What should you expect from your Sandpoint Real Estate agent?

These days, as bankers commit acts that many believe should be criminal, and mortgage brokers make loans that are questionable at best, it seems that expectations have been lowered to an all-time low.

As Americans we should expect more.

So, what should you expect from your Sandpoint real estate agent?

Certainly you should have a knowledgeable REALTOR®.

What kind of knowledge should your agent have? College educated? A builder? An interior designer? Someone who renovates homes? Knowledge of the area?

Here is what I offer for a base of knowledge:

•· College educated.

•· Investor and owner of several homes locally.

•· Renovated and built several houses doing much of the work myself. This helps you in that knowledge helps you make informed decisions.

•· As the host of two radio shows - North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts & Adventure, I have interviewed hundreds of business leaders, local government officials, and personalities from all over North Idaho. Add to that the research I have done to prepare for the interviews and you can see how this has helped me to gain intimate knowledge of our area.

•· With over 60 articles about North Idaho and Sandpoint published on the web, the Bonner County Daily Bee, and other rags like the Sandpoint Reader, I put that knowledge on paper every week.

•· Currently I am an editor for this area on City-Data.com, Topix, a major contributor on ActiveRain, and an expert author on Ezine. I also write for Idaho Cuisine magazine.

•· Interviewing businesses has given me the inside scoop on helping dozens of people find jobs .

•· One of the most important things I do is to do the research and write the articles about our local economy and other community pertinent data.

Should your agent be involved with the community?

•· Having done the radio shows for the last six years as a community service is one way I am part of our wonderful North Idaho paradise. However, I also owned two restaurants in town: Walker Donuts and Wigleys Café and Bakery, and served hundreds of people a day.

•· We have many, many events and charities that take place in North Idaho each and every month. So, every year both my business associate Jed Sigman and I volunteer for dozens of happenings, including the Festival at Sandpoint, Lakedance Film Festival, and many more. We just finished as part of a small team that organized the most successful Sandpoint Winter Carnival in a decade.

•· In the last five years, our contributions, and the money we have raised for these charities and events have totaled over $50,000.

•· We have sponsored and paid for completely from our own pockets twenty Artist Open House events, culminating with the Midwinter Art Fest that had hundreds and hundreds in attendance to see the art of over forty North Idaho artists.

•· Mentored over a dozen young businesses, designing and donating their websites for the first year of business.

•· Designed and run some of the most viewed community websites in North Idaho, free of charge, with no advertising, including www.SandpointID.net, www.SandpointCentral.com, www.SkiSchweitzer.net, and www.Sandpoint-Idaho.org.

Should your agent help you with more than just buying and selling property?

•· By finding gainful employment for many, we have helped our clients, friends, and family make the transition to living a better quality of life in Sandpoint and North Idaho.

•· On my wall in my office are posted a couple of dozen thank you notes from people we have helped to build their own barns, grade their roads, prepare an LLC on the state website, and many other endeavors.

•· Bottom line is it is our responsibility to help buyers and sellers in every way. That is why we work so hard at learning not only about real estate, but all about our community, so that when you need a plumber, or where to apply for a hunting license, or the nearest oncologist, we can get you the information you need.

What kind of professionalism should your REALTOR® have?

•· First and foremost, real estate agents have chosen a life that is different than other professions. People look for properties in the evenings and weekends. A REALTOR® should expect to work when people are ready to do business.

•· Just as important, your agent should be sensitive to what you need. All too often sales people talk, talk, talk. Most important thing is to listen. Once we find out what your goals and needs are, we are best able to accomplish the task.

•· A REALTOR® should always answer their phones. Since I dislike not being able to get in touch with an agent, my bet is that customers don't like it either.

•· Your REALTOR® should stay informed about the newest technologies that can help you buy or sell.

•· Your REALTOR® should be informed about county rules and regulations, and info that will help you make smart and informed decisions.

•· Your REALTOR® should always be taking courses to stay apprised of the business and the market.

•· Finally, if your Sandpoint Real Estate agent doesn't know the answer, they should have the resources to find out.

We are a small community, so when new folks move up here, we don't just look at them as clients, they become friends. You can't hardly take a drive here without someone waiving at you, whether they know you or not. That is the way of our place: friendly people who work hard and play hard. We expect people to be friendly and polite here.

You have your own expectations. We believe you should expect more from your REALTOR®.

Remember, for the best info on Sandpoint, visit www.SandpointID.net

For great Sandpoint Idaho Real Estate info, check out www.RealEstateSandpoint.net

Do the slopes in our Top-rated ski resort. www.SkiSchweitzer.net

If you need help on any subject, or want a question answered, even if it isn't about Real Estate in Sandpoint, call me at any time.

Gary Lirette, REALTOR® for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty

208-610-1384
800-282-6880

gary.lirette@sothebysrealty.com