Technology has come a long way. We use AI to write content (not this article, though!), self driving cars are seemingly on the horizon, and there are a variety of real estate apps and platforms that make it seem like you can buy or sell a home without the guidance of a real estate agent. And just like that cold, lack of personality content and those self driving cars that have been reported to hit lane dividers and street signs, there are some things that technology just can’t do. Real estate technology is certainly helpful, but it definitely can’t take the place of a local Richmond Realtor®.
Local Insider
When you work with a local Richmond Realtor®, you’re trusting someone who knows the area. If you live in Richmond, CA, then you know that Point Richmond is totally different from Hilltop which is completely different from the Iron Triangle. You also know that these neighborhoods vary greatly in prices and architecture: you have newer build homes at Hilltop, World War II homes in Central Richmond, and Point Richmond is known for its Victorian homes and historic downtown.
Let’s say you have a budget of $800,000. This price point can get you totally different homes and it may help to look in neighboring cities to get you exactly what you want. El Sobrante could get you a bigger home as compared to Berkeley, but Berkeley may have the cultural food and entertainment scene you’re looking for. Or maybe you’d rather have a nicer, newer condo in Richmond but you still want to consider a single family home in Pinole. Or maybe you want a fixer upper or a home that doesn’t have a killer commute to your job in San Francisco. Just searching on Zillow or Redfin limits your options but a local Richmond Realtor® knows the area and can specifically hunt for your needs within your budget and wish list… or even tell you that what you want is or isn’t possible. Or the right Realtor® can ask you the right questions and give you options you didn’t even think about. Do you need a place for aging parents or grown children? Maybe a multifamily home with several units is a better investment or a home with a large backyard so you can build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) for them would be a better choice. Do you work from home? Maybe a home with a loft or office is needed. A great Realtor® will help you determine your current and long term needs.
Home Pricing
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, price matters. If you’re selling a home, you want top dollar to invest in your next home or investment property. If you’re buying, you want the best price possible. Just looking at homes online doesn’t tell you the whole story. If you’re selling, your neighbor three doors down may have sold their home last month for $600,000. That doesn’t mean you’ll get that amount. Maybe their home had updates you didn’t know about, the mortgage rate was lower at the time of purchase causing a bidding war, or you didn’t consider the power lines that are right above your roof that makes your home less desirable.
If you’re buying, maybe your friend bought a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home for $700,000 in the same neighborhood you’re looking to buy in two years ago. However, the real estate market is ever changing. Interest rates could have been lower, demand could have been lower, inflation could have been lower, and on and on causing prices to change. A local Richmond Realtor® can explain the CURRENT market conditions, what you can expect today, and prevent heartbreaking disappointment.
Being On Site Matters
A few years ago my husband and I were looking for a home. Have you ever had this happen to you? You see a home online and the entryway looks huge or the carpet looks bright and new. However, you get to the home and realize the photographer was some kind of magician and the filter used on the camera somehow made a decade’s worth of cat pee stains disappear.
Then again, there were things that we DIDN’T notice when we were walking through homes that our local Richmond Realtor® pointed out. The roof would need to be replaced soon. It would be cheaper to buy a newer home than completely remodel the existing one. The backyard was all dirt and would cost tens of thousands of dollars to landscape. He was able to give us insight that we wouldn’t have known to look for or how much upgrades would cost.
Negotiations
A local Richmond Realtor® knows other local Richmond Realtors® and knows what offers stand out and are accepted. As a Seller with the possibility of multiple offers, you need to know which one is the best and how to navigate through the piles of paperwork. As a Buyer in California, demand continues to exceed supply so you need to submit a competitive offer without extending yourself too much. Offer too low and you’ll be passed over. Offer too high and it may appraise for less than the offer and you might need to come up with that extra cash. Your local Richmond Realtor® will hopefully know that sweet spot.
Local Partners
An additional benefit to a local Richmond Realtor® is that they’ll likely know reputable professionals that can help you with the home you’re selling or the new home you purchased. From lenders to insurance brokers, from painters to landscapers, they should be able to guide you to someone who you can trust to get the job done right. If you’re putting your home on the market, they’ll tell you how to fix up your home to appeal to the biggest pool of buyers. If you’re buying, they can share the name of a professional who can give you a remodel estimate or painter.
Local Richmond Realtor®
If you’re looking for a reputable, knowledgeable local Richmond Realtor®, look no further! The Rick Fuller Team knows the Richmond area and we’re here to give you an experience you’d be excited to tell a friend about. Our Buyer and Listing Specialists know the local market, have partnerships with exceptional lenders, and would love to serve you. Call us today! (888) 950-RICK
