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"A Contractor will be there before Closing to repair the..." said the Selling agent

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker

     Going thru emails one morning recently...one stood out from a Selling agent who we are working with on a short sale that will close in two weeks.  She didn't think the "Sellers would mind...Since the Buyer is paying for the repair to the..." if it were done today...WHAT ?plumber

    Regardless if the house is right side up OR upside down...the  Buyer doesn't own the house...and no...No repairs will be done before the ink is dry on the closing documents.

       We have also had a manager call us to say that the Buyers could easily do the painting...the this and the that to the house before closing...WHAT?  Are the Buyers insured contractors ? Are they knowledgable, experienced...licensed in the repair,  replacement...Contracts are between buyer and seller and the Seller is unaware of their expertise in any field and owns the house !

       Any repair, replacing or remodeling work done before closing will be by the Seller....and the contractors hired by the Seller. Any the Buyer would like done will be done after closing.

     Playing by the rules is best....safest....and smartest....If you or anyone you know is looking for Realtors who know the rules and exercise good judgement in the practice of  real estate...Call the Hansons...we are honored to be of service in all things real estate..

      

Posted by

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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Comments (21)

Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Yowza!  That's looking for trouble!

Jul 25, 2015 09:45 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Sally K. & David L. Hanson,  I have had to deal with this same situation so many times, some buyers don't seem to understand that it is not their house until they close on it.

Jul 25, 2015 09:47 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

 Buyers are buyers until they are owners....

Jul 25, 2015 09:50 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I hope home buers will read this post. Thank you for sharing.

Jul 25, 2015 10:13 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

The liabilities to the Sellers for any injury's incurred by the Buyers is enough reason.

Jul 25, 2015 11:12 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Sally K. & David L. Hanson Right you are. Risk management is something that does not take a 'rocket scientist' to figure out. WOW!

Jul 25, 2015 11:29 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes to the subtle choices in Real Estate that come up some with hidden prices to pay if something goes wrong...

Jul 25, 2015 11:36 PM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

We ran into this with the one and only short sale we did.  The government would not approve the loan unless x was fixed.  The seller had no interest in fixing x and the buyer can not fix something in a property they do not own.  We held our breath and fixed it but don't tell anyone.

Jul 25, 2015 11:42 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sally and David. You are so right about this and I like the way you operate.

Jul 25, 2015 11:43 PM
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

Asking for trouble.  I had a similar situation a few years ago when my buyer waned to install a new furnace before the closing.  Absolutely  not!!  What if the house doesn't close?? Who owns the furnace now?  Even storing items in seller's garage before closing is a bad idea.  What if something is stolen?  

 

Jul 25, 2015 11:48 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Sally and David,

What if the deal falls through or a repair was not done to satisfaction; it is call "OH NO"!

Make yourself a great day.

Jul 25, 2015 11:49 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

There are enough ways for things to go wrong in life - it's foolish to just go out ASKING for trouble. 

Jul 26, 2015 03:54 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Sally and David you are absolutely right, it is not smart for a Buyer to do work to a property they do not own yet.

Jul 26, 2015 12:01 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Sally & David, I hear about this all the time happening...not on my watch I say!

Jul 26, 2015 09:13 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good reminder for home buyers and their agents.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Jul 27, 2015 12:17 AM
Raul Rodriguez
Covenant Partners Realty - San Antonio, TX
Looking out for the client's interest and not my p

Rule of thumb...don't put the horse before the cart!

Jul 27, 2015 12:27 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

No way am I having my buyers come out of pocket for any repairs until they own the home. There have been so many deals fall apart days before closing over the past 17 years. I'm not putting my buyers at risk like that. 

Jul 27, 2015 12:37 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I sold a home online the buyer is a Coldwell Banker experienced agent. Before it was recorded they came to start working, inspecting as they already owned the property.  

 

Jul 27, 2015 12:43 AM
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

i try to always revisit andexplain timing  as soon as we are under contract with the buyers, including the part where access is allowed, durig the inspection period until that contingency is released. and then not again til final walk thru.

Had one say they needed measurements so they could buy furniture...NOOOO, no purchasing untl AFTER you close, No hiring of repair/installers/painters/contractors,,etc. No flooring can be installed prior.. ..PATIENCE.. until you are given the keys..

Jul 27, 2015 12:55 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Buyers consider it their home before it really, legally is.  I have buyers who want to walk out of the home, which is pending to them, with floor plans, warranty on appliances . . . little things, but still - it's not their home yet.  Leave things as they are!!

Jul 27, 2015 03:48 AM