California real estate is the most sought after and expensive real estate in the United States. It has a wide variety of diverse properties, from condos to vacation homes to single-family residences to apartments. Therefore, while searching home or commercial property in California, having real estate professionals by your side will make your search easier. Generally, real estate professionals in CA include real estate agents, realtors, mortgage broker, and mortgage lender. Buyers and sellers more often need them at the time of buying or selling. 1. Real Estate Agents A Real estate agent is either a person or an organization whose business is to market real estate on behalf of clients. There are buyer's agent, seller's agent and dual agents who work for both seller and buyer. Their main function is to look for suitable houses, negotiate price and terms on behalf of both, and prepare a standard purchase or selling contract. 2. Realtors They work with their customers to define their needs and identify suitable alternatives. They are the total real estate solution providers starting with identifying the property to closing the deal. 3. Mortgage Broker These professionals have specialized in the entire loan processes and help their customers in getting the best loan to fit their needs. They are either companies or individuals who work closely with mortgage lenders to provide a wide variety of loan schemes to their customers. They act as a mediator between mortgage lender and customer. They are ready to assist you with your lending needs. They will help you through the process and requirements-from home inspection to insurance. 4. Mortgage Lender They are the companies who actually finance the loan to the customers through the brokers. In the past, lenders were almost banks and saving& loan associations. Due to their limited options in lending, many different types of lenders have joined in this field. Today, most mortgage bankers act as wholesale lenders. They offer loans at a lower rate of interest than banks. Mortgage brokers deal with these lending institutions that have wholesale loan department for their customers. Hence, it is a team work of all agents, realtors, brokers and lenders to provide better service to their customers. By effectively using their own resources, they can co-ordinate with each other.

By Richard Brazil

Richard H. Brazil, Jr. wears many hats; Broker, Agent, Businessman, Mentor... Inventor. Being a part of the Real Estate Industry for 20 years, Brazil has seen technology evolve and grow exponentially over the years. In April 2007 he filed a patent, and founded the American Agent Online Corporation.