Home Buyer

Do You Know What Your Realtor Was Doing This Weekend?

July 7th, 2008 categories: Elk Grove, Home Buyer, Retirement Communties

Phone Ringing This weekend two different Home buyers found the house that they would like to buy while looking at homes for sale in Elk Grove, CA.

Yes, it was the July 4^th weekend but that happens to be a time when home buyers are available to look at houses. This is not a 9 to 5 job Monday through Friday.

I’m of the old school where I make myself available for my clients when they are not working. I find that it makes for a happy client.

Home buyer, Mr. & Mrs. X saw ten houses on July 4^th that were either Short Sale or Bank Owned homes for sale. Mr. & Mrs. X decided on a house that they would like to write an offer on that was Short Sale.

Mr. & Mrs. X are from out of town, staying in a hotel in order to find the house they will purchase as a second home right now, with the hope of making it their retirement home, later. These home buyers will be relocating to Elk Grove, CA to retire.

We are finding quite a few of Baby Boomers don’t want to move into a secluded retirement facility. Baby Boomers are opting to live closer to the grandchildren when they retire and want to live in a neighborhood that is not age restricted.

There are quite few homes for sale in Elk Grove, CA to chose from and both sets of home buyers were delighted to find just the right house this weekend in Elk Grove.

Now, the sad part about both Mr. & Mrs. X as well as the other home buyers, Mr. & Mrs. Y (wanted to submit an offer on a regular listing, not a short sale or foreclosure) is that none of the agents who had listed the houses that my buyers wanted to buy were available to answer any phone calls.

It is so sad to see agents take listings and not answer their phones or return phone calls. In fact, that is how Mr. & Mrs. X found me. They had been through two real estate agents who didn’t return phone calls or follow-up with them. I digress…

When an offer is to be written, both agents need to communicate for several reasons.

to see if there are any other offers
to verify if the house is still available to accept an offer
to verify the fax number or email of the listings agent in order to send the contract.

Depending on the listing, depends upon if any phone calls are warranted. However, it is only common courtesy to acknowledge when someone has called.

Needless, to say offers for both of these home buyers will not go out until this week after the listing agents return phone calls. People keep saying how bad real estate is but what I’m finding is that there are home buyers who are willing and able to buy if only agents would just pick up their phones or at least return phone calls.

Does your agent return phone calls? Are you waiting to get an offer on your house for sale?

I would love to send you an offer…just waiting for a return phone call.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice and want to keep up with the Sacramento Real Estate Market as well as other news worthy items, simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Want to check which homes, condos, investment properties and land are for sale in Sacramento and the surrounding areas? Just click on the search icon and pick the neighborhood you are interested in finding a home or condo for sale in and around the Sacramento area .

Other Related Articles:

Friday Home Buying Tour in Elk Grove, CA

Want to Be A TV Star?

Sacramento Real Estate Has Double Delight Giving to Home Buyers

Rent is Going Up and Interest Rate is Rising

Sacramento Veterans Buying Home

Granite Bay Home Buyer Looking For Mansion

Sacramento Home Buyers Are Smiling

Search Foreclosure Homes For Sale For Free

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Friday Home Buying Tour in Elk Grove, CA

June 27th, 2008 categories: Elk Grove, Foreclosure, Home Buyer

CA Fires Sacramento is socked-in with all the surrounding fires in CA.

This Google photo to the left shows just how many current fires there are in our state of California.

Even with the haze that surrounds are great city of Sacramento, home buyers are on their way up this morning from San Jose for a home buying tour of homes for sale.

These home buyers plan on buying their retirement home in Elk Grove, CA and want to seize the moment with buying a newer home at a great savings. Today, I will be showing them homes that are in Short Sale and Foreclosure in Elk Grove, CA.

There are some smokin good deals for sale in Elk Grove, CA . No fire here but fiery home prices are a home buyer’s dream.

If you want to read about Short Sales and Foreclosures be sure to click on the each of the highlighted links. Be sure to check out my free Bank Owned homes for sale search.

I did email them last night to let them know that we have very poor air quality at the moment due to all of the fires and if they have issues with breathing we could postpone or they might want to bring masks. Apparently, they too have smoky skies in San Jose and were hoping to get away from that for the day…nope!

So, it’s off to show homes for sale in Elk Grove, today with the hope to find just the right place for these folks to retire and call home in Elk Grove, CA where there are some fabulous real estate home buys.

