Why is Your Seller’s Frozen Meat My Buyers’ Problem?

Jeff it was meant for the buyer's agent to cook a gourmet closing dinner:)) on a serious note you are lucky that is all that was left. I should post a picture what I was left with:))Have a Happy &  Prosperous 2014!, Endre

Jeff:

We had a similar experience with and estate sale where the refrigerator and freezer were chock full of food.  Listing agent hauled it all off to the dump in her Lexus about an hour after our walk through.  We both had a good chuckle.

Happy New Year

That's it?  Consider it fortunate the refrigerator stayed!  It's more common that things are g-g-g-g-g-gone.  Happy New Year!

Jeff, did you ever notice that the greater the inconvenience of removing "unwanted" items, the greater the buyers' possibilities of inheriting said items.  Do you remember the big satellite dish antenas?  Storm damaged storage buildings, decaying fire wood and lumber.  How about an old engine block fifteen feet inside the crawlspace?

Buyers' agents would do well to take a lesson from lenders:

(1) All repairs must be completed prior to funding.

(2) Any exceptions will require escrowed funds twice the cost of hiring someone to complete the task.

(3) Never encourage your client to make an exception (if anything can go wrong--it will).

Jeff, your title caught my attention. I'm actually shocked the short sale seller left behind their refrigerator. Usually the sellers want to take everything, not leave it!! Have a great 2014!

Jeff,

There are certainly many additional items and issues left behind by short sale sellers. especially those that have already vacated the property.

Too funny.  Well, maybe they thought it was a bonus...you know, dinner on the sellers for the buyers new home lol :)!  Looks like it's fairly easy to go in the trash!  Happy New Year!

Worse things can happen. I've opened some refrigerators that I wish I hadn't. Consider it a closing gift.

Hey Jeff - better that it is frozen meat than a frozen head. Just sayin'

Jeff, I find the attitude of many short sellers, and sadly their agents as well, feel that because it is a short sale the terms of the contract don't apply. They can leave all of their unwanted possessions, trash and debris and it's okay. After all, the seller "suffered" a hardship, lost their home, so the world is to turn a blind eye and take care of cleaning up after them.  Thankfully, I've had short sellers have their home professionally cleaned prior to the new owners taking over.  I would not tolerate my sellers leaving their unwanted things behind.

Ah yes, the things that get left behind! Paint is always another big issue- I have taken so many cans of paint to the dump - either for busy sellers or unhappy buyers! 

Ah yes, the things that get left behind! Paint is always another big issue- I have taken so many cans of paint to the dump - either for busy sellers or unhappy buyers! 

Ah yes, the things that get left behind! Paint is always another big issue- I have taken so many cans of paint to the dump - either for busy sellers or unhappy buyers! 

Ah yes, the things that get left behind! Paint is always another big issue- I have taken so many cans of paint to the dump - either for busy sellers or unhappy buyers! 

Fortunately, my experience with this kind of thing has been the exception rather than the rule. But we need to be prepared... and with short sales, especially sellers have effectively "given up."

Jeff,

Have you ever had an experience where you sold a property for your client who subsequently purchases another property with you? Imagine dealing with a client who exhibits an "I could care less" attitude when asked to abide by the terms and conditions of the sales contract he signed, but becomes Mr. Clean when the "shoe is in the other foot"? A mentality where "an eye for an eye" is displayed often makes a difficult situation become a fifteen round, no holds barred, heavyweight contest. Arguing over who is going to haul away the old rug from the curbside, or in this case, removing food left in the refrigerator, is too petty to waste time on. People who make a big deal out of a less than sparkling refrigerator interior, are the same people who don't bat an eyelash with plugged roof gutters or creosote build up in a chimney flue. So the people who owned the house previously are/were deadbeats? Big deal, let's concern ourselves with the really important stuff like a shifting foundation, a non-functioning septic system or a powder post beetle infestation. I've lost count the number of times I have unceremoniously taken the responsibility to snuff out a minor issue before it becomes a "forest fire" - it goes with the territory.     

You should be grateful that is all that is wrong. In a short sale the seller is no very happy and quite remorseful. They have lost what they loved. It is the world short sales, pain, & poor government created by its People.

How funny.  So glad that they can take care of it and it's not an issue.