Below are a few suggestions that may help you decide on a prospective real estate professional to assist you with your real estate transaction.

#1. Google is your friend.

Search the name of a prospective real estate professional using Internet search engines. Search engine results may provide a wealth of information including news articles, court case information, and consumer comments for past transactions.

#2. Verify your professional’s real estate license.

You can use the California Bureau of Real Estate’s website to verify a prospective real estate professional’s license. Some of the more common License Status codes are listed below.

Licensed – The licensee is authorized to perform acts for which a real estate license is required in California. Licensed salespersons must be affiliated with an employing broker in order to perform acts for which a real estate license is required. Brokers/corporations must maintain a California main office address to perform acts for which a real estate license is required.

Licensed NBA – The license is in a non-working status. The licensee may not perform acts for which a real estate license is required in California. Salesperson reference for NBA is equivalent to “No Broker Affiliation” and the broker/corporation reference to NBA is equivalent to “No Business (current main office) Address.”

Restricted – The license is restricted as a result of an administrative action rendered by the Bureau of Real Estate. A restricted license is a probationary type of license.

Revoked – The license is revoked as a result of an administrative action rendered by the Bureau of Real Estate. The licensee may not perform acts for which a California real estate license is required.

The image below shows an individual’s license that has been restricted.

In cases where the license has been restricted or revoked, a case reference will be shown in the comments area of the licensee’s online profile. The image below shows an example of how those comments may appear on the individual’s license.

Next to the “Disciplinary or Formal Action Documents:” there is a link to a PDF document detailing the administrative action taken by the bureau. Below is an excerpt from an actual Bureau of Real Estate administrative action.

#3. Use a professional for an investigative deep dive.

This may not be appropriate in every circumstance, but there may be an instance where you might need to look a little deeper into a real estate professional’s prior history. You may want to obtain the services of a California licensed investigator who is compliant with Sections 7521 & 7523 of the California Business & Professions Code.

A private investigator may be able to give you a clearer picture of a person’s personal history by locating prior criminal, civil and bankruptcy court records. This information may help you feel more secure when hiring a real estate professional in what will be one of the biggest investment decisions of your life.