If you’re planning to search for Atlanta real estate online this month, you’re not the only one. According to a recent study from Trulia, online home searching in Georgia peaks in March and continues throughout the spring and summer before dropping off in the cooler months.

If you’re scoping out your new place online before you hit the streets, here are a few tips:

• Use sites such as Zillow and Trulia to narrow down the neighborhoods you want to focus on. These sites offer additional local information on crime, commutes, school quality, local amenities and market trends.
• Similarly, if you’re looking for a home in a market that doesn’t neatly fit into one zip code, use the draw-your-own-search function to create your perfect housing ring.
• If you’re just searching by location and one or two other factors, chances are you’re getting hundreds of results. Instead of sorting through all those homes you really don’t want, be sure to use advanced search options to narrow your search as much as possible.
• Found a home you really like? Be sure to follow or save it. This way you can always come back to it, and in many cases, you’ll receive emails about what other similar homes nearby you might be interested in.

Once you’ve done your homework online, it’s time to get out there and actually tour the homes at the top of your list. When it comes time for this step, be sure to take advantage of the fantastic mobile apps that are out there to make this process as easy as possible. Some other places to start your search include Realtor.com and NewHomesDirectory.com.  Of course, to see beautiful homes on video, make sure to visit our friends at Atlanta’s Best New Homes TV.

Now that you’ve got the tools you need to help grow your garden of potential new homes, get out there and start searching!