Real Estate Question

[Loveourkids3]

I have been approached numerous times lately by Realtors and Individuals wanting to trade for or buy my house and land.
They all seem overeager and want to snoop around. Several have even pulled my tax records and deed.
How do I find out their motive? What do they know that I don't?

[Alice In TX/MO]

Go hang out in the Dairy Queen with the morning coffee drinkers. They will know.

[MELOC]

i smell a development in the works.

[posifour11]

Originally Posted by MELOC

i smell a development in the works.

very well may be.

keep a close watch on your taxes and tell them folks you aren't interested.

that's only my thought though...

[SteveD(TX)]

Why not just ask them?

[MarleneS]

Steve, if you are a real estate developer and you are planning a housing developement the last thing you want is to let all your protential sellers know, that tends to very quickly change the market and prices will go though the roof

Loveourkids3 - talk to your neighbors and see if the real estate agents/brokers (they are not all Realtors) have not also been talking to them, that would be a very good indication of what plans may be in the works behind the scenes.

Also, before you are tempted to accept an offer on your own property, make sure that it will give you the purchasing power to be able to purchase an equal or upgrade to your current property.

If there is anyway possible to not sell to a residential planned community - please hold out. We need to be putting more effort into using current/past residential land for the same purpose.

Hugs
Marlene

[Wolf mom]

If other places are selling in the area, homeowners toy with the idea that they might also sell, so the realtors may just be looking for listings.

Is your area "hot" right now?

I'd make sure my gate was closed at ALL times. Who knows for sure who is poking around. If not, at least put up not trespassing signs.

[Mike in Ohio]

A couple things I would recommend:

1) Ask your neighbors if they have been getting contacted and if they know anything..
2) Go down to the county building and take a look at a platt map.
3) Check for recent property transfers of neighboring properties (and the prices)
4) Ask your local newpaper editor if they know of anything going on in the area (large company building a factory or offices, etc)

Mike

[SteveD(TX)]

Originally Posted by MarleneS

Steve, if you are a real estate developer and you are planning a housing developement the last thing you want is to let all your protential sellers know, that tends to very quickly change the market and prices will go though the roof

Loveourkids3 - talk to your neighbors and see if the real estate agents/brokers (they are not all Realtors) have not also been talking to them, that would be a very good indication of what plans may be in the works behind the scenes.

Also, before you are tempted to accept an offer on your own property, make sure that it will give you the purchasing power to be able to purchase an equal or upgrade to your current property.

If there is anyway possible to not sell to a residential planned community - please hold out. We need to be putting more effort into using current/past residential land for the same purpose.

Hugs
Marlene

I've been in the real estate business for 24 years as an appraiser, investor, consultant, developer, etc. So I know the environment, believe me. It's been my experience that once people start nosing around, it doesn't take long at all to find out what's happening. If the owner has flat refused to sell, but people are still nosing around, sooner or later someone will spill the beans. So my advice is still: why not just ask? If not the person nosing around, then someone who will know. It's not hard.

[wy_white_wolf]

I have them come around every so often too. Usually it's just that they have buyers for a certain type of property that not too many are listed.

[jerzeygurl]

do you know for sure that they are there to buy or is that a cover to snoop?

[hoofinitnorth]

Pretty common, especially if your type of property is in high demand or if you have lots of equity in it. They are trying to beat other agents to the punch and get the listing before you think about selling.

We get things in the mail all the time and sometimes get other inquiries. This area has been a hot button for a while so it's not uncommon. Doesn't have to be a development, either, but that's a good thought.

Check with the local platting & zoning & planning offices to see if anyone has applied for any permits for new roads or subdivisions or whatever in your area. Check out public notices too.

Pulling tax records isn't all that uncommon. Around here people do it to be sure that they aren't being overcharged vs. their neighbor with the same type of property (that's in our statutes & codes here). Other times people are just saying they'd like to live in your area or your house and so looking to see if they can buy from you without an agent's commission.

Good luck!

[Jenn]

Carefully calculate the lowest offer you would possibly take (maybe 10 times market value if you really don't wanna move) and say you'd CONSIDER selling for three times that number. If they bite say "Gotta ask my husband" and do your research- maybe you should sell! for even more of course- and otherwise maybe they'll remember you're the one who asked for the moon and leave you alone for awhile.