We should have a contract in .....

[ginnie5]

45-60 days they say. the developer came by yesterday with papers in hand. showed them to dh. The company buying up all the land should make us an offer (that we have already seen the $ amount) and have a contract signed in the above time frame. the amount is acceptable. I had hoped for more but it is fair. I'm also scared to buck for more in that if we do we may be stuck here in development hades. If they don't get our land they'll put 15 houses right above us plus the grocery store and restaraunts beside us,traffic is bad enough now. the offer is enough that we will be debt free and have enough to put down on something else. They're talking wanting to close in possibly August. We're kind of torn........in one way we're thrilled with this opportunity. It is our chance to get out of this place (we will never be able to sell the house for what we have in it otherwise due to lacation) and get out in the country. At the same time we're leaving an addition unfinished that has been a family building affair. We've had fun doing this and wish we could see it to the end. youngest dd doesn't remember ever living anywhere else and the two boys were born living here. There's a lot of history in this house. Its sad to think of it torn down. but oh having land....and no public road running thru it. to be able to be outside working in my yard and not have people speeding thru. there's not really any choice when you look at it like that.

[MarleneS]

Great idea -- look to the future, the past will be there forever in your memories

Hugs
marlene

[AngieM2]

Take photos now for when you're on the new property and look back to what made the new property happen.

also, when you drive by this current place in a year or two and see what has happened to/around it, you'll be so happy.

So, congratulations! You have to go forward.

Angie

[almostthere]

Now that you have had all this time to practise your building skills on this house, the next house will be a breeze. Think about this: You're moving but you don't have to do any repairs to get the house sold. You don't have to leave it clean as a whistle, and I bet you can arrange to take your favorite fixtures, moldings and the like with you. You can even take the light bulbs.

The new house will be a big adventure and give you new memories.

[clovis]

I have been known to be a tough negotiator....

The next time the developer called, I would tell them I wanted a little more for my land. Do it in a calm, chatty manner, not as a last stand at the Alamo.

You could always tell them you are reconsidering....and not selling right now. If the development is coming, and land is hot in your area, there will be more offers. Sounds like these folks are one of the first to make an offer, and they are low balling you.

In our growing town, it is rumored that Applebees paid $600,000 for the lot they own. The hospital paid $550,000 for 2 acres with very bad drainage to build an immediate care center. Away from the 'hot area', one developer sold 1/4 acre lots for $125,000.

My uncle once played with a gas pipeline company. They offered 3,000 to run a pipeline thru a corner of his property....and he wound up getting nearly $60,000...for a buried pipeline. They had built it within a 1/2 mile of his place...and he held his ground, and yet never let them know what he wanted. They just came back again and again, threatening to condem his place, eminent domain, etc, and kept raising the offer to the $60,000 mark.

Here is what I would do....if your area is a hot developing....start calling other developers in your area. Meet with them in person, and show them all the plans and the like that you have. Play this part smooth....be meek and unassuming....you are courting anyone else that might want to buy your place for big $$$$.

If you don't want to do that, then tell them how much you love your place, it is the kids home, etc, and you don't care if there is a McDonalds 100 feet from your front door. Then, just shut up and listen. Dont say a word. Bet they say it is going to kill the development, etc.....then tell them you want to think about it some more. Bet that they come back with a better offer.

He who cares the most, often wins the control.

I want 5% of the greater offer.

Clove

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by ginnie5

45-60 days they say. the developer came by yesterday with papers in hand. showed them to dh. The company buying up all the land should make us an offer (that we have already seen the $ amount) and have a contract signed in the above time frame. the amount is acceptable. I had hoped for more but it is fair. I'm also scared to buck for more in that if we do we may be stuck here in development hades. If they don't get our land they'll put 15 houses right above us plus the grocery store and restaraunts beside us,traffic is bad enough now. the offer is enough that we will be debt free and have enough to put down on something else. They're talking wanting to close in possibly August. We're kind of torn........in one way we're thrilled with this opportunity. It is our chance to get out of this place (we will never be able to sell the house for what we have in it otherwise due to lacation) and get out in the country. At the same time we're leaving an addition unfinished that has been a family building affair. We've had fun doing this and wish we could see it to the end. youngest dd doesn't remember ever living anywhere else and the two boys were born living here. There's a lot of history in this house. Its sad to think of it torn down. but oh having land....and no public road running thru it. to be able to be outside working in my yard and not have people speeding thru. there's not really any choice when you look at it like that.

I just hope that when you have your money in hand you don't find out that all the country properties have been sold to developers.

donsgal

[clovis]

ginnie,

At least, if you do nothing else, get a second opinion from a qualified developer or commercial appraiser, even if you have to pay for their services.

How would you feel if the current developer was saying "I have a couple of real hill-jacks who think they are getting rich off my offer....just to think, I have $7,000 an acre in this, and I already got one 1/4 acre lot sold to McDonalds for $250,000."

If you are anywhere near a growth area....get informed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My uncle does commercial development for a living, and I cannot believe some of the stuff I hear. Wal Mart bought a very large lot-over a 100 acres- paid something silly like 1.2 million for it. They then sold outlots...less than an acre, for $1 million each.

If this is a big, high development area, expect for your old land to change hands as many as 20 times, literally, before something is built.

Now, if you are in the middle of the sticks, with little or no development in the near future, you might be out of luck. You could have a small time operator trying to develop a little deal.

Since you are dealing with a high stakes, possible million dollar deal, get a second opinion. Hold fast...stick to your guns, and don't sign anything.

I still want 5% of the increased amount you get.
clove

[ginnie5]

Originally Posted by donsgal

I just hope that when you have your money in hand you don't find out that all the country properties have been sold to developers.

donsgal

I'm nervous about that. Heck I'm nervous about the whole mess. Finding a place that agrees with both of us is not going to be easy itself. Neither one of us will even consider anything with an HOA so that knocks out quite a bit. he has realized that it is going to mean more than a 15 minute drive to work for him so that helps. We'll be looking further out and in several areas. We both agree that we need as much land as we can afford and we're looking at the zoning of anything we look at. Found one that would be great but we see no road access to it so that throws up some red flags. We have time though....we're just in the planning stages now.