What's the best way to find a house before it goes on the market?

[Anonymous]

It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

While I understand you wanting to "avoid a realtor", the best way to find out about inside information is through a realtor, OP. There is no secret way around them, for the time being. You might consider FSBO sites, but really, all the letters in the world (and we receive a lot of them!) - I have read posts that ask about sending letters to the owners - isn't going to make someone sell their house. I am not a realtor, and I am fully aware that there are some great ones, and some backstabbing ones (in the areas you mention), so watch out.

[Anonymous]

Write individual letters to people who own houses in which you are interested. Arlington is fairly transient and you should be able to find someone who will sell directly to you.

I am a real estate agent, and I do this all the time for my clients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Write individual letters to people who own houses in which you are interested. Arlington is fairly transient and you should be able to find someone who will sell directly to you.

I am a real estate agent, and I do this all the time for my clients.

This. Also if you know the people it helps. We purchased the house next door to where we were renting, before the signs went up, but sadly not without realtors.

[Anonymous]

Check out Zillow -- I think they have a feature for this.

Otherwise I agree with the advice you've already been given.

[Anonymous]

The issue with N Arlington is that unless it's a total dump there is no advantage for a seller to sell pre-market. They just make much more going on the open market with multiple offers.
We found that it last year. Paid $44k over ask for our house (which was priced low to get multiple offers and we were one of 6 offers).

[Anonymous]

Rent in the neighborhood you like and get to know the neighbors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Write individual letters to people who own houses in which you are interested. Arlington is fairly transient and you should be able to find someone who will sell directly to you.

I am a real estate agent, and I do this all the time for my clients.

Really? PP here. In our neighborhood, we seem to get a lot of these letters, and we throw them away. I think perhaps the realtors don't always target well (maybe you do, but that is not always the case). Point being, the letters are kind of annoying. I know you are taking a shot in the dark, but the letters turn a lot of people off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rent in the neighborhood you like and get to know the neighbors

+1

Some places look great on paper, but once you move there, it is too late, should you find out otherwise.

ITA with PP who wrote that renting and getting on the proper list serve might be a start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

Why do you want to avoid a Realtor? That sounds like it would be completely contrary to your stated goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

Why do you want to avoid a Realtor? That sounds like it would be completely contrary to your stated goal.

OP here. I don't have any intention of getting into an anti-realtor thread, but my personal opinion is that I'm my own best agent acting in my own best interests. If a realtor is not bringing a buyer and seller together, I'm not sure I see the value added to the transaction. I know a few good lawyers who deal in real estate transactions, and they should be sufficient to navigate the paperwork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

Why do you want to avoid a Realtor? That sounds like it would be completely contrary to your stated goal.

OP here. I don't have any intention of getting into an anti-realtor thread, but my personal opinion is that I'm my own best agent acting in my own best interests. If a realtor is not bringing a buyer and seller together, I'm not sure I see the value added to the transaction. I know a few good lawyers who deal in real estate transactions, and they should be sufficient to navigate the paperwork.

Except that evidently you don't know where to begin to bring a buyer and seller together. That's what a Realtor does. Have you ever bought and sold a house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be great to avoid a realtor and competition from other buyers if possible, wouldn't it?

What's the best way to find someone who is preparing to sell, but hasn't yet listed...neighborhood listserv? asking on dcum?

We're looking in N Arlington, which I know is a hot area, but I see houses in the sales records all the time that were never listed on the market. How does one find these gems?

Why do you want to avoid a Realtor? That sounds like it would be completely contrary to your stated goal.

OP here. I don't have any intention of getting into an anti-realtor thread, but my personal opinion is that I'm my own best agent acting in my own best interests. If a realtor is not bringing a buyer and seller together, I'm not sure I see the value added to the transaction. I know a few good lawyers who deal in real estate transactions, and they should be sufficient to navigate the paperwork.

Except that evidently you don't know where to begin to bring a buyer and seller together. That's what a Realtor does. Have you ever bought and sold a house?

Op here. Yep. 4 times. And each time the realtor has failed to show me that they added value to the transaction. I'm sorry to say that I'm not terribly impressed by the folks I've met who share your profession.

I was just curious if people had ideas beyond the obvious. There's some good thoughts here, and I'll continue to look to meet a seller on my own.

[Anonymous]

I sold my house on my neighborhood listserv. I put up the post and people forwarded it onto their friends that were looking in the neighborhood.

I think I put it up at 1pm on a Friday and we had people coming to see by 3pm. We have worked out all the details via email by Sunday and on Monday we had a RE atty draw up the actual contract.

[Anonymous]

We listed our house as coming soon and it only showed up in MLS. Only Realtors had access. We were under contract with multiple offers before it ever hit redfin/Zillow.