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Walk Through or Walk Through Hell?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty 0458038

 Call me what you will but I attend walk throughs when it's my listing.  Why?  Because a) if there's a problem, I want to be able to report back to my seller that there's an issue so they're completely in the loop and prepared for EVERYTHING and, b) if the walk through goes well and then there's an issue at the attorney's office I can be witness should a buyer try to fabricate a problem (now why would they do that you ask?). 

Why, oh why indeed.  Introducing my WALKTHOUGH FROM HELL. 

My listing.  Buyer was through the listing at least 3 times.  Buyer's father attended the inspection so he saw the place.  Pleae also note that there is a ONE YEAR HOME WARRANTY ON THIS LISTING so many of these issues are covered under this warranty.

I arrive at the listing simultanously with the buyers (daughter and father).  They both wear face of thunder.  We get inside and IMMEDIATELY... 

1.  Father storms that the alarm system has been removed from the home.  There is written documentation between the attorneys that a) do you want to continue the alarm service and b) no, we do not.  I have the file.  I have the letters.

2. Father and daughter screech that the WATER PRESSURE is unacceptable.  It is what it is.  WE (the seller or the agent or the home warranty company) CANNOT CONTROL water pressure.  Daugther pouts that the hot water isn't hot enough.  The plumber is brought in to raise the hot water to a high temperature. 

3.  Father BOOMS that the taxes have gone UP!  HELLO!  WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY!  No one to my knowledge can control taxes...including the government for that matter!

Outside the unit, father is raging twice over that he would tell his daughter to not buy the unit.  I state that this is a MOOT POINT as these issues were all addressed and resolved during attorney review.  Also, why did you waste my SELLER'S VALUABLE TIME when you had already been through the home several times, both together and apart?  What vital detail has now dawned on you, DAY OF CLOSING, that you will delay close?

Another amazing point, on Monday (day before closing) everything was fine, according to the buyer's agent.  The buyer had even transferred utilities to her name!  Buyers agent is as perplexed as I am as the rude behavior was extended to her as well.

At this point, seller's attorney has issued time of essence.

Any other hellish walk through experiences?  I'd LOVE to hear them!  Make me laugh, PLEASE! 

Posted by

 

"Antoinette" Scognamiglio (licensed as Maria), Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Realtors, 91 Crane Road,  Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046.  Cell Phone: 201.240.8699.  Email: AntoinetteSellsNJ@gmail.com.  Website:  www.AntoinettesHomes.net.   My "Other" Blog:  www.realestatenews-nj.com.

Are you considering purchasing or selling a home in Morris, Sussex, Passaic or Northern Bergen County?  I specialize in those territories, with expertise in Lakefront property.  As a relocation specialist, I take exceptional care in assisting my clients in finding their new home and community.  Certified as an Accredited Staging Professional, I work with my home seller clients to ensure their home offers the highest level of appeal to buyers (and Realtors®!).  Please visit my website to learn more about my philosophy in conducting real estate business. 

(C) Antoinette Scognamiglio, 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Comments (10)

Gregory Maley
Sold Buy the Sea Realty & R.E.N.T. - Wilmington, NC
REALTOR, GRI, CBR, SHS, e-PRO, ABR
I also attend walk-throughs on my listings.  I recently had a buyer's agent insist that my seller either provide a key to the storm door (which wasn't locked and had never had a key in her ownership) or pay to install a new door, his client (his sister) would not settle.  I calmly explained to him that nowhere in the contract was a requirement to provide a key to that door and, indeed, most people change locks after settlement, so, quite often only one key is even provided to the front door.  He stormed out of the house and said "we'll discuss it with the settlement attorney".  When I arrived at settlement, there was no discussion about the key.  I suspect the attorney enlightened him.  :-D  
Dec 19, 2007 12:45 PM
Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes
Wow that is a walk through from hell. Sorry to hear you had that kind of experience. I deal with many first time home buyers and parents are usually deal killers, but the last day that's a little obsured.
Dec 19, 2007 12:46 PM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

Ours have been rather incident free this year. And we attend all of them. Unless the client is not going to be here. We won't do them just ourselves.

Last big incident was over a disclosure before walk through time, and the client made an absolute fool of himself... which ended up costing him more than money. It cost  him friends.

Sorry we didn't have one to make you laugh, but there was this offer than included the family dog...

cheers 

Dec 19, 2007 01:02 PM
Eric Webster
Five Star Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty
Just remember everyone, when you're going through hell.... keep going.
Dec 19, 2007 01:08 PM
Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP
Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ
There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

Gregory, yes, reminder that issues that don't impact the value of the property should not become an issue.  You're getting a new key anyway.  Ugh!  Thanks for coming by!

Heather, thanks for your comment.  Yes, dad considers himself a real business whirlwind and he's about to blow his daughter's deal apart!  Go watch "the game" or get a hobby! 

Gary, great job, you made me laugh plenty.  That is an excellent point; the agent who represents the buyer can't possibly attend the walkthorough  alone.  Imagine the liability there!  No thank you!  Excellent comment...you put a huge smile on my face!

Dec 19, 2007 01:13 PM
Beth Young
Holler Law Firm - Milford, CT
Been there, Done that...
We recently had a transaction close in which a last minute bill for carpet cleaning had to be thrown into escrow.  It seems that as the stager was busy removing the furniture, the stager's dog felt the need to leave the buyer a few "housewarming presents" on the carpet.
Dec 29, 2007 10:10 PM
Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP
Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ
There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

Beth, all I can say is "oh crap."  (and sorry, couldn't help it.)  Thanks for sharing.  :)

Dec 30, 2007 09:01 AM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate
Sounds like buyer's remorse.
Dec 30, 2007 10:50 AM
Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP
Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ
There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

Carol, thank God we closed on Dec. 26.  It was more like "let's try to squeeze more $$$ credits out of the seller" remorse."

Happy new year!

Dec 30, 2007 11:00 AM
Carol Spengel
Prudential Rubloff - Wheaton, IL
Wheaton IL
To me it sounds like an overprotective (and controlling) father.  I wish there was a rule about only the offical buyer going to walk-thrus.
Jan 01, 2008 02:28 PM