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JaCi Wallace
How Cheating Realtors is an Upfront Disclosure From Sellers
When is cheating Realtors an upfront disclosure in the home selling process from a seller’s point of view? I had a phone call today from a future seller who had already talked to and chosen a Realtor. So why was he calling our firm to ask me questions, why didn’t he ask his Realtor?
His first questions were about what types of agency did we use when when listing a home. What he wanted to really know was if he could get the home listed and not pay a Realtor under certain circumstance. It got me to thinking about an old boyfriend who told me upfront about potential cheating and he asked questions about how I felt about cheating. I told him I would drop him like a rock in a deep pond! Why go into a relationship with someone devaluing you up front?
This seller’s second question what if he is out front on his sidewalk when someone stops to talk to him and he gets them to write an offer, does he owe commission? YES. Does he have an exclusion? NO. Under an Exclusive Agency listing agreement, he would owe a commission no matter who brought a buyer.
A better answer here is if a buyer is standing in front of a listing, did she already find the house on the MLS, or did she drive by first and see a sign, or view it on Zillow, Trulia, Metrolist, Realtor.com, RE/MAX Gold, or or any other online listing-based marketing company. So do you think cheating Realtors is an upfront disclosure from sellers? None of these websites are seller-generated opportunities.
Then the seller wanted to know how to access MLS and read what agents wrote in agent confidential remarks. So it is getting clear he doesn’t really want full-service real estate. He was nice enough and perhaps didn’t understand we don’t work for free. Agents spend time and money, we pay employees, also, we are running a business. We pay errors and omissions insurance, self employment tax, membership dues, health insurance, advertisement fees, professional photos, drone photography, association fees, and so much more. Our time and efforts are value added.
When a seller is already trying to get out of paying the listing commission, it is like they are already disclosing they are going to cheat on their agent.
I did my best to explain why this type of listing arrangement was not possible. Top producers earn our commission. Is cheating Realtors an upfront disclosure? Yes, absolutely, in my opinion, it is. I talk to so many sellers who hire our team and are very happy to do so, and to pay us, as they have seen our results online and our mile-long Zillow reviews of happy past clients.
To hire a full service Realtor team who earns their fees, please call Weintraub and Wallace today at 916-233-6957.
— JaCi Wallace
How to Find Sacramento’s Hidden Inventory “Pocket Listings”
As we roll into a very hot spring real estate market, one way to find a home is to seek Sacramento’s hidden inventory “pocket listings.” I did just that when looking in the Boulevard Park area of Midtown Sacramento. A long term client of over 21 years was looking for a home in the area. She had now, of course, become a dear friend. When we were house hunting, it became quickly apparent there were so few homes for sale in this area.
I called an agent in Midtown who works Boulevard Park and he had lived in the area for many years. Mentioned I was looking for something updated about 2400 square feet. There was nothing like this in the MLS. He said he actually had clients who had talked about selling, let me ring them. They were away on vacation in a very exotic place in the world at the time.
He had a key and they said go ahead and show it, we are willing to sell for the right price. I took my clients there and they loved it. A beautiful updated single-story with a cute yard where they could entertain. This home looked like it was in an architectural storybook magazine. It had stained glass leaded windows and a basement that would make a terrific wine cellar. In the back was a common area off an alley. The streets in front have an island running down the middle with grass and trees, it is just a lovely neighborhood.
Our excited buyers wrote an offer, and the seller’s agent, a wonderful man and a terrific agent, presented and the seller accepted. This was an example of Sacramento’s hidden inventory “pocket listings”. By definition, it means a potential listing in my pocket, that is not actively listed on the market. It takes a willing buyer, a willing home owner and real estate agents who can put a painless transaction together. We did just that.
The buyers and sellers bought each other a bottle of wine for the final walkthrough, and it was a wonderful transaction. Simply no stress as each side wanted the best for each other and it was such a win-win. The seller’s agent drew what is called a one-party listing agreement, good for only my clients, and we closed escrow! If only all transactions went this well.
I wrote a blog yesterday called searching for a home is like an Easter egg hunt. Hunting for pocket listings means we call every agent we know and maybe some we don’t, to ask if they have any of Sacramento’s hidden inventory “pocket listings.” You basically find a listing where there wasn’t one!
Being resourceful and helping clients is what being a top producer is all about. If you are having a challenging time finding the home of your dreams, call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, powered by RE/MAX Gold and caffeine. We usually have a few pocket listings coming up. In fact, we have several, one currently in Elk Grove and another in Natomas, so call us today! (916)-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
Buyers Searching For a Home is Like an Easter Egg Hunt
On Easter Sunday, I was thinking how buyers searching for a home is like an Easter egg hunt. Home buyers today are having a tough time finding a house due to limited inventory. Kids also struggle trying to find Easter eggs. My family hides eggs so well that they must expend serious effort to find them. This photo is of my great niece and nephew, Alexa and Jordan. You can see in the bird cage hanging in the tree there are a few easter eggs hidden inside. They are getting ready to hunt!
