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Sleep in my House??

I was doing my Thursday night bowling routine in Denver and one of my team members has just accepted an offer on her house that she has been trying to sell for over 1 year. That is all good, but the Buyers want to spend a night in the house before they close the deal.

Have anyone ever had this type of request? Are there rules that you give to the Buyers before their night in the house? My friend has a dog and she isn't sure about leaving the dog with these strangers. She hasn't closed the deal so she hasn't packed any of her personal belongings either. She wanted my input on what to do and I need your input if you have experienced this situation and how you handled it.

The Kochster

http://www.tomkochrealestate.com/

Posted by Tom Koch on 05/02/2008 03:25 PM

Comments (7)

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7 Comments on Sleep in my House??

Wow, very interesting. I don't know how I would feel about that in my own house. Very strange request. I wish her the best of luck witht he situation.

MTR Chris

05/02/2008 06:10 PM

by Chris Gempeler - Mountain Top Realtor (Tom Langseth & Associates Real Estate)

Yeah I don't think I could allow that if I was the seller. Very weird request... but is it because they need more time in the home?

05/02/2008 06:20 PM

by Naoma Doriguzzi -Wachovia Mortgage (Wachovia Mortgage, FSB)

I bet they got the idea from the new HGTV show where the buyer gets to sleep in the house prior to settlement to make sure its everything they wanted

05/02/2008 06:22 PM

by Stacy Magid, Prince William County Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Elite)

I think the idea, seemingly born on HGTV, is an odd one. It is hard enough to qualify people financially, or at an open house, but a sleepover...? I advise my clients to visit a home various hours of the day/night prior to purchase, to help them determine true/accurate noise levels, neighbor activity, etc. Maybe this is what the buyer in your situation is trying to do. Maybe invite them over in the morning, afternoon and evening for visits? Please let us know how this one unfolds, it is a unique case.

05/02/2008 06:59 PM

by Stefan Geyer (Home Real Estate)

Stefan-I like your ideas, I will suggest them to my friend and will update the blog when I find out what she did and how it went.

The Kochster

05/03/2008 03:19 PM

by Tom Koch (Tom Langseth & Associates Real Estate)

I like inviting them over, or letting their agent use the lock box to bring them in at different times is okay. Staying the night is not. I wouldn't want my Seller to risk litigation. Just because it is on TV doesn't make it a good idea.

05/03/2008 03:41 PM

by Peter Wolf (Coldwell Banker)

Tom, I think the rules are to say "No!!" This is not TV, it is the real world. Very odd.

05/03/2008 04:00 PM

by Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)