Should I wait for a property developer or sell at a discount?

[Chase Harmon]

I have 2 properties that are beside each other in an area that is undergoing substantial development. We have been contacted by a developer who has our properties under contract. His plan is to demolish both and put in a development complex. He submitted plans last year and did not win the city bid. However, he is looking to keep us under contract as he and his team are confident they will win next year. If the sale goes through, we are making a substantial return (hundreds of thousands of dollars).

My spouse and I want the money now and want to avoid the wait and see. For experienced investors, do you see a scenario where an investor would assume the properties at a reduced rate which would allow us to cash out and them the opportunity to earn some easy money while holding the properties.

For example: Say if we wait, we will sell the properties for $1M. However, we find an investor to purchase the properties at $900k. We will lose out on $100k but get our cash out and the new investor will clear $100k by sitting on a deal for a year (while collecting rents).

Does this seem feasible or something that would be attractive to an investor?

[Jay Hinrichs]

Quote from @Chase Harmon:

I have 2 properties that are beside each other in an area that is undergoing substantial development. We have been contacted by a developer who has our properties under contract. His plan is to demolish both and put in a development complex. He submitted plans last year and did not win the city bid. However, he is looking to keep us under contract as he and his team are confident they will win next year. If the sale goes through, we are making a substantial return (hundreds of thousands of dollars).

My spouse and I want the money now and want to avoid the wait and see. For experienced investors, do you see a scenario where an investor would assume the properties at a reduced rate which would allow us to cash out and them the opportunity to earn some easy money while holding the properties.

For example: Say if we wait, we will sell the properties for $1M. However, we find an investor to purchase the properties at $900k. We will lose out on $100k but get our cash out and the new investor will clear $100k by sitting on a deal for a year (while collecting rents).

Does this seem feasible or something that would be attractive to an investor?

Nope.. developers by and large are not going to cash you out and take the entitlement risk for such a small discount.. maybe 500k discount they would but not 100k.. not going to happen unless you find a developer that is not very bright and has money burning a hole in their pocket.