I Got an Offer On Our Florida Home
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
June 25, 2018 8:41pm CST
Yes you heard me right, I got an offer on the phone to buy our Florida home. Friday a man called me and said he was driving around Ocala and he wanted to offer me $50,000 cash for my house. I laughed at him. I told him "You realize that is a joke right, my house is worth double that amount". What I didn't tell him was I knew he wasn't driving by my house, it is a gated community and you have to say who you are visiting and they have to be contacted to come in.
He wanted to know what it would take to make me interested? Nothing would interest me I told him, it's my vacation home. However, after I hung up I thought about it and I should have told him for $130,000 cash I would be interested, I have seen a house for sale in our complex that has a patio that we could gate for our dogs and that's what that house costs. lol
I really hate these shysters who try to take advantage of seniors who may be having financial problems and he is going to try to steal my house away from me for cash!! I guess I should have told him that I bought the house 5 years ago for $50,000 cash so his offer would be a pretty poor investment!!
19 people like this
19 responses
@marguicha (215477)
• Chile
26 Jun 18
It happens everywhere. And many people who work selling houses do the same.
3 people like this
@marguicha (215477)
• Chile
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr I have to turn off my phone at night. I have been called from jail asking me for ransom of one of my children who are safe at their house. I don´t know how they do it.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Yes but this is my cell phone and I live in another state, how did he connect the two?
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79769)
• United States
28 Jun 18
@marguicha gee that's pretty scary to get a phone call like that
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I am sorry, I have no idea what kind of tree it is but it sure is big and has lots of leaves ALL year!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Yes , if the time comes when I want to sell this house I will use the same realtor who found it for me 5 years ago.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111190)
• El Paso, Texas
26 Jun 18
Just make sure that the realtor isn't playing both sides of the field @BelleStarr
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
26 Jun 18
There are a lot of those type. I've seen so many yard signs on the side of the road "We Buy Houses!"
Yeah, they might do, but not for what it's worth, that's for sure.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Yes that was my that exactly. I just was bothered that he had my cell phone number and knew I owned a house in Florida,
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr I would have been bothered by that as well. I do wonder how he found it out.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jun 18
No, I don't have it for sale, I plan to leave it to my children. The only reason I would sell would be to buy another home in the same neighborhood.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
26 Jun 18
Hi Belle. Some people think they are too clever. They never realize you are too wise to be fooled.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
I guess if you make enough of these calls you are going to eventually hit a desperate for cash person.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
@mlgen1037 Oh I don't want to sell my house, I love it. I plan to leave it to my children.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr Yes. But still patience is a virtue. I believe you will find that person who will offer you the deal that you wish. 
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
26 Jun 18
yes he wanted to flip it for much much more. thats what i had to do in order to move right away when i got disabled. i lost a bundle on mine and just losing it broke my heart
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
27 Jun 18
@BelleStarr yes especially without a good spouse to help make decisions etc.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 18
I am so sorry Bonnie, that is heartbreaking. Whenever someone is going through a tough time there is always someone willing to take advantage of that to cheat them.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
26 Jun 18
The prices of houses in some areas in Europe have dropped the last 5 years instead of going up. If you need to sell there is nothing you can do, but get less than you paid. If you do not need to sell, there is no reason to accept ridiculous offers.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
The prices in my area of Florida have doubled in the last 5 years and in most of Florida according to Zillow the prices have been on the rise for the last 6 years. This was not a friendly offer to help out, this was an attempt to steal my house for half of its value. No one should take advantage of an offer like this unless they are desperate or their house is a dump.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr You are so right, there are people ready to jump on every occasion they can get to steal money to people. It is a shame. I know that the value of our house here in Switzerland has doubled. Should be decide to sell, we go through a serious agency.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79769)
• United States
28 Jun 18
At least you didn't fall for his scam. Do you think it would actually be a legit sale if you had said yes?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Jun 18
Yes I am sure he is one of those people who put up those signs around that say we will buy any home, they just want to buy it very cheap.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
27 Jun 18
What a cheek. I am so glad he called you and not some vulnerable old person. These people are despicable and I really hope that this warning goes out to other mylotters to be aware of these scoundrels. I hope you managed to keep him on the line for a long time wasting his time. Not only does it waste his time but it prevents him from swindling someone else. How on earth did he manage to get your phone number. That is questionable too could it have been an inside job?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 18
I have to say that bothered me too but of course, I use only my cell phone when I am in Florida so this number is attached to my water and electric bill, my insurance and tax bill. It may be in a public record.
@DeborahDiane (40056)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr - I think you did the right thing. These types of crooks are likely to offer you more, then tie you up for months, ask for a huge repair allowance, and get you so frustrated that they eventually get you to cut the price. They can drive you crazy. I know. I was a Realtor for a long time and I occasionally ran across people like that.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
I have no interest in selling especially not for a discount price, I knew he was hoping for a good deal but he must have been sorely disappointed by my less than positive response.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40056)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jun 18
@BelleStarr - Good for you for standing up for yourself!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246905)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Shyster is right! I'm sure he would resell it for a big profit. Our son's uncle and aunt-in-law just built a beautiful 4 bedroom home with a pool near Ocala. They moved there from Middletown.
We constantly get offers from others to buy our condo and offers from those who would like to rent it. Many real estate companies also ask to buy our condo to resell for a profit. It's our vacation home and no way will we sell it or rent it. It's on the largest piece of Intercostal property from Delray Beach to Palm Beach. Since we bought it 6 years ago, the price has quadrupled, but we won't sell to anyone. It will be for our kids to enjoy, or they can sell it if they want when that day comes.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 18
That is exactly how I feel and it is now part of our trust so he can go and try to steal someone else's vacation home. I do get mailings all the time from legitimate real estate agents in the area. That is interesting that your son's uncle and aunt in law are from Middletown, that is my hometown!!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246905)
• United States
27 Jun 18
@BelleStarr Exactly! I remember you mentioned that when our son got married in Middletown. It's a beautiful area!!!
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
1 Jul 18
I like that house which you showed pictures of while painting the outside.and it has got a lake beside it?
Glad you sent the person off.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 Jul 18
That is our house in Pennsylvania. I love it too we have just been too busy to go there.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35111)
• United States
26 Jun 18
That was smart on your part. I am glad he couldn't snowball you. Good job.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
I am not easy to trick at least about some things, I am very well aware of what properties go for in my neighborhood, I am always looking.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
lol Yes maybe I could have traded up lol
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
27 Jun 18
lol Yes it was rather ludicrous but then I am not in debt or desperate to sell.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Jun 18
There is a company here that wants me to take their offer for the houses I am selling, I have never called them because I know another land owner that did, he flips houses, he said they want to buy it for nothing.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Yes that is the exact scenario I am sure. I just wonder how he got my cell phone number to associate with my house.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
26 Jun 18
Thank you yes, it just bothered me that he wanted to take advantage of us.
1 person likes this
