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Area Specialist -What Does It Really Mean To a Home Seller in Orange County, California?

Have you ever seen one of those real estate signs in the front yard that proudly proclaims "Area Specialist"? Or, perhaps you received a door hanger with those words emblazoned across the top. What it says and what it means could be two completely different things. If it got your attention, that was exactly what it was designed to do. But, before you take it literally, it would be wise to take a closer look at the credentials of the person making the claim.

You see, there are numerous designations that are recognized by real estate professionals as adding credibility to a person's ability to perform their duties to clients in a professional manner. "Area Specialist" is not such a designation. It typically is a person's way of conveying that they know the area. That could mean many things. It could mean that the agent making the claim to be an area specialist or expert has; actually worked in the area for a considerable time, that they live in the area, that they want to work more vigorously in an area, or that they simply wanted to get your attention.

Just because someone uses this terminology to describe themselves doesn't mean that they don't actually know the area. But, a homeowner in Orange County, California...or in any part of the country for that matter would be wise to ask some serious questions of anyone claiming to be area specialist. A few good questions to ask would be:

How many homes have you listed and sold in this neighborhood in the past year?
How many homes have you sold in this area where you represented a buyer?
Why do you consider yourself an area specialist?
In how many geographic areas are you advertising in which you represent yourself as an area specialist?

Are you beginning to see the big picture here? Being an area specialist connotes a familiarity with an area above that of the average real estate agent. If you are thinking of selling your Orange County home or condo, interviewing agents and selecting the right person for the job is an important step. Hiring the right person for the job can save you time and money. It would be my pleasure to send you The 10 Most Important Questions To Ask When Interviewing A Real Estate Agent. Call or email me.

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Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775

South Orange County Real Estate Website

Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®

President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce

Marlene is a highly experienced South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.

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Posted by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges on 11/06/2007 03:45 AM

Comments (20)

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20 Comments on Area Specialist -What Does It Really Mean To a Home Seller in Orange County, California?

NOV

2007

Good points Marlene. No matter what speciality we are promoting, we must be able to defend and prove it.

Ohhh Marlene...I like numbers 3&4 the best. That's getting to the crux of the matter! For Sure!

Excellant point...

Nancy - Tnank you for your comment. I'm glad you appreciate the spirit of the article. I don't want anyone thinking that the words "area specialist" may be negative. The agent using the term may actually be able to prove their right to call themselves so.

Joan - Thanks so much for stopping by Joan. Sounds like this is something you may have seen overused in New Hampshire as well. One thing for sure, if anyone ever doubted your claim to this title, they'd only need to look to your wonderful posts on Concord, New Hampshire. You, dear one, are an incredible fount of information about your area.

Marlene - Great post and right on the money. I do promote myself as a area expert. I have lived in Burbank for over 35 years(showing my age here, lol). I base it not only off of real estate by my overall knowledge of the area and the history of the city itself.

Joe - You are definitely the kind of agent I would be looking to work with as a home buyer in the Burbank/Toluca Lake area. Thanks for your comment.

Marlene.... being an expert and a specialist in a certain area...farming area and letting people know this is so key to your business. Especially for a realtor. As for myself, I think it's different, but other loan officers would argue differently. You make some good points.

Jeff - Thanks. It is different for loan officers. You need to be a different kind of area expert - not geographic, but as with yourself being an expert on FHA sets you apart from the rest.

NOV

2007

Marlene- You offer some interesting questions.. While everyone wants to be a specialist it seems that few actually are..

NOV

2007

Kaye - Amen to that sister!

NOV

2007

Marlene...

Your list of questions is purr-fect. Many folks do not pose the all important "Specialist" questions.

I remember way back when...We toted ourselves as "Selling Specialists" (we still do). But, in order for it to be a correct description of what we do we pass on working with Buyer's. Why? Cuzz. Amoung other reasons...We see working with Buyer's and calling ourselves "Selling Specialists" a contradiction in terms :)

TLW...ROAR!

NOV

2007

Marlene, Have you written a post by you on those ten questions to ask a Real Estate Agent? I'd like to read that!

Mike in Tucson

Marlene, an expert is better than a specialist! At least the expert has solved many problems and made many mistakes to get to the expert level!

Diane Concialdi - Orange County Home Stager - DC Redesign

NOV

2007

TLW - Thanks for your comment. Sometimes we just have to be honest with ourselves, don't we? There are so many agents who taut themselves as Area Specialists in 50 areas---impossible!

Mike - Thanks for the reminder. I will plan to write that soon.

Diane - No matter what the title, unless it has been earned either through education or experience, it is just a word.

NOV

2007

The Questions you pose and they way you pose them requires a dialog and not just an rehearsed answer. We call them Wopen Questions. Great post.

It is now Thanksgiving Day ( 12:20am ) and you can be sure of one thing today. You will be in my Grace as I am so thankful Marlene to have you, a most wonderful and special person in my life and to know you as "Friend" is a real honor and also one I cherish!

I am curious what the climate is in your area for transferring brokers? I have a great desire to relocate, but, can't imagine starting over. Is there still activity and how difficult would it be for an experienced broker to break in in your area? Thanks

William - Thanks for your affirmation that this post is on track. It's so important in any profession to not only talk the talk, but be able to substantiate our claims.

I am also thankful for you, my friend. May the Grace of Our Lord continue to shine upon you today and always.

Wishing you a year of health and happiness beyond imagination,

Marlene

Gayle - Relocating is a big step no matter where you are moving from or to. There are many factors to take into consideration. I'd be pleased to talk with you personally about your anticipatd move. I'll do all I can to give you a good picture of what to expect here. Just give me a call so we can talk about you, your goals and what you are leaving and what you are hoping to find in making a change.

All the best to you,

Marlene

949 363-0901

NOV

2007

You make some excellent points Marlene. PS. I love your new hairstyle. Very flattering.

Hi Rita - It just frustrates me to see those "Area Specialist" signs everywhere. We have one agent here in South OC who is tauts himself as an area specialist everywhere. That just isn't possible!

Thanks for the nice compliment on my new do.

Have a great week!

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