How to tell the difference from the outside
A locally based buyer usually has a specific service area named clearly, a real local phone number, and can commit to walking the house themselves within a day or two rather than scheduling a call center callback first.
Why it matters beyond just principle
A buyer who genuinely works the area knows the specific cost drivers in local housing stock (roof age patterns, common wiring types, foundation issues in specific neighbourhoods) — that local knowledge shows up in a more accurate, less padded first offer.
A simple test before giving out contact information
Ask where they're based and how many houses they've personally walked in Chatham-Kent this year. A specific, confident answer versus a vague one tells you which kind of company you're talking to.