A little extra money is always nice, however I believe that if you don't know what you are doing run away fast, very fast. What I mean is I have friends and family that live all over the state of WI., many times I will get a call or email form a friend or family member who does not live near me, asking me to help them sell, or buy real estate, land, houses, commercial,etc. As I said the extra money would be nice, but, is it really fair to your friend or family, I say I would love to help, but i am not familiar with the area, and I do not feel I am going to be able to be your best advocate in this transaction. Now I will help them find a agent in their area, but it is not their best interest to have me help them, here is one reason why.
A couple years ago, I had a lady from the Quad Cities asking me to help her find a home on the Mississippi River, sounds simple, but their is really nothing that is ever available on the main channel, like she wanted. Their are some small town back water-front parcels from time to time, but main channel, very hard. I find one, i tell her about the parcel, Nice home on a good size piece of land, with a additional cottage, and boat ramp. Perfect. She tells me that she has done some research, and the people selling it are selling it for $100,000 more than they paid. I explained about supply and demand. She decides to pass. (here is where the story gets good).
Last year I get a call from her, she starts out telling me how great my knowledge of the Mississippi River area is, and she would like to pick my mind. She preceded to tell me she bought that piece of property that I had told her about, she did not use me as her agent, but chose to use her friend from Milwaukee.. BIG MISTAKE!!! See there was 2 tax parcels that made up that piece of land, and well her friend from Milwaukee looked up the address, and made a offer on the one tax parcel, the seller accepted. they closed the deal, and now this spring they went to their new home, only to find out, they had a neighbor, who owned all the river frontage, the other cabin, and the boat launch, you see the seller sold the other parcel to another party. The seller was able to double the money the originally wanted. She was upset, I told her, I knew there was two tax parcels, and I reminded her, as a buyer, my services to her was free, and why did she use some one from Milwaukee, she said oh she is my friend, and she could use the extra money. My reply, was I hope you have a good attorney. See in my eyes a little extra money, is not worth losing a friend or family member.
Remember PMA(Positive Mental Attitude) Till next time!!!
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