Infotube.net: Homes for Sale - For Sale By Owner (FSBO) - Real Estate Listings

Dear InfoTube:

We are selling our home by owner and just received an offer.  We think it is a good offer, but my husband and I are afraid to respond, without having our attorney read it first.  We don’t want to stall and risk losing the buyer.  What should we do?   Thank you for your help and your great website!

Dear InfoTube Customer:

First, congratulations on your offer.   It sounds as if you have done everything right, including your hesitation to rush a response.  While the offer may be perfect for you, it is always wise to consult a lawyer, if you feel the least bit unsure about the terms.  Fortunately, there is an easy solution to help you respond, without legally binding yourself.   This contingency works when buying or selling a home.

This contract is contingent upon the approval of the seller’s/buyer’s attorney.

Write or type this statement in the “special provisions” section of the contract, then have all parties initial the change.  By doing so, you have acknowledged the offer in a serious and timely manner, while reserving your legal rights.

Thank you for your business and kind words.  I hope we were of help to you, and please let us know how your sale progresses. 

Disclaimer:  The author is a licensed real estate broker, not an attorney.  The author is not offering legal advise.

Although the logic escapes me, many Realtors do not provide sales prices, when advertising homes for sale.    They operate on the old, tired business practice of printing teaser ad’s or brochures, that force customers to call or email a sales person.  This annoying ”game” is a disservice to buyer and seller, alike.  But, many agent’s still hide basic property information, attempting to latch onto an unwitting customer they can flip into some type of sale.

The new Google Base website for home listings circumvents this questionable and irritating practice, by revealing the hidden sales prices for listed homes. 

Tip for Buyers:  If you are house hunting and resent the phone tag game, go to Google Base to find the hidden asking prices.  Refuse to track down any sales agent to get basic information.  Unfortunately, for the innocent home seller, I always eliminate properties from my candidate list, when I discover the listing agent is a game player.  I simply move on to the next listing that is represented by someone who values my time and intellegence.  Life is too short to put up with a listing agent who plays hide and seek with the home seller’s information.

Tip for Sellers:  If your home is listed with an agent, have them acknowlege in writing, that they will provide easy access to all information about your home, including the price.  Make sure they use an InfoTube or InfoBox to ensure that home information is readily available to drive by traffic.  Seller’s, you don’t profit from missed buyer inquiries, nor do you benefit from an agent flipping potential buyers to other listings. A good agent will give your home as much exposure, to as many people as possible. And, they will utilize all means, low and high tech, to provide instant information when the customer wants it…even while they are sitting in front of your home.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  Please let us know if we can assist you in the sale of your home or help you with an MLS listing.