Thanks for your words of wisdom Matthew. If we don't know, then why should anyone use us.

Nice post.  This is especially true with buyers.  It is so helpful to find a home in the area you specialize in and know when you walk in that you have the buyer for that particular home.  Or, know about the home and then the right buyer appears before you looking for the right fit!

I find it to know the whole city, and what aspects people are looking for.  You can't know everything, but you can usually find the right fit.

Exactly the reason why I specialize in certain areas of the County and refer others.

Mathew

This is one of the reasons why "Farming" is so important and physically being in a Farm area.

Matthew, if you truly are the "neighborhood expert" that is a tremendous advantage you bring to the table.

Thanks Gary and Gary.  I have four farms and ironically most of my listings are not in these, but I know those areas inside and out.

Good post. When you go on listing appointments you can impress sellers if you know the neigborhood and when you are showing houses it helps the sellers.

Great observation and advice. Thanks for the effort.

It just helps to know the neighborhoods so you can meet the needs when someone says I want a 3 bedroom Victorian, you know exactly where to look. It helps not waste your time.

Matthew, good info.  You say you farm four areas, do you find it difficult when you do not reside in at least of them?

You can go to Localism and look the area if the agents have been doing a good job of inputting info.

Good post. I have found that it does make a difference when you know the neighborhoods and surrounding community. Buyers want to know more than just houses- schools, parks, etc. are very important when people are looking to purchase a home.

I wish they had neighborhoods Encyclopedia's.

I find that my area is so big, that it is almost impossible to know every nook and crannie.  But what I do is when my buyers are ready to put in an offer I do research first to ensure our offer is competative, pull the demographics, information on the schools, drive the area and locate shopping, talk to the neighbors etc.  I include all this information in with their Homebuyers Handbook along with a copy of the MLS sheet for that property.  Oh and of course my card.  So far I have not had a problem.  I think most people in Southern California are aware of its size.  Sellers I gather all the information before the listing appointment.  Great Post.