relocating to Sacramento
Tips for Relocating to Sacramento and Buying a Home
If you’re thinking about relocating to Sacramento, you’ve definitely come to the right place. As a new buyer to the area, you owe it to yourself to find exclusive representation through a knowledgable agent. It’s a little bit harder than you would think to do it on your own. Further, there is no need to subject yourself to that kind of misery when you can align yourself with an expert for free. The problem is everybody and his uncle claims to be an expert in real estate. So, how can you tell if you’re talking with an agent who will make relocating to Sacramento easy and fun for you?
For starters, listen to your gut instincts. If something makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, that could be a red flag. If you ask questions and receive no satisfactory answers, that’s also a red flag. Bottom line, you’re probably not buying a home in Sacramento unless you accept representation by an agent. Since you deserve the best (and I believe you do) then you should read on to find out what you can expect.
I talk with a lot of buyers in the beginning stages of relocating to Sacramento. Generally it’s because they call on a specific home and my name pops up. My name pops up even though I might not be the listing agent. I enjoy extensive exposure online, pretty much unparalleled as compared to your average Sacramento Realtor. One fellow called and insisted on buying a home in a “safe” neighborhood. Even after I explained that agents cannot violate Fair Housing laws nor steer buyers. On top of which a safe neighborhood is a subjective term, he tried to rephrase it another way as in: “would you live in that neighborhood.”
Jokingly, I told him not to ask a Realtor that question because agents will tell him every neighborhood is a good place to live. Because it is for somebody. And you’ll find some suburban people afraid to go Downtown Sacramento because they will run into homeless people. Yet Downtown and Midtown Sacramento are both super hot neighborhoods where people move into and don’t leave. Highly desirable, even with a rather visible homeless population. I referred him to the sacpd.org website where he can poke around on crime maps to his heart’s delight.
Another relocation buyer today called about buying a home in Elk Grove. Her husband just got transferred here. I list a lot of homes in that neighborhood, so I know the builder’s reputation and the individual models. She had been working with an agent on the coast south of San Francisco and thought she should ask if that agent will work in Elk Grove. I told her that’s highly unlikely an agent would drive for three hours to work in a neighborhood she doesn’t know, through a Board she doesn’t belong to, because we would not compromise our integrity in that fashion.
Little-known fact, if the Bay Area agent does not pay dues as a member of our MLS she has no commission protection. Further, the buyer deserves local representation. But she gets kudos for talking to her previous agent about it. Definitely. We value loyalty as well.
The Elizabeth Weintraub Team works in a four-county area. We’re one of the few groups of buyer’s agents in Sacramento who possess intimate knowledge of many different areas. We are perfect to help those relocating to Sacramento. We can talk your head off about various neighborhoods, recite historic facts, accurately explain architectural styles, disclose unusual factors affecting the neighborhoods, and we are excellent negotiators.
To get a feel for us and what we can do for you, call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. You can choose anybody, why not choose one of the time proven and trusted best? We are Sacramento’s relocation experts.
The Fastest Draw Often Wins the Sacramento Listing
Apart from yours truly who likes to win the Sacramento listing, you know who is really fast? Geckos. I opened my door in the rain too fast and caught a gecko about to slip into the house. I slammed the front door so quickly I almost sliced it in two. Geckos are not my favorite thing. In fact, in my list of favorite things, geckos are not on it. They don’t rank down by the bottom. Except for that cute gecko selling insurance. But that is not a real gecko. That’s a cartoon gecko, I hate to point out.
So now when I open my front door, I run my nails over the security screen to warn geckos to get the hell outta the way. They are more afraid of me than anything. I’m not telling them how terrified they make me. And don’t you go telling them, either. Keep your lips zipped.
I think of geckos now because they are all around me at my house in Hawaii. They spend lazy afternoons lounging on MY leaves in the yard. I’m not sure what or how to send them elsewhere. The previous owners said the little ones are OK but they kill the big ones because the big geckos eat the brown geckos or maybe it’s the other way around.
In any case, I am still working while I am in Hawaii, this is my wor-cation. My Sacramento listing inventory has tripled over the past few days. Just yesterday I received a referral lead from a popular website. I immediately called the seller. She was pretty much taken a back. Wow, she said, 20 seconds and you were on the phone. Well, I ‘ve learned a thing or two during my 40+ years in real estate and that thing or two is RESPOND NOW, people! I can’t impress it on my own Elizabeth Weintraub team members enough, and they’re probably tired of hearing me say it.
When I shared with the seller I am in Hawaii, she wondered how I could sell her home. I explained it to her. I don’t live in Hawaii all the time. She wanted to see my face. No problem, you can see my face, I offered, have you an Apple product? Voila, in like Flint. Well, a team member is also going by in a few days to take me on a FaceTime tour. All of this technology lying at our fingertips and yet the most important thing is to respond. Right away.
That’s how you get a Sacramento listing. And I’m like those geckos. Too fast for many other agents. Further, I don’t stop there. You won’t get terrific service upfront only to be disappointed later by a lack of enthusiasm, oh, no, no, no, no. I continue the thread, my communication skills continue to exceed expectations. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. You’ll be so thrilled!!