Tips For Newbie Questions

[Bill Gulley]

I thought we might address how to get better responses to questions on BP. Seems new memebers (and those new to RE) might get better responses if they might follow some suggestions as to what to ask.

I just read a very long post with mostly irrelevant information and a vauge underlying question. Part of the problem seems that being new means not knowing what to ask or what information is relevant, thought we might try to address that.

Okay, seems to me is to identify which forum topic is appropriate, if you are asking for opinions or seeking answers, the topic for making deals is not appropriate, as that is to solicit deals, partners, etc. So investigate the use of the topic.

Secondly, I'd suggest you think about what it is you need to know, is the question about;

Marketing?
Title Issues?
Closing or the transaction process?
Pricing, appraisals, valuations?
Business structures?
Etc....

From that attempt to provide only the inforamtion related to the subject matter, this is the hard part I think for new folks. But if your questions really pertain to a partnership where on partner want to sell and the other doesn't, it's a title/business issue, the price, the value, the location, and property condition is totally irrelevant. Adding such additional information in the initial question just makes it harder to disect the issue at hand and provide advice. IMO

After the initial question, others may ask additional information that may have been missed as applicable.

I'm just making the suggestion as to what I'd like to see, short, sweet and to the point, I know it's difficult, but a little more thought initially would really help and get more responses. I just can't read a very long post three times and dig for the real question or subject matter.

Another post that seems to get few responses, are posts with multiple questions, I have seen as many as a dozen questions in one post. Try to make you question easier to answer, 2 or 3 and wait to continue your thread with follow up questions. I like to see something that can be picked off quickly and don't mind at all to come back for further questions, just don't make others think they have to write a book right off the bat.

Well, this is already too long! Any other suggestions?