Dealing with difficult seller and seller agent

[Matt Kampf]

Hi BP,

So my wife and I currently have an offer out on two different properties and have run into the difficult seller/agent scenario and was wondering if anyone might have some suggestions.

Property 1 is a SFH 2/1. We put an offer in, waited two weeks with no word from the seller or the seller's agent, only for their agent to finally respond and ask for our best and final offer, which we submitted and waited another week only for the seller's agent to come back and say "The seller has received multiple offers and could we submit our best and final offer" (again). We are now waiting to hear back from the seller's agent, again...going on the 3rd week now, so we will have to edit the closing dates and feasibility period if we move forward on this property.

Property 2 is a duplex that is currently tenant occupied. The seller agent for this property won't schedule a viewing of the property, nor will the current landlord/owner/seller, but still expect us to meet their counter offer site unseen. The seller agent suggested to our agent that we go by the property and knock on the door and ask the tenant if we can take a look around inside. This would require knocking on the doors of both tenants as the duplex is two separate bungalows...

No option or earnest money is in play yet, however both properties are good candidates for a fix and flip, and property 2 is already cash flowing as-is and would make a good BRRRR.

Any suggestions on how to proceed with these scenarios?

Thanks BP community!

[Chris Mason]

Hi @Matt Kampf,

Prop 1: Smells to me like a seller that is delusional about the value of their home and/or is stuck in paralysis by analysis. Don't lose sleep over it. Your best and highest is in, it's up to them to come to their senses - or there's no deal. I'd go quiet and give them an opportunity to sweat. Ultimately if they are not serious about selling, there's not much you can do to force their hand.

Prop 2: Not too unusual with tenant occupied multi-units to not want ten thousand looky loos trampling in and out of the tenants' living area. Take seller claims about the property at face value, tie it up in contract so it's yours if you want it, do your inspections, and either renegotiate, take it as-is, or walk, at that point.