short sale: When Do You Say The Emperor Has No Clothes?
- 11/17/11 03:09 AM
You can't be a Sacramento short sale agent or any kind of real estate agent, for that matter, without running into crazy people. It just comes with the territory. Lots of agents don't mind working with crazy people, but I find them to be a little bit too unpredictable. You never know when they will fly off the handle, what will set them off. They can hit you blindsided. If you aren't careful, they could probably shoot you in the back, too. That's the thing, you just never know. Real estate is a dangerous business. It's not that I am paranoid, … (5 comments)
short sale: To Make Your Mortgage Payment or Not to Make Your Mortgage Payment?
- 11/16/11 01:45 AM
Whether it 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles. As a Sacramento short sale agent, I get asked a particular question all the time. Not necessarily in that format, but it means the same thing. There is a lot of conflicting information online. In fact, it's almost as diverse as each short sale is unique. Throw the lender into the mix, and you've got a real quandary. This is where you've got to stop and think. As a potential seller and responsible home owner, think … (9 comments)
short sale: If the Bank Slashed Your Commission on a Short Sale, This Company Promises to Get it Back
- 11/09/11 01:37 AM
One of the good things about the free market enterprise system is it seems to weed out the incompetent from the competent. But not always. That's why the more experienced should watch out for the little guys and help them along. Protect them, if we can. There are not very many watch dogs for the young and innocent (much less the old and grumpy) real estate agents. In fact, it's been said that the easiest people in the world to sell to are other sales people. For some reason, they don't see it coming. Or maybe it's because they believe their … (9 comments)
short sale: The Similarities Between a Rabid Dog and a Dedicated Home Buyer
- 11/07/11 01:41 AM
Real estate agents everywhere in the world gripe and moan about contracts and paperwork. They hate it. They hate it because it's boring, tedious and it goes against the grain of what they are good at doing -- which is selling real estate. Few of us possess the traits that balance left-brain work with right-brain work. Those of us who have these traits are the types of agents who make a good Sacramento short sale agent. That's because attention to detail and paperwork is crucial in a short sale. But so is the selling end. And you can't really have one … (21 comments)
short sale: Marketing a Short Sale is to Walk That Fine Line Between BPO Agent and Home Buyer
- 11/03/11 03:35 AM
Marketing a short sale in Sacramento is different than marketing a home that is not a short sale. The reason is a home that is not a short sale is an attractive option to almost 100% of the buying public. Not everybody wants to buy a short sale. The number of buyers who will consider buying a short sale dramatically dwindle when compared to the number of all home buyers. Price is typically what drives a short sale. Banks will give a discount because a buyer needs an incentive to go through short sale sale hell. It is hell. No way … (3 comments)
short sale: If You're a Fan of the Chicago Bulls or Sacramento Kings, Here are Two Delightful Basketball Bedrooms
- 10/27/11 03:03 AM
A seller hugged me yesterday when I left her home. I'm not one of those huggy-feely types, but I do reciprocate when approached. See, I recognize the stress and anxiety level of sellers in this market, especially sellers who are doing a short sale. I try to be reassuring because I believe that's an important component of being a Sacramento short sale agent. Clients come to me because they want to close their short sale and get on with their lives. It's my job to make sure that happens. My transaction coordinator and I were talking about this yesterday. How some … (4 comments)
short sale: If You Don't Give a Crap About Selling Your Home, Why Do I Care About It?
