Shopping for a new home? Zillow.com and Realtor.com offer simple and effective resources to help you find listings near you, but in a hot housing market like the one in Northeast Ohio, by the time you find a property on one of these listing networks, it’s usually too late.

But don’t worry…

There are plenty of alternatives to find listings and schedule open houses. While you’re checking out properties around Cleveland, OH, be sure to try one of the Zillow alternatives below.

Use Search Engines

Assuming you already have the Zillow app on your phone, you don’t have to limit yourself to what you can find on listing platforms to find a house.

There are still plenty of sellers out there who don’t use Zillow, Realtor.com or Trulia. However, to uncover these hidden listing gems, you’ll need to do a little digging. Start by searching “homes for sale near me” and hunt for realtor’s names and websites in the results.

Often times, websites that are directly managed by a realtor are easier for them to update than syndicating a third-party ad, so you can find more “real-time” results.

Social Media

Social media platforms are buzzing with listing information — especially Facebook and Instagram.

If you’re not already, start following a local listing agent or even consider adding them as a friend. You’ll get one of the most up-to-date feeds of listings near you, so you can jump on new listings before anyone else.

Pro tip: Try following some local real estate hashtags. #clevelandrealestate is a great place to start!

Hit the Pavement

Sometimes, there’s no better way to find listings than to simply drive around your ideal neighborhood and look for the classic “For Sale” or “Open House” sign.

While it’s not the most up-to-date way to advertise a listing, many agents still rely heavily on signage and flyers to advertise.

Browse MLS.com

Still looking for online alternatives? Look no further than MLS.com.

Most realtors use this tool to help buyers find a house, and it’s easily the most trusted and up-to-date database of public listings on the web. Ask a real estate agent about how you can gain access.