<p>I’m actually a fan of the realtor representing both sides, in certain situations. As a buyer, if you really want the house, that realtor is highly motivated to make it happen. For example, we kept getting beat out or turned down, giving full price, cash offers on short sales. I just got sick of it. So I started checking the MLS website every couple of hours and a perfect one came up, close by, low price, earlier offer had just fallen through. I called the listing agent, and he met us at the property 45 minutes later. He wrote up the offer for us, the seller accepted immediately, and he took it off the MLS the next morning. It still hasn’t closed yet, but he is really motivated to get it done, and I’m sure he encouraged the seller to take our offer.</p>
<p>Though in most situations, this might not be the best idea.</p>
<p>Three weeks till settlement. All inspections completed & satisfied-check, appraisal done and good-check, all on track… been packing boxes every night, new location confirmed, movers scheduled- check. I am so nervous…</p>
<p>We live in the South and, while our area didn’t seem to be as hard hit as much of Florida, it appears that so-called “upper bracket” houses took a real beating. Friends just signed a purchase contract on a house in the best school district in our state. It was on the market for several months with no offers, and the sellers just reduced their listing price $100K. Our friends’ RE agent was a good negotiator, and got the price down to 85% of the reduced LP. Our friends were prepared to walk if their agent was not able to make the deal. They will take a small loss on the house they’re selling, but it’s priced much lower and is in a price range that’s seeing far more activity.</p>
<p>Two more days until closing! SOLD!! By now shouldn’t jinx things with posting- their offer contingent on closing the same day. I posted months ago. We put our house on the market almost 2 1/2 years ago. Bad local market- in a good one houses sell in around 6 months. No offers, no second showings… Market has picked up- neighbors finally sold, we changed realtors, had 3 couples see it twice. Spent a year finding our retirement home in Florida amd moved last month. </p>
<p>Lowered selling price (again and substantially), had an open house after we left. People don’t hurry where we lived- wait until an offer on current house instead of contingency for selling happened. One couple chose a different house. The fussy buyers from h— (although they will be good for the house and neighborhood- we had designed and built) made a low offer with a noon timeline- second buyer was informed but came in with a much higher offer hours after we accepted (bird in hand…). The second offer became a secondary buyer then chose another house. The first buyers were ultra concerned about the roof- long story there. We decided to not offer any concessions for condition since they had such a low offer when we could have had one close to lowered asking price… Time went by without any concerns except incessant ones about the roof (they had replaced theirs prior to selling, no one in our neighborhood has etc) so “as is” it is. That’s why they were the buyers from h—. Found out they requested electric service (and had a nice chat with someone at the water dept- her D went to same HS/college as S, I was little kid soccer coach eons ago- small world phenomenon) so deal should go through. No storms predicted to damage the roof- and provide real hail damage (I said it was a long story). They get to replace the nearly 20 year old carpet and paint.</p>
<p>We could afford to take a hit on our higher end for the area house- like so many others there. At least we won’t have to manage 2 houses and got our nice house here- which has a good roof but needs 25 year old fixing of so many other things (we were kind to the elderly lady financially- can’t get the layout, lot size, pond view et al in newer houses in this part of our chosen city).</p>
<p>Finally get to move on. And will have the cash to update. Blush pink counters, cabinets, carpet, etc anyone? … not for long.</p>
<p>Update- finally read some older posts (was too disheartened earlier on) and discovered I did post last month- thought I never pushed the post reply space then. Was feeling too bad about our house on the market for so long I quit reading about everyone else’s tales. Now I can do so. No plans to sell again for another 20 years- at which point this house will be under water, we will both be dead or need the assisted living/condo/nursing home…</p>
<p>What is COE? True the color scheme could be a lot worse- liveable for now, but doesn’t do our honey oak furniture or blue leather sofa justice. Beiges and creams will be cheerier.</p>
<p>wis75, I understand completely how disheartening it can be to hear everyone’s story of selling, while your house sits. I’m so glad you’ve moved on, and will have money in the bank. Great feeling, isn’t it? Congratulations!</p>
<p>Yes. SOLD! CLOSED! Stopped insurance. Threw out keys we’d kept in case the deal didn’t go through and we went back for a visit (although this summer the weather has actually been sometimes cooler here). Thanks for “listening”. I have wanted sympathy during the process but was afraid to jinx it- irrational, but when you finally get any offer… Discouraging to hear the tales of fast moving markets. I know of others who were just relieved to unload the big (by local standards) house and move on- the trouble is that once people you know, or you, retire or move they no longer are available to commiserate. Can’t believe it’s been a month here already. Time flies when you are cleaning the forgotten corners of a new to you house, unpacking, moving in…</p>
<p>Just got the very nice news that a house down the block from MIL’s just listed for more than $120K than MIL’s is scheduled to be listed at, and it doesn’t have a pool. (Neither does ours.) And, the one next door that sold low in March in part because they had it crammed full of 50 years of belongings and terrible decorating has now fallen off the appraisal timeframe. Moving right along…</p>
<p>My accomplishment today. Finally evicted the tenants. Now the house is in a mess, clearing and cleaning started. I will never buy a property that is 40 miles away, pain in the A** to do any work in the house.</p>