A Real Estate Phenomenon

Real Estate amazement!

Rather Shocking!

Thought this question should be asked to the group since I assumed everyone provided this to their Seller before listing a house.

Boy, was I wrong. It seems that there are listing agents out there that don't provide this for their seller and I am truly baffled as to why? I should correct this statement and say that I found at least one that doesn't. I hope there aren't any more.

Can you think of the most important thing as a listing agent that you do for each of your sellers prior to listing their home for sale?

Be honest and tell me in the comment section if you came up with the proverbial Seller Net Sheet. Can you imagine not doing a Seller Net Sheet?

Well, recently one of my Sacramento home buyers wanted to write an offer on a house for sale by a regular seller. It was not a Short Sale and not Bank Owned or REO. Just a regular sale. When studying the tax records, I thought that the seller might be very close to possibly having to come to the table with a little cash out of pocket depending on the type of loans she had.

I was shocked at the fact that the agent did not return phone calls and after calling the Broker and finding that he was a "Broker in name only," the downward spiral continued on.  When the listing agent finally got around to calling the day after the contract response date, the agent indicated that the "seller was not very motivated."

Hmmm not motivated with $5,100 over asking with 3% coming back to the buyer when homes in the area are going down in price and are mostly Short Sale and REO's ?  Hmmmm. I asked the listing agent if her seller was upside down and the answer I got was numbing.  "I don't know" she said.

Have you EVER listed a house without offering your seller a net sheet (sample of seller net sheet)?

The other crowning blow was when the listing agent told me that she had emailed the offer to her seller who lived within driving distance and that her seller didn't understand the offer. No joke, Sherlock! Sorry, I couldn't resist...naturally I didn't say that but I did think it.

The final blow was an email that our offer had been rejected and that the listing agent would be relisting with different terms. I assumed that she would be listing the house as a Short Sale.

WRONG!

She changed the price to reflect $5,000 over our offer. Are you wondering why she didn't counter us?

ME TOO!

Luckily, while she was busy missing contract dates and seemingly taking her sweet time, the buyers and I continued looking for another house and wrote a different offer.

Several morals to this story...

• Find out how much your seller owes on their loans and the terms of their loans prior to listing their house
• Provide your seller with a Net Sheet
• Return phone calls (you never know if your seller might get an offer)
• Let the Selling Agent know that you have received the offer
• If you can't reply by the time-line in the contract, call the Selling Agent and explain AND tell them when you will be presenting the offer to the seller
• Present all offers in person (unless the seller is not within driving distance)
• Provide the seller with a Net Sheet for each and every offer

These are just rudimentary elements that I believe every listing agent should do. How about you?

 

Come Get to Know Downtown Sacramento

Come take a little ride with me and see some of the art, sculpture, architecture and beauty that Downtown Sacramento has to offer. One of the slides is a photo looking at the Tower Bridge was taken during the many fires that we are experiencing the effects of. We always have bright blue skies but you'll see that just a few days ago the skies were gray. Thank heavens the firefighters seem to be getting a handle on the Butt fires so are skies today are blue again. The pictures in the slide show were taken after spending the day with a new home buyer from Chicago who was staying at the Embassy Suites down by the Tower Bridge. We looked at homes in Elk Grove, Natomas, Roseville and Granite Bay. It was quite the real estate tour starting at 10:30 and ending a little after 6:00 pm. Mr. X, the home buyer asked me if it was going to rain. I guess the sky in Chicago looks like that iin the photos when it rains. The color of the sky here is a direct result of the fires throughout California. Couldn't resist taking a few photos while I was Downtown to share with you. Hope you enjoy taking look at Downtown Sacramento as much as I enjoyed taking these photos. I'll be curious as to what you liked the best, I know I have my favorite. Look for Downtown Sacramento's new parking meter where ATM cards and credit cards are used. Out with the old and in with the new. I heard that the City was actually selling some of the old meters but unfortunately not giving the new owners the keys...hmmm wonder what you could use an old parking meter for?

Distinctive Charm in Land Park Neighborhood

A distinctive neighborhood in Sacramento is Land Park.  Land Park is known for its tree-lined streets and homes of character and charm. This is an area that is a testament to why Sacramento is called the "City of Trees."

For those home buyers considering moving to the Sacramento area, Land Park has a lot to offer. Real estate in Land Park is sought after and after seeing the area, you too will agree that this is one of Sacramento's BEST. Take a video tour of the homes in Land Park and see for yourself why homes in Land Park are sought after.

Be sure to view my videos and see the park as well as several of the homes in the Land Park area so that you can get a feel for this jewel of Sacramento Real Estate. It would be my pleasure to personally introduce you to Land Park and help you find just the right home.

Now, if that didn't get you acquainted with the Land Park neighborhood or if you find that you would like to see more, here is another video to wet your appetitie of this distinctive neighborhood, Land Park.

