Houses sold without signs in front

[moneymaker]

Lately seems as though many houses in the neighborhood have sold without signs in front of them. Is this the new norm?

[XBoxBoy]

Not sure where you live, but in La Jolla, all the brokers have an agreement to not put signs up. (Ostensibly because signs make the neighborhood look trashy, but I’ve always suspected it has to do with keeping the listings in their own circle.)

Given that a sign is a fairly cheap advertising, I’m always surprised that agents don’t put up signs whenever they get the chance.

[Balboa]

In the neighborhoods around me, there’s been a few “Coming Soon” signs for houses that never end up getting listed but do get sold. There was a “Coming soon” internet only listing for a house that I was really interested in, but the listing agent never responded to my agent. I assume they had plans to keep it in the brokerage or something similar.

[svelte]

I’ve been noticing that up here in north county too. I’ll be looking something up via Zillow and it’ll show houses that have sold recently on streets I drive and don’t recall even seeing a for sale sign at that house.

I don’t remember noticing that nearly as often in the past, even in the pre-crash days.

[poorgradstudent]

When we were looking we viewed a handful of properties that didn’t have signs out front. Especially in cases where the property is occupied, some owners may prefer just dealing with the MLS rather than looky-loos from the street.

It’s also probably a sign that there are only 2 months of inventory on the market. For turn-key ready properties, perspective buyers will find the houses on their own and don’t need a sign.

[bewildering]

[quote=svelte]I’ve been noticing that up here in north county too. I’ll be looking something up via Zillow and it’ll show houses that have sold recently on streets I drive and don’t recall even seeing a for sale sign at that house.

I don’t remember noticing that nearly as often in the past, even in the pre-crash days.[/quote]

Same in Clairemont. I’ve noticed a few sold houses that never went to market. Usually they have odd pricing – I’ve seen examples of high and low sale prices relative to local market. I wonder if the low prices are related to those ‘cash for houses’ signs that get put up.

[The-Shoveler]

IMO some agents are more interested in selling to flippers than getting the best deal for the sellers.

Owners/Sellers beware.

Also beware if they try to use all cash quick close.

The sellers agent may not be on the sellers side, Just saying (get good help as JTR says).

[spdrun]

If it’s a short sale, who cares? The seller isn’t getting any money (or shouldn’t). The only entity getting hosed is the bank. And the broker is scamming him/herself out of a commission.

[The-Shoveler]

What you need to beware of is scammers who first offer quick close (all cash to lure you in), then use delaying tactics during inspection to try to find another buyer at a higher price for concurrent (same-day) close.

Somehow the earnest money NEVER becomes earnest.

I have seen it happen, so beware.

[spdrun]

IMHO, there’s no sale until some money changes hands. That’s not a scam, BTW. That’s just business. If the seller is willing to go for a quick close, that’s his/her loss and the new buyer’s gain.

[The-Shoveler]

Sure but it is a betrayal of trust if the sellers agent is NOT on the sellers side, anyway just be aware it may not sell and they may just leave you hanging and this type of thing happens a lot more often these days (and NO you will most likely never see the Deposit money).

[bewildering]

[quote=The-Shoveler]Sure but it is a betrayal of trust if the sellers agent is NOT on the sellers side, anyway just be aware it may not sell and they may just leave you hanging and this type of thing happens a lot more often these days (and NO you will most likely never see the Deposit money).[/quote]

How can you not get the deposit if the buyer backs out? I thought that was the whole point of the deposit?

[The-Shoveler]

After the inspection period you have to get them to sign a “release of all contingencies”, somehow they will always find some Idem they could not inspect so will not release “all contingencies” but they may try to fool you by releasing some etc…

It’s a lot more complex then most think.

especially when YOUR agent is NOT on your side.

[joec]

I wonder if the market is hot now, can you do sold as is, and offer no contingency period allowed? Or at least ignore lower cash offers and state that you know of the “game” they are playing…

I think for scammers, when you call them out and you are on to them, they would (I assume) tend to move on since you would take their deposit and find your own legal ways to keep it.

[spdrun]

One is free to ignore below-market cash offers in any market. The issue isn’t with savvy sellers like most people on this board, but with people who can’t be bothered to do research before selling.

I don’t know about no contingency period. Wouldn’t that make buyers suspicious that the seller is hiding something and doesn’t want the buyer to do inspections?

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