Sacramento Real Estate - Terms of Use and FAQ

Q.  What terms of service apply?
A.  This information is provided by third parties and is believed accurate but not guaranteed. It is provided as a free public service, and is not a substitute for careful property inspection. It is the buyer's responsibility to satisfy themselves about any information located on this web site, and about all matters affecting the property they are buying.

Q.  Do I have to register or sign up for this service?
A.  No. We've tried to keep the basic search as painless and simple as possible. Just click the link above and help yourself. Using some of the advanced features does require more information, however. Obviously we can't send you listing e-mail updates without an e-mail address, for example.

Q.  Do I have to provide my phone number when I inquire about a listing? Can you answer my real estate questions for me by e-mail?
A.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of e-mails we receive, we can only guarantee a timely response to those who provide complete information. We do try to pass along all the inquiries we receive to be answered, but please remember that many of our best Realtors spend a lot of time near a cell phone but away from their computers. So for faster service, please include your phone number if at all possible.

Q.  Where does this information come from?
A.  The information is provided as a free public service by John Lockwood, a California Realtor. John has purchased an "Internet Data Exchange" system through a third party vendor, and they get their information in turn from the Sacramento area MLS (Multiple Listing Service). MLS in turn gets the information from the "listing agent", who gets it through working with the seller.

Q.  Why aren't there more pictures? Can you send me pictures?
A.  Listing information is entered by the agent representing the seller. Sometimes they don't include pictures, or often if they do they're not available immediately but take a few days to get into the system. Especially on new listings, sometimes it helps to check back in a day or two. As far as providing you with additional pictures, the Realtor you're working with MAY be able to, depending on their schedule, but generally the best Realtors are busy showing the houses in person. We're sorry for the inconvenience -- but please rest assured that in general you have access to the same pictures that we as Realtors do, right here in this system.

Q.  Why is this service free?
A.  I believe the public is best served when they have complete real estate information, and I work to make referrals to Realtors whom I consider to be honest and hardworking. The benefit to the consumer is lots of good free information and Realtors who've been hand selected by me as people I like and would work with myself (that is to say, they're honest, hard working and competent). My costs to provide this information and my work to maintain it are provided by Realtor referrals.

Q.  Are your Realtors pushy or "closers"?
A.  No. I never really liked pushy sales people. I don't like them when they glad-hand me in stores, and I don't particularly hang around with them in the office. I work with people I like. The benefit to you of my dislike of pushiness is that's not what you get.

Q.  What if I don't like the Realtor you refer me to? Is their work guaranteed?
A.  I can't guarantee another's work in terms of taking liability for it, but I do stand behind the referrals I make as a matter of personal reputation. If you don't like the Realtor I refer you to, please let your Realtor know first. If they don't fix it, let me know and I will refer you to another Realtor and help you understand how to pursue the matter further with their broker, as well as let the original Realtor know about your concerns. The Realtors I work with like my referrals -- if they continue to do poor work I take them off the network.

Q.  What is your privacy policy?
A.  Your information is used solely to help provide you with Real Estate service. It is not sold or rented to others for mailing / marketing purposes, but your contact information may be passed along to another Realtor to help you with your transaction.

Q.  How current is this information?
A.  Generally speaking, listing information is updated once a day on weekdays, so it's fairly current. By working with one of our Realtors, you can get information that is updated in "Real Time" (as soon as it gets into the MLS system). The rest of the information on the site varies from "I just wrote it" to "boy, isn't that getting a bit dusty". However, please let me know if you see anything that needs correcting.