Realtors are licensed practitioners.

Just as service professionals like doctors, financial counselors and lawyers are licensed to practice, so too are Realtors. Qualifications to become a licensed salesperson or broker in California are administered by the Department of Real Estate. After successfully meeting requirements (including aptitude testing and thorough background checks), licensees then usually associate with a Broker as independent contractors, not employees. They may also choose to become members of the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and a local chapter such as the Sacramento Association of Realtors.

In the Sacramento region, there are more than 16,000 agents, nearly double the number of agents from just a few years ago. Only about 50% of those agents are licensed Realtors, the designation given to members of the National Association of Realtors and the Sacramento Association of Realtors. And, among SAR members, fewer than 7%, less than 600, meet the requirements and qualifications to belong to the Masters Club of the Sacramento Association of Realtors.  (I am a member of Master's Club and also hold a Broker Associate license with Coldwell Banker.)

While some agents are committed to full-time activities; others may enter the business feeling the "time flexibility" gives them more freedom in their personal life. A few enter the business to represent a relative or friend, then fade away. Speaking from nearly 30 years in corporate marketing, I can assure you this is a business that requires a full-time dedication that often includes weekends and holidays, late nights and missed meals. Each day presents new opportunities and challenge. To be effective, you must be diligent, knowledgeable, a person of high integrity, trust and loyalty (something earned, not promoted) and available for whatever reason at whatever time to represent your client.

Among the best ways to serve my clients is to continually expand my skills. To do this, I continuously invest significant efforts and capital into technology, service organizations, associations, office and travel expenses, and continuing education.

Property transactions are complex. In fact, there are more than 50 state and federal statutory forms for disclosures, contracts and agreements involved in the sale or purchase of real property. You place a tremendous amount of trust in the Realtor you've chosen. Be sure they are supported with the resources and information you'll need to make wise decisions.

1. The agent/client relationship is one of trust, obligation and loyalty. Buyers and sellers place faith in the belief that their agent represents them with the utmost of integrity. It is only reasonable that you extend the same effort for courtesy and honesty to your agent. Unlike most practitioners, we are only paid after our services are completed. We invest a significant amount of time, energy and expense for licensing, insurance, association fees and access to resources to help our clients.
   
   
2. Before working with an agent, you should be presented with an "Agency Disclosure". This is a disclosure that outlines the duties of the agent(s) representing the buyer and seller. It is not a contract of exclusivity that binds you to working only with that agent (though there are such agreements); it simply informs you of the duties and obligations of principal parties and their agents.
   
   
3. Become a "partner" with your Realtor. With mutual trust between you and your agent, you'll effectively become partners. This means that your agent should fully understand your needs and demonstrate immediate response to your inquiries. In turn, if your agent contacts you with an opportunity that meets your criteria, be ready to respond as quickly as possible. Postponing a preview of a prospect property even for one day can mean the difference between securing the home of your dreams and frustration that comes with knowing an offer was just accepted. Priced correctly, homes in Folsom are selling between 1-9 days from entry to the MLS.
   
   
4. Be realistic about your needs. The most crucial of these is knowing how much you can afford. Work with a lender or loan broker to become pre-qualified. This is important for two reasons...first, because you'll know how much you can afford and about how much your monthly payment will be, and...second, your agent will include your prequaification letter with your offer to improve the likelihood of having your offer accepted.
   
   As a "rule of thumb", given interest rates of 6% for a fixed 30 year loan, your monthly payment will be about $600 for each $100,000 borrowed. So, if you are looking to borrow $300,000, your payment for principal and interest will be about $1,800 monthly. And, be careful to consider other costs, such as property taxes (approximately 1.25% of the selling price), Home Owner's Association fees, Mello-Roos and/or other supplemental taxes or bonds.
   
   For more information, link to "Mortgage Info"
   
   
5. Buyers often purchase homes that did not match their initial criteria. Why? Because much of the time, buyers are unsure of their needs and expectations until they have had the opportunity to see different types of homes, different floor plans and different neighborhoods. Or, they may have not fully understood the actual cost of home ownership. In many cases, with today's interest at decades-low rates and the ability to choose from several loan packages, you might well afford a home at a higher amount then you thought you could afford.
   
   
6. For sellers, establishing the listing price is critical. That's because a home priced just 5% above the actual market price reduces the pool of potential buyers by as much as 50%, according to the National Association of Realtors.
   
   
7. When you are prepared to make an offer, be prepared! In addition to your pre-qualification letter, there are other factors that will make your offer attractive to the seller. Factors include the amount of your initial deposit, the price you will offer as well as the price you would be willing to pay, disclosing contingencies such as the need to sell your home or complete a tenancy agreement, escrow period, and consideration to "rent back" the home to the seller, are but a few. And, if you find yourself in a "multiple offer" situation, carefully weigh the amount you are willing to pay. Oftentimes, $30 a month is the difference between presenting a successful offer and loosing to a higher bidder.

I am always ready to help you, or people you know.  Simply CallBud.com.