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DON’T contact these guys!
Road signs “We buy your house!”
Services offering to get you out of trouble/negotiate with your mortgage company on your behalf to avoid foreclosure.
BEWARE of those who “target” people of a specific ethnic group, or national origin. It is becoming all too common for unscrupulous individuals to scam those from their native country…legal and illegal immigrants. When confronted, these unscrupulous people will threaten those who they are trying to scam and tell them they are complicit and will also face legal charges if they are reported.
If you are working with someone who makes you uncomfortable, or the situation seems “too good to be true” -ask to have all the documents reviewed by a real estate attorney NOT associated with any of the parties involved.
Always ask your lender/mortgage broker how they “get paid”. Does it come from the lender they recommend to you? Do you pay it? How much do they anticipate earning if your transaction goes through?
Ethical mortgage professionals will tell you exactly how they earn their living.
CONTACT these HUD approved organizations -
- Homeowner’s Help – 888.995.HOPE
http://995hope.org - Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of American – 888.302.naca
http://naca.com
TIPS to avoid CONS
- ONLY send your Mortgage payment to your LENDER
- Don’t sign anything unless it has been REVIEWED by YOUR trusted real estate attorney
IF you suspect you have been SCAMMED, report it to:
- Federal Trade Commission – http://FTC.gov
- Better Business Bureau – http://BBB.org
- state Attorney General – http://naag.org/attorneys
Custom Car Owner:
I have a car and I NEED to sell it.
I built it myself. If I had to compare it to anything, it would be a luxury SUV, but my car has many “custom” features.
I’ve polished it to keep it beautiful and its finish is flawless. It’s also in good running condition. Given its age, occasionally things do go wrong, but I will provide a warranty.
In exchange for your marketing my car and negotiating on my behalf, I will pay you 4-6% of the sales price.
I expect you to market my custom car using all possible media – Print, direct mailing, knock on doors, arrange special events and post notice of the sale and all events on several websites on the Internet. Of course, I also want you to be my tough negotiator and complete all the necessary paperwork.
You will be expected to pay for all marketing out of your pocket and be reimbursed from your percentage of the proceeds from the sale when the car is sold.
Prospective Custom Car Salesman:
Mr. Custom Car Owner, please be aware that of that 6% you will pay me upon the sale of your custom vehicle. In this area, it is customary to pay 2-3% to the broker the buyer hired to find such a “rare” custom vehicle. Of the remaining percentage, approximately 1% will be paid in taxes by my broker and me, approximately another 1% goes to my broker for all the relationships, assistance, supplies, etc. they provide.
If I sell your car, I will gross what is left -1%?
From that, I must reimburse my business for the marketing of your custom car, pay for the “tools of my trade”, licensing, insurance and other overhead fees associated with the running my business.ALSO, I have researched and discovered that the manufacturer’s suggested retail on this type of luxury SUV is $44,000-54,000 NEW.
I have seen quite a few “custom built SUVs” on the market that are very similar to yours selling for 42-52k NEW and $32,000 slightly used.
With the price of gas, very few people are buying luxury SUVs and the price of those vehicles is dropping by 6%-8% EVERY month. The longer you hold onto your car, the lower the eventual sales price will be.
Custom Car Owner:
I know, but I want you to market my car at $64,800.
That price is higher than what I will accept, but it takes into consideration that prospective buyers will try to negotiate the price and terms and I that will also have to pay 6% for YOUR services.
I don’t want to GIVE my car away!
(Psst – I’ve seen another used, custom-built car similar to mine at the local “AutoMaks” for $32,000 AND they are probably going to issue a recall on one of the smaller parts I used to build the car, so you must try to sell it before the recall.)Please contact all publications and construct a marketing campaign to convince buyers to come and see my car and make an offer.
You will be more than compensated for your efforts and reimbursed your costs plus when the car sells at $64,800.
ANY BODY want to be a custom car salesman?
If you were a buyer, would you come to see this car when you saw the ads in publications and on the Internet?
If, by chance, you came to an event hosted by that salesperson for the FREE food and entertainment, would you offer to buy this car with all its custom features and exaggerated price?
Personally, AS a buyer, I would look at all the custom cars in my local area, make an offer on the one closest to the price I am willing to pay.
My offer would be slightly less than what I was willing to pay and stipulate terms and conditions in anticipation of a counter offer. (Those feint of heart can go to “AutoMaks” and fore go the negotiations.)
Think about it!
Many people who are listing their homes in today’s market think like this custom car owner.
Ever dial a customer service number only to get an automated system and have to navigate your way through a complex system of “gates” only to be disconnected?
Frustrating! Next time all you really need to do is talk to a LIVE person try these tips:
- Push 0 (zero) —repeatedly, or say “operator” or agent.
- Try another number other than “customer service”. SALES and Investor relations are good numbers to call. Have them connect you to someone who can help resolve the issue.
- Select the “Spanish only” option. You will probably get a bilingual operator faster than an English-only agent.
- Call from a phone number NOT associated with your account. The company may recognize the number as a potential “new customer” and give priority to the call.
- Call the “International Customer Service” number …collect.
Visit www.GetHuman.com for more information and tips for reaching specific company’s customer service number fast.
