Complaint Review: Buy Owner

The above response is right... you need to give buyers access and price right.

My wife and I sold ours by cross promoting our buyowner.com ad on other websites, many of which are free. We have no www.buyowner.com complaint.

Here are other websites besides www.buyowner.com for homes for sale presence that I am aware of:

1.Forum Name: http://www.voy.com/209635/2.html?z=1

2.http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/rfs

3.http://www.hoobly.com/0/0/278666.html

4.http://www.livedeal.com

5.http://www.sellhomeshere.com/

6.http://www.propermatch.com/PropertyPage.asp?langid=2&PropertyId=2387392

7.http://property.ning.com/

8.http://www.fsbon.com/handler.cfm?file=searchid&autoid=20133

9.http://www.dealmakerscafe.com/forum/index.php
10.http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?frm=byagt&rid=14458241&rid=210814 64&rid=20842867&rid=22017098&rid=14458241&lnksrc=0 0038&poe=realtor

11.http://mlsrealty.com/listings.asp?st=city&state=PA

12.http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/showthread.php?t=8045

13.http://www.soggycracker.com/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Edit/mid/365/ItemID/4/itemindex/2/Default.aspx

14.www.search4fsbo.com

15.http://lycos.oodle.com/post/?post=1&tc=housing/sale


I would post your home on here.......and include links back to buyowner and/or the hoobly page. ON Hoobly you can upload a ton of pictures so maybe do that one first.

Do it this way....
more photos are at:
http://www.buyowner.com/property.asp?code=PHL2568

then if they click that link you get visitors on your www.buyonwer.com page, which hopefully leads to showings..

I did get replies from others too, especially www.buyowner.com, http://www.voy.com/209635/2.html?z=1, www.soggycracker.com, and Craig's List.

Web traffic = foot traffic = successful sale.

Good luck!

I am heavily involved in commercial construction therefore being closely tied to a lot of real estate developers. These people are not real estate agents themselves but study housing markets both in rural and urban areas to see if they can generate a profitable return on various types of commercial development projects.

Over the past few months I have considered selling my home and was looking into avoiding having to pay a commission to a realtor. 5% - 6% commission on $300k home is $18000. I would much rather keep that money in my pocket. But the truth is that I would end up spending more than $18k if I choose to go the route of buyowner.com. Stats show that almost 90% OF PEOPLE WHO USE ASSIST TO SELL AND FSBO (BUYOWNER.COM) programs end up getting a realtor to represent them after only a few weeks of using such programs. In my case, and especially in the current real estate market, I would end up paying almost $22000 to sell my home.

The bottom line is dont do it. I have heard great success stories but is it really worth the risk in today's current market situation? Realtor commission rates are always negotiable. I have heard of people signing listing realtors between 3 and 4%. Not too bad. Any they do all of the marketing and closing of loan work for you.

I am heavily involved in commercial construction therefore being closely tied to a lot of real estate developers. These people are not real estate agents themselves but study housing markets both in rural and urban areas to see if they can generate a profitable return on various types of commercial development projects.

Over the past few months I have considered selling my home and was looking into avoiding having to pay a commission to a realtor. 5% - 6% commission on $300k home is $18000. I would much rather keep that money in my pocket. But the truth is that I would end up spending more than $18k if I choose to go the route of buyowner.com. Stats show that almost 90% OF PEOPLE WHO USE ASSIST TO SELL AND FSBO (BUYOWNER.COM) programs end up getting a realtor to represent them after only a few weeks of using such programs. In my case, and especially in the current real estate market, I would end up paying almost $22000 to sell my home.

The bottom line is dont do it. I have heard great success stories but is it really worth the risk in today's current market situation? Realtor commission rates are always negotiable. I have heard of people signing listing realtors between 3 and 4%. Not too bad. Any they do all of the marketing and closing of loan work for you.

I am heavily involved in commercial construction therefore being closely tied to a lot of real estate developers. These people are not real estate agents themselves but study housing markets both in rural and urban areas to see if they can generate a profitable return on various types of commercial development projects.

Over the past few months I have considered selling my home and was looking into avoiding having to pay a commission to a realtor. 5% - 6% commission on $300k home is $18000. I would much rather keep that money in my pocket. But the truth is that I would end up spending more than $18k if I choose to go the route of buyowner.com. Stats show that almost 90% OF PEOPLE WHO USE ASSIST TO SELL AND FSBO (BUYOWNER.COM) programs end up getting a realtor to represent them after only a few weeks of using such programs. In my case, and especially in the current real estate market, I would end up paying almost $22000 to sell my home.

