Sometimes buyers don’t even know what they should expect from a Real Estate Professional. I think their hope is that they will be treated professionally, be shown all the homes that match their criteria and have a good negotiator representing them.
When deciding who you’d like to put your trust in, here are a few questions ... [Read More]
Sometimes buyers don’t even know what they should expect from a Real Estate Professional. I think their hope is that they will be treated professionally, be shown all the homes that match their criteria and have a good negotiator representing them.
When deciding who you’d like to put your trust in, here are a few questions you can ask:
Are you a Realtor®? A new buyer may not even know the difference between a Realtor® and an Agent. Realtors® adhere to a strict code of ethics and pay an annual fee to belong to their local & state association. They are kept abreast of issues as they arise via CAR® (California Association of Realtors). Wouldn’t you like someone who adheres to a strict code of ethics and is continually learning about new challenges for buyers and sellers? Agents that do not belong to their local association are not allowed to call themselves Realtors®. Did you know that?
Do you have any Designations? Designations are earned by Realtors® that exceed the minimum standards required to pass the California real estate license exam. It is actually quite easy to cram for a test and pass, but it is another thing altogether to continually be studying and working the business from all angles. It is both costly and time consuming for the Realtor® to earn Designations. If you work with someone with Designations, you know they are committed to excellence.
What kind of experience do you have? It might help you to know how long your potential agent has been in the business. It is not necessarily a bad thing if they are new to the industry as long as they have a good mentor working alongside them.
In most cases, your gut instinct will not lead you wrong. My mom’s favorite phrase, “You Can’t Fool Mother Nature”, meaning that the feeling you get in your gut when something feels wrong will rarely lead you astray, is a valid barometer for you to check.
When you feel you’ve found the right professional for you, PLEASE be loyal to them. It is so very frustrating in this business to work diligently with your buyers only to find that they are “two timing” you, or worse. Working with multiple agents, and not committing to one is NOT in your best interest as a buyer. Please remember that it is time, effort and expense on the part of the professional representing you to locate properties, drive you around town and spend numerous hours with you and then learn you are not loyal to them. You may or may not be asked to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement. Either way, please be honest with the professional you choose and let them know if at any time you are dissatisfied.
As a resident of Shadow Cliff homes in Pleasanton and speaking as a Pleasanton Realtor, I can say our neighborhood is quite busy! There are currently 2 active homes on the market ranging size from 1,135 sf. up to 2,165 sf. and ranging in price from $509,000 to $699,950. In the last 35-days 3 homes ... [Read More]
As a resident of Shadow Cliff homes in Pleasanton and speaking as a Pleasanton Realtor, I can say our neighborhood is quite busy! There are currently 2 active homes on the market ranging size from 1,135 sf. up to 2,165 sf. and ranging in price from $509,000 to $699,950. In the last 35-days 3 homes in the neighborhood have gone pending. Two of these homes are priced at $559,000 and one at $569,000. Last year, all year long we didn’t have this kind of activity in the neighborhood.
As an original owner, I purchased my home in Shadow Cliff in 1988 and at the time had no children. Since then of course things have changed and have a daughter now in college and my son still at Amador High School. Many know Pleasanton is well known for its educational system and thus many people want to move here. Shadow Cliff is a wonderful community and very friendly.
