# We got an offer on our property **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825 "2020-04-01T19:21:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825/21 "2020-04-03T18:18:11Z")
nm (double post deleted…timeout errors!) ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825/22 "2020-04-03T18:19:24Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > he made a basic offer for the property, as-is, and then said additionally he would take care of any titling costs, and other associated costs; Any other expenses that came up, he would take care of too. He even said if there were back taxes owed he would pay those. This sounds fishy to me…almost like a scam. Offering to pay “any” associated costs (without defining which costs–an agent’s commission? a lawyer’s fee? bank fees?)" , and ALL back taxes–is a very vague offer. Those expenses and taxes could be a thousand dollars, or fifty thousand. How would he know? And without knowing…it sounds like he is a bit too anxious to make a deal, and wants you to sign fast. Maybe so fast that you won’t have time to discover something that would make you change your mind. Be careful, and get professional advice. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825/23 "2020-04-03T18:55:51Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > This sounds fishy to me…almost like a scam. > Offering to pay “any” associated costs (without defining which costs–an agent’s commission? a lawyer’s fee? bank fees?)" , and ALL back taxes–is a very vague offer. Those expenses and taxes could be a thousand dollars, or fifty thousand. How would he know? And without knowing…it sounds like he is a bit too anxious to make a deal, and wants you to sign fast. Maybe so fast that you won’t have time to discover something that would make you change your mind. > Be careful, and get professional advice. Good advice to get professional advice. But since there’s nothing in writing yet (is there?), any offer to pay various fees may just be a negotiating tactic from someone who expects reasonable costs and just wants to get things moving. I wouldn’t call it a scam at this stage; I’ve seen deals like this work out quite well. Just be careful and don’t make the deal on only a handshake. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825/24 "2020-04-04T03:44:18Z")
Well now, I have bought properties this way. I had done my research & knew the outstanding debts, taxes leans, etc, on the house before my offer to buy. All of this is public knowledge. I suspect that this buyer has also done their homework. A counter-offer would not be out of line here. I also advise the use of an agent or a real estate lawyer. Unless you have extensive real estate experience, the agent / attorney is well worth the cost. There is just way too much to know before trying to do this deal as a DIY. Just to be clear, I always have used a real estate lawyer for all of my real estate transactions. IMHO, it is money well spent. Here in Colorado, and in Oregon, the lawyer was better educated on the states real estate laws than the agents were. They saved me much more money than their fees were. Thus, for me they were cheaper than not using them. Of course, YMMV. IHTH, 48. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825/25 "2020-04-04T03:54:46Z")
Well now, I have bought properties this way. I had done my research & knew the outstanding debts, taxes leans, etc, on the house before my offer to buy. All of this is public knowledge. I suspect that this buyer has also done their homework. A counter-offer would not be out of line here. I also advise the use of an agent or a real estate lawyer. Unless you have extensive real estate experience, the agent / attorney is well worth the cost. There is just way too much to know before trying to do this deal as a DIY. Just to be clear, I always have used a real estate lawyer for all of my real estate transactions. IMHO, it is money well spent. Here in Colorado, and in Oregon, the lawyer was better educated on the states real estate laws than the agents were. They saved me much more money than their fees were. Thus, for me they were cheaper than not using them. Of course, YMMV. IHTH, 48. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-got-an-offer-on-our-property/850825.md?page=1)