DFD offer advice

[Nat C.]

Driving for dollars advice sought.

This is a situation I have come across a few times now.

Property owner has a dilapidated multi-family property. They live in the small 'cottage' or 'guest house' whilst the main house is vacant and in poor condition. They've owned it for years and probably inherited the property. 

If I want to try to purchase the property, what is my best approach?

Offer to buy the whole property outright and rent the guest house back to them for cheap rent, which would be not much more than the annual property taxes?

Offer to buy solely the main house which is vacant and sub-divide the land (least desirable option to me)?

Present a low ball cash offer, knowing they are probably going to try to haggle a better price?

Present my MAO (maximum allowable offer)?

[Gary Jenkins]

Privet Nat;

Have you read the book  by Mike Summey and Roger Dawson, "The Weeknd Millionaire's Secrets to Investing in Real Estate"?  Section 4:  How to Power Negotiate includes Beginning Negotiating Gambits, Middle Negotiating Gambits and Ending Negotiating Gambits.

http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Millionaires-Secrets-Investing-Estate/dp/0071412913

Just like clothes, there really is no one size fits all answer, regardless of marketing!  Therefore once you have found a potential property, one has to gather as much (legally obtained) information as you can.  Then based on the information and the Sellers Motivations, structure your offer to make it most attractive to the Seller.  It may not be highest price, it may be terms, it may be a lease back option for the main house, etc as only the Seller knows what they 'have to have' and what they 'would like to have', from the property.  Only when you get what you want/need as investment, AND they get what they want/need; will a mutually agreeable deal be made.   Good luck.