And I don't think he wants to sell it to you.

Time to move on to another house.

Julie, sorry to hear he's a jerk, but you have to be a little better than him right now or you may lose it completely. You liked the house enough to track the guy down (which site worked?) so a little grumpiness can be overlooked.

Think about it, if he's having money problems he could be pissed off it didn't sell. Now due to the market he's faced with either selling for lower or renting (he has tenants, right?)

Someone needs to tell him to read the papers / web sites about what the market may or may not do. He can then either keep renting and hope he doesn't lose more money, or cut his losses.

Have you gone to Zillow or doesn't it have accurate info for your state?

You seem like a very patient person to me. I think you can ride out his moodiness.

Julie, don't get so emotionally vested in this particular property that you fail to look for other opportunities. As a buyer with your existing home sold you're sitting in a good position to negotiate. Don't give up your edge to emotion!

Tricia

Sorry you feel he's a jerk, but I think he's just doing it as negotiating tactics. Hey anytime somebody approaches you about buying something you will start out high as you have the upper hand in that you didn't seek a buyer out. The buyer sought the person out. It just changes things in the dynamics of buying vs. selling. You ignored it and gave what you think is a fair offer so you showed you weren't going for that. All part of the game of negotiating.

Good Luck!!

He's not a jerk at all. Either he doesn't want to sell or he only wants to sell if it is worth his while. You had a firm price in your head when you just sold, why is this person any different?

If there is so much inventory in your area, move on if he doesn't accept your offer.

Sounds to me like he is not interested in selling.
Just remember it is a business deal, this is not perosnal.
Good luck!

When I replied, I did note the current studies and projections for the Phoenix market. I also mentioned that we have taken a $75K reduction on our house since it was listed in Feb. So we'll see. I hope it was just a tactic. Yes, he has renters now, but it sat on the market vacant for 9 months! He's refinanced twice to get cash out, this last time was just for an extra $20K! This sale would give him an extra $90K tax free! If he waits much longer, he'll have to pay capital gains tax on his profits, and he has no garantee the value will go up anytime soon.

Yes, we were firm on our price, only because it's our primary residence and if we got any less, we wouldn't be able to buy another -- it would be wiser to stay in our current house and ride out the market. This is not the same situation as the owner.

Yes, there are TONS of houses on the market, but we're looking for a very specific floorplan that's hard to find in these old neighborhoods. Couple that with our very small search radius, there isn't much, and there aren't too many new ones that have come on the market in the last month. All of the others we've had interest in have gone under contract. So at this point, it looks like we'll rent and wait for the right one to fit our needs.

If he has renters in it now, he would need to either sell it to you with the current lease - or - he would have to negotiate with them ($$) for them to agree to break the lease.

You need to think like a seasoned salesperson would. They don't take anything personal. They follow-up and stay in contact even when they are given a flat out "no way". They know that things can change quickly and if they remain professional and remain in touch, that the sale can occur.

So just hang in there. Stick to the facts and nothing more when dealing with this potential seller. Stay professional. Don't try to give them stories about the market. It makes you look like an investor looking to profit off of him. He knows the market, trust me.

And don't say you are firm unless you are 100% sure you are firm and you are ready to walk away from the deal for good.

I think he wants to sell. It took him effort to write you back. If he really didn't want to sell, he would have tossed your letter. Don't screw this up if you want this home. You have to hide your personal feelings.

Yes, there are TONS of houses on the market, but we're looking for a very specific floorplan that's hard to find in these old neighborhoods. Couple that with our very small search radius, there isn't much, and there aren't too many new ones that have come on the market in the last month. All of the others we've had interest in have gone under contract. So at this point, it looks like we'll rent and wait for the right one to fit our needs.

And don't say you are firm unless you are 100% sure you are firm and you are ready to walk away from the deal for good.

I think he wants to sell. It took him effort to write you back. If he really didn't want to sell, he would have tossed your letter. Don't screw this up if you want this home. You have to hide your personal feelings.

Have to agree. Hopefully you can both make this work

That's the funny thing about sellers...they can ask whatever price they want for their home and, knowing that you want this property so badly, it's logical that this guy would jack up his price. You really don't know his finances. Maybe he can afford to wait until he gets the price he wants. But I know one thing: not keeping your emotions in check spells disaster with a capital D. As my mom says, and what you need to repeat to yourself right now: There is more than one right house.

Thanks guys, I think I kept my cool when I replied to him. I read it to my DH because I was concerned maybe I was too cool and would come across as a know-it-all investor (I'm actually a very logical person LOL), but he said it was fine.

If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. We have 5 houses to look at this weekend, two of which are in that same desireable neighborhood. We haven't decided how high we'd be willing to pay. While I don't want to overpay for the market, if it's a house that fits our needs perfectly for the long term, then it might be worth that much more to -us- than Joe Buyer down the street, KWIM?

I just need to breathe and be patient...and be thankful that my house is selling! The hardest part is nearly over. I guess I was just saddened by the response, after I was trying to be so thoughtful of my own buyer, doing what I could to create a win-win situation so we could both get what we needed. I needed a certain dollar amount to pay off debt and put down on another house (which I'm downsizing and going cheaper, mind you), and he needed to buy a house below market value. We're both happy, we have a good relationship. I think I was hoping/expecting someone to do the same for me. :+/ Guess I'm the schmuck!

I do not think---from your posts here---you are anything close to being a schmuck. It sounds like you are a person who knows what they want and are also aware other folks can get what they want by working together to a mutual goal.

Sadly most people are not like you. That is the single greatest challenge a realtor/agent faces---acting as the go between for two idiots---or between one idiot and folks like you.

You know where you are and where you want to go. Keep trying---you might even wind up renting temporarily---3-6 months---but getting exactly what you want is worth it.

"Yes, there are TONS of houses on the market, but we're looking for a very specific floorplan that's hard to find in these old neighborhoods. Couple that with our very small search radius, there isn't much, and there aren't too many new ones that have come on the market in the last month. All of the others we've had interest in have gone under contract. So at this point, it looks like we'll rent and wait for the right one to fit our needs."

Which part of town are you looking in?

First of all congrats on selling your house.

As for this guy, play it cool. He may have gotten tons of low offers, and is trying to prevent that by being tough and unfriendly and listing higher. It may be a ploy.

If you really want the house, play is cool and detached. If he comes crawling back to you, do not respond that day. Wait a day or two, so he doesn't think you are over eager. If you think this is the house you want keep persuing it. Or find something better and know that the new option was meant to be.

Cheifneil, central, where nothing was built before 1962. LOL The days of tiny closets, 1 car carports, boxy floorplans, and huge pools that take over the entire backyard. But that's NOT the kind of house we're looking for, so that's why it's hard to find. So why buy in that area? Well, you know what they say! LOCATION, LOCATION LOCATION! ;+)

Thanks, everyone, for helping me keep my sanity!