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What is the Post Closing Occupancy Agreement?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 DRE# ER40011786

 

In brisk markets, Sellers may not have located a replacement home in mind, and a Post Closing Occupancy Agreement may need to be prepared to find the replacement home.

 

This document describes who pays for the utilities, and requires the Seller to now carry Renter's Insurance after closing as well as the Buyer holding a non-owner policy.   It also identifies how long this short-term rental will be and if there is a deposit collected.    Rent can be collected, and is usually calculated off the Buyer's new mortgage payment, not the Seller's mortgage.    The rent and utility payment is collected at closing, and if Seller vacates prior to the end of the term, monies are returned to Seller.  (In this crazy market right now, the buyers are offering FREE rent in most contracts)

 

The Seller must maintain the property, water, and maintain the yard, if not done by a third party.    If the furnace or water heater needs repair, it states the new Buyer is responsible, as well as any kitchen appliances.  (the Buyer now owns the property)

 

This agreement also states with advanced notice, the Buyer does have the right to have access the property, and immediate access with any emergency.  

 

If the Seller does not vacate on the date agreed upon, there is a fee per day collected, which is usually the same as written in the Contract to Buy & Sell.  This document is used for up to 60 days only after closing.    If the transaction is financed, lenders want to know the Buyer will occupy the property within 60 days.   (this is why there is only 60 days included in a post closing agreement)

 

There are times you do not want the Seller in the property after closing, and need to be sure the Buyer is comfortable with this Post Closing agreement.   It is mandated in the State of Colorado if a Seller will remain in the property after closing, this document is required.

 

 

 

Posted by

Joan Cox
Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
House to Home, Inc.

Serving the Denver Metro area including all suburbs


Helping Buyers and Sellers achieve their real estate dreams, one house at a time!

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Comments(20)

Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Joan. Way back in the day post closing occupancy was a common practice and provided for in the boilerplate of the contract. The trend for occupancy at closing came along and post closing occupancy was discarded. And now what once was is back in practice. The more things change the more they remain the same. Enjoy your day.

Mar 09, 2022 05:24 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Joan Cox - In today's market, we are seeing more of this. It is good to see that you are reviewing this for all of us to brush up on.

Mar 09, 2022 05:24 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Joan... our seller possession agreements after closing are good only for about 14 days. If it's longer than that, NC Real Estate Commission suggests we do an actual lease.

Mar 09, 2022 05:24 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I hate that this has become a necessity for some buyers to win the bid since I doubt that they are buying the home to use as a rental.

Mar 09, 2022 05:25 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs

Great Early Blog this morning. Hope you are doing very well this month.

Mar 09, 2022 05:39 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

So many ways this can go side-ways, and us (realtors) are the bad guys.  Thank you for the share, enjoy the day, we made it to hump day.  But make it a productive one.  Sell a house,  bill

Mar 09, 2022 05:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Wayne, I don't remember these documents early in my career, but sure are used in today's market.

Mar 09, 2022 06:41 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sheri, we are seeing this with almost every transaction, unless the property is vacant.

Mar 09, 2022 06:41 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Brian, I agree.

Mar 09, 2022 06:42 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Bill, have had the Seller leave the home completely filthy, and the buyer didn't want to ask for a deposit.  Today, I encourage a deposit STRONGLY.

Mar 09, 2022 06:42 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Thanks Eric.

Mar 09, 2022 06:43 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina Hollander, Broker that is interesting!   Our agreement will take care of the "leasing" for 60 days.   So funny contracts can be so different in each state.

Mar 09, 2022 06:44 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is very good information to share.

I hope you are enjoying a productive week.

Mar 09, 2022 06:46 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Joan - Wayne Martin 's comment is certainly telling.  History does repeat itself.

Mar 09, 2022 06:48 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Thanks Roy.

Mar 09, 2022 06:52 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Grant, it sure does! 

Mar 09, 2022 06:53 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I have had managing brokers go bonkers over these agreements Joan. The horror stories abound when not written correctly. Happy Wednesday 🙂

Mar 09, 2022 08:17 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Joan - the realities of a market often prompt additional paperwork.  

Mar 09, 2022 09:15 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paul, you will always have agents not do them correctly, but hope with a BA and LA, one will get it correct.

Mar 09, 2022 10:37 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, that is true.

Mar 09, 2022 10:37 AM