With the shrinking of our world through the technology of the ‘virtual’ world, the walls of ‘local’ seem to be widening.
………………But are they really?
Uh, I think not.
In a world of constant change, there is great solice in knowing that some things, namely human things, don’t change. All real estate, is still local; and the advent of places on-line that attempt to make the world smaller only magnifies that point. [Oh, it does Chris, how?]
I am glad you asked.
Because Information is EVERYWHERE!
We are bombarded from sun up to sun down [or even longer…] from when we:
- wake up,
- drive to work,
- all day and
- all night
…until our exhausted mind tries to ‘sort it all out’ as we lay in bed looking at the ceiling… trying to go to sleep.
Have you been there?
In the heaps of information, how do we sort out the wisdom?
Ads scream, wisdom whispers.
And when it comes to real estate, nothing through technology has proven better wisdom than local human intelligence and discernment.
Janet Guilbault, a Mortgage Professional in CA, wrote an excellent blog entitled, Real Estate is Local: The Top Ten Reasons To Use A LOCAL Mortgage Broker. I think she nailed it. It doesn’t just go for the mortgage end, but all aspects of the purchase or refinance as well.
Her top 10 reasons sited are:
1. Teamwork
2. Understanding Values
3. Local Testimonials
4. The office is a place in your community, not just a web address.
5. The people are a face and a neighbor, not just an email address.
6. Ability to hand-carry documents and provide wet signatures… quickly. [Don’t underestimate this one.]
7. An advocate that will be there at the time of closing.
8. A resource after the loan closes, not gone with the wind.
9. They have an vested interest in performing well and delivering on their promises
10. Local contacts at all levels of the real estate transaction.
Granted, these are “Chris Brown” paraphrases, but the point is the same.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, local advocates will always be a greater resource than some distant 800#… how many of those folks now facing foreclosure and losing their homes do you think were seduced by the ‘best deal’ from some far-off 800#-call-center drop outs!? [Sorry, got a little worked up there!] Forgive me!
Devoted to Central Florida in all that I do,
Chris
Orlando Real Estate and the Mortgage Chili Blog 