All Forum Posts by: Harrison Chiu

Hi BP, 

Anyone have experience in dealing with Ridgefield Park Planning board? I have a commercial building that is short on parking. So I have 30 parking spots and really should have 60 spots to be safe for the type of business that is renting. 

Has anyone had experience in this locality with regards to getting a parking variance recently? It's a long short, but I figured I'll ask. How was the process and what was the outcome?

Thank you, 

What would you suggest? I have been looking in North Seattle for some stuff. 

I would like to know this as well. 

12%?? That's absurd. I'm looking at 3% and shedding a tear. 

I've been told that you have to contest it. In some regions there is a difference if your property is a rental, could get your taxes lowered. Just food for thought. 

So how did it go? I'm looking at something similar myself. 

@Thomas Haskell

@Nick G. 

@Andrew Johnson

Thanks a lot for the responses. What a difference hindsight makes. If I just chilled out a little and waited AFTER I did the research, this $165 I'm about to throw their way might seem like a calculated offer as opposed to an insult... But yeah, what's the worst that can happen...

Thanks again, lots of learning to be done. 

Hi BP,

Long Story Short: 

I saw a property that was listed for $230,000. It already was under contract, and then the deal fell through, so I went and checked it out. I liked it. The listing agent is also the one that showed me the property,

Because I'm a newbie, under pressure, I offered $200,000 for it. After a brief back and forth, the offer is at (surprise) $215,000. 

After that, I went home and did some more research and it seems that from a comp point of view, the fair market value is around $200,000. I don't believe that this area will appreciate greatly.

I asked the dual agent how the listing price came to be, if an appraiser did it, and they said that they listed it themselves with comps. I had seen comps they sent me and disagree with the list. After my own research, that's how I reached the FMV of $200,000.

My question is:

How bad form is it going back to the dual agent and offering lower than my original offer? (I feel very dumb)

I disagree with they assessment and as dual agent their only role is to be a communication channel they said, though they did hint that the original offer was close to the asking price (which I seriously doubt and that's totally not impartial).

Thanks,