Every agent uses different criteria to determine whether he or she will work a particular client. Some agents attempt to work with every person who walks through the office door, emails or calls them. Some agents are judgmental and may dismiss otherwise perfectly good clients for goofy reasons. Some may work only with sellers or only with buyers. We're all different. Here is my philosophy of how I decide whether to take on a new client.
First, I will speak with or email every individual who contacts me. I believe that is simply professional courtesy. Sometimes Sacramento sellers and buyers just want information to prepare, and although they may not be ready to act this week, next month or even next year, I try to help and let them know I will still be in the business whenever they are ready. So, how do you know if you are ready?
Sacramento Home Sellers
These are people who are ready to sell and not just stick a sign in the yard. If a seller doesn't know if he or she truly wants to sell, it's not my job to push them into selling. My job is to sell homes. It's OK if you're not ready. Here are the signs that you are:
- You are ready to price your home according to the market.
- If your home sold tomorrow, you'd be thrilled.
- You've cleaned the house and will keep it in showing condition, no matter how inconvenient.
- You're eager to let buyer's agents show your home.
- You're prepared to negotiate.
Sacramento Home Buyers
If you're still in the planning stages, you're most likely not ready to buy a home. You may be ready to only entertain the idea of home ownership, in which case you may want to read first-time home buyer articles online and attend open houses. Few agents want to strong arm a buyer into signing an offer only to watch the buyer go through remorse. Here are signs that you are ready to buy:
- You have a preapproval letter from a lender.
- You are focused on certain neighborhoods.
- You know your price range and comfort zone.
- You can describe your perfect home.
- When you find a home that fits your parameters, you are ready to sign a purchase offer.
When you've qualified yourself as a Sacramento home buyer or home seller, then you're ready to hire a Sacramento real estate agent to go to work for you. I work 7 days a week, 14 hours a day, and I've been in this business for 35 years. The reason most experienced agents have been able to survive and thrive throughout any given real estate market over the years is because we produce results. That's a REALTOR's job in a nutshell. To serve your interests and put those interests above our own. But, only if you're ready.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, coming May 15th.
Photo: Big Stock Photo
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Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available through bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.
Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.
The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
It's raining this morning in Sacramento as I write this, and we're headed out for the airport. I don't know why they have flights this early to LAX. Nobody in their right mind should have to be at the airport before 5 AM. It's such an awful hour.
