How Do You Search for Homes Without Agents Bothering You?

By Vicki Schamel

Has been a dedicated Realtor for over 30 years. She first entered real estate to balance work and raising her two young daughters, but it soon grew into a lifelong passion.

If you’ve been casually browsing homes online and found yourself bombarded with agent calls before you’re ready to make a decision, this happens because those webpages are created to lead you to real estate agents. I recently experienced this firsthand, and it made me rethink the entire process.

My personal experience. Last week, I went online to research options for turning in my lease car. I entered my information, and within minutes, I was overwhelmed with phone calls and emails from car agents. What should have been a quick and easy process turned into a frustrating game of phone tag with no real answers. By the end of the day, I had talked to over 25 agents. That’s when I realized: this is exactly what I might be doing to my clients without even realizing it.

The truth about real estate apps. We all know the big real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com. While these sites are extremely popular, here’s what you need to know: they’re not just showing you homes. They’re selling your information to agents who pay for leads in specific areas. When you click on a listing to learn more, your information gets sent to an agent in that area and they can use that information to bombard you with calls and texts.

This process, while effective for agents, can be frustrating for consumers like you. Maybe you’re not ready to buy or sell, or perhaps you’re just curious about what’s out there. But with these sites, your curiosity often leads to non-stop follow-ups that can feel more like a sales pitch than a helpful guide.

A solution with no pressure. I know how frustrating it can be to be on the receiving end of these unwanted calls and messages. That’s why I decided to create a new website called New York State, Finger Lakes, and Beyond. It’s designed to make your home search easier, without selling your information to agents that can lead to pushy sales calls or endless messages.

The site covers all of Central New York, offering a simple, user-friendly experience where you can browse homes at your own pace. I’ve even broken down the listings by county and lake, so you can easily find what interests you. The good news is that I guarantee I won’t be calling you unless you ask for help. It’s a no-pressure environment where you can explore options without the worry of being bombarded.

If you’re tired of the constant outreach from other real estate sites, I invite you to give my website a try. Browse through the listings, take your time, and if you’re ready for more information, I’ll be here to assist you. No pressure, just helpful support when you’re ready. If you have any questions, feel free to call or text me at (607) 795-2904 or email me at vickischamel@kw.com. I’ll help you find out the best strategies for your real estate venture.