Op, I agree!

I have a rowhouse to sell in DC for 860k sometime in late 2019/early 2019. With the low price point I wouldn’t think it would be that hard to find a buyer.

I want to buy at Glengyle in Vienna, but only if the floors and walls are sound or can be made sound. We will probably end up renting first to see for ourselves and then buy or go for townhouse in Oakton.

21:23 - you don't have to move out to replace the carpets and paint. Just find a place to crash for a couple days while they do the paint, and then the carpet can be done in a day. Then you just have to be super careful!

Looking to buy in Vienna, zoned for Wolftrap, Vienna, Flint Hill or LA elementary. We need a large, flat backyard for a pool. We like newer homes (built after 2000). Can pay up to 1.6.

Anonymous wrote:Amen. Don’t go through the trouble of decluttering and staging. I’m looking for a house in N Arlington or Crystal City, 3-4 br, 2+ bathrooms, less than $1.1M, and has a basement or a garage.

I'm looking in any nice tree-lined neighborhood in N. Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac... anywhere! 1.5 m or less. And I'm not a haggler or need any cosmetic stuff done. I'll even rent back to you until July. Anyone reading? Let's do this!

Anonymous wrote:It never works. The seller always wants the gross price and the agent always wants the price minus what the commission would have been. Commissions are so much smaller and so variable that no one can split the difference.

I'm going through this with my tenant right now. I offered her a fair price based on recent sales and minus 4 percent. She wants a full six percent discount.

Seems to be an easy compromise there. According to this board everyone pays 5% anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It never works. The seller always wants the gross price and the agent always wants the price minus what the commission would have been. Commissions are so much smaller and so variable that no one can split the difference.

I'm going through this with my tenant right now. I offered her a fair price based on recent sales and minus 4 percent. She wants a full six percent discount.

The buyer, not the agent, is what I meant.

Well, consider that the cost of selling is not just the commission but also the cost and lost rent of listing, which is more than her cost to move to a new place. If I was a tenant I would want the full discount to buy your (my) used, non-refreshed house. After all, if you're selling I have to move anyway so what do I lose by negotiating?

Let me know of anyone has a less than 700K house / townhouse in Falls Church! I'll buy!

Anonymous wrote:It never works. The seller always wants the gross price and the agent always wants the price minus what the commission would have been. Commissions are so much smaller and so variable that no one can split the difference.

I'm going through this with my tenant right now. I offered her a fair price based on recent sales and minus 4 percent. She wants a full six percent discount.

The buyer, not the agent, is what I meant.

It never works. The seller always wants the gross price and the agent always wants the price minus what the commission would have been. Commissions are so much smaller and so variable that no one can split the difference.

I'm going through this with my tenant right now. I offered her a fair price based on recent sales and minus 4 percent. She wants a full six percent discount.

I did this once and was berated by 3 real estate friends and several neighbors. By selling at a reasonable price, I was screwing the market value of the neighborhood. I was moving out of state, though, so Oh Well!

This also appeals to me. I've read that you never make a high / fair price doing it this way, but not having to move out in order to prep and show it seems worth that loss. I have kids and a dog, and would paint and probably replace carpet before listing, so I'd be in temporary housing for what, at least 2 months just to sell, and then more to buy? Ugh.

I also have a recurring fantasy in which a builder takes my current house in partial trade for a new house. He wants my little well-located place for his niece, he has a small lot that won't support the usual McMansion, hearts and stars for everyone.

I’m Listing my home in April. Until then I am putting out feelers to try and sell to someone I know or know of. No negotiation-a fair price-50K less than agent said s/he would list it.

Amen. Don’t go through the trouble of decluttering and staging. I’m looking for a house in N Arlington or Crystal City, 3-4 br, 2+ bathrooms, less than $1.1M, and has a basement or a garage.

Where we all buy each other's real estate without using a stupid agent, instead, we share a real estate attorney and buy/sell our homes for fair market value without all the other stuff involved. No commission games or price games. All straight forward and good faith.