selling a house

[ssutton219]

Originally Posted by dinoa2

update on progress--- one offer went south when we couldnt come close to what we wanted to clear

have a second offer which started with a decent offer, we counter offered dropping about $5,000 and they countered that almost splitting the difference

we are about $2,000 from what we would really want
our agent says this is good price and they could run if we counter asking for the 2,000
not exactly a sellers market in our area, and dont want it to set for there for much longer
wife says "its your decision" so do I wimp out and take the offer or play hard ball and see if they go up 2,000 or run away

Don't know your situation but if it was me I would split the 1k difference and see. Its not a sellers market really anywhere and my in-laws are selling a piece of property for well under what market value is so they don't sit on it.


Do what you feel is right...


Shawn

[Amlique]

A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush. A practice I use (I'm a agent) is to split the difference with the two parties to make the deal go through.
So you are 2k away? How long have you stale mated? Have the buyer come up $700.00, you go down $650.00 and the agent gives up $650.00 in commission. There's your $2k
At least that is what I'll do when buyer and seller are that close. $2k in a real estate transaction is FAR too close together to let the deal drop.
Don't let it drop!

[pitbulljimmy]

I'm with Amelique.... $2000 to ruin a deal worth $200,000... that's like 1%.... you really gonna quibble over 1%?

[kid smoker]

This is completely dependent on your situation.

If you must get out because of a pressing reason like company transfer or a pending purchase take the money.

If there is no time pressure, you're happy with the property, or you can otherwise afford to wait, make a counter offer.

If you're just playing games with money do what pleases you.

[dinoa2]

thanks for all the info and advice guys

here is an update-- we worked on the offer a little and made the deal
now a little question about radon
buyer had a radon test done-- from what I can understand from the report it looks like 2 tests were done at the same time in the same area of the house for a 8 hour period
one result was 4.1 adn the other was 4.6
they want us to pay for work to lower the radon-- about $900

does this cost seem right and is an 8 hour test accurate

[ssutton219]

A quick Google seach found this..


What Your Test Results Mean


The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable in all cases, most homes today can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.

Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about whether or not your home is above 4 pCi/L. This can happen when your results are close to 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of your two short-term test results is 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that your year-round average is somewhat below 4 pCi/L. However, EPA believes that any radon exposure carries some risk - no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk, and you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering your radon level.

If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of your home (such as a basement) you should retest your home on that level.

Even if your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again sometime in the future.


Thats just one lil piece.


A Citizen's Guide to Radon | Radon | US EPA


Good Luck


Shawn

[kid smoker]

Short term tests are often negated by the evidence of a long term test. If you would like to sell now:

1. Escrow the funds at the closing.
2. The new owner will have a long term test conducted by a qualified company.
3. If the test is positive the funds are used for installing abatement equipment.
4. If the test is negative the funds are released to you.

Remember that everything is negotiable. If they like and want the house they may be willing to split the cost. It doesn't hurt to ask.

[dinoa2]

still working to see if we can work this out
my agent says he can work on this, so I hope
frustrating when you think you are close to closing a deal and then something like this comes up
course agent pointed out to me that if this buyer baiils out, I still have to deal with the problem if there is a radon problem before I can sell it to anyone else
I dont know which is worse, looking and trying to buy a house or selling one