When choosing to sell or buy real estate in the dynamic and beautiful TriValley area of California, the first and smartest move is to call on the services of a REALTOR®. Why? Because not all agents or real estate associates are in the same category. You should buy that prime property with the help of only those licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR).

Make doubly sure you’re assisted by someone who is professionally savvy and bound by a strict code of ethics. Most brokers in the U.S. do belong to the NAR, so look for the logo on their cards and literature. When the games of house hunting or property buying begin, you want to be aligned with the best team possible.

The REALTORS® are the pros. These experts maintain the highest level of knowledge in the field of selling and buying real estate, tasks which can quickly become a fierce jungle of traps and nightmares for those who decide to wing it alone. That dream home may be lost to a buyer in a maze of tricky official documents or become a money trap for those buyers who find themselves the targets of litigation. 

What can these brokers do for the buyer? In addition to finding the perfect home or property to suit your needs and hopes, price range and qualifications, the REALTORS® work in a fiduciary capacity, meaning they work without a monetary interest in your transaction.

Here are a few reasons why the smart buyer will use a REALTOR®:

• There is no cost to you for employing the  services of a professional Realtor.
• He or she can figure your buying power and supply you with a list of lenders best qualified to help you complete the transaction. Real estate brokers who recommend lenders may not receive any compensation from the lender for referring a client to a specific lender. (To do so would be a violation of federal law known as the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act). All compensation to a broker must be disclosed to all parties. The REALTOR® will help you understand the different financing options offered by the qualified lenders.
• The REALTOR® can assist you in your home search. It is often the case that the home you’re seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market. The broker will investigate for you.
• Your REALTOR® will provide objective information about each property, with all the pluses and minuses. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources.
• REALTORS® will provide information on utilities, zoning, schools and all those things affecting daily life in your new home.
• They will let you know whether or not the home will provide the environment you want for your preferred lifestyle. They will give an objective, professional opinion about whether or not the property should have resale value when and if you are ready to sell.
• Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate not only the price, but the large and small details of the transaction. They include financing, terms and dates of inspections, walk-throughs, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of furnishings, equipment and repairs. He or she will see that the purchase agreement provides time for you to complete inspections before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can also advise you which investigations and inspections are recommended and which are required.
• Your REALTOR® is bound to exercise diligence during the evaluation of the property. Inspections, depending on the area and property, could include thorough checking for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests.
• Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports.
• Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access.  Real estate brokers typically do not provide title service such as title search or title insurance, do not conduct surveys or formal appraisals of the property such as those required by lenders, and do not act as lawyers for the parties. However, they may coordinate these activities with the specialists
• Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.