good community and prime location can also help maximize the resale value of your real estate.

* Lot size: While most buyers pay the most attention to the square footage of a house, lot size can also be an important factor when assessing the value of real estate.

* House size: Look for a neighborhood where the homes are roughly equal in size and amenities. Nearby homes that are significantly smaller in size could bring down the resale value of your real estate.

* Bedrooms and bathrooms: Three- and four-bedroom houses are usually the most popular. Look for houses with two or more bathrooms.

* Kitchens: Buyers usually find larger, renovated kitchens with modern appliances more desirable. Kitchens that connect to a dining room offer convenience. Also look for easy back yard access if you enjoy entertaining outdoors.

* Pools: Buy a home with a pool only for your own enjoyment, not as a real estate investment. Note that families with small children may view a swimming pool as a danger, which can reduce the number of potential homebuyers you attract if you decide to sell your real estate in the future.

* Garages: If the property has a garage, make sure it is sized to fit your lifestyle and the neighborhood. Two-car garages tend to be more desirable than one-car garages.

* Closets: Make sure you have plenty of closet space. Many find walk-in closets in the master bedroom desirable. You'll want spacious closets in the rest of the house and space for linens and towels.

Evaluate All Real Estate Aspects

Property condition is a key factor in determining the value and price of real estate. Inspect the property. Find out what might need repair or attention. Find out whether there are any termites or other pest issues. Consider using a professional inspector trained to uncover potential problems you may not see.

* Structure: Look at all walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows, as well as the structure's floor coverings for any cracks, gaps, or missing pieces. Have the roof inspected.

* Plumbing and electrical: Pay attention to bathrooms and bedrooms. Find out if the plumbing and electricity work.

* Fixtures: Consider fixtures, such as ceiling lights, faucets, and exhaust hoods.

Also evaluate property status.

* Code: If the property includes a home or building, confirm that the property satisfies local building code requirements. Consider calling the local department of buildings and inspections to determine if the property has been cited for any code violations. Some jurisdictions may have this information available online.

* Liens: Check for liens and encumbrances on the property. If the title isn't clear, what are the easements on the property? Title insurance can be very valuable in assuring that you are taking title "free and clear."

Finally, look at the market.

* Appraisal: Consider getting an appraisal report. An appraisal report can provide helpful information on the value of the property compared to others in the area.

* Prevailing rents: If you intend to rent the property to tenants, check prevailing rental rates in the specific area in which the property is located. Rents can vary greatly by neighborhood.

Find Real Estate on eBay

Once you know what type of real estate you want, go to the Real Estate portal, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

* Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by type of property. You'll find links for Residential Homes, Commercial, Manufactured Homes, and more. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice.

* Product Finder: The drop-down menus on the Residential Real Estate Finder can help you quickly narrow down residential real estate item listings by state/province, sale type, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms. The Commercial Real Estate Finder helps you narrow down listings by state/province, type, and lot size.

* Keyword search: Search eBay title listings for specific words. For example, if you want to find residential property, type "residential property" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Storess tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Real Estate With Confidence

The information contained in this Buying Guide is intended for general information purposes only. This guide is not intended to be a complete list of all things relevant to the purchase of real estate and should not be deemed a substitute for professional advice. You should conduct your own due diligence into all aspects of a real estate purchase and depending on your situation; you should get assistance from experts, including a licensed real estate broker, a property inspector, title/escrow company, attorney, and/or financial advisor.

Before moving forward with any real estate purchase, you'll want to consider the following. Real estate purchase specifics

Research your real estate purchase.

* Price: Am I bidding on the full price of the parcel, or am I bidding on a down payment?

* Title: Is the title clear; that is, free of liens, easements, and other encumbrances? If the title isn't clear, what are the easements on the property?

* Insurance: Can I get title insurance at my own expense?

* CCRs: Are there any covenants, codes, and restrictions on the property?

* Deed: What type of deed will I be getting?

Carefully read the details in item listings. Familiarize yourself with the seller's terms, including any guarantees and requirements regarding the acceptable forms of payment. Check to see what closing costs you are expected to pay. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile. In some states, the seller may be required to deliver a specific disclosure statement.

Nature of bids in auction-style advertisements

Due to the wide variety of laws governing the sale of real estate, eBay Real Estate auction-style advertisements of real property do not involve legally binding offers to buy and sell real estate. A bid is not a contract between seller and buyer. Rather, bids represent a buyer's serious expression of interest in buying the seller's item. Learn more about eBay's bid policy for real estate and eBay's Real Estate Rules and Policies. Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

* What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

* What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

Due diligence

As with all major decisions, in buying real estate, you will want to make sure you get full information and the best advice possible. You may want to consider using an experienced real estate broker who can help you with your due diligence, negotiations, and closing. Depending on your personal circumstances and investment goals, you may also want to engage an attorney and/or a tax advisor.

Payment

* PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts.

* Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.

* Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.