- 10/24/11 02:04 AM
Emergency listings. As a Sacramento short sale agent, sometimes I get phone calls from sellers who need me to take what I call an emergency listing. These are the listings that can't wait. These sellers are begging me to come over RIGHT NOW if I can but no later than tomorrow. With my schedule, that's not always possible, but I do try to shuffle appointments to accommodate a crisis. Then, when I get there, the first sign of trouble that I see are cars parked in the driveway. Surely, they must figure that I will take a photo of their home. … (2 comments)
short sale: A Short Sale Agent Often Wonders Were You Lying Then or Are You Lying Now
- 10/21/11 03:17 AM
A home seller in Land Park asked me yesterday what I have learned in my life's journey thus far. That was an odd question. It was a question that can't be answered in one sentence. Well, I suppose I could have said: We're all gonna die. Or, that nothing matters half as much 5 years from now as you think it matters today. Or, even we all create our own reality. Which we do. We're 100% responsible for how we feel and think. If you're miserable, it's your own damn fault. Instead I said I've learned to say NO without providing … (9 comments)
short sale: This is the Way of the Short Sale, Grasshopper
- 10/20/11 03:18 AM
Because of my work as a Sacramento short sale agent, I am so close to the process and focused that I sometimes forget others are not. Although short sales make up about one in every four housing sales in the Sacramento area, many real estate agents have little experience in a short sale. Just because an agent might represent a buyer in a short sale doesn't mean that agent has any idea how the short sale is handled. Buyer's agents do almost nothing in a short sale. The listing agent runs the show. This is very frustrating for buyer's agents. They … (15 comments)
short sale: Is There Life In a Short Sale After a HAFA Short Sale?
- 10/19/11 02:57 AM
As a Sacramento short sale agent, there is no such day as a boring day. I never sit around wondering where my next fresh hell is coming from because I already know. It's one of 2 places. It's the computer or my phone. People aren't running after me as I drive down the street or accosting me in elevators. But they do call and text and email all day long. Yesterday, some of my excitement was: is there life after a HAFA short sale? In one of my transactions, I am still ticked that the buyer booted my seller out of … (5 comments)
short sale: Is Everybody Drinking the Same Kool-Aid?
- 10/06/11 04:01 AM
There are some days that seem to be filled with stupidity. There's just no other way to put it. I expect a little stupidity here and there because that's how life is. You take the good with the bad. The smart with the stupid. The honest with the liars. But it can get a little overbearing at times and make an agent wonder: Is everybody drinking the same Kool-Aid? An agent in my office told me about her experiences after a recent closing. She represented the buyers. Buyers who thought she should give them $2,000 of her commission because that's what … (11 comments)
short sale: Is It Possible For a Sacramento Short Sale Agent to Never Meet the Sellers or See the Home?
- 10/02/11 04:03 AM
I closed a short sale in Sacramento County last week in which I had never met the sellers. I had never seen the home, either. If you can believe that. I drove out to Elk Grove to pick up my lockbox and realized this was a home I had not put the lockbox on. I didn't put the lockbox on it because I didn't shoot the photos, and I didn't inspect it. One of my team members did it for me. That's rare, because I am very much a "hands-on" agent. Being a hands-on agent means I will probably never make … (5 comments)
short sale: Is There Hope for a Sacramento Home Buyer to Buy a Short Sale With a VA Loan?
- 09/30/11 02:42 AM
VA buyers get the short end of the stick in Sacramento. That's the dirty little truth that nobody wants to talk about. When it comes to the hierarchy of lending and types of mortgages, VA loans fall to the bottom of the pile. You've got your cash buyers on top, followed by conventional, with FHA loans ranking third in priority. VA is squished on the bottom. There's a bit of hypocrisy going on there, too. People running around with Support Our Troops stickers slapped on the back of their fat-ass SUVs, but when it comes to accepting an offer from a … (8 comments)
short sale: The Definition of Insanity for a Sacramento Short Sale Agent
- 09/28/11 02:41 AM
An agent yesterday called me a crack up. Because I told him: If your buyer is happy, my life is complete. OK, so maybe I was half joking but I was also half serious. As a Sacramento short sale agent, I am concerned if the buyers for my listings are happy. Primarily because if the buyers are not happy, they can make my life and my short sale sellers' life a living hell. And a living hell is not where I want to be or anybody should be. We short sale agents have enough stress. How much stress, you ask? I'll … (9 comments)
short sale: There's No Place Like Home, Not Like This Short Sale in Natomas
- 09/26/11 03:10 AM
An agent emailed yesterday to say he tried to show a listing but the sellers did not call him back. He asked if I could help him to get an appointment. Look no further than the red sparkly shoes on your feet, Dorothy. You've always had the power to go home. Just click your heels together and repeat after me: There's no place like home, there's no place like home. I am astonished at the number of agents in Sacramento who don't know what "Call First, Lockbox" means when they read it on a listing. Some of them think it means … (3 comments)
short sale: How Hard Is It to Get a Loan to Buy a Sacramento Short Sale?
