JULIE GARDNER
  • HOME
  • COMPASS
    • WHY COMPASS?
    • COMPASS CONCIERGE
    • COMPASS BRIDGE LOANS
  • LISTINGS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT JULIE
    • A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP
    • CONTACT
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PRESS
  • PROJECTS
    • BEFORE & AFTER
    • GARDENS
    • OUR TEAM
    • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • UTILITIES
    • SCHOOLS

Vol. 277 - A Home Run!

5/10/2013

0 Comments

 
My younger son's baseball experience this Spring has been fairly anticlimatic. One of only five sophomores on the high school Varsity team, he's spent more time on the bench this season than I've come to expect, both as his mother and as his biggest fan. (Okay, his father might fight me for this honorary title.)

Not that I haven't been here before - I have.  My older son LOVED the game of baseball and never missed a practice, but wasn't as naturally predisposed. Which meant that I often watched uncomfortably from the stands, wondering when - or if - his coaches would put him in (if only passion could have made up the difference). Clearly, coaches aren't mothers or all the kids would have equal playing time. (What's with them anyway?  You'd think that "winning" was a priority.)

But for Tristan, it's been an entirely different journey; a gifted athlete from the start, he's always batted at the TOP of the order and has often made magic happen at the plate.  Now, he's been relegated to a few late innings, or worse yet, none at all, as he adjusts to a quicker, more mature game and the reality that as a sophomore, he'll have to earn his stripes all over again.
Wow, it's been a lesson in humility (for us both) and a dramatic learning curve - from star player to designated whatever.  And just between you and me, I have to admit that it's much easier to watch the game as a parent, when your child is actually playing in it.  
 Last week; in a show of great power, Tristan CRUSHED the ball at Witter Field sending the pitch sailing over the left field fence and beyond, into the Wildwood playground for a rare home run that ignited the Piedmont crowd. Unfortunately - or fortunately - I arrived just in time to hear their cheers and see my son cross home plate with a grin on his face that ran from ear-to-ear.  At long last, vindication. (Put that in your pipe and smoke it.) By Saturday, Tristan was back on the bench, again. Sigh . . . (Sometimes life just ain't fair.)

Buyers know the feeling all to well.  They come up to bat, swing their hardest, and often fail to get on base.  With multiple bids on nearly every home, the odds are suddenly stacked heavily against them as they face curve balls, sliders, and sinkers at every turn.  A few short years ago, they could have casually walked up to the plate, put in a bunt, and likely make it safely to base.  Not so this Spring, where even the offers that should be clear winners, are coming up just short of the fence. "You're out!"

So in the game of Real Estate, what exactly constitutes a "home run?"   

Obviously, a "home run" begins with a compelling offer price (I'm talking 25-40% over asking in many cases!) and then heavily relies on aggressive terms. "Terms" are items like inspections, financial contingencies, close of escrow, and rent-backs.  The easier you make it on the Sellers to go - or stay a little longer if they so desire - the more attractive your offer becomes. 

It's actually not uncommon for higher priced offers to get passed over in favor of more secure ones - such as the "ALL CASH" play, a very short-inspection period (or none at all!), a quick close of escrow, or a generous rent-back, if that's what the Seller really needs.  Note to Buyers: don't assume; however, that the "All Cash" offer automatically translates into a discounted price; it doesn't.  It merely moves your offer to the head-of-the-line. Sellers will happily wait the few extra weeks for significantly more dollars. Put the best price and terms together, and you've just created the "home run." (Congratulations.)

A few disheartened Buyers have gotten so discouraged, that they've actually taken themselves out of the game entirely (player fatigue).  I get it, I do, but I can't in all honesty, predict that next year will be much improved for Buyers who have elected to wait it out. (Last year's savvy Buyers were ALL homerun hitters in hindsight.)  All I can do is tell you that the more pitches you look at, the better you'll become at anticipating the speed and the curve.  You'll also get better at sitting on the bench when circumstances warrant it (some homes may just be too competitive for your financial limitations).  That's okay.  Like my son, I believe that with enough practice, you'll better understand the timing and the nature of the game.  Pick your pitches.

The truth is, in baseball; in life; and in Real Estate, there's always a learning curve and we each, in turn, go through it. (Is there another way?)  As a result of this year's tough lessons, Tristan is going to be better prepared for his Junior and Senior years, and hopefully, for any challenges down the road as well (as will I).  That's growth.

"Batter, batter,  swing!"
Let's get you a house.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe

    Author

    Julie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 18 years and has published more than 670 essays on life and real estate. 

    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008

    Categories

    All
    Business
    Design
    Drought
    Holiday
    Home Maintenance
    Homes For Sale
    Life
    Market
    Politics
    Renovation

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Piedmont · Oakland · Berkeley
 510.326.0840
julie@juliegardner.com
DRE# 01431765
​COMPASS

  • HOME
  • COMPASS
    • WHY COMPASS?
    • COMPASS CONCIERGE
    • COMPASS BRIDGE LOANS
  • LISTINGS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT JULIE
    • A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP
    • CONTACT
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PRESS
  • PROJECTS
    • BEFORE & AFTER
    • GARDENS
    • OUR TEAM
    • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • UTILITIES
    • SCHOOLS