Agents have asked me how I manage to maintain my positive attitude and cheerful disposition, especially while tackling the challenges inherent in Sacramento's real estate market today. I believe it's my nature to be cheerful -- I mean, given the choice between a glass half-full or half-empty, I'll take the one with champagne. But my clients also keep my mood elevated.
As a Sacramento short sale agent, my sellers are thrilled to sell their homes, but it's a bittersweet happiness, sort of a two-edged sword in a way. True, I have helped them to unload a troublesome liability but they have lost their home. It's an emotional roller-coaster for some short sale sellers. Many have tried to obtain a loan modification and failed. The joy they felt the day they moved into that home has long ago vanished.
I try to put myself in their shoes, even the ones with really tiny feet. The wait for short sale approval is often agonizing. Because nobody knows what the lender will demand or whether the short sale will get approved. It can be stressful all around.
Buyers, on the other hand, are ecstatic when they buy a home. Many have been priced out of the Sacramento real estate market for years and only now can afford to buy. There are still good deals to be had in Sacramento. Interest rates dipped below 5% last week.
I called a buyer yesterday to let her know that her offer had been accepted, among multiple offers, for a home in South Land Park. She said, "I'm standing in the middle of the Sacramento Co-op, so I can't scream." She was clearly delighted. The home is perfect for her. When my clients are elated, so am I.
I believe that agents who only list homes and never represent first-time home buyers are missing the chance to share in this joy that buyers feel. Another buyer -- whom I did not represent, I represented the seller -- called me last week to ask if I would mail her some of my business cards. She had closed escrow on a Sacramento short sale, again, the perfect home for her, and had been talking with her neighbors. Some of these neighbors are also upside-down, owing more than their homes are worth. She asked if it would be all right if she referred them to me, and thanked me profusely for helping her to close escrow.
Sellers often send me short emails thanking me for my hard work when escrow closes. But it's the buyers who give me unexpected baskets of goodies, flowers, bottles of wine and grateful thank-you letters. It's the buyers who are grinning ear-to-ear when I hand them the keys. I'd say the buyers are much happier in this market than sellers. And I feel privileged to share in their joy. It's part of the reason that I sell real estate.
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
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 the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com.
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Hi, Elizabeth:
I never thought of it that way, but that's why I (secretly) prefer working with buyers. When I sell a listing, the seller has a feeling of relief, not excitement. Yes, they have money in their pocket (although sometimes not very much), but that can't replace a home full of memories. Buyers are getting ready to move into their new home and make memories, and are feeling hopeful already.
Cheers,
Robin
Hi Elizabeth, A first time home buyer's excitement is contagious - I think you're right, that excitement is what makes this business so much fun!
Elizabeth - As an LO who has spent my entire mortgage career working with first time buyers, they are my favorite clients. I will take my little first timers over a high end client any day. I've done some high end loans (I call them the million dollar whiners) and more times than not, I was counting the days for the transaction to be over and I never had to work with those people ever again.
I'll never get rich working with my little first timers but fortunately for me, I didn't get into this business to get rich. I love what I do and I adore my clients (most of the time). So many of them are my biggest advoctes.
I do have more fun with the buyers but a sense of satisfaction with sellers to take that financial load off of them.
I completely agree! My favorite buyers are the first timers and now that many of them couldl be my kids, it's even more fun since I get to meet their folks who truly appreciate having someone look after their young adults! Great fun!
Elizabeth,
I agree. There's nothing like working with ecstatic buyers. Especially first time buyers! Their energy really lifts you up and brightens your mood. Trying to hold on to those feelings is the best way to do business!
Your friend in the Cosmic Cow Pie.
First timers with an open mind and skin in the game are a joy....the ones who are sure that they know it all cuz they read it, watched it...lived in a house...not sooo much.