With Lisa in Spain, I have been busier than usual.  Because of my blog, web sites, and for sale signs, I receive a lot of calls from potential home buyers.  As I have been selling real estate for two decades, I also have past clients who are moving up, downsizing, buying for their children or investment. And then I have clients who are fabulous about referring their friends and family…. Lots of calls…. lots of buyers.



Once Natalie had her baby, she decided that she would continue to sell real estate but only work by referral.  Because her time is at a premium she only works with her past clients and their referrals.  She may work a bit differently next year, but for now, this is what works best for her family.

So Lisa came on board.  Lisa is a business major, graduated from Loyola Marymount and worked as a loan processor while in college.  Lisa works with the bulk of the buyers who call or inquire online. 

I know Realtors who take buyers out three times and if they don’t buy a home within that span, some agents will stop working with them.  We don’t take that approach. I am embarrassed to admit that we have shown some of our buyers for over a year.  Some even turn into friends before they buy. 

When a buyer writes an offer, there is a lot of anticipation, nervousness: Did I do the right thing? Can I afford the house? OMG, am I going to get the house?... I must have that house.

Last week I wrote two offers for clients Lisa has been working with:

Offer #1: There wasn’t a lockbox, showings were by appointment.  The seller’s agent took a minimum of 24 hours to respond to each of my telephone calls.  I spoke to the seller’s agent on a Friday.  On Saturday I showed the La Crescenta home, wrote the offer and forwarded it to the seller’s agent.  While showing, I asked the seller if they had an accepted offer, and I was told no.  On Sunday I received an email from the seller’s agent letting me know that they accepted an offer on Friday.  Who knows… an accepted offer on Friday and on Saturday the seller didn’t know…

Offer #2: There were five offers on this Glendale home and apparently our offered price was not high enough.  My only complaint over this transaction was that the agent pretty much stopped working @ 5 PM and didn’t start before 11 AM.  It’s really hard to conduct real estate business within this tight time frame (especially with Lisa gone). 

Now, if I may: Real Estate Agents, when you receive an offer, acknowledge receipt of the offer in a timely manner (it’s just common courtesy).  The buyer is anxious, and when the communication train is slowed down it creates unnecessary stress.  

I received offers last week on three of my listings and I try to practice what I preach. Buying and selling real estate is stressful, common courtesy is always welcome.

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