Try to stay indoors if you can today and hopefully the Delta wind will kick in and move the smoke out of the Sacramento valley. Have a safe weekend. Thank you CA fire fighters for all you do to help keep us safe.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Sacramento MLS where you can pick any other community or city around Sacramento to see homes for sale.

Elk Grove MLS- Elk Grove CA homes for sale

or simply click on the search icon and pick the area you are interested in finding a home or condo for sale in .

I’m just a phone call away, so let’s get started and find your piece of paradise to call home.

Want to Be a TV Star?

June 25th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Sacramento

Sacramento Real Estate Casting Call… House Hunters

This week Sacramento Real Estate Voice received a phone call from House Hunters from HGTV, a Pie Town Productions and Home and Garden Television show looking to shoot Sacramento home buyers.

It takes about 4–5 days of filming which can be broken up into weeks or months depending on everyone’s availability. And yes, there is a nice check for you after taping.

HGTV is looking to interested in the actual house hunt, the neighborhood, home prices, sizes, the home buyers likes and dislikes along with information about their Realtor.

It sounds like a lot fun and of course your chance to be on television. Specifically, HGTV, House Hunters is looking to produce a show on a “green home” and or a million dollar plus property for television.

I have the specifics of what is required and can certainly speak with you about the process. Want to view a House Hunter TV episode, just click on home buyers find house for sale.

Calling all Sacramento Home Buyers, Granite Bay Home Buyers, El Dorado Hills Home Buyers, Roseville Home Buyers and Downtown Sacramento Home Buyers.

If this sounds like something that you might be interested in doing, please contact me and let’s make it happen. And of course, let’s get you the home you want to buy. That’s a primary goal.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

If you are interested in looking at homes for sale, be sure to click on the City that interests you here are a few to start you off.

Carmichael MLS- Carmichael, CA Homes for sale

Elk Grove MLS- Elk Grove CA homes for sale

Fair Oaks MLS- Fair Oaks, CA homes for sale

Folsom MLS- Folsom, CA homes for sale

Granite Bay MLS- Granite Bay homes for sale

Roseville MLS- Roseville homes for sale

Sacramento MLS where you can pick any other community or city around Sacramento to see homes for sale.

or simply click on the search icon and pick the area you are interested in finding a home or condo for sale in .

I’m just a phone call away, so let’s get started and find your piece of paradise to call home.

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Sacramento Real Estate Has Double Delight Giving to Home Buyers

June 20th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Real Estate, Sacramento

Home Buyer Gift Basket Sacramento Real Estate Voice has had a wonderful week. The best part of helping home buyers besides finding just the right house is handing over the keys to the home buyer’s new HOME.

This week was no exception. I love preparing a home buyer’s basket of goodies and presenting them their gift along with their keys.

It always seems like a very long process of waiting once the we all go to Title to sign the documents from the bank.

The bank usually takes anywhere from 24–48 hours before approving all the documents. Then, I get a call from the Title company who says, “the loan has been funded.” This means, that the bank has sent the money to the Title company for the house. At that point the long awaited words are anticipated…the phone rings and voila, “we are on record!” Those are glorious words to a Realtor. Now, the house has recorded and I can gather my gifts, go to the house and prepare to await the arrival of the new homeowners.

There is nothing like being able to say, “welcome home.” This is the very best part of real estate and why I love what I do…helping home buyers find their new home. This week I got to do that twice so it was double delight.

Now, on to helping the next group of home buyers, finding just the right house for sale, getting accepted, awaiting the close of escrow and longing to give them the home buyer’s their new home.

If you would like to know more about my character and experience be sure to read my mission statement, goals and what Sacramento Real Estate Voice is all about.

If you would like to view all the homes for sale in Sacramento county, Placer county, El Dorado county and Yolo county feel free to examine my free MLS of homes for sale and condos for sale.

If you are thinking of relocating as a home buyer or simply considering selling your house, be sure to check a FREE Sacramento MLS of homes for sale.

Other Articles:

When Should a First Time Home Buyer Buy a House?

First Time Home Buyers in Sacramento-Congratulations!

Home Buyer in Sacramento Buying in Granite Bay Speaks Up

What Does a Realtor Do When I Want to See A House or Condo?

First Time Homebuyers Check-Off List – Part II – Write An Offer

First Time Homebuyer’s Check-Off List – Part I

Shall I Buy A House or Rent?

Why is Buying a House Stressful?

What EVERY Buyer Should Know

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Rent is Going Up and Interest Rate is Rising

June 11th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Real Estate

Sacramento Home Sales Up As home buyers put off buying a house because they think prices will continue to go down…let me just bring some perspective to this issue.