Buyers are often looking for homes on Zillow or driving around looking at for sale signs. There are many ways to look for homes for sale, such as the MLS. Experienced Realtors may have a few off-market properties that with careful searching they can uncover. This is why I say buyers searching for a home is like an easter egg hunt. The homes are sometimes hidden out there so you just have to look much deeper than just Zillow or Craig’s list.
The fastest and easiest way to find “pocket inventory” — homes that Realtors know about that are ready to sell, but not yet on the market — is to hire an exclusive buyer’s agent to do the hunting for you. Call Weintraub & Wallace to start home hunting for you at 916-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
Sloughhouse Rd is a Stunning Place in Elk Grove
This is a very special place where everyone that visits says 8109 Sloughhouse Rd is a stunning place in Elk Grove. Its history is a real-life love story. This lake is a symbol of that love. This short story below was told to me by someone who was there and knew these people well but I have not verified it.
There was a couple who were boyfriend and girlfriend for many years. She was a very bright woman who loved birds and orchids. She was a very active person, full of life. Her boyfriend was retired law enforcement whom I think must have had a heart the size of Texas. She had an accident which left her paralyzed. She sustained further injuries and had to be put on a respirator. Her boyfriend married her and they bought this ranch, 80 acres of paradise. He built her a house and created this lake. He dug out the dirt, planted the trees and plants, and he made the lake for her. It has a beautiful footbridge, a walking path, two islands, and a huge rock waterfall. This was important as it was what she would look at each day from her brick patio outside her room. She had to have 24-hour care.
Also, her caregivers would put out large amounts of birdseed on the grounds between the house and the lake. She was an avid birdwatcher and the seed would bring so many birds to land so she could see them. This lake was made for her by the man who loved her. You can feel peace on this property when you visit. It has been lovingly maintained by the current owner and is top condition all these many years since the owners passed away.
This listing is a beautiful place to hold open houses as Sloughhouse Rd is a stunning place in Elk Grove. Such an opportunity for the lucky buyer who ends up as the new owner. There are many peacocks that walkabout and all kinds of wildlife. The bird flocks that visit fly in patterns across all the majestic oak trees. I often see the silent beauty of the lake and I think about the love of this man and woman, who lived here and passed away after many years.
This property features 80 acres, 3 homes, an old dairy barn, and a professional workshop and a generator plus 3 wells. The property has a gated entry with two gates and a circular paved driveway. There is also a fruit orchard with so many fruit trees. One tree, in particular, is a pomegranate tree that produces hundreds of giant fruits. There is even a boat dock for fishing and a windmill. If you would like a private showing of this beautiful and historic ranch, please call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors at 916-233-6759.
8109 Sloughhouse Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624, is offered exclusively by Weintraub & Wallace at RE/MAX Gold at $2,999,999.
— JaCi Wallace
New Listing: Boathouse Drive in Natomas with Three Bedrooms
Everyone seems so excited about this new listing on Boathouse Drive in Natomas with three bedrooms. This home has some unique features in the floor plan. The window placement and natural light are the perfect blends to provide optimum light in the interior. The formal living room has a gas fireplace and it opens to an additional space that can be used as a family room or a formal dining room.
The kitchen is oversized with plenty of room for a huge table. This gives it a country kitchen feel, where a family could spend time together cooking, talking and enjoying great food. There is also a pantry closet for bargain hunters who like to stock up on sales; it adds extra storage.
The kitchen has a slider opening to a patio area. This makes it ideal for barbecues and fresh citrus trees are within reach for making a great marinade. The outdoors and blue skies overhead, what a shot!
This is a corner-lot location so there are no neighbors on your side yard or behind you, affording extra privacy. Also, the side yard is located on a small cul-de-sac. If location, location, location, is the one most important ingredient in real estate, this is the place. Only a few blocks away is an elementary school and a park. Also, convenient access just outside the subdivision is a gas station and freeway on-ramp. This makes Boathouse drive in Natomas with three bedrooms a fantastic opportunity for a buyer trying to get into almost 1,600 square feet of living space for under $400,000.
The bedrooms are located away from the living areas just down the hall opposite this family room. This will provide quiet in the sleeping areas from the members of the household that might be night owls like me, tooling around at midnight in the kitchen. The master is large with an attached ensuite showcasing a double-sink vanity and a shower over the tub. Plenty of space in the closet for two wardrobes.
3152 Boathouse Drive in Natomas with three bedrooms and two baths is available today in the desirable zip code in Sacramento of 95833. It is offered exclusively by Weintraub & Wallace Realtors and RE/MAX Gold Real Estate at $369,000. Please call Weintraub & Wallace today for more information or to arrange a private showing appointment at 916-233-6759.
Please accept this invitation to come to our open house on Sunday, April 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. 3152 Boathouse Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833.
— JaCi Wallace
The information in this advertisement, including but not limited to square footage, and or acreage has been provided by various sources. RE/MAX Real Estate and its agents have not verified the accuracy of any of the information. Prospective buyers should verify any and all information. Click on the virtual tour.
