USING AN OUT-OF-AREA REAL ESTATE AGENT MAY COST YOU THOUSANDS!

Well, I know a lot of people out there reading this have relatives or friends that are real estate agents that they'd like to help make a living. Very kind of you and admirable, too. However, if you have decided to look for a home or land in another area, it might be in your best interest to have them refer you to a knowledgeable and experienced agent in that area -it might save you thousands of dollars and a friendship, too. Why, you ask? I can only give you examples that I have experienced.

Amador and Calaveras counties in Northern California are rural counties compared to others. Many of our properties have wells, septics, road associations, special easement requirements and zoning requirements. Agents in the area usually know which areas are prone to low water levels, minerals in the water or even mining that was done in the area. Also, what types of septic systems and the prices of those systems are something that most agents know. Most of the time, an outside agent doesn't know enough about the area to ask for all the required inspections and if they happen to discover that there might be another inspection needed, the inspection period has lapsed. Mistakes like these can cost a buyer his/her good faith deposit or even worse, thousands of dollars for a new septic or well.

Finding and showing properties can even prove difficult. Our MLS is locally owned, not given to just any agent. Agents have to pay to become members just to get into our website. This will probably change in the future. Some agents use Realtor.com to find properties in our area, but don't have ability to get into them once they find them. Also, Realtor.com is a good source but only for limited information. If there are special notes about the property such as give 24 hr. notice to show, don't let animals out, or showing times only during specific hours because of day sleepers, it won't be on Realtor.com and if you are from far away is it worth wasting your time?

So, save yourself from lawsuits and worry, do yourself AND your out-of-area real estate agent a favor... ask to be referred to a knowledgeable and experienced realtor in the area!

This blog was written by Tanna Reynoso, Prudential California Realty, Jackson