Any advise re: selling a home/cottage privately (?)...

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As the title asks.......

I have someone interested in my place. I'm in Ontario, they are in Saskatchewan.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm ready to move. Got rid of the car - now have a truck.....somebody kick me...I'm out of control....just need to sell this place and settle down where it's warm and dry.
  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    Just be careful Jody -

    It would be good if you had a friend or family there when you show the house if you don't know the potential buyer.

    May seem paranoid, but better safe than sorry!

    It sounds like you are in an adventurous mood, so enjoy it! Hope you land somewhere you love!

    Pat
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by Patrician View Post

      Just be careful Jody -

      It would be good if you had a friend or family there when you show the house if you don't know the potential buyer.

      May seem paranoid, but better safe than sorry!

      It sounds like you are in an adventurous mood, so enjoy it! Hope you land somewhere you love!

      Pat
      Awe, thanks Patrician.

      I have had others suggesting I need to be careful also .....I don't own nor do I possess a gun lol, would a baseball bat suffice? J/K.. I spoke with the gentleman this evening.....he will be in Ontario over the Christmas Holidays. He would like to come and see the place while here in Ontario.

      If something happens and I don't post nor respond during that time frame - send the big guns in, please and thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by Patrician View Post

      Hope you land somewhere you love!

      Pat
      Have you got a room for rent?!
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Patrician gave some good advice. Some leave the door unlocked or accessible, and squatters come in, and I heard of one person that moved a refrigerator, and the water line for the ice maker came unattached and soaked the house for THREE DAYS! HOPEFULLY prospects won't try to assault you. They WOULD be taking a risk, as someone else could happen by and catch them.

    And you KNOW what happened with ME, with my mother sneaking in, moving her bed and stuff in here, and I had to try to figure out how to get her out. Even a stranger could be a problem though, although at least THEN I could wait and replace the locks, or have the police evict them.

    Make sure you know all the procedures, and have the right contracts. A defect could be DEVASTATING!

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Patrician gave some good advice. Some leave the door unlocked or accessible, and squatters come in, and I heard of one person that moved a refrigerator, and the water line for the ice maker came unattached and soaked the house for THREE DAYS! HOPEFULLY prospects won't try to assault you. They WOULD be taking a risk, as someone else could happen by and catch them.

      And you KNOW what happened with ME, with my mother sneaking in, moving her bed and stuff in here, and I had to try to figure out how to get her out. Even a stranger could be a problem though, although at least THEN I could wait and replace the locks, or have the police evict them.

      Make sure you know all the procedures, and have the right contracts. A defect could be DEVASTATING!

      Steve
      Steve, I'm not away from this place long enough for someone to even consider squatting.

      Should they try, they will suffer the consequences - period.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

    Have you got a room for rent?!
    Hahaha - no, sorry - I live in a 4-room apartment -

    I don't even have room for a gold fish.

    But you would like our seasonless weather.

    We had a few days of rain and cold (50s F) and today it is stuffy hot again (70s) like we went back to the Summer we never really had.

    God I hope none of us ever have to rent a room from anybody.
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by Patrician View Post

      Hahaha - no, sorry - I live in a 4-room apartment -

      I don't even have room for a gold fish.

      But you would like our seasonless weather.

      We had a few days of rain and cold (50s F) and today it is stuffy hot again (70s) like we went back to the Summer we never really had.

      God I hope none of us ever have to rent a room from anybody.
      Patrician, I was just kidding about the room to rent!

      I do however plan on visiting some folks down your way this coming year, so I hope we can get together and enjoy a night out on the town.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        So - is the person driving/flying in to see the house or do they want photos sent? If someone is coming that far to see your property I doubt you are the target. They could find that closer to home.

        You must be excited to have someone interested! If you are worried about security - get a friend or neighbor to come over when you show the home.

        Good luck - hope they buy it.

        kay
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        • Profile picture of the author waterotter
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          So - is the person driving/flying in to see the house or do they want photos sent? If someone is coming that far to see your property I doubt you are the target. They could find that closer to home.

          You must be excited to have someone interested! If you are worried about security - get a friend or neighbor to come over when you show the home.

          Good luck - hope they buy it.

          kay
          Kay, they have photos and they are coming to Ontario for Christmas. It will be about a two hour drive for them once they arrive.

