Email Elizabethsacramento real estate
Sacramento Agent to Agent Referral: Who Ya Gonna Call?
This agent to agent referral in Sacramento is a new occurrence for me. I mean, I have a small group of agents I consider if I ever need to refer a seller to somebody else. Which is rare. At times, there are some sellers we elect not to work with. But we would not refer those to a friend. Maybe a referral to an agent we don’t much care for. I spotted one of those agents today who listed a rejected listing. You know, the pushy, aggressive, so rude, how do they ever stay in business kind of agents. If I had thought of that agent when we rejected the seller, I would have referred the seller in that direction. However, the seller found the agent the seller deserved. Without any help from me. How win-win.
On the other hand, I have a good friend, an experienced agent, to whom I might refer a client who needs more than I have to give. Usually, these clients are extremely high maintenance. It is always about what the client deserves. But I have never called an agent I did not know out of the blue and offer up a Sacramento agent to agent referral. Lo and behold, that happened to me in reverse last week. An agent I did not know offered me a client who needs a change of pace. It’s a neighborhood I know well, and the home is a little bit challenging, but I thrive on challenges.
At first blush, I had to ask myself the hard question. The hard question was: am I getting this referral based on my solid reputation or was the agent handing the referral over because of an axe to grind. Like, was I the agent’s foe? I am a competitor, after all, but no, the answer to that was no. The agent wanted the best Sacramento Realtor for the job, and thought of me. Very flattering.
Cannot believe my suspicious nature wondered if this was a set up, LOL. It makes me feel good to know the agent has confidence in me to perform. The agent also wants what is best for the client. I don’t mind taking over somebody else’s listing. Not unusual for me to often end up listing homes that previously did not sell for some reason.
I figure out what it takes to sell that home, and then I do it. Therefore, I am very grateful for Sacramento agent to agent referrals, and I hope to avail myself to more.
Big Uptick in Sacramento County Housing Report for June 2018
Wow, look at that big jump in housing inventory for our Sacramento County housing report for June 2018. What you don’t see in that uphill climb from spring is the fact our inventory has increased almost 30% when compared to June of 2017. But the kicker is it does not equate to more homes selling. Why? Well, a lot of it seems to be junk. Also, would-be sellers, eager to capitalize on the seller’s market by dumping homes on the market at unrealistic prices, would be another reason.
The really big news is the continual uptick of pending sales. It’s little bit like dating. First, you go to the dating app and swipe left (or is it right? I dunno) and pick out prospects from those best dressed and well presented. Then, after a few dates, you pretty much know which way it is heading. Is there a commitment? Maybe. You decide to spend the weekend together. But how many actually make it all the way to moving into one household? After the makeup is off and you grow a bit older together. The closed sales might begin to level off somewhat once the optimism has faded, is all I’m saying.
In fact, the closed sales are pretty much the same for June as they were for May. Even though it’s a slight dip, not much change there in reality.
Another interesting tidbit is when you examine the trends in pending and sold homes from May of last year to December of 2017, both pretty much steadily decline. So I think the question to ask about this Sacramento County housing report for June 2018 is whether our trend for pending and solds will continue to escalate come July or will those numbers begin to decline? The solds are down only by 3% over last month. It could go either way.
Our activity since January of this year has been positive. More listings, more pendings and more sales. As compared to the same time period last year, that is. However, it doesn’t appear to me that demand is keeping pace with inventory. More inventory, in other words, isn’t helping.
But for those of you not working professionally in the Sacramento real estate field, your question about the Sacramento County housing report for June 2018 is should you sell a home in Sacramento or should you buy a home . . . or do both? The answer to that question is absolutely yes. The benefits are selling while the market is hot and buying before interest rates further increase.
Our median sales price remains the same as May at $375,000. We have 1 1/2 months of remaining inventory, which still makes this a seller’s market in Sacramento. Although, I do see the pushback from buyers happening. Pie-in-the-sky prices are no longer a reality.
Not Quite the Fourth of July Open Houses for 2018
Before I talk about our not quite the fourth of July open houses for this year, please note the lovely photo of Compass Box The Circus Blended Scotch Whiskey. This was my dessert after dinner at Canon in East Sacramento on Thursday for my non-retirement birthday. I imagine it wasn’t cheap but I wouldn’t know since my husband treated. This is a limited edition, fewer than 2,500 bottles released in 2016.
He also gave me a Series 3 Apple Watch, which means I can now wander away from my phone, far, far away, because the new watches run on cell coverage. I suppose you have to be careful if you wear one of those into a medical marijuana dispensary because you’re probably not supposed to. Not that I have any first hand experience, mind you, just putting out my public notice to everybody.
Today we have three not quite the fourth of July open houses. I imagine next weekend many people will go out of town this year. Take Wednesday off, throw in a Thursday and Friday and call it 5-day weekend. It was a toss up to figure out which weekend was better for our not quite the fourth of July open houses.
