SELLER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND FLAT FEE, DISCOUNT BROKERAGE PROGRAMS

There are a myriad of service levels a seller can opt into when selling their home, with a payment system to match. There are flat fee commission based services, percentage based commissions, discount/limited service commissions and full service commissions that can vary in percentages, depending on the negotiations that take place between a seller and agent.


Realtors must be very careful in their role in the process, being sure that they perform their fiduciary responsibilities as promised in the Agency Disclosure. Sometimes the line between representing their buyer and a seller who chooses a limited service brokerage can get very blurry.


As an example, we have a buyer who chose to purchase a home which was listed by a limited service, discount brokerage. Our agent brought the sellers their offer (as instructed in the MLS). The sellers didn't know what they were suppose to do if they wanted to counter and were very open about their confusion. Our agents gave them a counter offer form, explaining that she could not advise them on how to complete it without violating agency. They got through that hurdle and the offer and counter were accepted. Required disclosures were another huge hurdle....the sellers didn't have any. Reluctantly, our agent provided the sellers with blank disclosures to complete.


Sellers who do not understand what is required of them present buyers agency with a dilemma. While the agent wants their buyer to get the house, they do not want nor should they do the work of a listing agent or seller. It presents huge liability issues since the agency representation becomes very gray.


Sellers who choose a discount and limited service brokerage need to have an understanding of the responsibilities they take on when doing so. They should not rely on a buyers agent to walk them through the process by default.

A MUDDY MESS...IN LAND PARK!

Yup...that's what I was...a muddy mess! However, I sure had fun gettin there!

Yesterday was the annual Doggy Dash - a fundraiser for the local SPCA. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a sunny, beautiful June day. Unfortunately, our weather has been anything but normal, so despite the prayers of everyone involved, it rained...just as it has been doing all spring.

Just as evidence of Sacramento's dedication to it's pets, the turnout was still impressive! Thousands of people and dogs sloshed through William Land Park's normally hardy grass, now a mushy, muddy quagmire. Vendors pressed themselves to the middle of their canopies, hoping to keep their wares just a little dry.

The dogs? Well the water-loving dogs not only enjoyed the rain, but relished in traipsing through the water filled gutters. The less enthusiastic dogs had owners who knew them well and covered them with rain coats or warm vests. The older ones were toted in flower-decorated wagons towed by loving owners. They all barked a little, whined a little, sniffed a lot and wagged tails.

Me? Well, my dog has a tendency to pounce on me with her two front paws...a lot. She particularly enjoyed the water and the mud. So, as high as she could reach, I was muddy....and wet. Can you think of a better way of getting there? (oh...there will be a real photo as soon as my daughter can send it to me!)

All in all, a great morning!

LAND PARK OPPORTUNITY!

You know that it is a unique property when the first thing that people incredulously say when they come in the door is "Is this a duplex? I couldn't tell!"

This home is in College Tract...one of the most desirable areas within Land Park. It offers options galore for the buyer. It is an ideal set up for a family that needs that extra space for in-laws, but still want privacy. The larger side is almost 2400 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. The smaller side is 1297 square feet and is a 2 bedroom one bath.

However, if a family is looking for a single family home with lots of space, this home can easily be converted to a 6 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home with over 3600 square feet!

The larger size features a spacious kitchen with new granite countertops and Jenn Aire gas range, all fresh interior paint and light fixtures. Hardwood floors shine throughout both sides. It also boasts a 2 car garage, some dual pane windows, and a basement that would make a great wine cellar!

Don't miss this great opportunity to purchase a prime Land Park home for $669,000!

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION...GREAT MEETING COMING UP!

For those of you who are following the big controversy about the "River Crossing", this Wednesday would be a great day to attend the monthly meeting of the Land Park Community Association. You will have the opportunity to listen to some of the proposed solutions to the need of West Sacramento to have better access to Sacramento as well as to ask questions.

Also, we will have the opportunity to learn more about theSetzer property and its proposed development. This should be of particular interest to residents west of Riverside Blvd as well as Realtors specializing in the area.

Also, we will be voting in 3 new board members to fill in vacated positions...so if you are a member, this is your chance to have a representative that reflects your viewpoint.

If you would like to attend, the meeting will be at Eskaton on Freeport Blvd at 6:30PM this Wednesday, August 18th. We would love to see you there!

