bostonbubble.com Forum Index bostonbubble.com
Boston Bubble - Boston Real Estate Analysis
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

SPONSORED LINKS

Advertise on Boston Bubble
Buyer brokers and motivated
sellers, reach potential buyers.
www.bostonbubble.com

YOUR AD HERE

 
Go to: Boston real estate bubble fact list with references
More Boston Bubble News...
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website and in the associated forums comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, expressed or implied. You assume all risk for your own use of the information provided as the accuracy of the information is in no way guaranteed. As always, cross check information that you would deem useful against multiple, reliable, independent resources. The opinions expressed belong to the individual authors and not necessarily to other parties.

Lucky in Life....

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    bostonbubble.com Forum Index -> Greater Boston Real Estate & Beyond
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Hard Rain
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:04 pm GMT    Post subject: Lucky in Life.... Reply with quote

I went to Hummer sale yesterday and it was mobbed! While the Hummer only gets 3 mpg and the market for gas guzzlers is falling like a rock , I was worried “I wouldn't have a chance”. Remarkably only one of the “mob” actually submitted a bid (presumably a low ball offer) so I raised my offer to over asking price and was in business. I was “ worried about too many offers and the price shooting up” . I have to tell you, I'm lucky in life.....

From today's Globe:

“Francesco Gambino arguably benefited from analysis paralysis; that is, of other shoppers' inability to act. The 43-year-old Gambino and his wife, Laura, 42, visited some 80 homes over two years looking for a property. They were thrilled with a Colonial near Lexington Center listed at $542,000, but the open house on Aug. 31 was mobbed. They worried they wouldn't have a chance: They felt the house with a nice backyard and good location was fairly priced. They made their offer that evening and found they were one of only two bids. They raised their offer to just above asking the price and were in business. "We were worried about too many offers and the price shooting up," said Gambino. "I have to tell you, I'm lucky in life."

Full story:

http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2008/09/28/wrestling_with_buyers_anxiety/?page=1
Back to top
Brian C
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:54 pm GMT    Post subject: Re: Lucky in Life.... Reply with quote

Hard Rain wrote:
I went to Hummer sale yesterday and it was mobbed! While the Hummer only gets 3 mpg and the market for gas guzzlers is falling like a rock , I was worried “I wouldn't have a chance”. Remarkably only one of the “mob” actually submitted a bid (presumably a low ball offer) so I raised my offer to over asking price and was in business. I was “ worried about too many offers and the price shooting up” . I have to tell you, I'm lucky in life.....
So the question is......how much did you pick it up for? Im guessing this a car auction and usually these types of car generate interest.

At a recent auction they had a 2006 H3 with 40k miles go for the $15k range. There was only 3 bidders but I think one of them was involved with the original sale.
Back to top
Guest






PostPosted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:41 am GMT    Post subject: Reply with quote

IRONY
Back to top
Dorchester Grandma
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:02 am GMT    Post subject: Competition for a condo Reply with quote

I recently made an offer on a bank owned condo in a very nice part of Dorchester, a second floor of a triple decker which needed a new bathroom, kitchen and some paint.. The asking price was $131,900. I was told that there were "multiple offers" and I thought that this might or might not be true.

I offered the asking price first, then when asked for "best and final" I offered $3000 over the asking price. Well there really were a number of offers and my perfectly good offer, (with pre-approval from a good bank) was passed over for another. Did this buyer offer more money? My realtor was unable to find out exactly why they did not choose my offer.

It seems that if a property is truly a good deal there is competition for it. There has been some improvement in the market but not enough. I really hate having to compete for a home and it seems that this is going to occur time and time again.
Back to top
samz



Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 102
Location: Medford, MA

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:45 pm GMT    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Boston Globe reporting on real estate is horrible (as pointed out by many others here). After reading a recent article I sent this letter to the editor (and got no reponse):

Hello,

These comments are for Elizabeth Gehrman, author of the column
"Bidding Wars? Quick Sales? It's Happening!" in the Globe on Sept 7th.

