My buyer's agent went out of town this weekend, so I had to funnel some business to other agents in my office, plus I put together a couple of transactions myself. This was on top of writing my homebuying articles for The New York Times' website About.com, following up on showings and preparing new short sale listing paperwork for this week. I was astonished that only 2 agents responded to my requests for feedback on my new Land Park listing, because we've had 8 showings already. That's a 25% response rate, which is sorta low, especially for homes in Land Park.
But because I've been so busy, I was unable to personally meet with a buyer yesterday. He made it pretty clear that he wanted me to write his offer and not somebody else, so it wasn't like I could ask an associate from my office to do it. You know what they say, right? If you want something done correctly, ask a busy agent. Because a busy agent is an organized agent.
I'm so organized I can make your head spin. Well, not literally because then you'd be like Linda Blair in the Exorcist. Not a pretty sight. I saw that movie when I was 21, and it still freaks me out. Just like it freaks out some people that I can do business without ever leaving my house. If it comes down to it, and it did on Sunday.
My buyer and I emailed for a while, talking about a home in Land Park. He went to the open house, and let the agent know that he was working with me, as all of my buyers are asked to do. It avoids discussions about procuring cause, and it reduces the possible solicitation. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some buyers walk into open houses in Land Park and blatantly announce they are working with Elizabeth Weintraub even when they are not. Because they have discovered that Land Park agents won't try to convert them into clients then.
I like writing offers in solitude. It gives me time to reflect on each portion of the offer, time to double check the contract for typos and math. Leisure sans pressure is a great tool for eliminating mistakes. Then I uploaded the offer to DocuSign, answered a few questions for the buyer before he asked -- because I know which questions buyers ask. Then zipped it off to the listing agent after signed receipt. Selling homes in Land Park just gets better and better. I love my job. Just ask my Land Park buyers. They'll tell you.
Photo: Big Stock Photo
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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.
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Hi Elizabeth, I have to agree, I like to write the offers in a quiet space- by myself. It's nerve wracking to make my way through the 14 pages while the buyers excitedly chirp away and ask questions not related to the offer. I find it takes twice as long because I'm careful to proof read and make sure I leave nothing out --- Lucky you on this one, congrats for not even leaving the house :-)
Elizabeth, you are so amazing with your remote control buyers. If we all could just figure out how to be a superstar like you. Super job. Contracts have too many blanks to fill in over the table. Peace and quiet gets the job done better.
You gotta be organized when you are busy, or you won't succeed. I also like that you train your buyers what to say when they are "out there" visiting Open Houses on their own. It substantially avoids those "procuring cause" discussions you mention. I usually give buyers a few of my cards to carry around with them. That way they can just hand one to any agent they encounter and say, "I'm working with her."
I also like writing contracts in solitude. It avoids any potential errors caused by interruption/disruption! There is nothing worse than sitting in a client's house, while trying to complete a contract, and there is a machine gun volley of questions, and a crying baby on their lap! It is best to make certain all questions are answered prior to contract writing, if possible. There will always be the inevitable questions that come later, but those that pertain to the contract, need to be asked and answered prior.
We have that in common (liking to write contracts/offers) in solitude. I prefer the office, but I prefer after everyone has left for the day. I need that quiet to think and concentrate.
Me too Me too !!! I usually set myself up with a cup of tea and a calm atmosphere at my home office for which to write up offers ! It allows me to prepare the most effective cover letter along with the offer terms !
Glad you are so 'on top of your game' ! It's no surprise to me that you are highly successful my friend !!!!
Cheers Elizabeth !!!!