You can always view all of the homes for sale in any area that you chose or learn about different neighborhoods by visiting

Land Park Neighborhood the Jewel of Sacramento

Land Park is just a hop, skip and south of Downtown Sacramento right off Broadway and the historic Tower Theatre. If you want to experience a little naustalgia, don't miss eating at the Tower Cafe before heading into the Land Park neighborhood.

 William Land Park with over 166 acres is truly one of a kind. There are picnic areas, gaming courts, playing fields, an adventure play area, rock garden, jogging paths plus a variety of activities such as the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, FunLand, golf and much more. Did I mention the lake and the serenity that can be found there? There is something for everyone, here in Land Park.

Now, let's take a short tour of William Land Park so you can become familiar with this great neighborhood and what the park has to offer in Land Park.

 

For a map of William Land Park and its amenity guide, the City of Sacramento has provided a good layout of the park.

Sac City College is right across the street from William Land Park where distinctive homes line the park.

Ready for more of a taste and flavor of William Land Park? Check out this video.

This is just a mere taste of what Land Park has to offer and makes this a sought after neighborhood in Sacramento. For your own personal tour of this fabulouse area be sure to check out the other videos of Land Park and the distinctive homes in Land Park.

Sacramento Home Sales Report for June 2008

Sacramento Real Estate is continuing to increase in home sales each month as evidenced by the numbers reflected in the chart to the left.

There has been a steady slow increase in home sales each month from January through June 2008.

The numbers are include single family homes only. Condos, investment property such as duplexes etc. and land are not included within the figures.

For specific numbers for each of the Cities and Communities within the Sacramento County be sure to check Specific Sacramento City and Community Real Estate Market Report.

Number of SOLD homes in Sacramento per the chart above.

811 Homes Sold in January 2008

917 Homes Sold in February 2008

1,084 Homes Sold in March 2008

1,480 Homes Sold in April 2008

1,544 Homes Sold in May 2008

1,608 Homes Sold in June 2008

Average Sacramento Home Price by Month:

$277,463 January 2008 Average Home Price

$279,599 February 2008 Average Home Price

$273,207 March 2008 Average Home Price

$254,683 April 2008 Average Home Price

$254,325 May 2008 Average Home Price

$243,397 June 2008 Average Home Price

Average Days on the Market to Sell House in Sacramento:

74 Days to Sell House in January

66 Days to Sell House in February

58 Days to Sell House in March

57 Days to Sell House in April

54 Days to Sell House in May

51 Days to Sell House in June

From January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 7,654 single family homes have sold in the Sacramento area. Sacramento Real Estate is continuing to improve little by little with inventory selling and home prices slightly continuing going down.

The numbers reflected are extracted from the MLS system the first week of each month and reflect a lower amount of solds than what may be the final number since offices vary as to when they input their data. In essence, the numbers can only be better so Real Estate in Sacramento is alive and kickin'.

We are on the road to recovery as inventory lessens and home sales continue.

 

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice and want to keep up with the Sacramento Real Estate Market as well as other news worthy items, simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Want to check which homes, condos, investment properties and land are for sale in Sacramento and the surrounding areas? Just click on the search icon and pick the neighborhood you are interested in finding a home or condo for sale in and around the Sacramento area  .

The Power of Active Rain

As an Active Rain member since August of 2006, I have had the opportunity of getting to know many professionals within our real estate community. Active Rain provides each of us with an experience that continues to assist us, as Realtors.

This past week was no exception. I received a call last month from a former client, Jenni whose house I had sold 3 years ago in Sacramento. Jenni had moved to AZ. She was disappointed that she had not heard back about a job and indicated that she would be moving back to Sacramento.

During that month, Jenni did hear from the employer and called me with excitement. I was thrilled but sad at the same time, since her new job would be taking her to D.C.

Jenni's next question to me was to help find her a Realtor, like me. She said, "I want someone like you, Gena who knows what she's doing, knows the real estate market, knows how to market my condo and get it sold." She went on to say that she had looked at some of the agents around on the Internet and saw that they were all NUMBER 1...and laughed.

Immediately, I thought of Teri Ellis. It didn't take looking through a book, checking out the Internet to see what type of visibility she had...nope. I knew in the blink of an eye who would be the best Realtor for my past client...TERI ELLIS.

What made this oh so sweet is when my Jenni called after meeting Teri and said, "oh, Gena thank you, she's just like you and I love her!"

Teri, got right on it, met with my past client, took the listing, made her 1st video, plus professional video of the condo and now we all await the buyer...

Now that's the power of Active Rain and that's something that comes through reading and commenting and getting to know your peers. Active Rain is an asset in our Real Estate business. Because of our participation in Active Rain, we know just who to refer our clients to in every state and beyond. We know who they will connect with, have the best professional and one who is Internet savvy. It's a great feeling to know with certainty when referring a client to someone here in Active Rain that they are getting THE BEST.

Thanks Active Rain for helping me help my clients without any worry or concern...making for an excellent match for all of my clients.  This is the power of Active Rain at its best!

