| George and I have been buying and selling houses | | | | to buy my house." Again, just listen. If you fluster |
| for over twenty years and we have gotten a ton | | | | someone you have a good clue that he is new. |
| of questions in that time. One of the recurring | | | | Many times New want-to-be real estate investors |
| ones is "how can I be sure about the person(s) | | | | partner with a seminar leader and are following a |
| offering to buy my house?" | | | | script. The more you know about this process, |
| The best answer I have for you is to ask your | | | | the more it can help you pick the best fit for |
| own questions. Very often when dealing with | | | | your house sale. |
| someone, we want to talk a lot, in this case I | | | | Ask what he is willing to pay for your house and |
| would say to follow the example of a couple of | | | | how long it will take to close. If he gives you what |
| my favorite "questioners".....Patrick Jane on the | | | | you consider a fair offer ask to see the contract |
| Mentalist and Jethro Gibbs on NCIS. They ask | | | | and suggest having your attorney look it over. |
| their question and then LISTEN...sometimes that is | | | | Sometimes you will not get an immediate offer, |
| tough because no one likes silence. | | | | he might have to discuss it with his partner and |
| For example....How long have you been doing this? | | | | possibly come back to you with "I'm sorry, we |
| If your prospective buyer is a "newbie" he might | | | | can't pay that much, but can pay X amount. |
| tell you that he and his partner have been in the | | | | Depending on how much you want to sell, or how |
| business for a gazillion years. Let him continue to | | | | long the house has been on the market you may |
| talk, if he seems to finish, just be quiet for a | | | | decide to go forward. My upcoming blog will give |
| moment to see if he offers any more | | | | you more tips if you have a contract. Until then, |
| information. Your follow up question might be | | | | Keep listening. |
| along the lines of "partner? I thought you wanted | | | | |