As a Sacramento short sale agent, I often receive lowball offers from pretend buyers or guys who want to flip, but these offers can be used to a seller's advantage. Instead of advising sellers to toss them into the circular bin, I say counter them. Yup, issue a counter offer. With a lengthy acceptance period. That way, while your counter offer is in the buyer's hands, more often than not, another offer will arrive. When this offer comes in, it gives the seller the opportunity to issue a multiple counter offer to the second buyer.
Because you know what? Nothing makes a buyer want to buy your short sale more than knowing somebody else wants it. OK, maybe the first buyer doesn't really want it, but the second buyer doesn't know that. It's human nature for people to covet what other people want. Everybody wants what Meg Ryan is having.
Here is a home worth drooling over. It's located in Bridgeway Lakes in lovely West Sacramento, way down Jefferson and close to wine country. This is a Shea home, built in 2005 -- the Peaceful Haven model. It boasts 2,250 square feet, per the seller, and it's one of those desirable one-stories.
Apart from its 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, it features a bonus room near the entrance. The bonus room could be used as a den, a living room, work-out room or hobby room. Or you could put a door on it, close it . . . and call it your teenage son's bedroom.
When buyers buy a brand new home from a builder, generally buyers have a choice in upgrades. Especially nowadays when builders prefer to build only when they have a buyer in contract. The owners of this home chose well. The entry, hall, family room and kitchen flooring is a high buffed maple hardwood. The kitchen, hall, laundry and bath cabinets are also maple. It makes the entire home light and airy. Gives it energy.
The master suite is spacious with a sitting area and located away from the other bedrooms, but close enough that one could hear a baby cry down the hall. The laundry is extended with additional cabinet space, plus it has a sink and the commercial-grade washer and dryer are included.
In the kitchen, you'll find stainless appliances and yes, the refrigerator stays with the home. In addition to a separate formal dining room, there is dining space in the kitchen and a breakfast bar / kitchen island.
The back yard is landscaped. It features green and red plum trees, plus a lemon tree and weeping cherry. There is a stained concrete patio and a fireplace. It's fenced, of course and bigger than most back yards of a one-story home. You'll also find ample storage space on both sides of the home.
3680 Topaz Road, West Sacramento, CA 95691 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $249,000. Why buy new when this price is so affordable? For more information, call your Sacramento short sale agent, Elizabeth Weintraub, at 916 233 6759.
Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub
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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.
