Please don't get the wrong idea here, although you may be wondering where this is going.
The weather is beautiful (aaah, but I am here in Southern California) and it's suppose to get close to 70 degrees today.
Had a good night sleep, for once (our playful cat only woke me one time).
I am starting to put together a realtestateshows.com tour for the contest Maureen Francis and Jeff Turner are sponsoring...and took some (I hope) great pics yesterday.
I plan to go to the gym in the next half hour after I eat, to put the bod through another strenuous workout - somehow as I age my body does too. Seems unfair, and it's more work.
We are going to a neat play tonight (a comedy) about Don Quixote. With the Flying Karamazov Brothers.
But none of that is what is getting me excited. What I am excited about is that I am sitting down at 10 AM to do my job - write up an offer with some first time buyers I have been working with since the 1st of the year...on a $500K+ property in the next town. Before you gasp, realize that in our area we ARE talking about where many people need to start buying. When I think back to MY first home (8 houses ago), it really hits home (bad pun) - $34K in Dearborn Heights, MI more than 25 years ago. Little 800SF 2 BR 1 BA house, with 2 small kids, grad school and both parents working. Boy, those were the times.
These buyers (referrals) have done everything right. Lots of research, visiting many homes in different towns to get a good feel for what they want and the neighborhood that suits them. Realized quickly what they needed to focus on...kept an open mind...considered new listings, new construction, resales, short sales, foreclosures...asked lots of good questions...got their pre-approval letter. So I got the phone call I was expecting (I could read the signs) yesterday - we are ready to make an offer. And good news is there are no other offers nor have there been any (unlike some of the the short sales and foreclosures - one I called on had 20 offers).
The paperwork is ready (about 15 pages so far), they know to bring a check, and we had an initial discussion about the offer. I expect a lengthy meeting coz I know they are feeling overwhelmed, and confused, and scared, and...
But that's what I love. I am excited - for them. I enjoy doing this, and look forward to the opportunity to help them get into the house of their choice.
The fun is just beginning!
Are there some hurdles to overcome? You bet:
- We need to come up with, and submit, an offer that will not annoy the sellers, and encourage them to engage in a dialog and counter offer
- The sellers are going through a hardship which includes a divorce
- The bank will need to approve the short sale
- There are lots of disclosures to review during the 17-day contingency period
- The buyers have to go through a home inspection without significant issues (Likely to be an "as is" situation but we'll see)
- Buyers, although pre-approved, need to get their loan commitment with a satisfactory appraisal)
- Buyers may experience "cold feet" or buyers' remorse
There's more but that's a good start.
The fun is just beginning!
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