HMPRESENTLY: Snapped Up

It sold in a weekend, a house close by.

In only a weekend!

A house the owner had lived in for decades. That’s been the way of things, lately, with homes selling in an instant. With people shopping for homes, racing to outbid others. With homes selling for thousands of dollars — even hundreds of thousands — more than the asking price.

And the advertising…

There are business people, here in California, advertising they will pay cash for homes, no matter what condition they’re in. Even if they’re old, dilapidated, falling apart… such homes, apparently, may qualify to be snapped up, for cash… quickly!

No muss, no fuss?

What’s it called, ‘turnover’… the number of times various goods are sold? It used to be shirts, shoes, underwear, grocery items, and such, being turned over.

Now, it’s homes. Even dilapidated homes.

Without knowing for sure, you’ve got to wonder who winds up snapping up even rundown places. Are they folks seeking a place to live, a roof over their head?

Or others? Maybe investors, seeing homes differently? Seeing them as properties that can be turned over — and turned into, who knows what? — short-term rentals?

It’s hard to know, for sure.

But this whole thing, with homes getting turned over… almost like shoes and underwear…?

Harvey Radin

Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.