All Forum Posts by: Charlie MacPherson

For a FSBO list, try www.LandVoice.com.  They scrub agains the "do not call" list and provide phone numbers.  Also www.Vulcan7.com.

Some argue that we can call FSBOs and Expireds on the DNC because they have put themselves in the market. NAR issued guidelines saying not to call. It's up to you how you handle that question.

As a new agent, just be careful not to fall for the marketing pitches from companies promising to 10X your business if you buy their super-duper program for leadgen. There is absolutely no end to people (inevitably without money-back guarantees) promising FAR more than they can deliver.

Best of luck in your new career!

What others have said is true.  Massachusetts is renter-friendly in the extreme. A professional tenant can string you along for many months, while not paying rent or utilities. 

I would play a little hardball with the seller and as a condition of the sale, require that the first floor be delivered vacant.  

You might consider reimbursing the first floor tenant for some of their moving expenses if they take the 2nd floor unit.  Your last ditch effort should be 'cash for keys". Just know that if it ends up in court, it will be ugly and expensive and "discrimination" is an all too easy weapon for the tenant to use to beat you into a lifeless, bloody pulp.

Presumably, he's somewhat motivated to sell.  If that's true, you have a bit of an upper hand.  I recommend that you play it to your advantage.

You might try asking in casual conversation why he's selling.  If you can determine that, you might gain some leverage in negotiations, especially if he's under a time constraint or financial pressure.

What were the list's selection criteria?

Hey, Nick - Welcome to BP!  

We should connect - I'm an investor-friendly real estate agent covering Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk and Suffolk counties. 

We also have a B2B networking group that meets in Norwell on the 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings and the 2nd Thursday evening of the month - and there's a space open for a landscaper.  Perhaps we can get you some referrals for that business.

Reach out any time.  

I'm not a fan of Tiger.  I use Something Broken (Paul Cavallaro) out of Braintree. 617-872-2610.  Reasonable prices and a free radon test.

Yes, sadly an arrest warrant has not yet been issued for the assailant (cat).

I have a house I'm listing for sale and the seller is a friend of a friend.  His cat, however, is no friend of mine.

My client has gone nose-blind to the horrific smell.  When I say "smell", I mean "stench of ammonia and cat urine".  

By "stench", I mean that this is probably illegal under the Geneva Convention.  Even the cat's fleas have probably applied for asylum at the nearest embassy.

See where I'm going here?  It's bad.  Real bad.

So who knows the best way (aside of torching the house) to get rid of cat pee smell - which I fear right have penetrated the hardwood floors.

(Actually, I don't think torching the house will work.  The flames would probably run away from the stench too).

You didn't mention whether the promises made were in writing.

If they were, it seems to me that a lawsuit is in order - one with the intent of driving an equitable settlement from the seller and TK company, rather than going through the lengthy and expensive court process.

I'd be prepared to find that both parties have protected their assets via LLC / S-Corp or something similar, but my understanding is that fraud can pierce the corporate veil. If you can prove it, their assets may be open to you for attachment.

Another option, depending on your jurisdiction's limits, may be small claims court.

However, if those promises were NOT in writing, it seems to me that you're hosed.

I think the first step is to talk with a qualified attorney.

Hi @David Cerone 

I'm an investor-friendly real estate agent that works in your area.  I have several investor clients from Boston to the south - Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties.

My office is in Norwell - let's get together for coffee and talk about what we can do to help you.

- Charlie MacPherson 781-412-4151

If agents in your area host "Brokers Open Houses" (open houses for brokers, not for the public), attend as many of these as possible.

You'll get to know property styles, features and be better able to understand local pricing.

You should also practice running comps on different properties, so you'll be more ready when you need to do one for a client.

Best of luck!