A recently released report showed a 16 percent reduction in the number of homes sold in Napa County during the first six months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

This reduction is small compared to other counties where the decrease in sales exceeds 20 percent.

This decrease in activity is common to most all of Northern California counties and has resulted in more real estate agents expanding their activity into Napa County, where they find themselves beyond their scope of personal knowledge and experience. You may want to exercise caution when selecting an agent to represent your interest who does not live in the community in which he or she works.

As in playing golf, local knowledge gives one player a definite advantage over the out of town visitor. From past experience, the local knows which way the putt will break, where to play a tee shot and why a certain club selection gives proven success on a particular hole.  In the world of real estate you will want all the local knowledge and every advantage available in finding and buying the home of your choice.

1. You can’t get the whole story online.

In this information age of e-commerce, every real estate agent has access to properties available for sale in communities around the state and across the nation. As useful as the information may be, there is still no substitute for the direct relationship of a real estate agent living in the community, who has children attending local schools and is up-to-date on the local political and social happenings around town. Napa is a perfect example of a county with five separate cities, each with its own way of life that is unique.

2. Local agents have knowledge of local issues and activities affecting real estate.

The quality of schools and location of public services such as water and fire protection are very different within the different cities and areas of the county. Water availability and even the ability to build at all become major issues in the valley hillsides and rural areas. By having the services of a local agent you receive up-to-date information on changes in county ordinances and requirements of the respective building departments.

3. Access to local vendors can make a difference.

Meeting a local lender who is accustomed to doing Napa loans can make the process easier and more personal. The local lender knows the local market when it comes to obtaining an appraisal or creating banking and insurance relationships. Your local real estate agent can provide painters, contractors, gardeners and others who will be personally referred to you and used during the purchase process and continued during home ownership.

4. A local agent gives greater exposure to properties available for sale.

By living in the community, the local agent hears on a day-to-day basis what homes will be coming up for sale, homes that might be coming back on the market or those that have not been formally placed on the market for sale. The local agent also knows agents who are the most active in the business and the types of property the agent specializes in. Just like that golfer, you want to be at your competitive best when marketing your home for sale or purchasing the home of your choice. In a competitive market like today, local knowledge might be the difference.

Charles Bogue is a broker with Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley in Napa. Phone, 258-5221, e-mail cbnapa@napanet.net