Real Estate Agent · Fitchburg, MA · Member since 2014 · 83 posts · 25 votes
Hi everyone,
I am looking for a tactful question to add into my scripts to ask sellers; a. if they have an existing mortgage, and b. what the details of the mortgage are.
...and are there any liens on the property? If so, how much do you owe?
That's all I say. Most of them aren't exactly sure or will inflate it a bit. I have been pulling the mortgage docs and running a payment schedule in order to get a ballpark idea.
When I have the person on the phone fielding calls, he just asks them if there is a mortgage is on the house, and how much it is. We get a mix of replies. If they are reluctant to tell us, that's fine. I look up the county records, and on the MLS search for mortgages. It shows me pretty current info, including equity loans. I don't rely on it, but it often helps me qualify an appointment.
Okay, thanks for the answers. I forgot to ask that question, so that's what I wound up doing was going to the registry of deeds site and pulling files for the gentleman's name and the property address to discover there were never any liens on the property. I just wanted something to add in my scripts so I won't forget to ask next time.