It seems as though the "one step forward, two steps back" theory is hard at work in DeLand. We have so many terrific things happening, yet there's an overriding sense of doom and gloom in the industry. Last week my able assistant Beth and I were fortunate to secure a ratified offer for a shopping plaza we'd just listed. In addition to the tidy sum for the building (an excellent income-producer located on West Colonial Drive), it appears as though we'll also be handling the financing for the buyer. In the meantime, another shopping plaza which we've been trying to sell for months (the seller simply will not budge off of his rather ambitious price) has received an outstanding offer for purchase which will garner the seller everything he desires. The offer was presented over a week ago, and we haven't heard a peep from the seller since. The behavior of this client borders on the absurd.

Another large deal has appeared to go south with the assistance of an unscrupulous seller's agent. We've been working with a developer from Boca who's very hot about DeLand. After months of negotiations and wrangling with City planners (every one of whom seems to have a different perspective on things) we found a property that was already entitled and screaming for a large "power center" type of plaza. The offer was given, the seller's agent made excuses, then viola! There came another contract out of the blue. This is the second time that this agent has hemmed and hawed about a contract I've given him, only to suddenly receive a competing offer which is swiftly accepted. It's almost laughable. Heck, I could actually take a vacation if one of these babies sells.

Tomorrow's another day, eh?

Posted by: Paul @ 10:37 PM