Whether you're buying or selling a home in Placer County, one of the biggest misconceptions is that success begins and ends with the MLS.
For buyers, many people assume every available home can be found online.
For sellers, many people assume that once their home is listed on the MLS, the marketing is done.
In reality, that's often just the beginning.
Recently, I mailed the letters pictured below to homeowners in a neighborhood where one of my buyers would love to live.
Why?
Because the home they wanted had already gone under contract.
Rather than simply waiting and hoping another similar home would hit the market, I decided to see if there were homeowners who had already been thinking about selling but just hadn't taken the next step.
Most of the time those efforts don't lead anywhere.
But every once in a while, they create an opportunity that never would have existed otherwise.
That's how I approach real estate.
Great Real Estate Service Is Proactive, Not Reactive
Whether I'm representing a buyer or a seller, I don't believe my job is simply to enter information into the MLS and wait for something to happen.
Instead, I believe my responsibility is to create as many opportunities as possible for my clients.
Sometimes that means thinking outside the box.
Helping Buyers Find Homes Beyond the MLS
Inventory across Placer County has improved compared to the past few years, but many of the best homes in communities like Rocklin, Loomis, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Auburn, Newcastle, Penryn, Meadow Vista, Roseville, and Folsom still sell quickly.
It's not uncommon for buyers to find the perfect home only to discover it already has multiple offers or is already under contract.
When that happens, my search doesn't necessarily stop.
Depending on the situation, I may:
- Reach out directly to homeowners in targeted neighborhoods.
- Send personalized letters.
- Leverage my network of local agents and past clients.
- Contact homeowners who may have considered selling but haven't listed their property.
- Search for potential off-market opportunities.
Sometimes these efforts don't produce a result.
Sometimes they produce the perfect home.
Helping Sellers Reach More Qualified Buyers
I approach selling a home the same way.
Uploading a listing to the MLS is important—but it's only one piece of a comprehensive marketing strategy.
My goal is to maximize exposure through multiple channels, including:
- Professional photography and video.
- Social media marketing.
- Exposure on OwnPlacer.com.
- My buyer database.
- Networking with other local agents.
- Targeted digital marketing.
- Direct outreach when appropriate.
The goal isn't simply to list your home.
It's to create demand.
The more qualified buyers who see your home, the greater the likelihood of generating stronger offers and better negotiating leverage.
Every Client Deserves More Than the Basics
Setting up an MLS search takes only a few minutes.
Entering a listing into the MLS doesn't take much longer.
The value of working with an experienced real estate professional comes from everything that happens before and after those steps.
That includes:
- Understanding your goals.
- Developing a customized strategy.
- Anticipating potential challenges.
- Negotiating effectively.
- Solving problems before they become obstacles.
- Communicating throughout the transaction.
- Working proactively instead of reactively.
That's where experience makes a difference.
My Goal
Whether you're buying your first home, searching for your forever home, investing in real estate, or preparing to sell a property you've owned for years, my goal remains the same:
To help you achieve the best possible result while making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you're considering buying or selling a home in Placer County, I'd love the opportunity to help.
Let's create a strategy that's designed specifically around your goals—not simply wait for opportunities to appear.
Patrick Hake
Broker Associate
eXp Realty of California
License #01349088
Call or text: (916) 316-5626
www.OwnPlacer.com/patrick-hake.php
More Placer County Real Estate Resources
You may also find these articles helpful:
- The Two Traits I See in Almost Every Successful Buyer and Seller
- June 2026 Placer County Housing Market Update
- Congress Passed a Major Housing Bill—What It Could Mean for Placer County Buyers and Sellers
- Mid-Summer Home Maintenance Tips Every Placer County Homeowner Should Know
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