WILLIAM LAND PARK, THEN AND NOW

Camp Union soldiers marched where the Sacramento Zoo now sits and their parading grounds now enjoy 4 of the 5 baseball diamonds. A restroom was transformed into the present day Tiny Tots Preschool. Horses were rented from College Stables at the corner of Sutterville Road and Freeport Boulevard for Sacramentans to enjoy a day of riding. In 1953, the first Police Academy held its classes at William Land Park. Bartley Cavanaugh owned a ranch that featured his interests of race horses, hops kilns and barns that was situated near where the Sacramento Zoo now sits. Andrew Caruthers from Pennsylvania bought a 160 acre ranch in 1849 in the southeast corner of William Land Park.

To say that William Land Parks 160 acres enjoys a rich history is an understatement. John Sutter wanted to ensure a city that would be above a consistently challenging flood plain. He located Sutterville at the southwest corner of what is now known as William Land Park. Spreading out from this establishment of a ships carpenter, doctor, brewery owner and brick layer the citizens made their homes. Due to poorly managed finances, Sutterville gave way to nearby Sacramento in 1852, when the brewery was torn down.

William Land made his fortune primarily as a hotelier, establishing the Western Hotel on 2nd and K and then erecting the Land Hotel in downtown Sacramento. He died in 1911, leaving a legacy of $250,000 to "to purchase a public park within a suitable distance" of Sacramento to be used as a recreation spot for the children and a pleasure ground for the poor." William Land Park was established on its present site in the 1920's.

William Land was a gentleman ahead of his time and his legacy has become a rich environment for all to enjoy. The Land Park Golf Course, opening in 1924, was the first golf course in Sacramento. Pony rides have been enjoyed in William Land Park since the late 1930's or early 1940's. Funderland, a concession for children ages 2-12, was established in 1941. Fairytale Town has been entertaining toddlers and preschoolers since 1959. The William Land Park Amphitheatre has hosted concerts, plays and other productions since as early as 1963. The Village Green (appearing to most as a simple square slab of cement) has been a popular place for concerts in the 1970's and has been used more recently for practicing skating, playing bagpipes and the staging area for hundreds of charity events.

William Land Park celebrates its history with many memorials. William Land's own memorial sits in the park across from Sacramento City Junior College. It was designed by noted architect Leonard F. Starks in honor of William Land (1837-1911). The plaque contains a quote by Virgil: "The noblest motive is the public good." The World War 1 Memorial was erected in 1973 and honors the Sacramentans who gave their lives in the war. The statue of Charles Swanston was erected by his son George and included a dance pavilion (now a part of the Sacramento Zoo). There are many groves and gardens celebrating influential groups who helped make Sacramento what it is today. Currently William Land Park features multitudes of entertainment possibilities. It has 1 class 1 and 22 class 2 updated picnic areas with tables and barbecues for which some can be reserved for that family reunion or birthday party. The park has 3 ponds stocked with fish for those who enjoy the rod and reel...just be sure the geese and ducks don't beat you to it! For baseball lovers, it has 2 softball fields and 3 baseball fields, one of which is lit. Soccer lovers enjoy its 2 bantam and 1 full size soccer fields. Very close to Tiny Tots Preschool you can find basketball players challenging each other on the basketball court. . Joggers can get in their daily run on the 3.4 mile jogging course. To this day, the 9-hole Land Park Golf Course is constantly being enjoyed by local golfers. The accredited Sacramento Zoo was established in 1927 and features over 140 native, exotic and endangered species.

As you can see, William Land Park is a Sacramento treasure with a rich history. Come enjoy a summer day at this family oriented oasis full of wonderful experiences and potential memories!

THE END OF THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD...

Last year I wrote a post about theYellow Brick Road at Fairytale Town in Land Park. The road greeted visitors in a joyful celebration of the community.
It is being "paved" in 3 stages, the final deadline for participants approaching. I was fortunate to be a part of the second phase. I chose to let the world know how much my granddaughters, Cailyn and Bailey mean to me!
The number of names I recognize on other bricks is remarkable - truly a neighborhood project!
So, if you have someone you would like to celebrate, it isn't too late...act quickly! Here is the link to Fairytale Town's Yellow Brick Road.