(Part 1 - For Buyers) CEDAR CREEK LAKE - That headline may sound like a bit of hype, but the truth is you won't get as good a deal with an out-of-the-area agent whether you're buying or selling - and I can prove it! The purchase of a lake home is probably the second largest real estate investment you'll ever make - or have already made (the first being your primary residence). How do you feel about making that decision based on only about 38% of the available information? Shopping on-line for a lake home at Cedar Creek Lake? That's where most people start, but how do you feel knowing that you're only seeing about 38% of the available properties at best! D/FW MetroPlex multiple listing services (and all of the real estate web sites which draw information from them) only have access to about 38% of Cedar Creek Lake's listings. And, some third-party web sites seldom, if ever, update their listings so you could be pinning your hopes on a property that sold four months ago! In addition, if you've looked at quite a few Cedar Creek Lake homes you know that there are practically no two alike. We don't have very many 'cookie-cutter' homes and sub-divisions here. Most of these homes were built as weekenders and then added onto, remodeled or renovated (sometimes all three) by subsequent owners. NOTE: That's why the term 'inventory' doesn't really apply here. There is no inventory of similar homes. You won't be happy buying the house next door if the one you want sells. It won't have the same exterior, the same interior, the same floor plan, or - most importantly - the same waterfront! Okay, so somehow you've managed to find the perfect lake home for your family. You're ready to make an offer, but how do you know if it's a good deal? Why not call that friend-of-a-friend, the Dallas-area real estate agent? Well, instead of having information on 10 of the most recent sales of similar homes to compare, how would you feel if she could only provide you with 4 sales? Maybe not even the best 4 sales! That's right, she only has access to about 38% of the properties, too. So, that idea of helping out a friend or family member - or getting them to help you - may actually end up costing you more money. That goes for all out-of-area agents as well - they have access to only about 38% of the available information. How can you tell if you're dealing with an out-of-area agent? Simple, ask them if they are a member of the Henderson County Board of REALTORS®. ONLY local Board members have access to ALL of the local sales data. No one else - no matter what they say - so don't be fooled. It takes an experienced Cedar Creek Lake REALTOR® to know what adds value to a lake home and what detracts from it. To know which neighborhoods are in transition and in which direction - upward or downward. You can't just pull 'comps' from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for home sales on the same block, or in the same sub-division or even in the same city. And, you certainly cannot trust third-party web sites to provide a sound basis for investing that much money. Get yourself a local lake expert as your Buyer's agent. They'll save you more than their portion of the commission.