For those selling homes in Highland Park or Eagle Rock, it might seem attractive to list with an agent that is part of a national real estate firm. The promise is that this large company has access to a database of international homebuyers or homebuyers relocating to Southern California for job reasons, and will therefore sell the property more quickly and at a higher price.

Two things challenge that line of thought. One is that relocation specialists and international buyers will most often work with local real estate agents, who find all properties that fit the buyer’s criteria, regardless of who has the listing. Second, homes for sale in Glassell Park, Mt. Washington, Garvanza, Hermon or any other NELA neighborhood – come with a unique set of circumstances that only a local agent-expert would know.

The first and most obvious of these circumstances are the qualities of the local public, private, and charter schools. Some of the data on these can be accessed online (for example, at GreatSchools.org). But websites don’t report what changes are happening that a Realtor working close to those schools would know.

The local agent comes with many additional advantages when based in close proximity to the house being sold. Examples:

Zoning issues – If a seller’s home has renovation potential, the agent who understands zoning restrictions can discuss it with all interested parties and even reach out to buyers who look for such things.

Service provider familiarity – Lenders, escrow companies, contractors, inspectors, title companies and others tend to be local. Being able to steer sellers and buyers to proven performers is a win-win for everyone.

Transportation options – With the Gold Line metro serving parts of NELA, just understanding traffic on I-5, I-10/San Bernardino Freeway, and the Arroyo Seco Parkway, isn’t a complete picture.  

Community personality – Does real estate in Glassell Park and Hermon look the same? What about the personality of those places – or in Garvanza, Highland Park or Eagle Rock? A local agent will know of community groups, the histories and the trend lines that are meaningful to buyers.

Realty brokers and agents that are in the business for the long-term are generally experts in their local communities. This is because it’s very much a referral business, so they are most successful by being connected to the communities where they work. They also need to deliver what their sellers and buyers want. They remain in place long after any transaction is completed. 

A Realtor with a quarter century of experience and expertise is Tracy King and her team of agents and office staff. In addition to bringing a close familiarity with NELA neighborhoods, she shares an appreciation for the increasing popularity of the area’s walk-friendly retail districts.