16 Lake Katerina Ct, Sacramento, CA 95834 offered at $485,000. Built in 2017, only a transfer makes this beautiful home available. Hickory floors, plenty of premium upgrades, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Great Natomas Central location, Westshore. Hosted by the invincible Josh Amolsch from the Elizabeth Weintraub Team, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
3804 Los Cerros Place, Davis, CA 95618, offered at $1,145,000 in Lake Alhambra Estates. Over $200K invested in the yard with an outdoor kitchen, flagstone perimeter, custom benches, waterfalls and a gorgeous pool. Wood floors throughout, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, over 3,500 sq. ft. Hosted by the amazing Amy McMullan from the Elizabeth Weintraub Team, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
1661 Del Dayo Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608, offered at $1,250,000. Exclusive neighborhood in Del Dayo. Tri-level with 5 to 6 bedrooms, 5 baths and over 5,000 square feet. Hardwood, ceramic and luxury vinyl plank flooring. Beautiful terraced yard with lush gardens and pool. Outdoor kitchen. Hosted by the Incredible Barbara Dow from the Elizabeth Weintraub Team, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
When Can Home Buyers Ask Sacramento Sellers to Help with Closing Costs?
With rising prices in Sacramento, some buyers need help with closing costs. If you look at a median priced home in Sacramento, which is now $375,000, a minimum down payment is about $13,125 for FHA. It will take an additional $11,250 to cover closing costs. The grand total for a first-time home buyer is $24,375. That’s a lot of money for new buyers to scrounge up and save. Many buyers look to the bank of mom-and-pop to help out, or they ask the seller to help with closing costs.
The main problem with this approach to ask for help with closing costs is the seller most likely does not want to give the buyer a 3% break. Sellers are already paying around 6% for commission, plus another 1% or so for their own closing costs. On a $375,000 sale, that’s $26,250. Which is more than the buyer’s total down payment plus closing costs. You can see why sellers might not be overly eager to help out.
However, a seller who has a bit of trouble selling a home might be open to help with closing costs. Buyers might look at homes that have been on the market for a while. Contrary to popular belief, there is not always a defect in a home that has accumulated longer days on market. Maybe it was rented and the tenants refused to cooperate with showings? Maybe the new construction around the corner finally dried up and stopped diverting all of the buyers? Maybe the seller made a few improvements that now enhance the value? Or maybe the seller was out of town, or ill?
There are a million reasons why days on market might accumulate that have little to do with the desirability of the home.
Another tactic to use is ask for help with the closing costs but be prepared to pay a bit more for the property. This way the seller is not dinged on the price nor taking the money out of her pocket. Of course, the buyer is financing that additional amount on top of the sales price. Which means the home needs to appraise for that amount. Generally, though, the appraisals are right on the value we need.
This means if you’re offering a seller $375,000 for a home, you would offer instead $386,500 and ask for a credit of $11,500.
If you’re hoping to buy a home in Sacramento but think you don’t have enough money, call the Elizabeth Weintraub Team. We will match you with a top notch exclusive buyer’s agent on the team, an agent with plenty of experience to help you win the home of your dreams! Call 916.233.6759. Don’t put it off another day. We can help.
Tips for LGBT Home Buyers When Writing a Letter to the Seller
If you’re looking for tips for LGBT home buyers who are trying to compete in Sacramento’s hot seller’s market, you’ve come to the right place. Every agent on the Elizabeth Weintraub Team loves working with LGBT home buyers. We absolutely do not discriminate and we take caution to try to ensure our clients never face discrimination. But when you’ve got idiots like U. S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher saying home sellers should not have to sell to gay or lesbian people, it confuses some people. Fortunately, it did not confuse the National Association of Realtors, which promptly withdrew its campaign contributions to Rohrabacher.
The issue of LGBT home buyers writing a letter to the seller came up yesterday. At first blush, the agent’s first instincts was to advise the LGBT home buyers to put it all out there, take a stand, be who they are and be proud of it. Problem was the seller of the property was born in 1926. Really old people are not always known for insightful tolerance. And no, I do not intend to argue ageist issues or discuss those who discriminate against older people. Just saying, you’ve got Grandpa Joe who’s moving kinda slow at the junction and does not necessarily understand a thing about LGBT.
The agent thought back to heterosexual couples who wrote letters to the seller, talking about how they just got married. How excited they are to buy their first home. About plans to start a family. Why can’t these LGBT home buyers express the same sentiment? Good question. And it’s best answered by considering these two additional questions:
- Do the LGBT home buyers need to make a statement or do they want to buy a house?
- Since when is it anybody’s business about your personal life or sexual orientation?
Home sellers want to sell their home to an owner occupant, generally. Sellers take great delight in knowing the new home buyers feel a connection to their home. After all, it’s years of memories in that home for the seller. They want the new buyers to fall in love with the home. To express their enthusiasm for the property, to show the love. Every person on earth can do this. This is not hiding who you are, it’s just not focusing on other aspects.
My advice for LGBT home buyers is let your desire for the home shine through in your letter. Put your heart out there, not the gender you identify with nor your sexual preferences. Because it is not any of the seller’s business. Further, California law prohibits discrimination based on sexual preferences, but you probably know that. What people outside of the LGBT community often do not realize is that the federal Fair Housing Law does not include sexual orientation as a protected class.
After all this of time, there is presently a bill before Congress to amend the 1968 housing law to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.
It’s only taken 50 years. After this, maybe we can pass the ERA?
