A buyer client recently had a verbal offer accepted on a foreclosure
home in Macomb County.

As I've stated before, buying a foreclosure is no stress-free procedure.
You must have patience in order to get through the process. That, and
a sense of humor.
In the initial offer we had 10 days for a home inspection.
I like to give it a bit longer than the standard 7 days because of utilities
needing to be turned on. Of course the bank/ asset manager said no to
that and changed it to 7 days.

(Those of you who have served in the armed forces have probably heard the
saying "Hurry up and wait". That could also be said for purchasing a foreclosure home.)


While we were waiting for signed contracts to come back from the bank I advised her
to call Consumers Energy to have the gas account put into her name. (That in itself
can take 1-2 business days and a couple of phone calls until you get to the right
person and department.)

She was able to do that, and we waited for the signed contracts to come back from the
asset manager before having the gas itself turned on in the home. And we waited.
We waited patiently for 15 days. Finally, the contracts came into my email last night
and I opened up the file and read it, only to find that the asset manager dated them
for the 20th. That meant we have until the end of the day Tuesday to tell them "Yes I
want to proceed" or "No, give me my deposit back."

On an upcoming holiday weekend we have to rush.

Early this morning I emailed the listing agent asking if he could get an extension
in writing for 3 more days. Before I heard back from him though my client was in
action-mode. At 7:05 this morning she was on the phone to Consumers Energy,
and I don't know what she said to them (or how she begged) but the gas could
be turned on today.

Reason to celebrate? Not quite yet. They would only give us a 20 minute "heads up"
call. Not 25 minute notice. Not 30. 20 minutes and you better be there to meet them.
They won't even give you a window ala the cable companies of "Between 9 and 12.."

I hurried through a shower, got dressed and fully expected it to be later this morning
or mid-afternoon before they would call. Silly me. They called at 8:05. The very
nice Consumers Energy representative said he was on his way to the house. I had
exactly 20 minutes to drive to the house, normally a 30-35 minute drive. In good
traffic. With no red lights.

I made it. The gas is turned on. Inspection is set for tomorrow afternoon. (My
apologies to the nice citizens of Sterling Heights that I passed on the Schoenherr today.)


It was comical. We waited 15 days for documents, but had a 20 minute window
to have the gas turned on.
I bet we'll have to "hurry up and wait" for title work
and a closing date though...


Search for homes in Macomb County MI Chat about Macomb County MI





Contact Kris Wales
- A partner for your real estate needs in Macomb County MI


Search Macomb County MI homes for Sale  with MLS provided data updated daily.

Want to chat about local real estate?  Visit A Macomb County MI real estate blog

 
This post has been included in Michigan Information Macomb County, MI Information

13 Comments on Sometimes you have to laugh at the absurdity of it..."Hurry up and wait"

MAY
22
2008
Localism Sponsor

I thought that was you who passed me up cruising down Schoenher today!

Just kidding. Good luck with your sale. :)

2:30pm • #1
443,728 Points 28 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Kris, I don't know why everything has to be so difficult, I'm sure that was stressful for you.  Btw, our cable "wait" is now an all day proposition, we no longer have a "window."  I hope you have a great weekend.

7:47pm • #3
548,810 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Kris, it sounds like my day... I won't go into it here, but what a day. WOW, 20 minutes. ...

8:48pm • #4
195,221 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Oh Kris...that is too funny!! Don't get me started, girl, on the waiting game involved with foreclosures. It is enough to make you crazy. I once had a deal with a foreclosure that we did not receive the signed contract until five days before the scheduled closing date. The lender was waiting for the signed contract, as lenders do, before proceeding with the loan. Of course, we could not close on time...and the bank charged my client $800 in per diem for closing late. (I paid it, because my client did not have the money.) I wrote my best and most logical letter to the bank begging for an extension, since it was their fault. NOPERS! They wanted their 800 bucks! I know one thing...your client is blessed to have you on their side!! GBU!

10:18pm • #5
257,279 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog

laughing at these times sometimes make it less stressful - you are right it is a waiting game and when they say jump you better be ready - good for you for being ready, willing and able to get the job done

10:44pm • #6
MAY
23
2008
4 Featured Posts

Kris, The supreme irony is that the banks all think their properties are palaces and there aren't many of these "great deals" here in Michigan.  We are awash in them, as you know.  The banks need to get real.  I will always remember your blog about what the banks need to sell their properties.  Turn on the utilities...I don't remember what #2 was - that was all I needed to be convinced.

1:23am • #7
501,047 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kris, I never understood the term rush hour. That is unless they are referring to that herd of wild turtles rushing to get off the turnpike.

5:31am • #8
250,462 Points 44 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mike:   And why didn't you toss me a cup of coffee?  (I forgot it on the kitchen counter..)

Gary:  I hope so.  She's waited so long for this one!

Carole:   Wow, that's unsettling to hear.  I bet the companies here follow suit..

Missy:  Sorry to hear you had "one of those" also.  Hope today is better.

Elizabeth:  I'm nodding my head at your words...I hate hate hate those "I'll fine you $$ per day if you miss the deadline."  So unrealistic.

Thesa:  Sometimes we do what we gotta do!  (What do I mean sometimes...all the time would be more accurate.)

Susan:  I think #2 was hire local unemployed workers to spruce up the homes.  Geez.  So simple you would think.  Win/win for everyone.

Michael:  Rush hour does seem to be the wrong phrase doesn't it?  More like stuck hour.


5:41am • #9
275,013 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Yikes Kris, there is nothing worse that rushing to get through traffic...I can't believe you had on 20 minutes.  But, you did a great job for your clients, that's for sure!

8:11am • #10
666,956 Points 72 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Kris, your picture totally makes your point for you!  Cute - coming from the "Car State"!

10:21am • #11
239,389 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog

That's one minute for each day + five bonus minutes! A bargain (please note sarcasm) :-)

7:11pm • #12
MAY
24
2008
250,462 Points 44 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Diane:  I didn't think I would make it..but I wasn't going to give up!

Patricia:  I thought it was fitting :-)

Chuck:  Sarcasm noted and welcomed!

6:14am • #13

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Kris Rainmaker_large

Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site

Macomb, MI

More about me…

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center

Address: 45609 Village Blvd., Shelby Township, MI, 48315

Office Phone: (586) 536-5453

Email Me

A partner for your real estate
needs in Macomb County.


Looking for a full time real
estate professional with over
a decade of experience in
Macomb County MI and it's
surrounding areas?  

Feel free to get to know me and
how I conduct my business by
reading here and visiting
 Chataboutmacomb.com and
Macombhomes.com

I'm a firm believer that the best
real estate relationship is a
partnership. We work together
to achieve your goals - whether
it be in purchasing your first
home or selling your present
home to purchase another or
to relocate.

Please feel free to email me at
any time. I would enjoy chatting
with you and getting to know you.


Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find MI real estate agents and Macomb real estate on ActiveRain.