Some email just gives off red warning flags; this particular email, makes me see big yellow cautions signs! Of course the, names and address in my email has been changed for obvious reasons.
On first glace, it seems sincere and I have had similar email before. The buyer needs a home, has no money, sounds like they had a bankruptcy, and is taking a shot to see if they can rent this house. It has been market a long time; but John and Jane Doe appear way too knowledgeable to be believed.
Most buyers in our area do not use the words like contract for deed or transaction and their terms are not usually this well planned out. The format of the email looks like a template. The Doe's come off to me as trying to hard to be sincere and likable by disclosing and admitting to stupid mistakes in the past. I think what is on the hook is not a fish but a Phish and we are not going to take the hook.
On Tuesday, February 5, 2008 2:46:14 PM, Jane Doe wrote:
Mary,
My husband and I are VERY interested in the property on Any Place Lane. We are wondering if the sellers would be interested/willing to do a contract for deed or rent to own transaction for this property. We don't qualify for conventional financing right now. Our bank has stated that in about 12-18 months they'd have no problem financing a home for us. We are looking to move into a home ASAP! We are currently renting and the home we're renting just got sold, so we're in need of a new place to call home. We don't really want to "rent" anymore, but would be more than willing to do a rent to own, contract for deed, or possibly seller financing option for this home. It is PERFECT for us! Our income is not a problem; we make plenty of money, just don't qualify for conventional financing right now due to some stupid mistakes a few years ago. Here's what we'd be willing to do:
· Pay all utilities
· Pay monthly "rent" payments
· Perform all lawn care and snow removal
· Pay yearly property taxes
Please mention this to the sellers and let us know what they're feelings are as soon as possible. Thank you!
John & Jane Doe
Hi Vickie: Yes I got the creeps with this one, too smooth to believe. I asked them to contact me on my cell phone to discuss this.
Mary
What a great picture and post. I have a referral coming your way.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
It is wonderful that you win the lotter every week, wow, why do you still sell real estate? Must be that the check is still in the mail. LOL.
When I get this type of email, a simple way to see if this is real is to ask them to call you or ask them to give you their contact information. This usually ends the conversation.