Real Estate Investor · Everett, WA · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 0 votes
I have a neighbor who is only at his house in the evening and leaves in the morning. I know his name through our mutual neighbors who's my friend. His house needs a ton of work, he's owned it since new (looked it up), so for about 25 years. What i'm wondering is....
1. I'm new to this world of REI. I would like to contact him without offending him and ask if he would be interested in selling to me. either now or when he's ready to sell.
2. should I find out how to finance it before I ask him.
3. should I A) sell my current home to purchase and rehab his home to live in or B) keep my current home and rent it (I think I'd like this if financially possible).
4. Any other questions of info I should ask or you folks have to offer?
My first post and hope to become a more active participant here on BP. So much info...I'm trying something new...act first rather than overanalyze and do nothing and stay in my same position.
He's never there during "normal" times. I'm up early and head to work at about 4:45am and in bed by 9. I'm not too sure what time he comes home but I'm a little hesitant to try and approach him so late. So I feel writing a note and leaving it on his car would be best but not too sure what to put on the note. Probably over thinking. As a matter of fact I'll write a note now and just do it. Gotta not overthink things....
Glad to hear you decided to just do it and not overthink it. We are often times our worst enemy. You will end up being surprised how often "Hey nice to meet you, I was looking at your house and if you ever want to sell it give me a shout and we can discuss it". Actually gets a conversation started. He could have been sitting around for 2 years thinking how much he wanted to move to Florida just hasn't bothered getting the ball rolling himself.
I finally went over to my neighbors house and made contact, with prompting from my wife. After a bit of small talk, I let him know I'm interested in buying his house if he were to sell. I planted the seed. I will follow up from time to time whenever I see him (which is rare). He built that house himself and seemed pretty attached to it. Thank you @Lance Wakefield, @Mike Cumbie, and @Louis Kelley for your feedback and encouragement.