As I was driving to Folsom yesterday to meet with yet another charming couple who need to do a short sale, a potential short sale seller from Elk Grove called me. She was interviewing Sacramento short sale agents and had already spoken to an different agent at another company. In her words, this company was "very aggressive." She asked how I separate myself from the competition.
Well, to start with, my clients are not just a number on a file. Some short sale agents put together a huge team and hire a bunch of assistants to negotiate and take listings for them. They want to do volume. The attention paid to these sellers is often minimal.
If a short sale has a problem or challenge, they might not handle it in a timely manner. Some of them toss listings into MLS like worn shoes into the trash. I've dealt with some of these so-called loan modification and short sale companies, a few of which are located in southern California but maintain a northern California presence.
Of course, I manage a big inventory of Sacramento short sales. But my clients are treated as though each is my only client. In many cases, I can accurately predict the red flags that could pop up during a short sale and direct my clients to the appropriate services to mediate those problems.
Here is a Folsom short sale, located in Prairie Oaks. I shot the virtual tour and assembled it myself. This two-story, 1996 Ryland Home, has been recently remodeled. According to the tax assessor, the square footage is 2,434. It features 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a loft, a first-floor den and an open floor plan / great room concept, plus a 3-car garage.
As you walk up the hill toward the home situated at the end of a culdesac, turn around, and you'll capture a fabulous view of the foothills. At the entry, you're greeted by a bubbling water feature. Walk inside, and your jaw will drop open. I could not believe that the wide-planked floors were not wood; it's that beautiful.
The wall separating the living room from the family / kitchen combination has been opened up to allow light to shine through from the multitude of family room windows. Off the hallway is a large den and a recently updated bath. The bath features custom tile work, a tile floor and a vanity with a Decolav vessel sink.
In the kitchen, you'll find a center island with a granite counter, a synthetic granite sink and fairly new stainless appliances. The refrigerator stays, and is the width of the cabinets so it doesn't stick out in the room. Most of this space offers a sweeping view of the fairytale back yard with a spa and a trex deck.
The bedrooms are located upstairs, with 2 bedrooms separated by a loft from the master suite. You could use the loft space as an extra office, playroom or work-out area. The master suite has a ceiling fan and vaults. But the master bath is spectacular. Travertine floor, jetted tub and separate shower, plus dual sinks and custom tile work, including a big walk-in closet.
664 Cole Court, Folsom, CA 95630 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $403,750.
MLS # 10006634
Call listing agent Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759 for more information.
Photos and virtual tour: Elizabeth Weintraub (yard photo courtesy of J. Winnett)