It seems like many of the real estate articles in the Globe are very
strongly biased towards sellers (and, of course, real estate agents).
I am a potential buyer and I was totally turned off by the article.
Why would I want to get into the market with such cynical sellers and
agents? This quote says is all:

"Several agents agreed that creating a sense of urgency is key. Buyers
must feel that if they don't act quickly, they'll lose their dream
house - a feeling that was common at the height of the market.

Thanks a lot. At least you're honest about the fact that in real
estate the buyer is always the sucker.

The most disturbing part of the article is the cognitive dissonance
between the desire of housing industry professionals to return to the
gold-rush boom days and the massive meltdown occurring in the
financial sector. I think it's irresponsible and distasteful to go on
about turning huge profits on a home sale at the same time that
taxpayers are picking the bill for huge bailouts. If there was a mea
culpa from the real estate industry, I must have missed it because it
sounds to me like "back to business as usual".

People will argue that Arlington, MA isn't part of that problem. But
certainly the huge increase in home prices there is a direct result of
the same financial structures that enabled huge price increases
everywhere. Is there any other reason that the median price of a home
in Arlington would double in 5 years? The population is roughly the same;
the rate of home sales is the same; median incomes are roughly the
same.

I wish I could go to the Globe for real, in-depth, responsible,
unbiased analysis of the real estate industry. But sadly it seems like
the paper has some other agenda.

-Sam
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
john p



Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 1820

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:01 pm GMT    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think your letter is in the strike zone.

However, nobody is going to tell you what to offer and they can huff and puff all they want, IT'S YOUR MOVE.

I would say to all prospective buyers, think about your risk, break down all the variables and make your own formula and model out where you think the floor will be and then give yourself a factor of safety in case you're wrong. I'm saying learn to QUANTIFY YOUR RISK. Then, feel comfortable about your offer. It should not be something you feel guilty about.

In 2006 I put an offer in on a house that was asking around $650k. I put in an offer for $450k. It's still for sale today, and it is asking $465k.

http://www.realtor.com/ ...truncated...

This house is 4,000 square feet and has a mad dog family room to throw benders in. When we put in the offer, the seller was insulted. At the time, it may have been an insult, but I wasn't trying to be a prick or an aggressive jerk, I was honestly comfortable with my analysis and projection that that was/would be the value of the place.

If you do your homework and quantify your risk, you'll actually come off more comfortable and at peace with your offer. If you act like an aggressive yuppie, if a seller is borderline, they might not say yes out of princple. Now I am a reject from any group: yuppie, redneck, etc. etc. so please don't take anything I say personally.

Editor's Note: This post was edited to abbreviate a URL which was widening the page due to the way that the forum software lays out posts. No other changes have been made, and the URL still points to the original destination - only its display has been shortened.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dorchester Grandma
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:48 pm GMT    Post subject: A few thoughts Reply with quote

I intend to keep offering the asking price or a bit over if need be. I am hoping that there will soon be enough bank owned or even short sale properties to choose from so I don't have to compete with other buyers or investors.

I wait for prices to come way down so that I can have an affordable place in which to live when I retire.

I am reminded of the cherry tree in the back yard of my childhood Long Island home. We used to wait until the cherries became just a bit riper before picking. Another day or two and they would be perfect for our pie. Then when they are just at their peak of ripeness we would wake up to a tree full of cherry pits. The birds has eaten them all during the night. This is exactly what has been happening with Dorchester condos. The day that a condo price drops enough to be a good deal, an investor gobbles it up (often with a cash deal) before I can even get to look at it. Sad
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    bostonbubble.com Forum Index -> Greater Boston Real Estate & Beyond All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Forum posts are owned by the original posters.
Forum boards are Copyright 2005 - present, bostonbubble.com.
Privacy policy in effect.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group