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PICNIC INTERRUPTED!

By Janice Lipka

Real Estate Agent with ERA TEAM IV HOMES

April 24, 2007 01:24 AM

I sold this family this wonderful building lot, complete with trees, open areas , privacy at the end of a cul-de-sac. This was everyting they had been looking for to build their dream house. They customed designed their home with a local architect and the builder was ready to start. The contemporary home was the perfect design for this site. The closing was set for July 7th. They were so happy with this lot they decided to have a 4th of July picnic on "their" lot.

That's when I received the panicked call from them. They were approached by the next door neighbor that asked them to explain why they were having a picnic on their property.

I did not have the answers & since this was a holiday I couldn't do anything until the next day. A very long 24 Hours!!!

We meet at the office to figure out what was going on. IT WAS MY ERROR!! The subdivision was named Roseview 1 & Roseview 2. I was in the wrong section. The lots were numbered the same. The wooded lot 6 in section 2 was the wrong lot. The lot 6 that they were actually buying was a completely different looking lot. Flat pasture looking land with no trees in sight.

Surprisingly, they went through with the deal. ( I do not think I would have). All commissions, company included, went into the purchase & planting of trees.

Imagine if they had closed and construction had started? Hopefully, after reading this story you will not make the same mistake I did.

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International, IT

Oh man, Janice! Dodged a bullet with that one.

I can imagine the look on the neighbor's face when he looked out the window and saw people "squatting" on his lawn.

Jason

Apr 24, 2007 01:32 AM

Virginia Halter

RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC

ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES

Wow!!! I can't even imagine. You are one blessed person that they were okay with everything. Wow!!!

Apr 24, 2007 01:38 AM

Ronda Myers-Waters

Willems Realtors, Principal Broker - Chesterton, IN

You were lucky on that one. Most buyers would be irate about that. When I purchased a lot to build on I asked for a copy of the survey of my street. That way I knew the location of my property.

Apr 24, 2007 02:06 AM

Janice Lipka

ERA TEAM IV HOMES - La Grange, NY

Hi Ronda, You are right, most buyers would be quit upset. I am sure they were upset, Perhaps numb!

I still do not beleive they went through with the deal. I think it was the location that overided this error.

Apr 24, 2007 02:24 AM

Hi Jason, I would not have gone through with the purchase. I do not think I will get any referrals from them.

Apr 24, 2007 02:26 AM

= )

Apr 24, 2007 02:27 AM

J Perrin Cornell

Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate - Wenatchee, WA

Broker, ABR, VAMRES

Ok, I was involved in the sale of a home where we had the right home and legal. But between the offer, loan and title something went badly amiss. The loan closed people moved and the loan turned out to be on the property next door. That would have been missed except when it came time (for the lender) to pay property taxes the error popped up. To make things worse the property next door went into foreclosure and was sold at auction thus blowing away the mortage that was on the wrong property. Eventually it all got corrected. But it was exciting for awhile!

Apr 24, 2007 02:28 AM

Good Morning Virginia, I must be blessed. I would not have gone through with the purchase. I drive by occasionally. SNEAK by to be exact. Trees are growing!!!

Hi Perrin, That must have been a nightmare for all involved.How long did it take to clear up??

Apr 24, 2007 02:31 AM

Dianne Barody

Century 21 AmeriSouth Realty - Pensacola, FL

Pensacola Florida Real Estate

Glad it all worked out in the long run.. Thanks for the post.

Apr 24, 2007 03:49 AM

Hi Diane, This would have been a legal mess. I still can't believe they closed.

Apr 24, 2007 06:12 AM

Thesa Chambers

West + Main - Bend, OR

Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

did you sleep at all that long 24 hours... oh my gosh I would have been so upset. but thanks for the warning and it made me think of a blog to write tomorrow - so glad it turned out for you

Apr 24, 2007 06:11 PM

Debbie Creech

ERA Team IV Homes - Poughkeepsie, NY

Janice,

WOW! I thought I had heard it all. I guess you are right, this business is a never ending learning experience.

Apr 24, 2007 11:02 PM

Good morning Thesa, You are correct! I did not sleep that night. I imagined how to prepare for the worst and ended up with results that I did not even consider.

Apr 24, 2007 11:42 PM

Good Morning Debbie, Every day is different. You never know until the day begins.

Apr 24, 2007 11:44 PM

Steven Shewell

Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA

The Mortgage Maverick

That rates as an all time story. I guess it pays to check things twice and act only once.

I'm glad that everything worked out for you.

Apr 24, 2007 11:49 PM

Good Morning Steven. You can't imagine how glad I am that it worked out. I still do not believe that they settled for this lot! They really wanted this location.

Apr 24, 2007 11:54 PM

Jim & Maria Hart

Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC Real Estate

I'm really shocked that they closed, too! It was outstanding of you and your company to put all of your commissions into making the lot a little more like what they were wanting.

Apr 25, 2007 07:56 AM

Good Morning Jim & Maria, Commissions seemed too little, but that is what we did. This lot will NEVER have the appeal of the other lot.

Apr 25, 2007 11:42 PM

PICNIC INTERRUPTED!

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