Ok - I've agreed to buy a website for $xx,xxx - now what?

I know It seems amateurish - but I like this site and I have the money. I've talked extensively to the owner and he seems genuine, and he has shown me the paypal receipts online.

Ive checked things like alexia, PR, but I dont really know what good that does. But how should I proceed now wrt:

Site analysis

Contracts - any sample ones out there (domain and websites)

The exchange process - how best to exchange 'keys' and cash. I'm using escrow.

Any advise welcome

 

I'm not aware of any sample contracts out there but you definitely need to use a big escrow company, such as Escrow.com ... do not let THEM choose the escrow company. I've seen a lot of issues arise because of this.

I've only sold a few sites and the purchasers sent the money right over and I released the domain, gave them the cpanel info, etc... but I STILL should have used contracts, regardless. I could have caught myself in a big problem.

 

whats the site your buying?

 

If you don't have the knowledge then I think you might be in trouble. Ask an experienced webmaster what he thinks of the deal, with special attention to the price. You could also check earnings, do a Google search to see if the site you are buying is really what it seems.

 

For that amount of money you ask a professional in the business.

 

Check and Re-Check and of course I would do it only with a contract...

 

Thanks for the replies folks. I'm maybe in deeper than I thought - it's very hard to make an informed decision.

 

If you are in the same country as the person you going to purchase the site from, why not arrange for a meetup in person ?

 

If you want to PM me I can let you know whether or not your making a good deal (just imo, as you seem a bit confused on it yourself) and I can lead you in the right direction of Escrow companies, etc.

 

I'd probably get some help from professional people if I were you.

 

I would definitely have a proper contract written out.

 

That's alot of money for a website.
You need to speak to a professional consultant, one who deals with such business dealings.
Any professional consultation will you cost money.

 

Like the previous poster who recommended an escrow service, you need one of these. These will protect both parties and make sure the transaction goes smoothly. For a deal of that magnitude, I recommend getting a contract drawn up by a law firm if money is not an objective. If it is, they sell pre-written documents online that can be tailored to your needs for about $10.00. If you need any help during the process, drop me a PM I was in a situation very similar to yours, ill help out free of charge as far as my experience and the advice I can give you.

 

I hope he can provide you with a lengthy earnings report that goes back pretty far...