Web tools for FSBO

You need to buy an ad in the New York Times if this is in brownstone Brooklyn. Actually our problem here in Brooklyn is crowd control. I went to an open house recently to investigate a new managing agent our board was considering, and basically it was take-a-number and wait in line to get in to see the apartment.

As far as screening buyers and agents, how? Go to some open houses and see what the pros do, and the answer is nothing. When we were shopping I put fake names and emails everywhere I went, but we were serious (read: desperate) buyers.

Basically the way it works is, we assume anybody who will pay a lawyer at least $750 to review a seller's contract is probably a serious buyer. You can require all cash or 50% down to scare away weak buyers, but you must apply any policy consistently to every buyer or possibly face serious discrimination problems.

Going FSBO I might suggest you don't hold any open houses at all (again assuming Brooklyn). Just by appointment. Then you can get full name, address, telephone, employer before you let them in the door. That solves crowd control issues.

I hate our condo in Prospect Hts so we should be selling in 2 years, this is how I plan to do it FSBO.

I too am not sure what you mean by "screening." Agents are legally supposed to carry their license cards from the Department of State, but since no one ever asks for them, no one ever carries them.

You can, however, check online with the NY Department of State to see if an agent or broker has a current license.

As far as "screening" buyers (presumably you want to be extra-careful about buyers who walk in without agents) there are sign-in programs that people use -- but those don't qualify someone. As flutistic noted, open houses are open to everyone, and the use of fake names and info by skittish buyers is pretty common.

The only real way to qualify a buyer is to ask them for a picture of their financial condition and then verify it, and for that you need to ask them for details -- like a photo ID and bank contacts, and usually a Social Security Number -- that no one is going to give you until they make a bid.

People lie at this stage too, omitting important financial details. One of the jobs of a seller's broker is to find those missing piece before the building's board does.

Usually somewhere around this stage, to help with due diligence, agents ask the potential buyer to consent to a credit check -- I'm not an attorney, but I would think at that point, you would want to have a signed consent to protect yourself.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Just hire a good broker, someone who doesn't have a listing or few listings so they can focus on just your property. Less headaches and you dont have to worry about much because they'll take care of everything for you

Have you checked out hauseit.com ? They have new affiliates who will list you in RLS, StreetEasy plus a dozen or so other major sites plus do some initial screening on your behalf. Haven't heard of the other xmyplace you're referring to.