With stronger economic and wage growth expected next year, 2017 would be a golden opportunity for people with secure jobs and good credit who want to achieve the American dream of homeownership.
"Whether someone is buying or selling a home, finding a good Realtor and understanding the importance of working with a Realtor should be the first step in what could be the most important transaction in a lifetime," says Karen Trolan, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
Trolan points out that not all real estate agents are Realtors. A Realtor is a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the world's largest professional trade association. The "REALTOR®" designation is used by real estate agents and brokers who must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and actively pursue continuing education to increase their professionalism and skill. The Code of Ethics sets Realtors apart from other real estate licensees and protects all parties to the real estate transaction, not just a Realtor's client. If a local Association of Realtors finds a Realtor in violation of the Code of Ethics, disciplinary action can be imposed.
Realtors must complete ethics training by taking at least 2.5 hours of instruction once every four years to keep membership in the national Realtor association. For a Realtor, living with the Code of Ethics means being honest and dependable, never putting your interests ahead of your client's, and speaking the truth to all parties.
"Realtors have the training and expertise to help their client with all aspects of the real estate transaction. Today's home buyers and sellers want and deserve to know that their real estate professional is someone they can trust and who has their best interests at heart," says Trolan.
When evaluating a potential real estate agent, first ask whether the agent is a Realtor. Then ask the following questions:
Consumers may visit the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors website at www.silvar.org for a list of Realtors by location.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.