I was amazed yesterday when I called 2 agents on 2 listings and both agents answered their cell phones. Christmas week is generally pretty slow, and many agents in Sacramento go on vacation at this time. I've spent most of this week so far following up on my Sacramento short sales and requesting extensions of the short sale addendums for the banks. Trying to get buyers' agents to respond is almost like pulling teeth.
However, I understand why some agents like to take the week off. It's not that I don't celebrate Christmas, because I do, but I try to work every day, especially on those days that my clients have off.
So, when a client asked me yesterday if I would show her homes in East Sacramento on Christmas Eve, I jumped on it. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she felt it was an imposition. But it's not. I love my job; it's not really "work" to me, and my husband understands.
Not only is Christmas Eve a good time to view homes, but I firmly believe that Christmas Day is the best time to buy a home. I sold a home last year on Christmas Day. When you think about it, there are many reasons to buy a home on Christmas. Especially in our low inventory market in Sacramento -- because the shortage of available homes breeds competition.
How many buyers will be writing offers on Christmas? Not very many. In fact, hardly none. If this buyer writes an offer, she won't have to worry about another buyer vying for her selection. And what a wonderful Christmas present for some lucky East Sacramento seller. An offer! Just before the end of the year.
---
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.
I sold a home last year on New Years Eve. Granted, it was a new home and it just made it under the wire for the builder's '08 incentive. But the holidays are a great time for buyers to be out looking.
Good luck, Elizabeth!
Cheers,
Robin
This week can be a week of catch up for everyone. Have a good week and enjoy your holiday. I too am working.
Elizabeth: I've shown houses on Christmas Eve and Christmas. And in a market like both of ours, where there are more buyers than there are houses for sale, it is truly a great tactic for buyers to get the leg up.
Elizabeth - we'd had activity on our listings with showings up to today. Tomorrow we have a closing and another one on New Year's eve. If tried to do a little less this week and enjoy baking and other family activities but mainly it's still been work as usual. ~Rita
You are right - Holidays are the best time for a buyer to make an offer. I try to encourage my clients to keep looking through the holidays but the immense drop off in inventory around here discourages most.
We also encourage sellers to put their houses on the market now for that very same reason! I wrote a contract last year on Christmas Eve on a rather pricey foreclosure. It took a few days to get the offer accepted as the bank was closed for the weekend but eventually we got it through.
Elizabeth, that's a great point you made regarding there will be less competition on Christmas Day. I am working this week too!
Elizabeth, more evidence that you LOVE your work and fit it into your LIFE just fine. Good for you.
I've had offers on Christmas Eve in the past too. Our Showing Service will be closed on Christmas eve and Christmas day, so no chance to even take a buyer out. But good for you! Your clients will love you.
I'm currently in negotiations for one of my sellers. I typed up and he came and signed his counter offer today. He said, "well I won't bother you on Christmas". WHAT? not a bother. If we get another offer then I'll call you as soon as I get it and I can email it right from home if needed. I too have sold a home both on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve. I'm like minded with you on this. We HAVE to be willing to work when others have the opportunity to be off. Good luck with your showings tomorrow. And Merry Christmas.
Far a client to take the time to look during the Christmas season makes me think they are motivated and the home that are decorated do look great this time of the year.
Hi Elizabeth... I have a showing on one of my short sale listings tomorrow afternoon. At the very least, I am certain that anyone looking at homes on Christmas eve is at least a serious buyer! Happy holidays!
But if you buy a home on Christmas this year...what are you going to do for an encore next year?
Holidays sort out the lookers from the buyers.
Merry Christmas!
Hee hee--I just saw there is a showing scheduled for one of my listings this morning, Christmas Eve! Somebody is on the ball.
Merry Christmas!
Robin
I sold a house yesterday--Christmas Eve. The office parking lot was empty except for my car--nice gift for my clients, and it's good to add another escrow to my 2010 closings.