As a home buyer waits for the wonderful moment when the greatest prices in the world hit rock bottom, they are…

paying higher rent to the landlord where there is no tax deduction and when that house finally hits rock bottom, believe me you won’t be the only one making an offer. That is IF you still qualify for a loan at that point.

With interest rates on the rise, that home you have been waiting for even though the price went down, may end up costing you more each month in payments, that is if you can still afford the house.

I am always amazed when I hear a home buyer say that they are waiting for the prices to plummet more. What are you thinking? If you are so sure that the prices will go down by a certain percentage, then why don’t you simply offer less for the house while you still can. I’ve been doing that with all my home buyers. My home buyers are enjoying their new homes while those that are waiting for the sky to fall might just be too late to jump on the boat.

Hope I’ve given a few smart home buyers something to think about. It makes sense.

Lastly, I know I sound like a broken record but please remember that the first step in home or condo buying is to get pre-approved by a reputable Lender. Can’t tell you the number of phone calls I receive where the home buyer has not yet spoken with a Lender. To me, that’s like buying something at the store, writing a check and not knowing if you have the money in your account. Makes just as much sense.

If you like what you read here on If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

If you are thinking of relocating as a home buyer or simply considering selling your house, be sure to check a FREE Sacramento MLS of homes for sale.

Other Good Articles to Read for HomeBuyers:

Home Buyers, Do You Remember Being in School?

When Should a First Time Home Buyer Buy a House?

New Home Buyer Information You Need to Read

First Time Home Buyers in Sacramento-Congratulations

Important Buyer Information

Housing Bubble

Baby Steps When Buying A House

Shall I Buy or Rent?

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Sacramento Veterans Buying Home

June 9th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Mortgage, Sacramento

Vetran Buying Trhough Remax Won’t be long before my Sacramento home buyers close on the house they are buying in Sacramento.

Both buyers are Veterans and getting a VA loan. We have anxiously been awaiting the VA appraisal which is tougher than an FHA loan when it comes to the condition of the house.

Many of the bank owned properties we looked at for sale just wouldn’t cut the mustard for a VA loan. They had too many repairs and the bank was selling the properties “as is.”

Luckily, we found a house being sold by home sellers in Sacramento instead of bank owned or short sale homes for sale. After having a home inspection, where several items were found needing to be replaced and or repaired, the sellers agreed to fix most of items.

Now, the wait to see what if anything the VA appraiser finds fault with that needs to be fixed or replaced. VA appraisers look for items that fall within the health and safety concern. If the appraiser finds such items, the Seller is requested to fix or repair and if the Seller does not, then the contract is null and void. Without those items fixed, there can be no loan.

Although I feel confident that there will be no health and safety items found, the home buyers and I along with the Sellers are anxiously awaiting the VA appraisers results.

If all goes well, it will be just a couple of weeks and these lucky new Sacramento home buyers who relocated from Colorado will be swimming in their own backyard pool. I see lots of good memories to be had.

Since beginning this article, the VA appraiser has completed the appraisal and found no items meeting health and safety concerns so it’s now time for underwriting to get the loan documents prepared so that my VA home buyers can move-in to their new house.

With all the men and women returning from active duty, Sacramento will be seeing more and more VA mortgage loans to in the future. It is a pleasure to help those you have helped to make us all a little bit safer in this world.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

If you are thinking of relocating as a home buyer or simply considering selling your house, be sure to check a FREE Sacramento MLS of homes for sale.

Good Articles for Home Buyers:

When Should a First Time Home Buyer Buy a House?

First Time Homebuyers Should Take Advantage of the Buyers Market

New Home Buyer Information You Need to Read

Important Buyer Information

What Does A Realtor Do When I Want to See A House or Condo?

First Time Homebuyers Check-Off List– Part II Write an Offer

Fist Time Homebuyer’s Check-off List-Part I

Why is Buying A House Stressful?

Sellers Make Concessions

Shall I Buy A House or Rent?

What EVERY Buyer Should Know

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Granite Bay Home Buyer Looking for Mansion

May 26th, 2008 categories: Granite Bay, Home Buyer, Real Estate

Blue question mark Today, a home buyer called about a house for sale that he saw on Sacramento Real Estate Voice and wanted to know more about it.

The house is for sale in Granite Bay, a community of upscale homes where there are friendly gated, guarded gated and non-gated neighborhoods.

