Is it smart to ask a homeowner if they want to sell their home?

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October 11 2010 - Durham
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Answers (18)

Profile picture for Sharon Lewis
 James-This is such an old posting. Please for the sake of everyone try to stay current. 

Zestimates and Zestimate Comments

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July 22 2011
Profile picture for jimrolls
It never hurts to ask. If you dont ask you cant recieve.
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April 02 2011
Profile picture for Pasadenan
Yes, so why are you bumping it up on the list again then???

And it is not the only thread on the topic either.

My opinion?  If you want to buy it, just give them a written offer already!  I'm completely mad and upset with all the agents that keep calling in violation of the Federal Do Not Call list, and keep trashing my porch and yard with their useless papers, and keep sending useless letters stating they are desperate for a client, or that they want to buy my house for 1/4 of present market value!

An offer to buy is not a real offer until it is in writing, so, write up the offer, and forget the rest of the harassment.

And yes, I'm to the point that I will probably start filing complaints against those agents to their broker as well as the local board and state licensing department.

You resurrect a thread 5 days ago; two others respond to your comment that day, and then you resurrect it again to complain about those that responded to you?
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April 02 2011
Profile picture for Sharon Lewis
this is an old posting from October, already answered.
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April 02 2011
Profile picture for S.Florida Realtor
It's very valid to ask someone if they want to sell their house. Perhaps they've been thinking about it but never made the move. A simple question may make them motivated to take that action.
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March 28 2011
Absolutely!!!  I have sold 2 homes by asking the home owner if they would be interested in selling.  When the "perfect" home is not list....hit the streets and find it....make it happen....your buyers will love you for the extra effort.
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March 28 2011
Profile picture for Sharon Lewis
I realize this is an older posting but I just ran into this in Durham where a client was looking for a specific home, so I walked the neighborhood, talking to neighbors until I found my clients the home they had been searching for.....so yes, without intruding on homeowners, its ok to ask.
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March 28 2011
Profile picture for JoelFletes

Yes!!
Don't be shy in this market! A close mouth will not get feed!

If you are renting a home, you will never know if the owner might consider selling to you if you have been taking care of the property for some time.

If you like a home in a certain area, get a Realtor to get information about the home. He/She can get the owners name and send a request to the owners about someone wanting to buy. That way, you will not be shy or embarrass to ask.

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February 12 2011
Profile picture for sunnyview
Yes it is.
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February 12 2011
Profile picture for Sharon Lewis
This is an old posting....already answered.
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February 12 2011
Profile picture for Larry Tollen
If you really want the home and don't mind losing your negotiating power it's fine. If you're thinking this is a good way to get the best price, it's not.
Remember they weren't trying to sell, you came to them saying, "I want to buy your home"
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February 05 2011
Profile picture for Sharon Lewis
You know, in the past, when we (my family) were moving into an area and had looked and looked for the perfect home and didnt find it, we saw a home we were pretty sure would fit our 'list' , so I  dropped a note at the homeowners front door to ask them whether they would be interested in selling? They didn't but, hey, you can't say I didnt try! We eventually found the home we were meant to be in!
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January 14 2011
Not to be a wise guy, but that would depend on your motivation. Are you looking to buy ? Are you an agent looking to list it? I agree with those that said just go ahead and make an offer. If too many people find out the homeowner wants to sell you may lose your chance or opportunity at good terms.
As a Realtor I regularly ask people that question for active buyers and just in case they were thinking about it then I am the first one in .

Dave Green RE/MAX at The Shore
Wildwood Crest NJ 08260
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October 12 2010
Profile picture for Pasadenan
Why ask?  Just give them the offer.  If they are interested in the offer, they will do something with it.  If not, it will go in the trash and you will have your answer.

I'm so annoyed at agents asking if I will sell my house that I set a "Make me Move" on Zillow.  Now when they call and ask, I just tell them that the price is already posted, and that if they are interested, they can buy it for the asking price.

As most of them have no specific buyer, but are only looking for listings so that they can get a commission, they stop bothering me as it sounds like I already have an agent; which I do, but my house is not listed, nor do I intend to list it.

No, I don't want to be bothered with agent calls, and all they convince me is that I never want to do any business with them, so if they are trying to get clients, I absolutely don't consider it "smart", but extremely foolish and a complete waste of time.

Now, if you mail me your offer, and have specifics in it, that might be different, but I get really annoyed at mailings stating they have a buyer for my house with no offer amount too.  You agents know how to write a valid offer.  Don't waste my time with garbage.
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October 12 2010

Go ahead and ask, but I would have a local real estate professional assist you in the process. It would be a good idea to have the properties current market price in mind because you may find yourself in verbal negotiations before you expect it.

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October 12 2010

Go ahead. I do it all the time for my clients.

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October 12 2010
Profile picture for Larry Tollen
If you are a buyer and are interested in a specific home there's nothing wrong with asking, however bear in mind that if the homeowner wasn't activley trying to sell but would consider it after you've inquired, it's likely the price isn't going to be as good as the Seller isn't highly motivated.

I live in Durham and know it well. I specialize in Buyer Side Brokering is ther a specific area you're interested in.

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October 12 2010
It depends on why you are asking.  If you are a Buyer and would like to know if the Seller would consider selling his/her home, then it's smart to ask.  I know someone who wanted to live in a particular neighborhood and there were no homes for sale.  The Buyer's Agent asked each homeowner on the block if they want to sell their home.  One owner said "yes" and our friend bought the house.  In this case, it was a smart move.

Rachel
http://www.AVHomesForSale.com 
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October 11 2010
 

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