And thank you Teri Ellis for being the professional that I knew you were. So, if you know of someone who would love to buy a condo that is move-in ready, impeccably maintained with an excellent location in Tempe, AZ give Teri Ellis a call. She has a beautiful condo for sale at 2333 East Southern Ave., Tempe AZ

July 4th in Sacramento

July 4th, 2008 is just around the corner.

Sacramento will be celebrating with professional fireworks in many of the surrounding cities and neighborhoods.

The Governor has asked that Californians leave the firework display to the professionals and not add to the police and fire department calls.

We certainly have had enough fires as witnessed by the smoky-filled skies throughout our great state of California these past few weeks.

July 4th is a time for celebrating our nations birthday and enjoying family and friends. Fireworks are scheduled from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. With gas prices this year, you may want to chose a community close by. Remember, to click on all highlighted links since many of the neighborhoods have all day events with food, crafts, games and entertainment prior to the firework display.

Stay safe and enjoy the fun!  Happy 4th!

For a list of all the festivities and where, when and extent of the fun, just click on July 4th Fireworks in Sacramento, CA.

Smokin Good Real Estate Deals in Elk Grove California

Sacramento is socked-in with all the surrounding fires in CA.

This Google photo to the left shows just how many current fires there are in our state of California due to lightening strikes.

Even with the haze that surrounds our great city of Sacramento, home buyers are on their way up this morning from San Jose for a home buying tour of homes for sale.

These home buyers plan on buying their retirement home in Elk Grove, CA and want to seize the moment with buying a newer home at a great savings. Today, I will be showing them homes that are in Short Sale and Foreclosure in Elk Grove, CA.

There are some smokin good deals for sale in Elk Grove . No fire here but FIERY home prices which equal out to a home buyer's dream and add to a real estate investor's portfolio.

If you want to read about Short Sales and Foreclosures be sure to click on the each of the highlighted links.  Check out my free search for Bank Owned homes for sale and further information at Sacramento Real Estate.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Click on the search icon and pick the area you are interested in finding a home or condo for sale in and around the Sacramento area .

Technology, Is It A Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Sacramento saw a Realtor and several unlicensed mortgage lenders picked up by the FBI this week for fraud.

Don't let your guard down, there's plenty more out there.

Real Estate fraud is alive and well gathering more victims each day.

Just this past week, as I had my ears to the ground, I learned that fraud had occurred right here in Sacramento again.  Not just once but three times with REO properties.  Renters were the easy targets. It seems that three Bank Owned properties had been unscrupulously rented by a woman posing as a Realtor.

Yes, this woman rented out  three REO properties and collected the security deposit, first and last months rent from unsuspecting renters. No, she was not a Realtor but was using the name of a Realtor. To read more about this story, click on Real Estate Fraud Victims Once Again.

Can you imagine, having just lost your home to foreclosure, looking for a house to rent only to find yourself a victim of real estate fraud?

In this day and age where most transactions start on line, use email or text messaging and the social aspect of getting to know a person is by-passed, fraud is ever so much more prevalent. It's a lot harder to pull off a scam when you meet a professional at the office, check their credentials through the California Department of Real Estate and meet face to face or actually talk.

Do you know for a fact the person is the person you think you are working with?  Are you sure, they are who they say they are? Are you just emailing, text messaging and assuming you are "communicating" with a Realtor? What do other home buyers and home sellers say about the Realtor?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating getting rid of the Internet or Email or even Text messaging (although I must say I find it very impersonal) but all of these things have their place and should not be used exclusively. There is nothing that beats, eye to eye contact, establishing a rapport and learning about a person. So much is gathered when you take the time to get to know the professional Realtor.

I am not advocating getting rid of technology but don't you agree that the personal touch is needed?

What are your thoughts on how technology both helps and henders society?

Some Surprises Are Not Appreciated

Yesterday, while trying to show homes for sale in Elk Grove, CA with home buyers who traveled from the Bay Area, we encountered some unexpected issues.

All of the homes for sale were either Short Sale homes or REO homes for sale.

As a Realtor, my due diligence was to call ahead making sure each of the properties were available, note all showing instructions and secure appointment times if owner occupied.

This is done not only out of respect for the homeowners but also to make sure that home buyers have a good experience when viewing the homes for sale.

The first house on home tour, was owner occupied. I had spoken to the Mr. X the day before and given him the time we would be arriving at his house. Much to our surprise, there was a feverish growl within the home after ringing the doorbell.

It became obvious that the seller was not home and there was a dog present who was not interested in our tour of his domain. No mention of the dog in the MLS, and no mention of the dog when calling the seller but yet, there was definitely a DOG!

I called the homeowner while standing in front of the property and asked about the dog. Mr. X said the dog was friendly and just go in. Needless to say, the homeowners did not feel comfortable touring this home.

Can't make an offer on your house Mr. X if Mr. and Mrs. Homebuyer don't view your house. An opportunity to sell your home was just lost.

Oh yes, some surprises are just not appreciated!

A special note to Agents:  Please indicate on the MLS if there is an animal on the property.