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Sometimes it's Better to Just Pay the Twenty Bucks

By
Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

While in Roseville yesterday getting the locks changed to a vacant home I'm listing, I also conducted my agent visual inspection and shot photos. During this process, I realized there were no carbon monoxide detectors in the house. My seller lives thousands of miles away. This is why I sometimes carry emergency backups in my trunk. They're only twenty bucks a pop, and if it makes the escrow go smoothly for all parties concerned, I'll install them myself. Twenty bucks is a tip. Twenty bucks is what I gave a buyer's agent yesterday to stop whining. Twenty bucks will get you a house Manhattan at Ella. Twenty bucks is nothing in the overall scheme of things.

The problem with this particular situation was the home in Roseville was a tri-level. This means some appraiser will undoubtedly call for 3 carbon monoxide detectors instead of the required two. The family room, bath and bedroom are located 3 steps down from the main level. Although the law says one per floor, it doesn't mean 3 in a tri-level. But because an appraiser might view it differently, you have to ask yourself if it is worth the agony over twenty bucks? Nope, it's not. I installed 3 carbon monoxide detectors.

Later in the day, I donated a bunch of quarters to the City of Sacramento. I guess I was just in a generous mood yesterday. You can read more in my personal blog in Sacramento Midtown Parking and Hair Stylist Woes.

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Elizabeth Weintraub is co-partner of Weintraub & Wallace Team of Top Producing Realtors, an author, home buying expert at The Balance, a Land Park resident, and a veteran real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown, Carmichael and East Sacramento, as well as tract homes in Elk Grove, Natomas, Roseville and Lincoln. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put our combined 80 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at RE/MAX Gold. DRE License # 00697006.

Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of RE/MAX Gold. Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice; it could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.

Comments(14)

Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Always better safe than sorry.  Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer and all homes should be properly equipt.  See Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Cert Negotiations Expert, Military Relo Prof and her latest post!

Nov 08, 2014 01:39 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Thanks for the $20 tip as I never thought of installing carbon monoxide detectors myself and would make it much easier for all parties.

Nov 08, 2014 01:51 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Been there done that Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents.

 

Nov 08, 2014 02:48 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have installed a few alarms and detectors in my day too. I generally wait until we are under contract and the appraiser is scheduled.  And you know... good parking is key for any service... my stylist, my attorney, and my accountant were all picked because they have great parking, ample room to turn around.

Nov 08, 2014 03:11 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Tammy Lankford If I didn't install the CO detector at the time of listing, I would most likely not make another trip just for that. I'm also lucky I guess that I meet clients at their homes and not really the other way around or they'd be complaining about the lack of parking around my office. I'd hate it if a person did not want to work with me because parking was difficult. But that's how it goes.

Nov 08, 2014 03:23 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have great parking at my office and hey... if it's going FHA or VA and that alarm is required I have to make another trip anyway.  Our appraisers don't have lockbox access. :-/

 

Nov 08, 2014 03:49 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Elizabeth with many of my short sale listings I do bring the necessary monitors to the house. It is just another aggravation that the seller does not need

Nov 08, 2014 03:58 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

The mid-town area especially, needs to come up with a good remedy for parking.  It can sometimes be a real challenge to find a spot, and the Parking Enforcement folks are like vultures hanging over an almost dead carcass!

Nov 08, 2014 04:13 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Elizabeth, I always enjoy reading your posts. You are so right, it's just better to pay the twenty bucks and not worry about it.

Nov 08, 2014 05:30 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I am so glad that I don't live in an area that has parking issues.  That's the benefit to being in the outlying suburbs.  Lots of parking lots.

Nov 08, 2014 08:04 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Elizabeth, such a small gesture, yet it can make a big difference on whether there's a smooth closing or not.

Nov 08, 2014 07:48 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Elizabeth.  I always carry smoke/carbon detectors along with a fully charged cordless screw driver for that very purpose.

Nov 08, 2014 07:54 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

In the big picture $20.00 is really just pocket change.  Hope the home will sell quickly for you

Nov 08, 2014 08:11 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Elizabeth, I have purchased and installed several CO detectors..but mine aren't 20 bucks! what's up with that? It does not matter, they need to be there.  I find I just don't go anywhere that parking is a hassle...except maybe the Fourth of July in Red Feather...because I have no patience.

Nov 08, 2014 11:08 PM