I'm looking for 3 things when I walk through a client's home to do my agent visual inspection disclosure. The first is saleable features. What is it about this home that makes it special? The second is defects. What am I required to disclose to a potential buyer and should the seller fix the defect? The third is presentation. How would I rearrange a room or change it?
Yesterday, as I walked through my new short sale listing in Elk Grove, furiously scribbling on my clipboard, I heard a familiar sound coming from one of the bedrooms. Why was this music familiar to me? I poked in my head and found this little boy sprawled out on the bed with his laptop, playing a computer game. Aha. Plants vs. Zombies. My favorite game! I instantly put down my clipboard and got all excited: "No, no, he's going to eat your sunflower and get runover by the tractors. Put down a pea shooter."
The kid kept telling me that he knew what he was doing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The voice of experience in my head realized the dreadful sound of DUM, DUM, DUM was just around the corner. He was losing. Hate to say it, kid, but the zombies ate your brain. I could see it coming.
Sometimes people don't want advice. I recognize that trait. You can try to be the most helpful person in the world, with your heart in the right place, but if the recipient is not receptive, your advice falls on deaf ears and is worthless. Next time, though, I bet he puts down a pea shooter.
Here is a charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Laguna Vista subdivision in Elk Grove. It's located just east of Franklin and north of Calvine on a delightful street dotted with homes exhibiting curb appeal and pride of ownership.
It has soaring vaulted ceilings with interesting angles in the living room, dining room and master suite. There is a fireplace in the living room, and the dining area is separated by a column.
The kitchen is very large. It has a garden window, sliding doors to the back yard, a vinyl floor, oak cabinets, ceramic counters and an island. There is space in the kitchen for a table as well. First-time home buyers will like this home because it comes with all the appliances such as a free-standing refrigerator and stove, built-in dishwasher and microwave, plus the washer and dryer in the hall laundry room stay with the home.
You can't really see the sliding glass doors in the master bedroom because there is a dresser planted in front of it. But the master does have outside access. The master bath has dual sinks and a walk-in closet.
The back yard is fenced and sports a lemon tree and an orange tree, both of which appear to be producing fruit. There's also a large uncovered patio area.
5400 Lake Pleasant Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95758 is exclusively offered by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $155,000. For more information, please call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759.
Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub
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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.
Lyon Real Estate is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.
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.
Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice. It could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.
Elizabeth,
I remember thinking that when we were younger about parents advice. Turns out they were right most of the time, and the advice was for our own good. Hmmm...
This looks like a lovely home!
Elizabeth: Don't you know that kids know everything? :) I've never heard of Plants vs. Zombies, but it sounds like a hoot. This Elk Grove home sure is bright and cheery. Looks like a very happy place.
There you go again - sucking me in to read about a listing with a great lead in. Wonderful post.
"The zombies ate your brain"? Obviously, I've been spending way too much time on ActiveRain and need to explore more. LOL
Hi Heather: Well, his parents were probably wondering what I was talking about, no, the walnut first and then the pea shooter, LOL.
Hi Chris: You should try Plants vs. Zombies. It's a great stress reliever, especially when you're on hold waiting for the short sale bank to pick up.
Hi Jim: I've got to get you guys to read about my listings some way.
Hi Mary: Yes, you would love Plants vs. Zombies. I know all the tricks, too. Just ask me. I think I will go water my zen garden and feed my snail some chocolate.
Here's the thing about kids, Elizabeth - You can't rob them of all their lessons! The great thing about "allowing" them to lose a game - is that it is only just a game.
But, I know that doesn't stop us from trying:-)