- 09/20/11 03:02 AM
In many Sacramento neighborhoods right now, we have a shortage of inventory. That means there are few homes on the market. If your short sale is on the market in a neighborhood with limited inventory, you should be getting showings. If you're getting showings, you should be getting offers. Fall is a hot market in Sacramento. But what if you're trying to buy a short sale? You could be up against multiple offers. It is not unusual for a seller of a well staged short sale to receive more than one offer. In these instances, a seller can be selective and … (5 comments)
short sale: The Secret to a Long Life is 1 of 2 Things, and Here is a Short Sale in Natomas
- 09/16/11 04:12 AM
There is a cute interview in the Sacramento Bee this morning with a couple of women who are 101. The Bee asked them not once but twice for the secret to a long life. I wonder if it's because The Bee did not like the first answer, which was playing Bingo. Before you laugh, there is really nothing wrong with Bingo. It's a game you don't play by yourself. You play with other people. It's competitive. If you're using multiple cards, I imagine it involves organization and having a system in place. Not to mention, it's probably a hoot to yell … (7 comments)
short sale: If You Have Important News, Just Pick Up the Damn Phone and Call, Why Doncha?
- 09/13/11 02:18 AM
You hear about kids breaking off relationships with each other via texting, but they have an excuse. They are clueless kids. Or their parents didn't teach them better manners. However, when we get older, and hopefully wiser, we realize that there are certain situations in which picking up the phone and making that personal call is required. It's not always appropriate to email or text. For example, as a Sacramento short sale agent, when I receive a short sale approval letter from my seller's bank, I generally call the seller to share the news. It's a milestone. Sometimes, in the short … (9 comments)
short sale: If You're a Buyer for a Short Sale in Sacramento, Come Over and Sit Down By Me
- 09/12/11 03:16 AM
Even though I am just a Sacramento short sale agent, I still follow up on my listings after agents show them. That act seems to surprise some buyer's agents. I guess they think a short sale doesn't deserve the same kind of attention that a regular equity listing does, but that's probably why they are buyer's agents and not a Sacramento short sale agent. All sellers deserve follow up. I send feedback -- whether it's good or bad -- just so my sellers know what's going on. Yesterday, an agent asked me if her buyer could offer substantially less for a … (9 comments)
short sale: Weintraub is Not Too Busy to Handle Your Sacramento Short Sale
- 09/08/11 03:16 AM
A prospective short sale seller told me yesterday that everywhere she goes online to read about short sales, she finds this Sacramento short sale agent. She asked if I was too busy to work with her. Then she answered her own question. She said, "Well, you've been talking to me for 45 minutes, so I guess you have time." The thing is I make time. I weave it out of thin air. Not really. But I am selective as to which short sales I accept. I prefer to list those that will close. Call me silly, but that approach seems to … (2 comments)
Broker-Associate at RE/MAX Gold, Midtown and Sierra Oaks Sacramento office. Co-partner Weintraub & Wallace Realtors. Selling since 1974. Homebuying expert at The Balance. Weintraub & Wallace sells homes from Galt to Lincoln. <
Author Bio: Elizabeth Weintraub is a Sacramento real estate broker, author, home buying expert for The Balance, a Land Park resident, who specializes not only in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento but sells extensively from Elk Grove to Lincoln. Weintraub is prominently known as the #1 Sacramento Short Sale agent throughout the Sacramento four-county area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 40+ years of real estate experience to work for you.
You can't be a Sacramento short sale agent or any kind of real estate agent, for that matter, without running into crazy people. It just comes with the territory. Lots of agents don't mind working with crazy people, but I find them to be a little bit too unpredictable. You never know when they will fly off the handle, what will set them off. They can hit you blindsided. If you aren't careful, they could probably shoot you in the back, too. That's the thing, you just never know.
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