Buying or Selling a Home/swaps.

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Expert: - 9/2/2007


Question
Hi,
I'm thinking of trading property in northern california (160 acres) for partial payment of a townhouse in las vegas.
what do you invision as problems for me in this process?
thanks.

Answer
Hey, Nerol.

Trades and exchanges happen all the time in real estate, but it's easier when both properties are in the same state because then one Realtor can handle everything. In your case, you'll need a California Realtor and a Nevada Realtor. There is a lot of paperwork involved, especially with two states involved, and negotiations can get contentious so don't try to go it alone.

The main problem (which is where the contentious negotiations come in) is ensuring that both parties agree on the value, especially when they are not like properties, which is what it sounds like here. I presume your 160 acres is undeveloped while the Las Vegas property definitely is developed since it has a townhome on it. Usually people trade a townhome for a townhome, or a warehouse for a warehouse, or an office complex for an office complex. Usually they are in different cities because each person wants to get out of the city where he is, or diversify into the city where he's going.

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Russel Ray

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Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

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Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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