Elizabeth Weintraub • Sacramento Short Sale Agent • Land Park

A seller mentioned to me the other day that she did not want any potential buyers for her home to know what she looks like. Not that there's anything wrong with her appearance, mind you. This seller is an attractive and friendly person. But the reason she wants to leave the house long before a buyer arrives for a showing is because she met the sellers when she bought the house. And she didn't like them. Come to think of it, my husband didn't like the sellers of our house, either. Because they were frying bacon in the kitchen when we got there.

We are judgmental human beings. It's in our genes, I suppose. We might not mean to judge other people based on superfluous information, but the fact is we do. Whether we have a valid basis, we constantly size up new people and form first impressions. You may never know the criteria a buyer may use to justify rejecting a property.  While I'm not saying this seller should throw on a burqa to go grocery shopping, I understand her point of view.

She's right. Sellers and buyers should not meet each other during the home courtship stage. Let the home do the mating dance and leave the people out of it.

Here is a home in Natomas in which the buyers and sellers will never meet. Not even by accident. So, buyers are free to imagine whether they will use part of the gigantic living room as a dining room or if a dining room is of no use to them because they'd rather eat in the kitchen. People seem to be moving away from hosting formal dinner parties and many no longer utilize a dining room. In fact, some living rooms are useless as well. These rooms often serve the same purpose as the interior courtyards of Pompeii -- attractive parts of the home that one passes through to get to the living area but a part of the home that is never occupied.

This Creekside Village home was built by D. R. Horton in 2002 and boasts 2,668 square feet. The reason a buyer might not use the dining room is because there is a huge eat-in space in the kitchen, which overlooks the back yard and is open to the family room. Most family rooms are where the action is. You're close to your family members, the TV and the refrigerator -- what else do you want? This family room has a fireplace, a built-in media center and is wired for surround sound.

Probably the best selling feature is its 5 bedrooms plus a big bonus room. Families with children may use the bonus room as a play area, but it could serve also as a workout room for a single person. You could put a lot of gym equipment in that space. Or maybe a pool table.

You'll find that highly coveted first-floor bedroom, which has an amazingly big walk-in closet. Plus, 3 full baths, one downstairs and two upstairs. The kitchen features black granite counters, an island, a built-in microwave and dishwasher, plus a free-standing Kenmore gas range. There is a frosted door on the pantry closet. The entire first floor, except for the bath, has beautiful Wilsonart laminate flooring. Great for people with pets or allergies, or for someone like me who dislikes vacuuming.

2921 N Platte Way, Sacramento, CA 95835 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $265,000. For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

My husband and I watched HGTV's House Hunters last night because the show finally aired that I filmed last summer with my clients, Lali and Chris. If you missed it, HGTV will show it again in April and May. The show was about buying a short sale in Sacramento. Now, I often watch House Hunters even when I'm not on it. My husband doesn't understand this. He says, "Why would you watch a show about showing homes to buyers when that's what you do all day?" Um, because maybe I LIKE what I do?

I'm not really the star of this show, btw, Lali and Chris take center stage, and that's just fine with me. When House Hunters first came on the air, I applied to the show. They called and we scheduled filming with clients. Then, those clients backed out. I set up a filming with another set of clients and, they too, got cold feet. So, I gave up. It wasn't that important.

Enter into the picture, Chris and Lali. By the time they contacted me to be their buyer's agent, they had already signed up to do House Hunters. They told me that one of the conditions of working with them was I had to agree to go on the show. I was a little reluctant, actually. One of the requirements, now that a couple of years had passed, was the agent had to submit a video and get approval in advance. I did not have video equipment at that time, a situation I have since rectified.

Chris immediately volunteered to shoot a video for me and sent it to House Hunters. He's a science teacher and Lali is a stay-at-home mom to Madison, a delightful little girl who dances all the time. They were fun clients and, as a result, a total joy to do the show with, even though the filming dragged on for 3 days. We shot the interview video at the home they bought in Natomas.

Each of the homes shown in that show was an actual Sacramento short sale and my listing. I tried to get the agents whose homes we actually toured to let us film those homes. But those listing agents refused. One Sacramento short sale agent said when I asked, "What's in it for me?" I don't know why some agents feel so competitive. There's enough business in Sacramento to go around for everybody. When agents ask me for help, I freely give it to them.

