All Forum Posts by: Hen Ley

@Judy P., To the contrary, sales price is not public information in non-disclosure states such as mine.  Though tax assessors are not privy to sales prices, they're still capable of appraising.  

@Charlie MacPherson, Per your analogy, the best restaurants don't list prices, but nonetheless I hear your point.  You're totally right about what should determine value, but as you know, both buyers and sellers are influenced by psychological factors, including knowledge of what you paid for a property. 

I just move from a market with many sophisticated buyers, a place where the 1% of the 1% buy, and it was not unusual for them to request to withhold the sales price.  It has never thrown a flag in my experience, and the suggestion seems to be coming from people who reside in states where the sales price is public knowledge, rather than non-disclosure states such as the one I live in.

@Mike McCarthy, I appreciate the suggestion-  That's the next step so hopefully it will work out-  Thanks!

@Russell Brazil, An omitted salient point would be that the listing agents are representing myself, the buyer, as well-

@Jay Hinrichs, Thanks for your insights.  Your experience and help is greatly appreciated, as always-

@Russell Brazil, Both are true- Apologies for the confusion but let me try to clarify- The MLS has said we do not need to disclose the sales price so long as I pay the fee. However, the agent has said they don't feel comfortable not disclosing it so will not honor my request as their client...

Any suggestions?

@Russell Brazil, They do have control over the listing of the data! We've spoken with the local MLS/board of realtors and they agree that the sales price does not need to be listed in the MLS, so long as I pay the fee.

@Russell Brazil, Our particular MLS does allow to withhold the sales price, however, their is a fee that needs to be paid. As mentioned in my post, I've offered to pay the fee, however, the agent feels uncomfortable not disclosing it.

The MLS has this request because they're a business and staying is business requires them maintaining their relevancy- In my non-disclosure state, this is one of the few avenues they have to maintain some of that, as an increasing amount of information becomes available online. They're trying to protect their business and I'm trying to protect mine- Experience has taught me that a resale is easier when a seller isn't influenced by the knowledge of your purchase price. It's not illegal to withhold the information and it would seem that, as the client in the transaction, the agent should honor my request, particularly given that I'll absorb the financial hit-

@Jonathan Greene, The reality is it's very difficult for buyers to find the sale price if it isn't in the MLS/provided to buyers by their agent in a non-disclosure state.

In my experience buyers will use your purchase price as leverage when negotiating.  There's a plethora of reasons not to disclose it-

 So, if you know of anyway to navigate this and not disclose it please advise!

@Aaron Kinney, I'm the buyer, I'm not a wholesaler.  I'm working with an agent-