" THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR OFFER..." but why don't you call me when you get SERIOUS

No matter how long I am in this industry, and no matter how many insults I hear---I still remain apalled when someone has the audacity to make the offer I heard today accompanied by an ignorant statement.

My mother and father own a lovely 8+ acre parcel complete with a 3 stall barn, fenced in corral, a couple other small outbuildings, a 3 bdrm,1.5 ba with 2 car attached garage and 2 full walk outs with a covered deck outside the dining area.  Here is a virtual tour I am quite proud of that captured their property in its glory, nearly 1 year ago just as they moved into the home they are in now.

Breathtaking View -8+Acres ONLY 189,000.00

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1148292

Suffice it to say that mom and dad cannot keep up with the extensive gardens/shared with many a weed at  this time, BUT all in all; its kept up.  The view from the deck seems to reach as far as the eye can possibly take you.  Its priced competitively, and except for the decor, needs only YOUR STOVE and FRIDGE; Dad maintains the mechanicals and such impeccably. The kitchen has wood laminate floors and new oak cabinets. IF we were not 95 min away? We would buy it and rent it out; but its impossible to effectively manage the property (as most of you know) from that distance.  "One" could even rent out the stalls (and there is room for 3 more) and have that defray the mortgage, right?

When mom and dad listed it nearly a year ago; sadly they made a wrong choice in agents. After I got through my (hissy) because they chose another realtor over their daughter  LOL--I came to respect the fact that their loyalty was admirable as they chose a realtor that had represented them for a long time (and way before I became an agent/broker)  Sadly she ended up being a wrong choice, she neglected the listing, did nothing to get it sold; and after wasting the prime time selling season here in Illinois; it was uncovered that she was very ill; (just yesterday was put in an assisted living/care hospital) and so her neglect of their property was explained.  Nonetheless, our short window of PRIME opportunity came and went last year and then our very very long winter.  A month or so ago, Mom really wanted and trusted ME to list and "git er done" so the line goes; but with great care and love and worry over Mom and Dads BEST needs; I sacrificed the listing to an agent that lives and thrives right there where the property is.  She is (by all accounts thus far) a very hard working, qualified agent that seems to be taking gentle, good care of Mom and Dads needs.

Suddenly there is activity, showings, phone calls YEA....action is beginning and last evening their agent called to advise them that SHE received notice of an offer coming in (from someone in Texas) by end of this week.  GREAT! Mom called as she left the hospital today (her and Dads health is not good right now) and she says:  "are you sitting down?"  YES, I replied; "we got the offer..."  YES?   Here is what was presented to us: (well Mom and Dad)

 " I am looking to move to this area and am offering $50,000.00 cash down with a total offer of: $110,000.00.  I don't want the home, I plan on making this a hunting club and will tear the home down and rebuild so its of no use to me"  "PLEASE be sure to get a counter offer from your clients"

The property is listed at: 188,000.00.  I replied: ????????????????????????????????????????????????????

After I shook my head in disgust, I told mom ; this would be my reply " "Thanks for the offer, but I cannot dignify this with a counter.  When you get serious? Call us"

Instead Dad countered with: 180,000.00.  YOUR SERVE MR BUYER  (I can't wait to see what happens next!)  Any bets?

Moral to this story: Don't ASSUME anything buyers, and its generally NOT a good idea to insult a seller. Just because we are in a period of adjustment in real estate; does NOT mean that sellers are going to give away the store.  SERIOUSLY , somedays I think I DO SEE a light shade of "BLUE" when I look in the mirror from repeating this theory over and over again   ha-ha-ha

Have a beautiful day at home and here on ActiveRain

Patti Puckett

Broker/Realtor/Investor/Independent Student Advisor for Nouveau Riche