We got an offer on the house today. Actually, we got two, but one was way way too low. I am a bit uncomfortable with the other one, because it involves a contingency to sell their house. We are thinking about it and haven’t decided to accept or not.
After stressing about it for a while, I finally succombed to my inner stalker* and googled the couple. I found his blog. Then I found his twitter feed. Then I found her twitter feed. And her podcasts (though I can’t listen to them because I don’t have speakers right now.)
It turns out that this little snapshot of the family was very likeable. I think they seem like people I would want to hang out with at the park. Also, they were Obama supporters and I like to stack the hood with Democrats if at all possible, especially because we are planning to continue living very nearby.
I think they might possibly annoy the crap out of my really nosy, annoying neighbor.
None of these are really things that should influence my decision, but I was previously about 65% against accepting, now I am only about 20% and that is just my nerves.
The internet is a strange strange tool that can be used for good or evil. I am not sure which this is.
*Seriously, I am a stalker. If we have met in person, odds are I have looked up how much you paid for your house, what charities you support, any political donations you have made, your photo on facebook etc. Yes, I know I am creepy. It used to be my job to stalk people (nonprofits call it “prospect research” ) and now it is just second nature.
Glad you are getting some action on the house. My mother actually accepted a lower offer on her house because she liked those people better so it works for me for you to accept an offer just because you like them. You’ve already been through what looked like a good offer but really wasn’t so what do you have to lose? Good luck!
I love it, I totally do the same things. And the comment about stacking the neighborhood with Dems is priceless!
maybe you can write up a post teaching the rest of us how to check people out?! I’d love to do that. good luck with the house…..
Ha ha, its normal to google stalk people.
You can accept the contingency offer on the contingency that you don’t find a buyer without a contingency. If you find another buyer you give the first offer the option of dropping the contingency.
“Seriously, I am a stalker. If we have met in person, odds are I have looked up how much you paid for your house, what charities you support, any political donations you have made . . . .”
Me, too. I don’t think it’s all together a good thing, but I can’t resist information when it’s out there. But, I actually think that some information should be harder to find. There’s a big difference between the days when you had to look up property records in order to find out how much someone paid for their house, and being able to find it on zillow.
I am not a stalker, but I aspire to be one. How do you do this? I’m familiar with Zillow but haven’t been successful with the rest.
We’re selling our house for less $$ this time too, just because we like the family better than the ones that offered more. Goes to show that money ISN’T everything.
It’s true, stalking is an occupational hazard. But it can lead to TMI. Like my best friend from high school? Whom I have had unexpressed hard feelings for since college (short story, I realized I was the “handicapped” friend, liberal credentials and all that) I discovered she and her husband filed bankruptcy. Really wish I didn’t know that one.
But it hasn’t cured me of cyber stalking…
heh, I think all your readers are stalkers. I am as well for similar reasons as yours. And I am a nosy person, but would prefer that I get my info in private
We bought our last house with a contingency. What the seller did was set out a time frame within which we had to sell our house and also state that they could look at other offers and offer us first right of refusal if anything interesting came up. This way, they really had nothing to lose. We sold our house within a week and the condition was waived and we bought the house. If you think that they can sell their house quickly, might be worth a shot. BTW, when we first moved to this city about 10 years ago, it shocked me how people would just ask you how much you paid for your house – now I’m used to it. Everyone asks… I guess they figure it’s easy to get the info, so why not just give it out! Nobody ever asks how much money you make, but everyone asks how much you paid for your house! Good luck!! Oh, and I’d be a stalker too, I’m just too lazy and computer illiterate. I also live in Canada and I think there are many less sites with this type of info.
Julie
We purchased our house ages ago – still in the “starter” home, but it was when the market was hot and offers came in multiples. We were up against another couple offering a bit more, sightly nuanced offer from ours – but the sellers went with us because they knew my husband’s radio show & music stuff & were fans. We found this out after. Turns out they were waiting on being matched with a child in China at the time they were selling – though we didn’t know that, nor would that have really resonated at the time anyway. Looking back it makes sense why that kid’s room was staged though clearly not inhabited by a kid. My maiden name when googled and paired with my first name shows job stuff I’ve done, though also it’s a Buffy the Vampire Slayer character who was a nutbar. That’s always fun. Oh, and once I made a comment on a forum called “mplsswing” which was for folks interested in swing dancing…you know, Lindy Hop & such. It’s still out there & I always think if people see that they would think I was a swinger in the ishy sense. Note to self – find out how to get rid of mplsswing archived post. Good luck with the future move!
Shelly
So, did you accept or not? Let us know if you can.
And I don’t mind you being a stalker in the least.
I’m glad you like the prospective buyers. In my humble opinion, since you’re not hard-pressed to sell the house and buy another, it doesn’t hurt to accept, does it? Unless you think there’s a good chance you might receive another offer soon… Well, I don’t know. It’s obviously up to you guys.
Yesterday our realtor called me and said that our only prospective buyer (no offer yet, he’s coming to see the house again today) just put his house on the market, so if his offer came, it would also be with a contingency. My realtor said that we shouldn’t accept it then, not to tie ourselves down with a contract when it’s uncertain it will work out. Maybe the same would apply to you… I don’t know.
Let’s hope they can both sell their houses and make a more “certain” offer, right?
Isn’t it crazy (and a little scary) how much information we can find out about someone on the internet?
Good luck selling your house. We went through the selling/buying process two years ago and I now have great empathy (and sympathy) for anyone going through that. Hope everything goes smoothly for you!