According to Webster’s Dictionary, a Realtor is defined as, “a person who acts as an agent for the sale and purchase of buildings and land; a real estate agent.”
However, to be called a Realtor, one must be a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest trade group in the country. Every agent is not a Realtor, but most are.
Being a Realtor means you are held to a higher standard of ethics by the NAR.
What is the difference between a salesperson and a Realtor? A real estate agent is also known as a real estate salesperson. But it doesn’t mean they can legally negotiate a deal and write contracts. In order to properly represent a buyer or seller, an agent must first join a local board of Realtors. The board of Realtors is how an agent gains access to the contracts.
In the greater Santa Barbara area, the “local board of Realtors” is the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, of which I am proud and honored to be their president for 2022.
Now that I have probably really confused you, let me explain how a local trusted Realtor can help you find the home of your dreams or help you sell your current home, and much more.
First, talk to your friends and family for a name or two of the Realtors they trusted to help them during their most recent real estate transaction.
Scour social media. Yes, I said social media. Why you might ask? Well, don’t you feel more comfortable dealing with people who have values close to yours? If you are a lover of wine, golf, fine dining, hiking, like me, wouldn’t you have more in common with that person, and probably get along better in the long run? Makes sense.
After you have found one or two Realtors, or perhaps more, sit down with them and find out if you are compatible. If you don’t click right away, how do you think it might go during possibly tense negotiations?
Ask them for their client list, complete with phone numbers. Call them and ask them what it was like to deal with this particular Realtor. Also, check out their client recommendations on their website. Do your research and homework.
Again, familiarity and comfort are everything when you are dealing with the most expensive purchase or sale you will ever encounter.
Find a Realtor you feel has your best interests at heart and not the fact that you are simply a paycheck to them.
Don’t hire someone just because they are highly successful or have a shiny website. You always have a choice of who to work with.
Also, you want to find a Realtor who will be around long after the sale is complete. What I mean by that is, your Realtor should be a wonderful resource for you for years to come. What if they need a plumber, an electrician, someone to lay down artificial turf in their backyard, and the list goes on? They should call their trusted Realtor for those kinds of things.
I get calls all the time from past clients when they need a contractor or similar service. A trusted Realtor has a long list of referral partners to share with their clients. That is another level of service that they should provide.
Choose a Realtor you feel will be a good friend for a long time. That person will always be there for you, and will provide the level of service you deserve and expect.
Bob Walsmsith Jr. is the 2022 president of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors (SBAOR). He is a California licensed real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties here in Santa Barbara. He has served on and chaired several committees within the SBAOR, and served on its board of directors for the past five years. Bob can be reached at 805.720.5362 and bob@bobwalsmithjr.com.
