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Shopping local is a mantra you usually hear from downtown associations and others pushing us to spend where we live and help make our community stronger by supporting small businesses.The idea of shopping local is just as applicable when choosing a real estate agent. There is no substitute for local expertise, networking and market experience. Sometimes the choice for a Realtor is a family member or friend who has a passing interest in real estate, and may be from out of the immediate area. This may help make social gatherings easier, but could hurt when it comes to competing for a home in a local market.Local agents enjoy the power of networking with fellow agents, hearing about new listings in real time, moving quickly to show property and really knowing the market they serve. When you make an offer with a local agent who is known by their peers, it brings credibility to the offer immediately, as opposed to someone from out of area who may be working the market part-time or for the first time.Real estate agents are like any other local businesspeople. Call around, find a few to interview and when you sell or buy your next home, shop locally.Jayson Stebbins is a 23-year veteran of the mortgage banking industry. He grew up in Morgan Hill and currently lives in Gilroy. He is the local branch manager of Guild Mortgage. Contact Jayson and his team at (408) 825-0220 or at stebbinsmortgageteam.com. 

Sadness and striving were subjects of the Gilroy library’s winning entries for the annual poetry contest sponsored by the Santa Clara County library district.

It's garden question-and-answer time again! You may e-mail me

OK, OK, anyone who's remotely aware of local politics knows by

It's so clich