Is your Realtor a true expert in the community in which you want to live?
A Realtor handles what might be the biggest investment you ever make: the purchase of your home.
But how much of an expert is your Realtor? Does your agent know the ins and outs of the community in which you want to live? Does your agent know everything there is to know about the schools, parks, shopping districts, crime rates or amenities?
Can your agent tell you what kind of development the City Council is considering for that large plot of vacant land? Can your Realtor fill you in on the downtown redevelopment plan being considered for the community you have targeted? And, even more importantly, can your agent tell you exactly what new stores, restaurants and community buildings are coming in as part of that redevelopment plan?
All of these questions are crucial. Neighborhoods that are vibrant, that are constantly bringing in new retailers, entertainment options and dining districts are ones where home values usually hold steady or rise. You need your real estate agent to know these things.
Just ask Internet guru Dave Taylor, whom you can find online at his own site, Ask Dave Taylor. I interviewed him over the weekend for a feature story I’m writing for an online technology magazine. During our interview, we also spoke about how real estate agents should be using the Web to best serve their clients.
Taylor said a surprising thing: He said that agents need to visit the Web sites of local newspapers, magazines and TV stations in the communities they serve. By doing this, they can identify the community issues that are most important to their clients. And they can bring more information to their clients as they try to find that one perfect home.
So next time you’re looking for a Realtor, make sure that the agent you choose is plugged into the community in which you want to live.
