Stealers Gonna Steal

Hick got home from the auction after 9:00 p.m. He indeed verified that Realtor said she would call the next day to let him know if the seller accepted our offer. The listing was through another agency, and I don't know how that works. Maybe it's why she couldn't get an immediate answer, maybe not.

"I'm worried somebody else is going to offer MORE than the list price."

"I don't think so."

"You said it's a good price."

"Yeah. If you're in this business and let a house like this get away, you ain't serious about flipping houses. When I was there doing the paperwork, which took a long time, because she did it all on computer, I seen 10 appointments scheduled to look at that house!"

"Well... not everybody who looks at it will want to buy it. And some will have to talk to their wife or business partner. I'm just worried that the owner will hear about all the showings, and want to wait for a higher offer. Can they do that? Can a realtor tell them how much another offer is?"

"I don't think so. I think once a seller accepts an offer, they have to go through with it. They can't back out and wait for more money."

"That's just it. I wonder how much time they wanted to think it over. Who's selling it? What's wrong with it?"

"The old lady died, and the old man went into a nursing home. He supposedly doesn't have long to live. The son has power of attorney. He's hoping to sell it before the old man dies. Or else it might get tied up. I showed my buddy at the auction. He asked how it looked. I told him it wasn't big enough for him. He likes bigger houses. He said from the pictures that it would rent right now for $600 a month, just like it is. But I wouldn't want to rent it without upgrading the electric. He hires that kind of work out to people, but I do it myself."

We had nothing to do but wait. I had an annual doctors appointment the next morning. Hick drove me. He waited in A-Cad while I was inside, playing with his phone, which he has linked to the radio thingy to get calls while driving. When I finally came out at 10:20, we were still leaving the parking lot as the radio rang. It was Realtor.

"Looks like you bought yourself a house!"

WooHoo! I immediately sent a text to The Pony. Who replied: "Woo!!!"

Off Hick and I went to the abstract company, to leave our earnest money deposit check (Realtor had told Hick she couldn't take it unless our offer was accepted). Hick drove me home, switched to SilverRedO, and went back to town. He had asked Realtor if he could lock up the doors, which had been open since the day before. Realtor had not even needed a key to get in to show Hick. She said that yes, he could lock it up. 

There were a bunch of fishing poles hanging on the back porch, and some tools sitting on a shelf. Realtor said the seller didn't say if they wanted those items, but that she had said they could remain. Of course Hick wanted those items!

"I bet people are still looking at that house today. You SHOULD get it locked up."

"Yeah. I'm going to put a screw in the front door to keep it from opening, so people don't just walk in."

"What about the back door? Can't you nail it shut?"

"No. It opens in. I have a doorknob at my locker. I'll bring it back on my way home, and put it on."

Hick went by New House to put in the screw, and called me.

"Huh. I came over to the house, and there was three guys inside! They was looking around. They were flippers. I told the guy he was too late, that I just bought it. And he said they were going to offer MORE than the listing price!"

"SEE? Val was right again! You better get that house locked up. I'm sure more people will be stopping by. I guess if they plan on making an offer, they're not going to steal anything. But someone could. Or move in!"

"Somebody had turned up the heat to 85! Maybe to see if it works."

"There you go! Can't you get a doorknob around there close? Who knows how many people might go in before you get back from your locker!"

"Yeah. I think I need to go to Walmart and get a new doorknob to lock it up. And I'm putting the fishing poles and tools in the house. Most of it's been cleaned out. Like there's no dishes or furniture or anything. I can give Realtor a key in case the seller wants to get that stuff."

Heh, heh. We've owned the house for less than an hour, and there's already drama!