patrick.net

We're looking to buy soon. We've been actively writing lowball offers again after along lull. Unlike a year ago, this time we're getting serious counter offers. None good enough to consider yet. But getting closer.

We're also going to try doing a couple short sales and/or auction bids. We had to break down and bring on an agent to access the whole "private market" in Marin. There is a huge inventory of "off market", "pocket listing" and "private deals". Only an insider agent gets you access. But this guy is good and he's very positive on REO, short sales, and auctions. So we're actively involved in all that.

It's a real pain in the ass because it eats up so much time. Unfortunately, renting has been a serious burden given our circumstances the past 3 years. I had to move mom back east with other relatives as her situation degenerated so she can't climb stairs any longer (but like most of her generation would rather sit stranded on the stairwell half a day than admit she needs help).

So now we're stuck trying to lead the market pricing mechanism by getting involved in the more aggressive side of potential deals. Currently, my best bragging point is an offer we wrote for $550K less than the previous owners paid in 2005, during a feeding frenzy overbid which they "won" by overbidding $200K. They countered ... at $300K less than they paid! But I need that other quarter mil or else they can choke on their mortgage.

Good luck with your offers.
I know it's tough watching parents age. My mom has been drinking 'Mone Ve'sp? which my sister sells, and it seems to have really helped her out. I think there may be something to some of these natural remedies.