Online House Hunting

Why is it called house "hunting"?

When we are looking to buy a car, we are car "shopping". But when we are looking to buy a house, it's called house "hunting". Not that it matters much, but does anyone know why?

Public Comments

1. When you buy a car you go to the car shop. When you buy a house it is where ever you find it...thus hunting for it.
2. I think its harder to buy a house than a car.. there is sooo much competition with a house than with a car... especially here in l.a.
3. because you hunt for a house and you shop for a car .its is just a frase that caught on, there is no profound reason for the name
4. because it is a bigger deal. you are hunting for a house. you live there. for a long time. a car is a car. its transportation.
5. for the same reason we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway.
6. because it is. You have to go find it, like hunting. When I buy meat lined up at the store, it is shopping. Going to find a deer is hunting.