This is the email i sent to the realtor. I'm afraid she'll think it's an insult to the sellers.
Note: the pictures couldn't be included due to reddit not being a photo hosting platform.
Hey Katie, i appreciated you taking the time to meet and show houses to me.
After thinking about it i decided i had no interest in the Marshall property (304 N High st), and thought that the Cottonwood residence (115 E Prarie st) was a good second choice.
Needless to say the Balaton home was what i felt was best suited for me overall.
I feel as though I've done sufficient research regarding the property of 231 3rd St in Balaton MN.
Given the following information below and the other options available in both the Town of Balaton and nearby towns i feel as though offering $87,500 (30% below asking price) for an initial offering price allows room for negotiation. They'll decline of course but counter with their offer to start the negotiations.
My reasoning for the initial offering amount of $87,500-
Reasons:
Duration of listings and failed attempts at selling the property.
The owners have attempted to sell the home for the last 3 years with no success (see image 1). The first listing was on 12/19/2016.
They removed it and relisted it on 07/10/2017. It was once again removed and re listed on 04/01/2019 and had it's price reduced from $135,000 to it's current asking price of $125,000, on 06/11/2019.
It has remained unsold even after a $10,000 price reduction and additional 2+ months on the market.
In total from just the current listing it has been on the market for: 153 days with no serious attempts from anyone at buying the property.
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Value of the property:
The property value is only estimated to be between $118,000-$120,000 which would mean the property is already $5,000 overpriced (see pictures)
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The homes that have sold in and around Balaton, and the homes that are currently for sale (including the next door property) are selling for under $50,000 (see next pictures).
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In addition the population of the town of Balaton, has been declining significantly. It has gone from a peak of 790 people to a current population of 628 (see picture)
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It's shriveling population and lack of businesses show signs that the town is not expecting any sudden increase in development which in turn means there is no expectation for an increase in property values hence the homes previously sold in the area and the homes currently on market being sold for the low prices of $50,000 and under despite similar homes being sold for over $100,000 in thriving locations such as the nearby city of Marshall, and even Cottonwood.
Comparable properties (see pictures below) show similar properties in larger towns selling for less including a larger house in Montevideo for $116,000.
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Notable issues:
While the house overall is very nice and seemingly structurally sound and has been kept in good condition there are a few matters that make the property less appealing.
Of these things the most notable is:
1: A lack of interior stairway to the basement other than a possible pull up hatch on the 1st floor.
2: One of the back doors was unable to be opened due to a difficult lock and sticking door which required us to go around the property instead.
3: Wood damage to the lower portion of the front porch and rusting on the porch railings, in addition to chipped paint and crumbling siding on the garage.
4: Cracks in the walkway sidewalk around the property which will continue cracking and allow for grass and weeds to grow through if not sealed.
5: And it's location on a main street near businesses which will result in significant traffic noise.
While these are minor complaints they're worth mentioning none the less and a few of them will cost money and time to deal with.
Extra noting: It is worth noting that the market is currently a buyers market, not a sellers market. The average listing of homes in the area is 90+ days with many having been on the market for over 6 months.
Criticisms:
The home was once operated as a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) despite not being zoned for commercial use. The dual front and rear doors as well as the bathrooms located in several bedrooms are a reflection of that.
This is not an issue however, just an annoyance and one that i feel the majority of people would take an issue with as houses, even mini mansions, typically have only a 2 door entrance.
Notes:
Some things i would like to know about the property are:
1: The age of the roof.
2: Has the plumbing and electrical been updated.
3: The type of fruit tree located in the backyard.
4: Whether or not the pond and yard lights still function.
5: Whether or not the propane tank is owned or rented.
Final thoughts:
I was pleased with the property overall.
It's easily navigable and open enough to allow for easy moving of larger furniture and objects and allows for guests without anyone stepping on each others feet. I definitely feel as though this home is the right option for me.
Does this seem reasonable to justify offering 30% below asking price? I'm hoping to settle at $95,000-$110,000
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/cy5prn/is_offering_30_below_asking_price_too_much_even/
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