Thom Peer's FSBO diary

Last update: November 18, 2005 - 10:00 PM

Feb. 7, 2005: We sign up with a local "for sale by owner" agency.

Feb. 15: Property hits the Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Feb. 18: "For sale" sign is installed.

April 18: First offer is submitted, but it's contingent on the sale of the buyer's home.

July 15: The deal falls apart because the prospective buyers couldn't sell their home.

Late July: We receive another offer, but turn it down because the buyers want us to offer a contract for deed.

Aug. 3: Another offer is submitted and we accept. A few weeks later, the deal falls apart after we get the runaround from the buyer's agent and loan officer. Not a very pleasant experience.

Mid August: Only weeks left on our FSBO contract and we continue to have showings, but start to contemplate hiring a Realtor. Decide to drop the price.

Early September: We find a potential buyer through a close friend and tell the buyer we can work out a deal because neither of us is using a Realtor. Drop the price $10,000.

Sept. 23: Find out that there is a delay in the paperwork, so push the closing date back one week.

Sept. 27: One day before the scheduled closing, we're told the closing has to be pushed back one week.

Sept. 28: Pre-sign closing documents; title company will represent us at the actual closing.

Oct. 4: Anxiously wait for the closing agent to call to say the closing happened. Have dinner and a beer to celebrate at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

LUCIE AMUNDSEN

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