Being unprepared cost me a deal.

Being unprepared cost me a deal.

Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes

Through my advertisements I found this homerun deal. It was an 3/2 1800sf SFR inherited property. The house was a few payments behind on the mortgage and seller had some medical issues and needed to be cashed out. There was only $40k left on the mortgage and the homes ARV was close to $200k. The house was in deacent shape and needed upgrading and minimal repairs,(estimated at $30k). I had sat down with her and talked about her plans and what she needed. I had ran my numbers and came up with $80k as a purchase price. We talked for a bit more after makong my offer, and she verbaly agreed to selling the home for $80k cash. Not being prepaired I did not have any contracts on me at the time. So I told her I will have one drawn up and she can sign it later that day. Little did I know she had another appointment for showing the house. The guy came with a higher offer, and she signed his contract right there on the spot.

If I would have had a contract on me at the time I could be looking at a nice payday. So moral of the story is be prepared at all times, you never know what you might need until you need it

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
10y

@Jabbar Thomas  well that only happens to you once.

you always go into those situations EXPECTING TO write it up put your dough up and contract.

if your just out for a chat.. that's one thing.

Same with RE agents although now with docusign.. If I was an agent I would have a HOT spot. laptop and portable printer and scanner with me in the car at all times.. so I could get it. done

I first met an agent about 6 years ago that had that set up.. of course he was a top agent

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  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    10y

    Thanks for sharing, @Jabbar Thomas. 

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    I definitely learned my lesson. I had my partner print off various contracts that I will keep with me. Just in case I run into another scenerio like this one.

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas  well that only happens to you once.

    you always go into those situations EXPECTING TO write it up put your dough up and contract.

    if your just out for a chat.. that's one thing.

    Same with RE agents although now with docusign.. If I was an agent I would have a HOT spot. laptop and portable printer and scanner with me in the car at all times.. so I could get it. done

    I first met an agent about 6 years ago that had that set up.. of course he was a top agent

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas  when you low ball you always run the risk of someone coming in right behind you and snagging the deal...

  • Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    that will sting for a long time.

  • Investor · Cedar Park, TX · Member since 2016 · 463 posts · 177 votes
    10y

    We live and learn man. Thank you for the lesson in life that we all need to remember.

  • Covington, GA · Member since 2015 · 99 posts · 33 votes
    10y

    It takes spine to "own up" to a goof. Then you share it for others to benefit from.  We appreciate you man!  Thank you.

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @Jay Hinrichs the mobile office set up sounds great. It is something that I could impliment in my business. I wont sulk over a missed deal. I will learn from the experience, and be ready for the next opportunity that comes my way.

  • Investor · Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 2 votes
    10y
    Jabbar Thomas were you targeting pre foreclosures in this instance?
  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @Mark Barnes this particular lead came from my mobile advertisement. It was an inherited property that was four months behind on payments.

  • Residential Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2013 · 803 posts · 689 votes
    10y

    Like Jay said that will only happen to you that one time. You will always keep contracts in your car even when not expecting appointment. I was running around town last week when I got a call from a guy that wanted me to check out his house right away. He was ready to list the next day and I happen to have the paperwork in my car ready to fill out right then so not to miss out. Always be prepared as some sellers will decide in minutes to sell and others months. 

  • Specialist · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2013 · 260 posts · 245 votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas Dude this is awesome for two reasons: one you aren't afraid to share bad news, which I respect, and two every great real estate investors makes these mistakes. You will experience more in the future, but your grit will determine your outcome. Keep hustlin' boss!

  • John CasmonPro Member
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas Definitely a great learning experience for others as well, so thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like a good deal you found with your marketing efforts. Can you share more about your mobile campaign?

  • Engineer · Allen, TX · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Jabbar,

    my condolences on the missed opportunity; however, I greatly appreciate you sharing here on BP. I am starting my search and analyzing deals phase and your story convinced me to get all the documentation ready even at this early stage because you never know what you are going to find. Thank you!

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @John Casmon my mobile campaign consists of decals on my trucks windows. *We buy houses, *i have cash, and i want to buy your house, *unwanted or ugly house, and of course my contact information on there. 

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @Taylor Hill my biggest take away is to have everything ready before you need it. Im now prepping my computer bag with lease option contracts, purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, and any other contract that I may or may not use in the future..

  • Investor · Oak Park, IL · Member since 2014 · 316 posts · 150 votes
    10y

    What is a good source of contracts?  The Boy Scout Motto:  Be Prepared- how true.  Another opportunity will come along.

  • Buffalo, NY · Member since 2015 · 252 posts · 109 votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas, I'm a little jealous, haha.  I've not yet had even 1 person agree to sign the contract on the spot like that. Every single person said they wanted their attorney to look it over first (which I completely understand). I'm flipping properties so I'm ready to purchase.

    My standard real estate contract in NY here even has a "___-day attorney approval contingency" which is a certain time period that attorneys can approve it even if we signed it on the spot.  Kudos to you for getting them that far!

  • Investor · Bronx, NY · Member since 2014 · 66 posts · 25 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Andy Hudgins:

    It takes spine to "own up" to a goof. Then you share it for others to benefit from.  We appreciate you man!  Thank you.

     This is so true thanks for even sharing this.

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @Mike Nelson we searched online for contract templets. There are companies that prepair the contract for you; (business-in-a-box), and you can make modifications. Once we found one that worked we took it to our attorney to look over to make sure it was safe to use.

  • Rental Property Investor · Closter, NJ · Member since 2015 · 884 posts · 722 votes
    10y

    @Jabbar Thomas Even if she did, indeed, execute your contract, she has a three-day attorney review period, whereby anyone else could have come in after you and made a higher offer.  The moral of this story is to make a reasonable offer, don't "lowball" a seller.

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 95 posts · 43 votes
    10y

    @Shannon K. not everone we come across is so quick to accept our offer. But I do focuss on building a good connection withvthe seller and trying to become a real solution to their problem. When i do make my offer most sellers want to look it over with family or their attorney. Keep making your offers, you will get some grandslam deals. Its all in the numbers. The more active you are, the more opportunity for results.

  • Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 41 posts · 27 votes
    10y

    I'll spare you the Being Prepared clichés  :)    First thing that came to my mind was, I would have either used my cell phone or tablet and quickly downloaded a contract and had her sign that in lieu of any other documentation.     However, it sounds like what you may not have been prepared for was the seller being wiser than you gave her credit for.  Chances are, even if you got a signed contract, for the difference of money the other buyer offered, she would have found a way to wiggle out of your deal for the higher dollars. 

  • Appraiser · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 11 posts · 4 votes
    10y

    Might be worth checking out the new tablet apps that allow signatures on digital contracts. 

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 91 posts · 49 votes
    10y

    Which reminds me I need to print off spares to keep in the car thanks!

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