The "Hire a Local Agent" Myth

Eric, just because you hire the local agent, doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get good service.

Myth buster.

Cheers

Nor Yeretsian

That is very true.  It kind of reminds me of when they complain about the appraiser not being "local".  I someone have to refrain from pointing out to them that they live just as far from the property as the appraiser does.  I guess they subscribe to the philosophy that the appraiser must live on the same street as the house, but the agent can live miles away.

I think if you own property in the area and know it well, you can consider yourself a 'local agent' as well. I DO think it is important to work with someone who is local. I don't mean they need to LIVE in the area but they need to KNOW the area.

Ah.. local schmocal LOL.  I'm born & raised in Jersey City, grew up hanging out in Hoboken.  I could drive through Hudson County with my eyes closed... (I don't recommend that trick with a client in the car LOL) .  I moved 2 years ago, miles away to northern Bergen County.  What does that make me now??? I say, if you know the area well (comps, stores, schools, people) who cares if you're a "local". 

It's all about doing what's best for your client.

Keep up the good work :)

~ Vienna

P.S... Although affiliated with Liberty Realty in Hoboken, I've been trying to do business closer to home in Bergen County... I keep gettng the feeling that the agents up north don't really want to bother with me.. call me paranoid, but I swear I've been getting the cold shoulder from a lot of them.  So, I know the feeling! 

Recent examples: My DAD is looking for a house in Emerson.  I call the agent to show, after telling him who I am and where I'm from, he tells me "we're not showing the house at this time".  My Dad calls the same agent 20 minutes later and gets "sure! when would you like to see it??"... Hmmm..  Another one.. I walk into an open house in Westwood with my Dad.  Agents on site, happy as clams till I whipped out the card.  OK call me paranoid but I smell a conspiracy LOL... I'm half kidding... But, I do know the feeling. I swear sometimes it's because my card says Hoboken LOL. 

Having visited Madeline Island frequently myself, I can tell you that not one of those agents is in the office as well.  Now , I am not a realtor, but I understand that island pretty well.  And, some of the islanders get pretty damn lonely in the winter. 

If I WERE a realtor, I would sell that place up and down all day long.  And, it looks like you are doing that pretty well from the "mainland".  Good post. 

Being geographically ignorant is a disservice to the seller.  Living part time is not the same as selling real estate full time.  Professionalism is not part time.

Eric, local is suchh a vague term. Thereis a big difference between "hore a local" because otherwise s/he will become extinct, or rhire a local because s/he trully knows the ins and outs.

One is protecting the species, that other wise would die, the other is being the fittest.

And your line with Chinese food and bus exhaust made me laugh...

If the real locals are loco (not returning a call for  5 days!) I'd be proud to give the excellent service as a non-local that you do. 

P.S.  I prefer my Broadway shows without bus exhaust, thankyouverymuch.

This gripes me, too, Eric! I have noticed in some markets that local agents are complacent. I'd rather work with an agent who will hustle and knows their business rather than somebody who specializes in a particular area just because it's convenient for them. Some things about real estate are universal.

Cheers,

Robin

I have the opposite gripe myself. I work in a small vacation area about 2.5 hours east of Seattle. We do not share an MLS with the Seattle area though they refer to their system as THE MLS.

Every now and again, we get agents who wander over here - either as listing agents or with buyers. 95% of the time these agents are desperate or new. Successful agents are smart enough to refer the business.

A real estate license and GPS in your car is not enough to serve your clients well. As a local agent, I have experience in all the local neighborhoods. I can tell you why prices are going up in one neighborhood and down in another. I can tell you which condos are soon to be REOs and which ones are good investments. I can tell you which houses are for sale, but don't have signs in the yard and aren't on the MLS.

Are there incompentent local agents? Of course there are. The 80/20 rule applies here as it does so often. 20% of the agents do 80% of the business.

You will be thought of as a local or at least a local expert because you are available and familiar with the area. 

The way to get business!

Years ago and before I was in the business, I was in a resort town in MN and had interest in buying a lake home.  Went into town and none of the offices were open.  This was a weekday afternoon in June.  I've had similar experiences dropping in at small town offices in the almost-metro area near where I live.

I don't spend much time north of the river, but are there plays on Broadway now?  I thought that was all industrial.

Eric,

This is so true!  Being local does not guarantee anything except for the fact that their office is located in the area.  Consumers should work with agents that are knowledgeable and will work for their best interests, whether they are local or not.

Thanks for the post.

Brigita