Does Googling a Buyer or Seller change the Negotiation?

I've had buyers google the home address and find articles about deaths, murders, domestic violence, drug busts etc and back out of deals based on the information they have found. 

Great post Joan, I have had my clients tell me they Googled me many times.

Joan - if you want to find out about someone there is a way to find them on the Internet

Before I spend any of my time researching people, places or things, I'll need to quickly analyze how it impacts me or my clients and if investing more time or money is prudent. So, it depends on the circumstances, yet, I have utilized investigative services on the web that have proved to be invaluable.

Joan - Funny story:  I once was having a VERY difficult interaction with an Asset Manager for one of our REO companies.  She was very "snotty" to deal with.  Not at all professional and totally unreasonable and I felt like I was constantly having to explain her job to her!  For whatever reason, I decided to look her up on  Facebook and see with whom I was dealing.  Turns out she was 18 years old, barely out of high school and attending community college part-time while she worked at this "crappy job" (her description, not mine).  Needless to say I stopped taking crap off of her and went up the food chain to her supervisor to get the job done.  Gotta love Facebook!!  Cyndi

Joan, with all the tools at our fingertips, it's very easy to find out much about those who put everything out there. I believe there are some things that need to stay private.

Never thought about this "tool" although I am not sure it would have much impact.  Something to think about, though.

As a Lender, I actually wish more of my clients Googled something and tried to gain info prior to our meeting.  Them having educated themselves actually makes the process easier for them and me .. and more fluid, Joan Cox.  I haven't Googled my clients though ... as reading their Credit Report often provides a pretty complete picture of who they are ...

Gene 

Before going on a listing appointment I get as many reports (and google) as I can about the property first. Tax records, past sales and marketing efforts. I google clients when something doesn't seem right or I am not getting all the information I need or request directly from the source. I'm careful not to trust what people post on social media because some of it (or much of it) may be embellishments of the truth, although stories that don't add up can be revealed as lies because of social media. As your post points out, from my experience, buyers are more concerned with who the seller is, how much they owe, etc. than sellers are concerned with buyers. Sellers seem to care more about if the buyer is able and willing to pay what they need to sell. To answer your question, it is client's needs that drive negotiations, not what I find on google. If my home buying client posts on facebook they just bought a new car before we closed on their home, I'm going to find out when their lender calls me to tell me they can't get their mortgage loan. I only have so much time in the day and am not going to stalk my clients and the other side on facebook and social media. 

I think it could make a huge difference, on occasion.  But for most deals I do not think it will impact the situation too much.  

I don't usually look up either buyers or sellers on-line prior to working with them or during for that matter.  Never really thought about it ... although a number of my clients have and I've gotten alot of information from them that was useful in our negotiations.  

Trying to be slick like that can back fire. What if the seller has guess the buyer may do this and post false info on his sites to make you think you have to offer more money to get this house? 

Yes people are curious but keep it to yourself; and at the very least take it with a grain of salt.

Great topic! Very creative and definitely something to think about. I agree with Gabe Sanders - people are just curious by nature. But at the same time, it is good for the seller to be aware that this type of Internet research may be going on, just in case it may impact the negotiation. 

Joan

With the internet . . . . there are no secret. Congratulations on earning the gold star for an outstanding post.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Information is power. I google everyone I'm working with and use anything relevant to the situation. But don't get creepy...lol.

Every little bit helps. Detective is just one of the many hats we wear. Plus there are things you should know that not all Title Companies will tell you...have a great year in real estate!

www.TheRealEstateScene.com

www.TheRealEstateConcierge.com

When I was in Real Estate a few years back - we had an unwritten rule that condo buyers  were to stake out the decided building and spend some time talking to the owners. It was a good way to find out what kind of things were going on - Current charges issued on the units. etc.  What the public didn't know.

Great way to protect the buyers!

Joan

Nice post, cheers cvc

I google everyone, buyers, sellers, property addresses, sometimes the telephone number or the email address of the parties....google, google, google and along with that I check our registry of deeds and also "public notices" - all of course depending on the level of involvement in the transaction.

I'll admit to some private investingating through google too. Especially when it comes from a cold lead. I want to know who is really walking through my office door!