Moral Advice - Property Sale

[johnrogers85]

Hi all-

Quick question - we bought a property recently from a gentleman and negotiated a great price with him. We then decided to sell the property and made quite a bit on the transaction. I found out after the fact that he was struggling with serious medical issues, which I’m sure might have influenced his agreement to sell to us.

I was wondering what would be appropriate in this situation, since we profited from the sale? Everything was conducted in a straightforward, above-board manner - I’m just feeling some guilt given his medical situation. I understand there’s undoubtedly no rule against donating some of the proceeds back to this gentleman, but didn’t know what the Church would advise in such a situation. Thanks!

 

[johnrogers85]

Give the entire amount back to them? Or are we allowed to have a profit guilt-free?

 

[Irishmom2]

He put his property up for sale. He negotiated a price with you that he agreed to. He knew what he was doing.

I don’t think that you have to return anything to him.
I am going to assume you did some work with the property before you sold it? You have every right to make a profit.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Give the entire amount back to them?

There’s nothing wrong with making money. If you feel that you’ve profited much more than the work you’ve put in to it, then you can give some back to the gentlemen or some other charity for that matter. There’s really nothing too complicated about this. Follow your conscience.

 

[JanR]

He put his property up for sale. He negotiated a price with you that he agreed to. He knew what he was doing.

I don’t think that you have to return anything to him.
I am going to assume you did some work with the property before you sold it? You have every right to make a profit.

I agree with this. He knew he had medical issues when he settled with you and sold the property in good faith. You acted in good faith, too. It was a mutually agreed upon transaction.

I see no reason to feel guilty about this. You didn’t steal it from him. He got the funds he needed from the sale to take care of what he needed to take care of, or at least partially so.

If you still feel you should help this gentleman, call him up and ask him if you can be of assistance to him in any way, and offer to provide services he needs, within reason. He might need help with yard work or housework, or shopping. Maybe he needs help with other chores.

But as far as the transaction is concerned, the property changed hands legitimately, and you made a profit because you’re a good businessperson. There’s nothing wrong with making a legitimate profit.

And, you might have already helped him immensely by buying the property from him.