Expert: Hans Weber, Licensed Broker Associate - 7/3/2006

Question
Hi Hans:

I'm trying to buy a house and I have a friend that says he is a real state agent. I'm not sure he is a registered real state agent (or sales associate) and I don't want to ask him for a credential or document to prove it.
Is there any real state web page that I can look for his name?

Thanks, John

Answer
HI Juan Carlos,

Thank you for your question.

The first place you can look in New York is with the department of state in Albany.  They have all agents and brokers registered.  I would expect most states to follow similar regulations.

Second you can check with the local board of realtors for you area.  Or look your friend up on the internet by name and by company or try going to Realtor.com and input his name.

Or you can ask to meet him at his office to review comparable sales and discuss buyer/agent representation which is required by law in most states.

Let me know what happens.

Good luck.

Hans