Safest way to buy an island from a resident?

I've been in talks for a couple weeks trying to buy an island from another resident. I'm afraid to just hand her X number of dollars, and she's afraid to just hand over her island. We both know how to perform island transfers on SL, but neither of us wants to get screwed.

What do we do? I suggested Escrow.com, but it turns out there are complications for overseas folks (she's not USA, I am) and it's rather pricey as a result. She wanted to find a Linden to oversee the transaction, but somehow I think any Linden who'd do that could get fired for their involvement.

Some of my friends have offered to serve as a neutral third party but I don't think she's comfortable with that, and I understand her concerns. She'd also prefer to handle this in real money, not Lindens.

I know people trade islands here all the time. What do people do? Do you simply trust the other party not to run off with your cash/island?

Write up a legal contract and fax each other signatures?

*shrug* Sometimes you just have to take a risk.

I would trust the seller. I would assume that she wants to sell it to obtain the money, and I would also assume you're serious about paying because you want the island. Its a win-win for both of you. Unless you are both able to find a trusted third party middle man (which is unlikely) to oversee the transaction. I would be comfortable sending payment and expecting the island to be transferred accordingly. Its not like you're dealing with someone who has never invested in SL and is a complete noobie.
If you're worried about it, document the conversation (let her know you are to cover your butt) and also take screenshots and record the transaction # from your account details. Or, you could get more serious and formalize a contract in RL. Ofcourse, if you're dealing internationally, this might not be worth much anyways, as the expense of international court would cost WAY more than an island. Any problems, I would file an abuse report. I think thats about all you can do.
Anyways - don't over worry yourself without good reason. And good luck!

wished LL would just make an additional page of where the seller can confirm the sale and the buyer can confirm the sale (like support ticket way just simpler) and that u got to have the funds in "my account" or CC befor hand
or a set price in L$ by both parties and auto cancel if it doesn`t matches

when the island changes hand, the money is transferd automaticly to the seller`s $ or L$ account

That would actually be great.

I bought an island a couple months ago and yes - it's a big step.

But, you know what? It's too big a purchase to not trust.

When I bought my Island - I paid in Lindens so the transaction would be recorded in my transaction record. I then went to the support portal and requested the transfer (authorized to recieve it and the payments) and I copied that and pasted in a notecard.

The person I bought it from did the same thing.

Here is important part: we communicated through email. I knew his ISP and he knew mine. We even had phone numbers just in case (though we never used the phone.)

Make real world contact - at least through email. She has nothing to worry about because you will pay her first. You are worried because the transfer is not instant - as it goes through LL.

By copying the support request to transfer island into email - we each knew we did our parts and it was in LL's hands.

ALLOW AT LEAST TWO WEEKS for the transfer to happen.

Congratulations on your new island. Use the two weeks time you wait for it to plan it out. Make maps, covenants, whatever you're going to do - do it while you wait. Buy an Omega Concern Rez Locus and start building your buildings and box them up.

Then, when you are finally owner of your island - you can get on the fast track in it's construction and design (otherwise - plan a full week or two) LOL

I' written this up in jira:

https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/SVC-535

please vote/comment

thanks,

Matthew

As regards the original question, I would actually say (counter intuitively) that the island transfer should go first, then the money.

Mainly since if problems arise - LL can reclaim the sim fairly easily but would find it difficult to reclaim the money if it has left SL.

It is probably worth the island owner discussing this with concierge first though.

Matthew