Anyway, if you'd like to watch the show, here are the dates and times it will air again:

• April 4, 2010 at 12:00 PM EST / PST
• May 18, 2010 at 10:00 PM EST / PST
• May 18, 2010 at 1:00 AM EST / PST

P. S. As a side note, I just noticed that the National Association of REALTORS is advertising on my Homebuying website. How cool is that?

Sacramento short sale agents tend to form a list of favorite types of short sales to do, especially after we've closed a record number of them. The complexity of a short sale is generally based on the number of loans secured to the property, type of loan and the individual lender. My first favorite type of short sale, of course, is a Wachovia short sale. I work directly with the Wachovia short sale manager in Sacramento, and she makes my job pure joy. In fact, in the last two Wachovia short sales I closed, Wachovia gave the sellers big, fat, cash bonuses at closing, and the short sales were approved almost instantly.

I mention this because Wachovia, over the next year or so, is slowly merging into Wells Fargo, and Wells Fargo is my second favorite short sale lender. Wells Fargo is the sole lender for this Natomas Northpointe Park short sale. I often get approval from Wells Fargo within 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes sooner, and this fast turnaround, may be due to the special relationship between Wells Fargo and Wachovia.

This 4-bedroom, 2-bath Beazer home boasts 1,525 square feet, per the Sacramento County Assessor. It was built in 2003 and is a one-story situated on a curve in the street, which gives it this huge back yard. The lot size is .2074 acres, and the back yard is completely fenced. Did I mention that you get a gazebo with a private spa? Yeah, there's a jetted hot tub in the back yard, off to the side, leaving you with an abundance of lawn space for your dog to run free.

The entry way, kitchen and baths all sport ceramic tiled floors. To be truthful, the carpeting throughout should probably be replaced, but that cost is reflected in the sales price. It's one of the reasons that a buyer is likely to get a good deal, and carpeting is not difficult to install.

You'll love the open floor plan, the kitchen / family room combination and spacious feel of this home. You've even got an indoor laundry room. What else could you want?

1742 Daggett Way, Sacramento, CA 95835 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $189,000.

Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916 233 6759 for more information.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

I don't know about you, but I've seen some Sacramento short sales offered at $175,000 in areas and conditions you wouldn't want your dog to live in. This Natomas short sale, on the other hand, is located in the delightful community of Creekside Village, and it's in great shape.

Built in 2003 by KB Homes, it has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. One of those bedrooms is located at the front of the home, near the entry, making it a perfect room for a home office.

The sellers upgraded some of the hardware, put in ceiling fans and installed over-sized travertine tile in the entry, kitchen and baths. The kitchen is huge, with plenty of space for a kitchen table. The kitchen overlooks the back yard, which has a covered patio, and the patio cover stays.

No need to buy any appliances. The following appliances stay: refrigerator, free-standing gas range, and the washer and dryer, plus it has a built-in dishwasher.

The home is located close to parks, restaurants and shopping and about 10 minutes to downtown Sacramento. As an added bonus for home buyers on a budget: no homeowner association dues.

4851 Watseka Way, Sacramento, CA 95835, is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $175,000.

For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

Some people get out of bed in the morning and say they wish they didn't have to go to work. Other people say they wish they had a job. When I wake up, I say, "I'd like nothing better than to list a Wachovia short sale today." Well, yesterday, my wishes were granted.

There is a silver lining in being a Sacramento short sale agent. That bright light is Wachovia. This is a bank that has its short sale department primed and ready to process the transaction. Unlike some short sale banks -- those that lose paperwork, shred files and cause massive delays -- many approvals from Wachovia are issued within 2 to 3 weeks of receipt.

Here is a ground floor opportunity for first-time home buyers in Sacramento. This home is an upper-floor corner unit. It has a balcony that offers an expansive view of the Bella Rose complex; you can see almost everything that goes on from this location. It's a one-bedroom, one-bath condo, with an open floor plan.

