All Forum Posts by: Maya Clark

Great opportunity for a FIXER Upper in Oakland! Legal duplex with lower level in-law unit. MOTIVATED Seller says "Sell Now." Property has 1-2BR/1BA unit and 1-1BR/1BA unit. Both units are occupied. In-law unit (legality unknown) is Owner Occupied and will be delivered vacant at closing. Some inspections and reports available. SOLD AS-IS.  Call for more information and to schedule viewing. 

Open house 9/8/18 12-1:30pm

Maya Clark, Broker

BRE#01734062

Seville Real Estate & Mgmt

If I am back in town I would like to attend.  Is this open to other licensees as well?  Thanks.

Well this is a late chime-in from a Broker's perspective...I agree that an Agent may be reluctant to provide contact information for past clients for privacy reasons to start.  I would also say just being licensed for 20+ years does not mean they have the experience or knowledge working with certain types of clients.  My suggestion is to sit down with the Agent to ask about their actual experience and expertise.  Some Agents may be licensed and have experience in other areas of real estate. I've found not as many have experience working with Investors specifically thus may not understand their needs.  All of that to say, go with your gut but make sure when speaking to an Agent that you know what you are looking to accomplish and that they are knowledgeable in that specific area.  

#Jordan Decuir the only real downside to an active selling broker is that they may be too busy or not available when you have questions, training, and/or if you are looking for a mentor in the business.  I started with Remax then went to Coldwell Banker when I first got started in the business while I was finishing college. I always felt more like just another agent i.e. Agent #1001 not Maya Clark, an Agent. I also thought the training was too focused on promoting the brand then it was really teaching me.  I felt I got the best actual training when I joined the 1st independent brokerage.  Now as a Broker, I focus on training with my agents. I even have 2 KW Agents who come to my training because they are free #1 and focus more on building a business, systems & processes, contracts, compliance, and much more #2...just my experience and thoughts.

I happen to know of 2 Agent/Investors w/ReBroker who claim it's perfect for their needs that are very similar to yours.

I would try it and see what your response ratio is. If people do contact you at some point get their opinion and find out what made them reach out to you.

In my 21 years in the business I've been with both franchises (Re/Max & Coldwell Banker) as well as smaller independent firms. I can honestly say I've learned more and received more qualified leads from the smaller independents. I too had the option of opening a franchise or independent firm and opted to go independent. The main thing I caution Agents on either is to make sure the Broker is not a selling/competing Broker. if they are, make sure they have an established and experienced managing Broker who does not sell but is there to help Agents. To me, this is the key.

Hi @Tony Lin. There are 2 that my clients and/or I have used over the years...We've used Doris Foreman in Oakland most recently so I have her info immediately available.  There are a couple others that I could send you Thursday if others don't mention them.

I can't and won't speak on whether the area you are interested in is a good or bad idea...I will offer an answer your question about working w/Agents in that price range. Some agents in these areas are aware of the potential commission and set a minimum flat rate be it $1500, $2000, etc. Contact an Agent in the area to see what they charge. The fee may even be lower after a number of deals.

I recommend PropertyRadar as well as county records. PropertyRadar offers owner information, some transaction history, etc. As others have suggested, contacting the neighbors also provides information that you can't find online. I've gotten great information from neighbors 2-3 houses down on either side & across the street.