Seller continues putting off appt, despite interest in selling

Seller continues putting off appt, despite interest in selling

Investor · Twin Cities, MN · Member since 2015 · 130 posts · 111 votes

I received a call in July 2015 from my direct mail campaign. It was my third letter to her over about 6 months. All of you out there just starting to send mail-- keep sending because people really do wait to call you. 

She bought the house in 1991, but has not lived in the house for the last 5 years after moving to a condo. She claims there is a lot of stuff in the house (her mothers possessions after she passed away and her stuff too). Driving by, looking at the windows, it seems like a hoarder situation.

She expressed a lot of interest in our initial phone call. She liked the fact that I could buy it as-is with no realtors involved. But before she sells, said she needs to get all of the stuff out of there.

She sounds like she is in her late 60's / early 70's and probably has no capacity to move all of the stuff out on her own anyway.

I followed up with her early December and she said she still needs to get the stuff out, but it is now too cold and wants to wait.

How can I pitch an offer to someone like this that will help them to move the process forward? I feel like offering to move all of the stuff out of the house and into public storage as part of buying the house. But it seems like she is embarrassed by the situation. What kind of questions do you guys ask sellers to get them to take more action?

Thanks BP!

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Investor · Sydney, New South Wales · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 7 votes
10y

Honestly having dealt with hoarders, I'd focus my efforts elsewhere. If you wish to persist consider your worst case scenario. What will you do if she never sells? If it leads to a deal fabulous, but how many deals are you missing while you focus on this one? 

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  • Investor · Princeton, TX · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Charlie John

    If it is a hoarding situation... pressure is likely to back fire.  You might consider offering to pay movers. Make sure you tell her she can leave anything she does not want to move.

  • Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 512 posts · 338 votes
    10y

    I would do like you said - cover the cost of moving her junk out as part of the offer.  Let her or help her choose how she wants to do this since there is personal stuff there.  She will probably want to oversee the process like most hoarders so you probably are stuck until it warms up.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 128 posts · 37 votes
    10y

    Offer to pay for the cost of moving and the first month or two of storage, unless she has somewhere to store it all of course.

    Best of luck!

  • Developer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 732 posts · 490 votes
    10y
    One of the early things I learned is that hoarding is actually a phycological disorder. It is not overcome very easily. The key, in my opinion, is to build trust and try not to appear to be rushing things too much. The hoarders we have worked with and our friends have worked with are all different but with several common themes. Some may just want to leave everything behind one day and let you deal with it, while others will literally try to take everything from their old place to their new place. In every instance though trust, honesty, and non-judgement are at the center. Don't expect a deal to come together overnight either. Be patient and learn to listen. It'll come together in due time.
  • Investor · Sydney, New South Wales · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 7 votes
    10y

    Honestly having dealt with hoarders, I'd focus my efforts elsewhere. If you wish to persist consider your worst case scenario. What will you do if she never sells? If it leads to a deal fabulous, but how many deals are you missing while you focus on this one? 

  • Springfield, IL · Member since 2014 · 22 posts · 16 votes
    10y
    Great advice! My style is not to pressure because hoarding is definitely a psychological challenge. I'd say do more research on her, find someone who knows her and meet her at a level or place that she feels comfortable and then take it up from there. Don't waste too much time though...
  • Real Estate Agent · Watertown, MA · Member since 2015 · 366 posts · 77 votes
    10y

    Hi Chalie,

         I agree with Igor and offer to pay for the cost of moving and the first month of storage, many storage companies will give you the first month for free. Let her know everything will be handled with kid gloves and you're here to help.

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