The kitchen and bath have granite counters. In the bedroom, the seller has installed a super cool ceiling fan. The refrigerator and washer and dryer stay with the home. It's in impeccable condition, plus this condo comes with 2 parking spaces. Close to shopping, restaurants and the freeways. Minutes to downtown Sacramento.

The HOA dues are $253, which include a flood insurance premium. You have a clubhouse and a pool. But best of all is the price. This 2004 home is for sale at $63,000, although I would not be surprised to see it sell for more. One lender. Wahovia.

4200 East Commerce Way, #122, Sacramento, CA 95834

Offered Exclusively by Lyon Real Estate at $63,000, subject to lender approval.

Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Short Sale Agent, 916.233.6759

Talk about views. The sellers of this Natomas short sale home enjoy tremendous views of the Coastal Range, and there are empty lots all around. Some day builders will resume construction in this part of Natomas, but it's unlikely to happen for a while.

This Hampton's Village home was built by KB Homes in 2007. At the time, the sellers were expecting a park and more homes to go up across the street, but that vision did not materialize. As a result, there are few neighbors and an unobstructed view to the west.

The first floor is pretty much an open floor plan, with a tiled entry, family / dining / kitchen. You'll also find plantation shutters throughout, an attached 2-car garage, separate laundry room and guest bath. Go up the stairs and you'll enter a loft area, presently used as a children's play area, which leads to Jack-and-Jill bedrooms, plus a master suite at the far end.

It's a 3- to 4-bedroom, 3-bath, boasting 1,733 square feet, per the assessor. The patio is stamped concrete, and the sellers have drawn plans that call for turning that space into an outside oasis.

5280 Kankakee Drive, Sacramento, CA 95835

Offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $200,000

Call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, 916.233.6759, for more information.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub

This is a highly desired upper-floor end unit with a view in the Bella Rose condo association in Natomas, which is going on the market today as a short sale. These condos were built in 2005, and the seller upgraded her 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit.

The kitchen has granite counters, ditto on the baths. It has an open floor plan, inside laundry, and the bedrooms are remote, with the living area / dining / kitchen separating the bedrooms.

The seller installed cherry laminate flooring, which looks just like real hardwood. You'll find carpeting in the bedrooms. This home comes with appliances, too, such as a refrigerator, washer and dryer, built-in dishwasher and microwave, plus a free-standing range.

In the dining room and living room, you have views to the west. A door from the dining area leads to a balcony where the seller has been growing tomatoes and grilling on her barbecue. The balcony has a receptacle on the exterior wall.

This Natomas short sale condo has 2 parking spaces: uncovered and a space in the carport. It's situated in a gated community. The homeowner's association fee is $270, and the clubhouse and pool are nearby. The Bella Rose condos are also close to shopping, restaurants and freeway access.

Call your Sacamento Short Sale Agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916.233.6759.

Offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate

Listing agent: Elizabeth Weintraub

4200 E. Commerce Way, #723, $80,000, subject to lender approval as a short sale.

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub. The photo above is the clubhouse as viewed from the stairs of this unit.

Natomas short sale buyers pulled up in front of a home in the Sacramento neighborhood of Natomas Crossing yesterday to do their home inspection. First thing we noticed was a garage sale sign plastered over the listing agent's for sale sign. Another sign was taped to the front door: "All appliances and furniture for sale."

It was bad enough the short sale seller rescheduled the home inspection on the 4th of July. The buyers originally had made an appointment for 9:30 AM so they could finish up before noon and enjoy the rest of the holiday. When I called to confirm, the seller claimed that time was inconvenient and pushed us off until noon. His wife was home during the inspection, too, and the listing agent was out-of-town, taking a holiday.

It would have been nice to have taken this particular Saturday off but that's not always possible when one is a Sacramento short sale agent. We do what it takes to get these short sales closed. Attending a 3-hour home inspection in the middle of the afternoon on the 4th of July is one of those duties. Floating down the Sacramento River in an inner tube is not one of those duties.

The next thing I noticed upon entering the home was the chandelier over the dining area had been removed, plus two light pendants in the family room were gone. I found them on the floor in a spare bedroom near boxes stuffed with cartons of cigarettes.

