subject: Easy Ways to Get the Most from a Craigslist Search Tool [print this page] Easy Ways to Get the Most from a Craigslist Search Tool
If you want to search all of Craigslist or benefit from other features that the website itself does not have, you might decide to use a search tool. If so, here are some tips to help you get the most from the website or desktop application you use.
Craigslist Search Tool Tip #1 Take Advantage of Price Ranges
I don't care if you are the richest person in the world; why pay more than you need to? Don't. Whether it be buying a home, renting an apartment, or buying a new kitchen table; set a price range. Decide how much you want to pay and go from there.
Most search tools (website based or desktop based) do have price ranges for you to fill out. The minimum price is something low, like $1, and the maximum price is how much you are willing to pay.
Craigslist Search Tool Tip #2 See Image Only Ads
Who wants to buy something they have never seen before? Not you! So, don't bother wasting your time browsing through hundreds of headlines with no pictures attached. Pictures aren't just good for used clothes, TVs, and more, but apartments and houses too.
Most desktop search tools and some Craigslist.org search sites let you see image only ads. You can do this if you are dead set on only buying something you can see. However, also consider emailing the seller to send you a picture; most will.
Craigslist Search Tool Tip #3 Make Use of Search Filters
Not all Craigslist search tools and websites have additional search filters for you to make use of, but a good percentage do. What can these extra and optional filters do for you? They can help to narrow down your results. So lets say that you are looking for a home to buy or an apartment to rent. You can use a housing search filter to search only for two-bedroom homes.
Craigslist Search Tool Tip #4 Setup Alerts If Possible
Alerts by email are rarely offered on a search website, but they are common with desktop applications. If you active an alert by email, you will be sent an email whenever a new item appears on Craigslist or another classified website that meets your search standards. This eliminates the extra searching needed to scoop up a great deal. If email alerts aren't enabled, your best bet is to search often. Remember, Craigslist.org is a very popular website. While lots of items are listed each day, even more deal seekers try to scoop them up.
