UPDATE FROM OLIVIA EDWARDS, SAMCAR PRESIDENT 2009

How many times in your life do you buy or sell a home? Four times, if you are an average homebuyer. That does not provide you with much experience in making one of the most significant financial decisions in your life. Buying a home is a very different experience than selling one and sometimes you do both at the same time. Having an advocate in the form of a REALTOR® to help guide you through the process is paramount to a successful experience. However, most people don’t quite know what they should expect from their REALTOR®. Olivia Edwards, 2009 President of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, shares the following “expectation lists” of a REALTOR® on both the buyer and seller sides. If the REALTOR® you have chosen meets these expectations, the entire process of your buying and/or selling will not only be successful, but will also be a positive experience.

Buyers: Top 10 things you should expect from your REALTOR®

  1. Expect your REALTOR® to ask you great questions and listen attentively to your needs and expectations about your next 5-10 year family plan.
  2. Expect your REALTOR® to share their opinion and insight in market areas in which you are interested.
  3. Expect your REALTOR® to do their home work with facts and figures, analysis and conclusions so you can make the best decision for your family.
  4. Expect your REALTOR® to find out your best mode and frequency of communication and expect them to follow your request.
  5. Expect your REALTOR® to connect you with other top notch professionals like mortgage brokers, lenders, inspectors, title officers etc.; you are still the final decision maker.
  6. Expect your REALTOR® to demonstrate their commitment in getting you the best possible price for your next home purchase through their preparation, mind set, experience, network, reputation and communication skills.
  7. Expect your REALTOR® to prepare a complete professional offer presentation package on your behalf every time.
  8. Expect your REALTOR® to explain the contract and documents to you thoroughly and present the offer for you personally to the listing agent and/or seller.
  9. Expect your REALTOR® to be at the signing of closing documents, walk through property, key and final paper work delivery.
  10. Expect your REALTOR® to consistently follow up with you after your move, to send you copy of your HUD statement in the beginning of the tax year, and have a sale follow up program to keep you informed as a homeowner.

In choosing whom to represent you in your real estate transaction, be sure to ask if your agent is a REALTOR®. Did you know not every real estate licensee is a REALTOR®? The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,100 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County. For more information, please contact SAMCAR at 650.696.8200. San Mateo County sales statistics, news stories and press releases are available on SAMCAR’s web site at www.samcar.org.