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How to Choose a Santa Cruz Realtor

Choosing a realtor is an important decision as you look to buy your next Santa Cruz home. Your realtor needs to be someone you can trust to look out for your interest and help you find a home that meets both your needs and wants. Take some time to carefully consider your partner in the home buying process.

Get Referrals

If you know someone who has recently purchased property in Santa Cruz, find out how he felt about his realtor. If you know business people in the Santa Cruz area, talk to them to learn if they have any realtors that they can recommend. A first-hand referral is one of the best ways to find someone with the right knowledge and dedication to be a good choice.

Read Real Estate Listings

If you have a particular type of property you are interested in, such as a beach front condo or a luxury estate, start browsing real estate listings to see if there are any realtors who specialize in that type of property. Choosing someone with expertise in the exact type of property you want will help the shopping process to go smoothly.

Do Some Interviews

Narrow down the field to three or four potentially promising realtors, and then schedule interviews with them. Tell them what type of home you want, how long you have before you are ready to move, and how much money you want to spend. Ask them how they could help you, and even ask to see some properties that they think might be a good match. These interviews will help you get a feel for whether or not you enjoy the personality of the realtor. Remember, you will be spending a decent amount of time with your realtor as you shop for a home, so make sure you feel comfortable conversing with the one you choose.

Choose Someone with Experience in the Market

Knowledge of real estate in general is not enough when you are shopping for property in Santa Cruz. You need a realtor who not only understands the real estate market as a whole, but also understands the Santa Cruz real estate market. You want to work with someone who knows the amenities in the various neighborhoods, can tell you which neighborhoods offer the best views or beach access, and will tell you which areas are best to avoid. If you can, find a realtor who has spent some time living in Santa Cruz. This is the best way to get to know the area.

Inquire About Commissions

Never choose a realtor who asks for payment upfront. All reputable realtors get paid a commission at the closing. However, the percent the realtor charges may vary from realtor to realtor. Do not be afraid to ask about the commissions the realtor charges. Do not assume, though, that the cheapest realtor is the best. There is something to be said for paying for quality when it comes to finding someone to help you buy your dream home.

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Seb Frey is a Capitola, California Real Estate Broker specializing in Santa Cruz Real Estate. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys helping people find their piece of the American Dream in Santa Cruz. You can find Seb's blog at SantaCruzHomeBroker.com/blog.

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