Not a probate case, but psychologically it kinda is like one...

[Sam Leon]

OK so I have a property near where I live that may be available for sale in the near future.

They live five houses down, been there since 1972.  I have been there since 1997.  We are not good friends but a typical friendly neighborly relationship.  Husband became ill two years ago and passed away November of 2014.  Last week when I took a walk outside she was doing some planting outside and we had a conversation.

She told me she's going to move to the NE to be closer to her kids, and will be selling the house.  She mentioned the need to get rid of a lot of her junk in the garage some of those she had no idea what they are...I offered to help her look and sort through the garage one weekend, and threw out the idea of helping her host a garage sale to thin out her things.

In the back of my mind I am thinking about talking to her about buying the property.  I haven't.  I need time to think this through.

Unlike other investments where I was dealing with people I never met, or banks, where I have no problem squeezing as much out of the deal as I can...this is different.  I feel like if I were to approach her to buy it, I am not going to be able to treat it 100% business.  The urge to help her and the urge to strike the best deal for myself will drive me insane.

On the other hand, I know I can offer her something that perhaps others can't.

- I can offer her a cash deal without financing contingency.

- If she does a deal with me, she doesn't have to pay a 6% commission, or deal with open houses and various showings.  She would be left alone.

- I can offer her completely flexible dates.  The closing date can be pushed to whenever she likes, or the closing can be set and I rent it back to her on very attractive rent arrangements.

- If she stays around a while before she moves and rent from me, she has a handy person with a vested interest just a few houses down to repair anything, ASAP.

So it can be a win-win.

I haven't approached her about it yet.  I will go over to look at her garage later on in the week, and may find out more about how I can help her.  Yet I don't want to come across as being opportunistic or exploitatory.  I will help her out regardless.

[Rick H.]

You are doing it the right way by entering the picture early. More importantly, you are help her and adding to her life by being a friend.

At some point the conversation will center on what it will be like for her living in the new community, how she intends to support herself and who she knows in the new town that will support her and help her. 

If family will be helping but not paying her bills, then you have an entrance to a conversation about converting the equity in her old house into spendable money by way if seller financing.

Can you take over the conversation from this point forward?