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Elizabeth Weintraub
Should Everybody Buy Flood Insurance?
This is a timeless article written by Elizabeth for another publication over a decade ago. Should everyone buy flood insurance? Well, with the crazy weather patterns we are having across the country, flood insurance seems a great idea, so, ENJOY.
— JaCi Wallace
“Actually, just about everybody should buy flood insurance because it can flood almost anywhere. For example, floods can happen when rivers overflow, it rains for days on end or when a dam breaks. And flood insurance is so inexpensive to buy, compared to what fixing flood damage can cost.
For example, I lived in a coastal home that fell into the ocean in 1981. Nobody expected the home to collapse, but a freak winter storm raised waves that shot ten feet over my house. Further, that home was located in a protected cove that had never been flooded before.
I also owned a home in the heart of Minneapolis that flooded from heavy rains. Kids were surfing down Nicollet Avenue. A few weeks later, hail the size of baseballs cut holes in the siding, tore the screen windows and severely damaged the roof. You just don’t know what could happen!
Read more about Buying Flood Insurance.
So if you have decided to buy flood insurance, this article might help reinforce your idea. You might also review replacement coverage in your homeowner’s policy. Further, if you are looking for a property inside or outside of the FEMA flood zone area, just call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, with RE/MAX Gold, at 916-233-6759.”
–Elizabeth Weintraub
Sacramento People Go Crazy
Thought you would enjoy another bit of advice from Elizabeth Weintraub. Enjoy and happy Monday! — JaCi Wallace.
“Some Sacramento people go crazy wild improving their back yards. Gone are the days of the Weber barbecue grill fueled by charcoal. Nowadays, buyers demand state-of-the-art appliances that can cost ten grand for the grill alone; not counting the wood-fired pizza oven nor the refreshment center.
“The question is how do Sacramento buyers put a dollar value on an outdoor kitchen? Much depends on the quality of the materials and type of improvements. So, whether the yard has water features such as a pool, fountain, spa, or all three, and whether the yard is professionally landscaped.
“All exterior surfaces and items should stand up to moisture and weather conditions applicable to your location. Not all superior products command higher prices. So, it pays to inspect the outdoor kitchen and perform due diligence before buying.
“If you do not want to see Sacramento people go crazy over outdoor kitchens, just call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, at 916-233- 6759. “
— Elizabeth Weintraub
Weintraub & Wallace
Should A Buyer Sign An Exclusive Buyer Broker Agreement
Should a buyer sign an exclusive buyer broker agreement? This question is as relevant today as when this article below was originally written, over a decade ago for another website, by Elizabeth. Enjoy. — JaCi Wallace
Shortly after I wrote the article linked below, a reader wrote to me to complain. He said he was looking for a definitive answer in my article, and he couldn’t find it. He wanted to know, gosh darn it, should he or should he not sign a buyer’s broker agreement! So he was quite ticked off about it, too.
To say that every buyer should sign a buyer’s broker agreement is like saying every home is an open house candidate or every buyer should take out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. There are no absolutes like this. Much depends on the circumstances, the market, the individual and the real estate agent.
In my article, I laid out ways to compromise and how to negotiate a buyer’s broker agreement but, evidently, that reader didn’t want to be forced to weigh pros and cons. He wanted an answer. Since he demanded an answer, I gave him one.
Read more about Hiring Buyer’s Agents. Should a buyer sign an exclusive Buyer Broker agreement? Decide for yourself. Call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors with RE/MAX Gold, at 916-233-6759.
— Elizabeth Weintraub
Three Top Home Buying Mistakes
This article was written by Elizabeth over a decade ago for another publication. It showcases home-buying mistakes and is still relevant information today. Enjoy.
–JaCi Wallace
“OK, there are a lot of mistakes buyers can make when buying a home. But rather than delve into all of them, I thought it was prudent to highlight the top three. That’s because these three are mistakes that many buyers make over and over.
“Buyers don’t set out to make mistakes. Most often it’s an innocent error or because they simply didn’t know any better. But buyers sometimes sabotage their own escrows.
“Why won’t it close? What’s the problem NOW? Those are the frantic questions agents often hear. But more often than not, the problem was caused by the buyer. What should you do or shouldn’t do? If you’re in doubt and can’t contact anybody to ask, the best response is do nothing. Don’t panic. Wait until you have reached a person with answers.
“Because there are too many ways to mess up your chances at loan approval. But what if it’s the agent that is causing the problem? What if you chose the wrong house in the wrong location? Do you have recourse?”
If you would like to avoid home buying mistakes, call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors with RE/MAX Gold, at 916-233-6759.
— Elizabeth Weintraub
Importance of Agent Marketing
This is an excerpt from an article on agent marketing written by Elizabeth over a decade ago for a publication. It is still very relevant today. Compare today’s marketing trends to a decade ago. Enjoy.
–JaCi Wallace
Beyond the expensive car or fancy clothing, a good listing agent lives and dies by marketing. Because marketing sells homes. Ask to review a complete copy of the agent’s marketing plan. Precisely, what is the agent going to do to sell your home? Here is the bare-bones minimum you should expect:
- Professional signage, including an agent’s cell phone number
- Lockbox
- Daily electronic monitoring of lockbox access
- Follow-up reports on buyer showings/feedback to the seller
- Broker previews
- Incentives for broker/office previews
- Staging advice
- Digital targeted marketing
- Advertising in local newspapers, only if it’s warranted
- MLS exposure with 36+ professional photographs
- Virtual tour
- Distribution to major websites
- Four-color flyers, if warranted
- Financing flyers for buyers
- Minimum of two open houses, providing its location is a candidate
- Direct mail to surrounding neighbors, out-of-area buyers/brokers
- Exposure at Board of Realtor meetings
- Feedback to sellers on buyer sign calls and buyer showings
- Updated CMAs after 30 days
- E-mail feeds of new listings that compete
- Updates on neighborhood facts, trends, and recent sales
Remember, no single tactic sells homes. It’s a combination of all those methods that sell homes.
Characteristics of a Good Listing Agent
You will be in a relationship with your listing agent for a month or two or longer. Choose an agent you like and can relate to. Here are some of the characteristics sellers say they want in an agent:
- Experience: Let new agents learn the business on somebody else’s dime.
- Education: Ask about degrees and certifications.
- Honesty: Trust your intuition. Your agent should speak from the heart.
- Networking: This is a people business. Some homes sell because agents have contacted other agents.
- Negotiation skills: You want an aggressive negotiator, not somebody out to make a quick sale at your expense.
- Good communicator: Sellers say communication and availability are key.
Finally, ask for a personal guarantee. If the agent won’t guarantee performance and release you from a listing upon request, don’t hire that agent.
*The reason top producers who are team leads usually do not offer discounts is that the team leader might not work with buyers. She might assign her seller to a team member for the buying end of the transaction.
If you want to buy or sell a home with quality agent marketing, please call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, with RE/MAX Gold, at 916-233-6759.
–Elizabeth Weintraub