The bottom line is dont do it. I have heard great success stories but is it really worth the risk in today's current market situation? Realtor commission rates are always negotiable. I have heard of people signing listing realtors between 3 and 4%. Not too bad. Any they do all of the marketing and closing of loan work for you.

I am heavily involved in commercial construction therefore being closely tied to a lot of real estate developers. These people are not real estate agents themselves but study housing markets both in rural and urban areas to see if they can generate a profitable return on various types of commercial development projects.

Over the past few months I have considered selling my home and was looking into avoiding having to pay a commission to a realtor. 5% - 6% commission on $300k home is $18000. I would much rather keep that money in my pocket. But the truth is that I would end up spending more than $18k if I choose to go the route of buyowner.com. Stats show that almost 90% OF PEOPLE WHO USE ASSIST TO SELL AND FSBO (BUYOWNER.COM) programs end up getting a realtor to represent them after only a few weeks of using such programs. In my case, and especially in the current real estate market, I would end up paying almost $22000 to sell my home.

The bottom line is dont do it. I have heard great success stories but is it really worth the risk in today's current market situation? Realtor commission rates are always negotiable. I have heard of people signing listing realtors between 3 and 4%. Not too bad. Any they do all of the marketing and closing of loan work for you.

As an insider, I wanted to chime in. I bought a BuyOwner internet only package in August of 05' for $2,000. I was so impressed with the program, I applied for a job, and to my suprise, I was hired.

I started in Oct. of 05' and quit in March 06'. I still have not sold my house, one year later. I quit because I came to the conclusion that in my geographical location, BuyOwner does not work effectively. I could not justify selling a product that was not up to par.

At the sales meetings I kept asking what my customers were asking me, "what is the average time on market, and what percentage of houses sell"? In training, we are told to respond, 100% of our homes sell, because we advertise until sold. O.k., than what is the average time on market? We don't know, because we only advertise the property, not sell the property.

A lot of customers do not tell us when their house sells. (I personally do not believe this). The reality of it is that if BuyOwner wanted to know these statistics, all they would have to do is a simple follow up phone call to the customer. It states in the contract that after six months of no contact, you will be taken out of the system. This would lead me to believe that BuyOwner does know.

These statistics, are held closely to the vest, and are not givin to consultants. In addition, all the people you see in the comercials, are from other parts of the country (Florida) where real estate is "HOT", not Houston.

Best regards,
Lyle
Houston, TX

As an insider, I wanted to chime in. I bought a BuyOwner internet only package in August of 05' for $2,000. I was so impressed with the program, I applied for a job, and to my suprise, I was hired.

I started in Oct. of 05' and quit in March 06'. I still have not sold my house, one year later. I quit because I came to the conclusion that in my geographical location, BuyOwner does not work effectively. I could not justify selling a product that was not up to par.

At the sales meetings I kept asking what my customers were asking me, "what is the average time on market, and what percentage of houses sell"? In training, we are told to respond, 100% of our homes sell, because we advertise until sold. O.k., than what is the average time on market? We don't know, because we only advertise the property, not sell the property.

A lot of customers do not tell us when their house sells. (I personally do not believe this). The reality of it is that if BuyOwner wanted to know these statistics, all they would have to do is a simple follow up phone call to the customer. It states in the contract that after six months of no contact, you will be taken out of the system. This would lead me to believe that BuyOwner does know.

These statistics, are held closely to the vest, and are not givin to consultants. In addition, all the people you see in the comercials, are from other parts of the country (Florida) where real estate is "HOT", not Houston.

Best regards,
Lyle
Houston, TX

As an insider, I wanted to chime in. I bought a BuyOwner internet only package in August of 05' for $2,000. I was so impressed with the program, I applied for a job, and to my suprise, I was hired.

I started in Oct. of 05' and quit in March 06'. I still have not sold my house, one year later. I quit because I came to the conclusion that in my geographical location, BuyOwner does not work effectively. I could not justify selling a product that was not up to par.

At the sales meetings I kept asking what my customers were asking me, "what is the average time on market, and what percentage of houses sell"? In training, we are told to respond, 100% of our homes sell, because we advertise until sold. O.k., than what is the average time on market? We don't know, because we only advertise the property, not sell the property.

A lot of customers do not tell us when their house sells. (I personally do not believe this). The reality of it is that if BuyOwner wanted to know these statistics, all they would have to do is a simple follow up phone call to the customer. It states in the contract that after six months of no contact, you will be taken out of the system. This would lead me to believe that BuyOwner does know.

