Playing Realtor – Why information isn’t a substitute for Knowledge

Robert Ramirez
RE/MAX Marina Realty
(707) 762-5611
www.petalumahomes.com

“Playing Realtor”

As a society, we are becoming more dependent on the Internet for obtaining information on just about any subject matter. The use of encyclopedias, legal case studies, and medical reference books and in some cases even visits to the library can all now be a “virtual” on-line experience.

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Although having information literally at our fingertips may be beneficial, it can also be a detriment. For example: you wake up one morning and your new puppy has a limp, so you grab a cup of coffee and log on. Hate to break it to you- but a couple of searches on goggle.com doesn’t make you a veterinarian. We all do it everyday: self-diagnosis, give legal advice, and play travel agent. Whatever we need, or whatever problem ails us, we look it up on the Internet.

We also have habit of searching on-line for every consumer product we long for. Ebay, price-line, amazon.com…these are becoming household names. Even with real estate, consumers look the Internet to find their dream home. The most popular real search engines in our area are: greathomes.org., realtor.com and the latest norcalmls.rapmls.com. They are all reliable websites for available homes in Sonoma County and are utilized by thousands of consumers. But just as you’d be hard pressed to tune-up a new Mercedes on-line, no number of “listing” printouts can replace an experienced and seasoned Realtor. Unfortunately, the Internet can give a false sense of security; a feeling that we can do all- be all.

It takes some buyers longer than others to realize that they can’t purchase a home on-line. Sure, they can search on their computer every morning before they go to work, back at home in the evening after they put their kids to bed, and go “Open House” shopping every Sunday. But oftentimes, by the time they do happen to run across their “dream home” it is either in escrow, sold, or the seller is looking at offers in an hour. Buyers that “play Realtor” think they are on top of the market, but in reality they aren’t anywhere “in” the market for a home purchase.

In today’s competitive marketplace, it takes more than knowing a certain home is for sale at a certain price. In order to actually purchase a home, buyers have to be prepared. Being prepared means being pre-approved with their lender, having their down payment and employment verified, knowing exactly what interest rate and loan program they are approved for and exactly how much principal, interest, taxes and insurance they are capable of handling. But more importantly, a buyer must be committed to and have an established working relationship with a licensed real estate agent. Sure, Realtors use the Internet as a tool to send new listings to their buyers, however, diligent agents don’t rely solely upon the internet and MLS in finding their buyer’s dream home.

Realtors network with each other on a daily basis. They “farm” neighborhoods, attend marketing meetings and even call upon their existing clientele to see if they’re interested in selling. With the services of a Realtor, buyers are getting into homes before the Sunday Open House, in ample time to prepare an offer for presentation, and even before the home hits the ‘net”. Your agent will also provide you with any inspection reports on the property that may be available, they will also give you “comps”- sold comparables of like properties to circumvent any appraisal issues that may arise when writing an offer over the asking price. Just as you rely upon your family doctor, accountant, and attorney for their expertise, likewise you should retain the services of realtor for your home purchase. Searching on the net is exactly what it is---searching. You can “search” forever and a day, but when you’re serious about buying- call a Realtor.