Offers I can't refuse?

[Torvy]

Markets go in and out of fashion, and how a property is marketed can make a huge difference.

There is an old witticism in California; "What is the difference between a $20 bottle of wine and a $100 bottle of wine? Marketing."

I would write to the owners of the parcels that you are interested in asking to buy or get an option on a first refusal right. In the return address, I would your name and the word "neighbor".

As @2manyrocks pointed out, they can't respond to letter that they didn't get...

All the best,

Peter

Funny, the same thing applies to tractors, but many people will not believe it.

 

[paulsharvey]

2008-2010, hardly anybody wanted to buy. 2020-20__?, insane market. When will it revert to normal?

That's when we bought ours, spring of '08; as the world was imploding. It worked out well; $75,000 for a 3/2 on 2 acres, on a paved road. Things kinda lined up well; had a bonus from finishing a project, cashed out a 401k as I left that company, and started with another, and the market was Low, some that money went further. Had a very high intrest rate, like 10.5%, because of my 'irregular work history'. Then, I refinanced about 8 years ago, making a deal with the devil, to get payments as Low as possible while wife was in nursing school. We only owed like 12 years, and we refinanced for 30.

 

[two_bit_score]

Today in the mail I got not 1, but 2 cash offers to buy my property. I'm so lucky.

One offered me 55% of what we paid for the land 2 years ago. The other offered 73%. The house that I will likely finally move into this week cost 3x the land price.

I think I'm going to pass on their 'generous' offer.

Any other absurd offers out there?

You actually got one that specifically stated a monetary offer? WOW!

All I get are the postcards saying "We will buy your house for CASH'.

 

[two_bit_score]

So, let me swap this around on yall for a second. I have 2 acres, and left and right of me, are 2 acre undeveloped lots, not currently for sale, as well as 3 ea 5 acre lots behind me. If I wanted to reach out to the owners (all out of state, S Fla, New England, ect), what would be the best way to get ahold of them, and actually make a real offer. Ad I've told the wife; I guarantee every year, during tax time, somewhere in New York or wherever, that property tax is a fight between a husband and wife. "You never even seen that property, why are we paying $500 in taxes, you should sell it"

Just send a letter to the address on the tax record. Hand address the envelop. Just tell them you are next door to their property and are interested in buying it if they are interested in selling.
Of course, include a good email, and cell number in case they really want to get in touch.

 

[dmccarty]

We have been getting offers as well. VERY low price offers.

I do keep the offers to see how many are from the same company. We do get offers from the same company.

All of the offers are from out of the area and they are similar in price. My suspicion is they are using some company to supply them with the lots and offer price. At a minimum they are using the same method to determine the offer which is very much below market rates. There offer for a lot I would not accept if it was per acre. They are really low balling the offer and hoping they will find someone who is ignorant of the market.

 

[two_bit_score]

They are really low balling the offer and hoping they will find someone who is ignorant of the market.

Also sometimes an absentee owner will get tired of the taxes and occasional upkeep (mowing) expenses and just jump on the first convenient thing.

 

[jjeff]

So just called today offering to buy my property while numbingly staring at paperwork I was relieved I got a break, but didn't even entertain her, even though it was a local number on my cell phone. "Call me if your ever interested" was the closing lol

 

[Torvy]

So just called today offering to buy my property while numbingly staring at paperwork I was relieved I got a break, but didn't even entertain her, even though it was a local number on my cell phone. "Call me if your ever interested" was the closing lol

I never answer a call unless I know who is calling or Maybe if a contractor says someone will call and the number is local. Usually just let vm handle it. Most don't even leave a message.

 

[Wagtail]

I've never received one of these letters... until today!

The correct mailing address (hand written) and it even included my full middle name which no one ever uses and if it is used it's just an initial. The only way that 'they' would've got that is if they used the Shire's tax assessment. Which I paid my annual fee last month.

The offer was, conveniently, A$10k above the 'assessed' value and was 'their' top-offer. The letter itself was a form-letter. HA! This place is worth a couple of A$100k more than that, at a minimum.

Weird that this would occur shortly after this thread started.

 

[ultrarunner]

Weekly... letter or sometimes phone calls but seldom on California property.

90% of the time it's the Washington property...

In 2008 I did get a letter from the land trust offering assessed value and pay all costs...

Called and learned it was legit but why would I sell?

Fast forward and the assessed value had dropped by half because property water setbacks means what could be done in 2008 can no longer be done...

The kicker is all that was lost on the 10 acre vacant adjoining parcel was put on the 7 acres with the home and then increase that by 150%

The rational is the new restrictive zoning makes existing all the more valuable in the tax collector eyes.

Death and Taxes... always find a way.