No, I'm not going to help you bilk a Seller . . .

No, I'm not going to help you bilk a Seller . . .

The following is a true story.  Trust me, I could not make this stuff up.

I was contacted by a Prospective Buyer about helping him find a small home near the beach.  It needed to have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a mother-in-law suite.  He'll be in town for a week later in the Summer and would like to look at homes then. 

I immediately got to work finding him some homes to consider.  He emails me back and says, "I like 123 XYZ Street.  I'd like you to contact the Agent and see about letting me stay there for the week I'm in town, so I can make an informed decision.  If they really want to sell, I'm sure it won't be a problem.  It is a Buyer's market after all.  And, I need to know their answer right away so I can make my plans. "

"I thought you wanted to purchase a home, not rent one!?!  Oh, you don't want to rent?  You just want to stay there for free?  Are you serious?  You can't be serious -- can you?  You are?"

"Hey, it's all over the news about how desperate Sellers are -- if they really want to sell, they'll do it.  I saw a guy on a cable news show (yes, he named the show.  I won't.) who said this is a great way to get a free vacation while you're checking out an area."

Okay, I hardly know where to begin here.  So many things are wrong with this scenario. 

Just two of them:

1.  I would never suggest to a Seller Client that this would be a good idea.  Whether the home is a primary or secondary home, to suggest that a Seller allow someone to stay there for free is ludicrous.  It would cost them money to have utilities on and to have the home cleaned.  If it's a primary home, where would you suggest they go?  How about the liability?  Forget it.  Not worth it.

2.  But even more:  My BS meter is blaring!  What I really think, is that you are hoping for a free week's stay at the beach and somehow you've decided this is a great way to do it.  Sellers are desperate, right?  So if they think there's a chance of selling the home, they'll jump at it, right?  WRONG! 

We are in a Resort area and there are homes for sale which also rent.  If you would like to explore those options, great.  I'll help you locate a rental.  But you're still going to have to pay for it.  I cannot imagine any Seller or their Agent wanting to take on the liability or expense of letting someone stay in their home for free. That's just not smart business.

I was so looking forward to working with you and there are some great homes and opportunities for a serious Buyer.  Here's the problem:  I've pretty much heard it all and right now, I'm about over the "let's see how we can get one over on a person who may already be in harm's way" approach. 

Here's a suggestion:  Check way down deep and pull up your integrity.  If that's not in the cards for you, then find someone else to help you perpetrate your scam; it's not me . . . 

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   Copyright © 2010 - 2011 All Rights Reserved

Tish Lloyd, REALTOR®

Broker

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Prudential Laney Real Estate

527 Causeway Drive

Wrightsville Beach, NC  28480

910.547.1446

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