If you would like to take a tour of some of the Granite Bay neighborhoods, just click on the link.

While speaking to the Granite home buyer, he asked an interesting question…What makes a mansion a mansion? I thought it was a good question that many other home buyers might wonder about.

Usually, a 6,000 square foot home is considered to be a mansion but not always. A mansion can be much smaller. The key that makes a mansion a mansion is the design which is tailored to fit particular buyers needs. It’s a bit above and beyond.

The Granite Bay house, (I should say mansion) that the home buyer called about has 6,700 square feet on almost 2 acres with amenities galore. One of the convenient features of the mansion is the pre-programmed, wireless, radio frequency lighting system called Lutron Lighting. While driving up to the house, from a car or by a central system, one can turn on the inside and outside lights of the house or simply dim the lights all in the flip of a finger.

A curved staircase one with glass sides overlooking all glass windows floor to ceiling reaching 30 ft with a 180 degree view is just another plus for this home. Little things like home theater, multi zone units for heat and air, multiple shower heads, sub zero refrigerator and freezer, Neff cabinetry, Bloomberg windows, guest quarters, pool, pool house, wine cellars, media/sports rooms, fantastic views plus ever so much more. Some mansions have their own helipad, vineyard, multiple garages…all for the toys or future toys that the new home buyer may purchase. These all help to make a house a mansion along with state of the art fixtures and materials used for building and installing appliances.

Click on the links below if you would like to see:

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email. If you have a Real Estate question, check out and read what other home buyers and home sellers have asked.

Other Granite Bay Articles:

Tour Granite Bay California

Granite Bay California an Upscale Community

Granite Bay California Overview

Home Buyer in Sacramento Buying in Granite Bay Speaks Up

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Home Buyer for Woodland California

May 25th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Real Estate, Woodland

Have you ever wondered about Woodland, CA? Are you a home buyer thinking about buying a home in Woodland? Perhaps, you rent or have a smaller home in Woodland and would like to move up. Now is a perfect time to buy a house. It is a home buyers market in Real Estate.

It is a bedroom community just 15–20 minutes away from Downtown Sacramento. Once a farm town it now has Victorian homes and Queen Ann homes along with bungalows and small cottages. Woodland, California is very much like the Midwest or New England with the colorful foliage and homes.

With 100 years under their belt, Woodland exhibits wide streets with stately trees and a variety of homes with lawns maintained and homes painted and kept up. Crime is virtually unheard of in the neighborhoods.

Take a tour of a home for sale in Woodland, CA and give me a call if you would like to call Woodland, CA…home.

With over 18 parks covering 160 acres, Woodland, CA is proud of its Downtown, Spanish style Library, Woodland Opera house, restaurants and much more.

Children attend Woodland Unified School District which has 12 Elementary Schools 2 Middle School and 3 High Schools.

Tradition is prevalent in Woodland, CA with Oktoberfest, Sacramento River Train running fun trips between Woodland and West Sacramento, not to mention the fun of cruise night. Woodland, CA is preserving their open space and keeping land for farming.

This is a great place to live and enjoy.

To see more homes for sale in Woodland, CA be sure to click on the link.

Give me a call when you are ready and let’s get you qualified by a Lender.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Sacramento Home Buyers Are Smiling

May 7th, 2008 categories: Home Buyer, Sacramento

Happy Home Buyers Happy Sacramento Home Buyers are buying homes and condos.

How can anyone not smile when seeing such happy home buyer smiles?

The home buyers I am working with right now are looking for homes in Elk Grove, CA. Both couples are looking for completely different homes and very anxious to find just the right house.

We are in the real estate process of finding just the right home that meets their mortgage loan qualifications.

Of course, if you are interested in knowing what Elk Grove Ca homes are for sale be sure to check out each of the zip codes, 95624, 95758 and 95757. There is a lot of real estate in Elk Grove to chose from. Click on Elk Groves MLS to view homes for sale in Elk Grove, CA.

This weekend my Sacramento home buyers found a house, wrote an offer and was accepted in Cameron Park, CA. The home buyers are beginning the process of the disclosure period.

Disclosure period is a time when home sellers send information to the home buyer about their house. It is also a time when the home buyer will have the house inspected by a home inspector and the termite and pest inspection of the house will be completed and a report shared with the home buyer. So, for the next 17 days we will be very busy reading and having all of the inspections.

Then, the home buyers will decide whether or not they will continue in the purchase of this lovely house. If they agree with all the reports and what the home seller is willing to fix and repair,then the house will be theirs in June to call home.

