l WHY USE A REALTOR AGENT?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS are properly called REALTORS. They proudly display the REALTOR logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR, here are more reasons to use one:

1- Your REALTOR can help you determine your buying power - that is your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a realtor some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders - banks and mortgage companies - offer limited choices.

2- Your REALTOR can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.

3- Your REALTOR can help you negotiate.

4- Your REALTOR provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property.

5- Your REALTOR can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

6- Your REALTOR can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

7- When selling your home, your realtor can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties.

8- Your REALTOR markets your property to other real estate agents and the public.

9- Your REALTOR will know when, where and how to advertise your property.

10- Your REALTOR can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position.

11- Your REALTOR can help close the sale of your home. .

Diane Waterhouse
Cell phone (805)-886-2988 Voice mail (805)- 96l-2782

Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY
1436 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101