          I spoke to the gentleman last night via phone. He is retiring in a year and a half, so is wanting a place in the area.

          It's very exciting, considering I just decided to do this. The interested party wants to run this place as a B & B and build a couple of cabins! I already have the commercial zoning, so hope everything works out.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Jody -- go to your local police department and tell them what is going on. Be honest with the person and tell them that they need to check in with the police when they get there and when the cops call you, you will gladly show the house. If they are interested in buying your house, they will go there. If they are looking to target you, you will never hear from them again.

    That's the type of stuff our cops used to be paid for. Now they just pepper spray peaceful protesters and tase traffic offenders. Sure you want to move here?:confused:
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Jody -- go to your local police department and tell them what is going on. Be honest with the person and tell them that they need to check in with the police when they get there and when the cops call you, you will gladly show the house. If they are interested in buying your house, they will go there. If they are looking to target you, you will never hear from them again.

      That's the type of stuff our cops used to be paid for. Now they just pepper spray peaceful protesters and tase traffic offenders. Sure you want to move here?:confused:
      Sal, that's great advise but, the police will not come here come hell or high water. If someone dies, they will show up, that's about it.

      I had my lawn mower stolen out of the garage this summer. I called the local OPP (Ontario Provincial Police). They told me an officer would be dispatched the next day......that officer has yet to arrive despite repeated phone calls.

      I know others in the area that have called, only to receive the same treatment.

      Pepper spay was illegal here for some time. Recently they have changed the laws. We can now purchase the small canister of spray, but not the large one. :confused:

      I'm not too concerned about my safety (will have my truck alarm remote in my hands!), just curious to know about others who have sold real estate privately.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I'm with heysal here. The US used to be practically the best, that many ASPIRED to! Maybe I am wrong, but canada sees to kind of treat the US like the US treats mexico. Some stuff they just won't accept from the US, and the US will even buy soe of that stuff from canada. And I don't think canada is considered as much of a target.

    I was SHOCKED yesterday when an insurance agent told me that where I live IS a place that is close to the top of the list of military targets if there is a war against the US. I wouldn't have guessed that. You know me, I asked about a particular piece of insurance coverage. It said I was covered in the event of war, and I asked if domestic unrest is covered. It is, by the way.

    So yeah, frankly if I were in a country like canada, I would wait before moving here.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      So yeah, frankly if I were in a country like canada, I would wait before moving here.

      Steve
      Steve, I don't even have a plan lol, I just decided to do this on a whim. I don't know where I want to go...so would probably just rent for a bit (if the place sells), then decide on my journey!
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

        Steve, I don't even have a plan lol, I just decided to do this on a whim. I don't know where I want to go...so would probably just rent for a bit (if the place sells), then decide on my journey!
        The police are just as bad here!

        If you are just renting, etc... then that is ok. I just want you to know what you are getting into. The GOOD news is that they may be able to treat canada almost like it is part of the US, and simplify things OTHER outsiders might have a problem with. The US has a special passport card that works for canada and mexico almost like a drivers license. It even looks simlar. It is no good for flying, but otherwise an option. Maybe canada has something similar, so you don't even have to worry about those books. And I am sure that things are the same in canada, but prices can vary in the US for a LOT of reasons, ESPECIALLY wth lodging. Smaller cities tend to be cheaper.

        And HEY, if you and I ever happen to be in the same area, we can meet.

        Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post




      ...not suspicious, just Canadian.
      LOL, they were probably stealing/relocating that outdoor privy!

      I want it back lol, it may add value to the property.....

      LMAO...
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    There IS a new "report unusual activity" campaign. It is BOUND to cause a LOT of traffic concerning things like, two people with flashlights.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      There IS a new "report unusual activity" campaign. It is BOUND to cause a LOT of traffic concerning things like, two people with flashlights.

      Steve

      Well Steve....with all the suspicious activity in the world it IS important to watch for Canadian suspicious activity.
      They are a little too nice...

      'Specially Jody...

      j/k Jody...

      good luck is all I can wish you.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    If memory serves me correctly, John Durham said he could make mega bucks sitting in the outhouse as long as he had a laptop and cell phone...

    or something close to that.........I want my privy back - it would certainly add value....
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