If you would like to see what homes are for sale in Cameron Park, just click.

Another home buyer is anxious to get qualified with the Lender so that he can write an offer on a Carmichael house that is currently an REO which is bank owned. It doesn’t take that long to get loan approval from a reputable Lender. With Bank owned homes and condos, the home buyers Lender needs to contact the bank who now owns the house in order to share the home buyers loan approval. The home buyer is so excited to get started fixing up his new home…but wait we need to make an offer and have the bank accept your offer. He is sooo excited.

If you would like to see what bank owned homes are for sale, just click on the link.

There have been lots of home buyers smiles this week and many more to come. I can’t think of anything that makes me smile more than when a home buyer smiles back at me as I tell them, your offer has been accepted.

It’s been a good week for my home buyers, hope the same is true for you.

If you like what you read here on If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Home Buyer Articles Not to Miss:

How Much Money Do I Need to Buy a House?

Sacramento Realtor Talks to Home Buyers

Baby Steps When Buying A House

When Should a First Time Home Buyer Buy A House?

First-Time Home Buyers Should Take Advantage of the Buyers Market

New Home Buyer Information You Need to Know

Homeowner Tips and Home Buyer Tips

Important Buyer Information

First Time Home Buyers in Sacramento-Congratulations!Affordable Neighborhood in SacramentoHome Buyers, Do You Remember Being in School?

First Time Homebuyers Check-off List Part I

First Time Homebuyers Check-Off List Part II-Write An Offer

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Search Foreclosure Homes For Sale For Free

May 5th, 2008 categories: Foreclosure, Home Buyer

Foreclosure Homes For Sale Are you trying to find Bank Owned Homes for sale? In Real Estate we refer to these as REO homes? And many of you call them Foreclosure Homes?

The free search for homes on the right hand side of Sacramento Real Estate Voice now includes for your convenience listings of Bank Owned homes for sale.

In other words you can find homes that are in Foreclosure which is Bank Owned and we call them REO homes for sale.

You can also select Short Sale homes. Be sure to read the difference between a Short Sale and a Foreclosure home. I have provided a picture of what the screen will look like after you select the county that you want to view homes for sale in. Here are the steps involved in your FREE Foreclosure Home Search.

Click on Search for Homes
Select the County that you want to Search for a Home, Condo, Land etc.
Select the minimum and maximum amount you wish to spend and any other specifications.
Select REO/Bank Owned or Short Sales if you are want to see Foreclosed homes for sale.
Then select the Cities/Communities that you are interested in specifically
You may view the homes for sale within a map or by a list, your choice

There are a slew of REO homes for sale in the Sacramento area and surrounding areas. Lately, I’ve been seeing multiple offers on this home for sale. Many going for much more than what the current asking price is. I have to wonder why. There are so many, I wouldn’t think it necessary to pay more than required to get a good house at a great deal.

Yesterday, while previewing a bank owned home for sale in Carmichael, CA for a home buyer, I received a phone call from another home buyer asking about a bank owned home for sale in Citrus Heights, CA. To my surprise, both homes are in pending sale as of last night with multiple offers.

Interest rates are thought to go down one more time if the powers that be think it won’t hurt the economy. What I understand is that rates will be going back up during the year. Getting qualified for a mortgage loan is getting harder for most people so if you want to get in on these good home prices, I have a couple of suggestions.

Get Pre Approved for a home Loan with a Reputable Lender
Hook-up with a Full-time, experienced Realtor
Have a back-up house that you can write an offer on should the 1st one be in multiple offers
Don’t waste any time. You may just be one of the many who find themselves unable to qualify by the time you get around to getting really serious. Many already are.

Home buyers are afraid and I can’t blame you with all the negative talk on TV and with people who think they know all about Real Estate and financing. Everyone and their brother is an authority. Also, many new home buyers think that prices will continue to go down. I have a very good answer to that.

If you working with a knowledgeable Realtor, they will make sure that you get an excellent price. They take into account prices going down. Now, let’s say you wait until prices go down a little more and interest rates go up a little more…what have you accomplished? Not much except that your payment will probably be more. That is if you qualify by that time. I hope I made sense to you. If you think prices will go down say 1% or 3% even 5% more, than offer that now while interest rates are still down. Makes good sense to me. If you like what you read here on If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Below are articles to read about Bank Owned and Short Sale:

Move Out of the Way, Bankers

Sacramento Short Sales and Foreclosures

Do You Understand Foreclosure?

What Does Short Sale Mean?

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

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