Online Condo Reference Guide

When searching for condos and other information online, here are some places you should look:

ArlingtonCondo.com. Lets buyers search inventory of local resale properties entered by brokers' agents. Registration not required. Inventory updated once a day. Site describes nearly every development in Arlington, even those not listed in the inventory. Descriptions come from Bosl's contacts at development companies, newspapers and neighborhood associations as wells as he own drives around the area. Doesn't list availability of units in most new condos.

BirdsEyeSearch.com. Pairs Google's online mapping service with an inventory of local resale properties entered by brokers' agents. Updated in real-time. Database doesn't list new condo projects. Site shows basic stats, like price, location, year built, size and features. Buyers can see satellite views and map images of available condos and nearby retail. To get specifics, visitors must type in name, e-mail address and phone number.

DCDreamLofts.com. Run by a software engineer with no real estate ties. Lets visitors search information on pre-construction condos gathered from word of mouth, user e-mails, signs outside of developments, builder Web sites and other media. Search by neighborhood, price range or completion date up to 2009. Site shows photos of progress of construction. Also links listings to Google's mapping service. Registration not required. Does not provide info about specific units for sale.

dclofts.com. Lets visitors view a comprehensive directory of new and pre-construction condos. Registration not required. Updated almost daily. Info collected from zoning boards, realtors, developers and site users. Corroborated by multiple sources and presented without spin. Condo ads appear separately. Does not provide info about specific units.

dcrealestate.com. Run by consultants to D.C. developers and real-estate writers. Details derived from relationships with developers, real-estate agents and independent research. Registration not required. Database updated daily. Offers critical analysis of each project, including projects not yet released by developers. Stays about six to 12 months ahead of official releases.

ListingNotice.com. Lets buyers register to receive e-mail alerts any time a condo becomes available that matches set preferences. Buyers enter name, phone number, e-mail address and criteria to sign up. System checks local resale inventory every hour.

HomesDatabase.com. Info supplied by Realtors. Lets buyers search inventory of resale properties entered by brokers' agents. Provides area demographics and crime data, school information, weather data, maps, comparable sales stats and median home values. Doesn't list most new condo projects. Registration not required. Consumers can enter e-mail addresses to get daily updates about new listings that match their criteria. Updated once a day.

NewCondosOnline.com. Lets visitors search national database of ads for new/preconstruction condos. Site only contains condos that pay for coverage. Registration optional, if visitors want to save listings. Developers usually update the site's staff weekly. To reach condo sales reps, visitors click through to the property's Web site, call the sales office or submit name, e-mail address and phone numbers.

OnlyNewCondos.com. Buyers in the market for upcoming condos can see basic info ¿ price range, community, status and developer. Roster derived from early word of mouth. Does not provide information about specific units for sale.

Realtor.com. Lets buyers search nationwide inventory of resale properties entered by brokers' agents. Visitors can also search for local agent and brokerage Web sites. Registration not required. D.C. regional inventory not always current.

-- Aliya Sternstein