I Could Legally Screw This Seller Out Of $20,000!!!

We’ve got a deal right now where the first thing the seller ever told us was:

“I just feel like everyone is trying to take advantage of me.”

We hear that a lot.

And honestly, it’s not surprising.

There’s a shitload of shady wannabe investors out there.

Hell, there’s a shitload of shady successful investors out there too — but that’s a whole other story.

Anyway…

On this deal we made our offer subject to inspecting the septic system.

Turns out the system is failing.

To fix it we either have to repair or replace it, and that requires approval from the Department of Environmental Health.

In this county that process can take months.

Months the seller doesn’t have.

So we gave her two options.

Option 1:

Give us the time to pursue approvals. If we get them, we close at the agreed price.

Option 2:

Close now at a purchase price of $10,000, because we’re taking the risk.

Then after closing, if we get approvals, we pay her the rest of the original purchase price.

Here’s the kicker.

The language in the addendum says:

“In the event Buyer determines, in Buyer’s sole and absolute discretion, that the septic system can be repaired, expanded, or replaced…”

Which means we control the decision.

If we were the type to do it, we could just say “nope, didn’t work out” and never pay her another dime — even if we fixed the septic cheaply.

Of course, that’s not how we operate.

If we can get it done, she’s getting paid.

But it raises the obvious question:

Why would a seller who started the conversation by saying everyone is trying to rip her off trust us with something this unusual?

Because trust was built from the very first call.

We positioned ourselves as:

“Here to help.”

“If we can buy it, great. If not, we’ll get you connected with someone who can.”

We talked to her.

A lot.

We sent cookies.

We spent time onsite.

And now we’re heading to closing next week with a seller who started out skeptical and now trusts us completely.

The lesson is as old as time:

Say what you mean.

Do what you say.

There are a lot of Joeys out there saying whatever they need to get a contract signed… and then disappearing.

Don’t be a Joey.

Alright, I’m headed to Alta for my last day of skiing this season.