Hi Mark,
There's many great and knowledgeable agents in the area you're looking in. The top agent you are likely referring to has over 100 listings and has a team. There are over 1,200 listings in El Dorado County alone, so the odds are less than 1 in 10 that it will be one of that agent's listings.

Most buyers start their search on the internet. While searching you'll find agents websites and most have
search capabilities. You can usually get a good sense of the agent by how quick they are to respond to questions, their grasp of knowledge of the area, their demeanor. You may very well have a comfort level with the agent before even meeting them in person.

The properties for sale in the foothills have bargains galore. A comment, such as the market in general will run down another 30% is too global. I still see certain properties I feel are priced over market and they will either need to be taken off the market, or have price reductions. But, I also see bargain properties that are listed below market. Those will not be going down another 30-20-10% - and in fact may be purchased over list price depending on that specific property scenario.

Hi
My husband and I live in Foresthill right above Auburn and he works in Shingle Springs..it's a very easy and beautiful drive and the area of the house is breathtaking. We are selling FOR SALE BY OWNER so there would be no realtor cost. If interested please email me at bearkelso@yahoo.com

Mark,,

The truth is that the agent that has the listing is rarely the agent that sells the home. But I'd meet with this agent and ask her the hard questions. If you like her put her to work for you.

Sheri Dettman

Chances are that if you choose the agent who has the most listings you will be turned over to his/her assistant.

Find an agent you have a good rapport with, one that will be honest with you about the market and one that knows the area well!

When you are dealing with a disclosed dual agent, the agent is forbidden to disclose to the other party that the seller will accept a price less than the listing price or that the Buyer will pay a price greater than the price offered. ( Unless expressly instructed to do so, as in a counteroffer.)

In a dual agency situation the agent must first: disclose dual agency and obtain permission from both principals to act in that capacity, and exercise skill and care, deal honestly and in good faith with both parties, and disclose facts known to the agent that materially affect the value or desirability of the property.

Some buyers are comfortable with disclosed dual agency and some aren't. It is legal and ethical for agents in California to provide service as DISCLOSED dual agents.

The best way to select a house is 1. Give your agent your broad search parameters 2. Prioritize your needs and wants, List your "must haves", then your "would be nice to haves" then your "i can take it or leave its" then your would "prefer nots" finally the "total deal killers" Be realistic, be honest with yourself, so your agent can help you.

I can count on two hands the number of buyers who have told me that they could care less about having a pool, ( take it or leave its - supposedly ) but then they only offered on houses with pools, and ruled out all the non-pool houses for "other reasons"

Then I have had buyers say they would definitely not live next to a busy road. - But. since equivalent houses on busy roads are cheaper than those on quiet streets and cul-de-sacs. that was all they wanted to see and offer on.

Then look at the listings they email to you, be open minded. Go physically tour as many of these as you can, it will help you and your agent sharpen your focus as to what you want, and what you can afford in this market.

I don't think the foothills will slide as much as the valley has. Some of the flat areas such as Elk Grove have homes listed at 40 to 50% below their 2005 peak market sale prices.

Foothill prices have fallen about 20 to 25%. if they have to run down by 30% from the peak that means as much as 5% more in further price declines (or not ) Statistics carry a lot of lag time.


Todays savvy buyers will be reported as having bought at the bottom. Those statistics come out in June.
(offer in March close in April, economists gather April Stats in May then publish them in June. )
If you wait until reports of rising values you will have already missed the bottom by at least four months.

A good way to have your cake and eat it too (as far as the 30% decline is concerned ) is to discipline yourself to not pay any more than 70% of peak value or 95% of current value (whichever is less)
Unless you really, really, really love the house.

It is true that the listing agent might know more about the houses in the area, but it is not guaranteed that they will tell you everything they know since they represent the sellers. The only way to have someone looking our for your interests is to get a buyer's agent and attorney to review the contracts.

I recommend to people that they select a buyer's agent who specializes in their type of purchase. Consider the market area focus of the agent, type of homes they usually deal with (single families, multis or condos), and also the type of buyer they work with (investors, single young professionals, familes with kids, retirees, etc). The agent who typically works with people in your situation is going to be the one who knows which of the houses to show you. The listing agent you spoke about is probably going to try to steer you to his/her own properties.

I am not from your area, but in this area the "top listing agent" is not always the best choice for a buyer's agent. I would suggest that you "interview" a few of the local agents at an open house, or call the local broker and ask for suggestions for an agent who knows the area and works well with buyers. It can sometimes be a delicate transaction when the listing agent also represents the buyer.