Enterprising folks, these sellers. Wholesaling cigarettes and birds. In the back yard was a large aviary occupied by more than a 100 tweeting canaries and finches.

The seller's wife appeared stunned after our chat. I explained that they can't remove a fixture. Fixtures stay with the home. Although such a discussion is ordinarily best left to the listing agent, I was concerned that if I didn't say something to her then, she might also sell the front door over the weekend.

The buyers made an offer to buy the refrigerator, washer and dryer for $500. Oh, no, the seller replied, those appliances cost $2,200 when purchased 3 years ago. The seller wanted $1,500. It was clear the seller was clueless, which worried me a little, so I asked if she was aware that we're closing escrow in 10 days.

Mrs. Seller just smiled and said, "I guess the buyers will be moving in next month, then?" Um, no, they will be moving in on the day we close, in the middle of July. Her smile vanished.

Gosh, I hope they don't try to sell the stove and dishwasher.

Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, homebuying 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.

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available in bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.

Sacramento Short Sale Agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, has the answers to your Sacramento short sale questions.

Photo: Big Stock Photo

A fortunate aspect of listing so many short sales in Sacramento is the fact that I get to see how other agents write offers on short sales. Some of my short listings each receive 10 to 12 offers. I try to help buyers' agents when they call by explaining that they need to check the comparable sales before writing an offer and base their offer on the comps.

One agent said to me yesterday, "What are comps?" Another sent an offer with one price at the top, a different price at the bottom and no loan information in between. Almost all contained requests for pest completions, home warranties and other demands that most banks won't pay.

Well, last weekend I showed homes in Natomas to first-time home buyers, and we wrote an offer. I share the following listing agent's response with you, not to boast but to show you why you want to hire an experienced short sale agent when writing offers on short sales:

"Hi Elizabeth: We had a multiple offer situation and I'm happy to tell you that your buyer's offer was chosen. The seller should be sending it back to me signed within the next hour or two and I'd forward the executed contract to you. All 7 offers were over the list price, but the seller chose yours mainly because you have experience with short sales and have educated your buyer.

Also, you wrote the cleanest contract and the only one that did not require a counter offer."

The people I feel for are those other 6 buyers who now join the ranks of hundreds of other unhappy and rejected Sacramento buyers.

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, coming May 15th.

Photo: Big Stock Photo

The sellers say they live on the best block on Riverwalk and their neighbors are wonderful. I haven't met any of the neighbors, so I can't personally attest to their wonderfulness, but the home has plenty of curb appeal. It is situated on a corner, which probably makes the home feel larger than it is, plus it gives the impression inside that there are no neighbors.

Because it was a former model home, it has tons of upgrades, which give it that special oomph. If that wasn't enough, the sellers also added a few touches such as replacing many of the light fixtures with newer brushed nickel lighting, removing wallpaper and painting with designer earth-tone colors, and installing synthetic stone floors in the baths. Some of the upgrades are:

• Wood flooring in most rooms
• Plantation shutters
  
• Crown molding
• Tiled kitchen counters and an island
• Ceiling fans
• Built-in china cabinet
• Built-in bookcases in the dining room
• Built-in cabinetry in the hallway
• Wainscoting in several rooms

The home sits across the street from a park, with an elementary school nearby, and it's also close to a junior high. The back yard is fenced and sports an uncovered patio, punctuated by a partial pergola, two big redwood trees, a crepe myrtle and a lush green lawn.

It has 2 big bedrooms and a third bedroom which has been converted to a den / home office. The den has a recessed area perfect for a desk. There is a fireplace in the living room. Upon entering, you will immediately appreciate the open floor plan, which employs a great room concept. A knee wall separates the formal dining room from the kitchen, and a cutout on the opposing wall allows a view of the entry and living room.

In addition to the formal dining room, the kitchen has a breakfast bar plus a breakfast nook. There is a walk-in pantry in the kitchen, plenty of cabinets and an island, gas range and oven, plus a built-in microwave.

3161 Two Rivers, Sacramento, CA 95833

Offered at $185,000, subject to third party approval.

Available for showings on April 27th

Elizabeth Weintraub, 916.233.6759

Lyon Real Estate

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, May 15 release date

Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub