The term ‘specialist’ is defined as “A person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.” We already know that a Realtor is a specialist in the field of real estate. However, what makes someone a neighborhood specialist?
A neighborhood specialist is someone who has detailed knowledge of a particular community or set of communities and aids buyers in making the most informed choice possible. A neighborhood specialist should be able to provide you information about her area of expertise that would be difficult to find elsewhere. Some of this information may include knowledge of which streets are near a highway or train station, which neighborhoods are more congested, the schools, and the buying/selling trends specific to the town and/or area within that town.
Knowing what the sales trends are and how quickly homes are selling in a neighborhood allows both buyers and sellers to make the most informed decision, resulting in the best outcome.
I am a neighborhood specialist in the Bridgewater area because not only have I lived here most of my life, but I also keep current on community news, as well as real estate patterns. For example, while most know of Bridgewater’s good school system, not everyone knows that due to the size of the town, there are actually seven elementary schools, with some rated higher than others.
By taking a quick look at Google Maps, it is apparent to anyone that Bridgewater is in central New Jersey. However, a neighborhood specialist can tell you about where the local train stations are and which highways are most accessible for Bridgewater residents. As a neighborhood specialist, I can also provide insight to the types of community/recreational activities that are available.
Finally, while all this specialized knowledge is certainly critical to buyers, most important is how valuable this knowledge is to sellers. A skilled neighborhood specialist knows exactly how to use this knowledge best market a seller’s house.