These statistics, are held closely to the vest, and are not givin to consultants. In addition, all the people you see in the comercials, are from other parts of the country (Florida) where real estate is "HOT", not Houston.

Best regards,
Lyle
Houston, TX

Peter, You seem give a lot of advice on this site, so I have a question for you, Where is Pony, Alabama? I can't seem to find it listed anywhere. What is the zip Code? Please answer me.

He wouldn't allow anyone to go inside the house. He wouldn't do anything it takes to actually sell his place. He did get a few offers, but they were done without seeing the inside, so the offers were very low. He also blamed BO and AtS.

He eventually got a Realtor. The Realtor required a key to the house so she could let people see it. It sold in a week.

Get it?

Of course they get paid only when the sale occurs. The key point is that they get the house sold because they have the training and experience, like any professional. The internet is full of scammers, but who wouldn't know that a flesh & blood realtor is better than some anonymous entity on the net? If your house isn't selling, then you're asking too much, period. You need a realtor more than anyone as you can't sell it yourself but don't want to pay for it, hence your situation. No, I'm not a realtor. I'm just a guy that knows better than to hire a cook to build a house.

It sounds like you expected to get high-quality personalized service, but were not willing to pay the price, thus going with "Buy Owner" versus a local realtor who could market your home more effectively.

You cannot blame Buy Owner for the fact that no one was interested in your home. There are many factors that play a role in this ... a slow market, few buyers, an ugly home, etc. It does not sound like you were able to do any better advertising your home on your own, seeing as how you attracted only one UNqualified buyer.

Perhaps you should invest a bit more in your real estate services. While you may pay more for it, you will end up selling your home a lot faster, and the amount you'll save by not having to pay future mortgage payments will more than cover the difference.

I totally sympathize with you because about nine months ago I was also a victim of this company. I have already submitted a report on this Web site but I just had to respond to your story. I see, too, that since I had my experience with this "company", many others have come forward with similar complaints. I finally, after months of reporting them and getting nowhere with their "customer service" department, did receive 2/3 of my money back--but that's still a loss of about $1,500--nothing to stand up and cheer about. I really do feel that the American public needs to be forewarned about these people. It was a terrible experience emotionally and financially. Watch out for companies with "no refund" policies, that's all I can say. There's a reason they adopt these policies--and you can bet it's not for your protection!!

Buy Owner is a rip off. They were just on the news (Channel 2) regarding a complaint. I would talk to them to see what they may be able to possibly help you with. I am in the property managment and I think it is worth going with a realtor because your not really saving too much by going through Buy Owner. I wish you the best. You may want to contact Kristi Halphen Katy Remax...she helped us with everything and I think she's one of the best. She has alot of contacts.

Good Luck


P.S. Zack you kiss your mama with that mouth man??? I'm thinking Zach sounds more like a car salesman.

Only a realtor would make a comment like that. Realtors are just as much of a rip off, the only difference is they don't get paid unless they sale. Several homes in my neighborhood are listed by by realtors and have been on the market for YEARS!!! You do whatever floats your boat and I'll do what floats mine but don't criticize me for making my own choices. I only want to stop others from using this rip off. Isn't that what this site is for. You are a right foul git.....

Only a realtor would make a comment like that. Realtors are just as much of a rip off, the only difference is they don't get paid unless they sale. Several homes in my neighborhood are listed by by realtors and have been on the market for YEARS!!! You do whatever floats your boat and I'll do what floats mine but don't criticize me for making my own choices. I only want to stop others from using this rip off. Isn't that what this site is for. You are a right foul git.....

Only a realtor would make a comment like that. Realtors are just as much of a rip off, the only difference is they don't get paid unless they sale. Several homes in my neighborhood are listed by by realtors and have been on the market for YEARS!!! You do whatever floats your boat and I'll do what floats mine but don't criticize me for making my own choices. I only want to stop others from using this rip off. Isn't that what this site is for. You are a right foul git.....

Only a realtor would make a comment like that. Realtors are just as much of a rip off, the only difference is they don't get paid unless they sale. Several homes in my neighborhood are listed by by realtors and have been on the market for YEARS!!! You do whatever floats your boat and I'll do what floats mine but don't criticize me for making my own choices. I only want to stop others from using this rip off. Isn't that what this site is for. You are a right foul git.....

Thats what you get for not going with a Realtor. Honestly you f yourself