As I have always said the burden of being a great realtor is "thinking" for all parties in the contract...
I approach each transaction as if I am the only representative in the deal... that strategy will get you and your customer(s) to a happy and stress free closing. Now don't get me wrong, I don't represent all parties. And on occasion, I relax knowing that I have an experienced agent on the other side of the transaction. Overall I attribute my success and my customer's happiness to asking a lot of questions and thinking for all parties...
Yes, I do mean the other agent, the title company, and the mortgage company and then ultimately the buyer and the seller. Transactions always have problems and I see, so often, timid agents not talking about the elephant in the room... maybe it will go away? And occasionally, it does. But more often, it doesn't. Now, we have increased our challenges with short sales... 1st and foremost; Banks! Oh my god. If I had "3" wishes it would be to write a book on common sense, require bank management to read it (then just sit back and collect the royalties...I would be worth millions) and then it would be explaining to buyers and sellers the benefits of executing a short sale. I would talk about owners removing fixtures; refrigerators, washers, dryers, lights ceiling fans, light switches, outdoor lighting... yes, I said light switches... then occupancy... broom swept clean the day of closing...
So here are a few suggestions... listing agents... ask the seller if they intend on taking anything in the house with them when you get their short sale approved. It wouldn't hurt to remind them, a short sale is a privilege not an entitlement... We all know the list of benefits for completing a short sale vs. a foreclosure? If they want to take stuff... no big deal... Disclose it... Remove it... it's that simple. As far as moving out... before they accept the offer ... Show them on a calendar! You will need to be out this day... does that work? If everything goes well, no need to bring it up again... But if your short sales are like mine... you will need to go over it again once the short sale is approved... easy enough right? Broom swept clean the day of closing... or the alternative, you can help them load the truck and stress over it... My suggestion; helping them with the planning is always easier than breaking Rule # 33, which is: "don't volunteer to move, pack or paint..."
For buyer agents, explain to the buyer that at the end of this painful short sale process the seller walks away with no cash, "Zero" Nada!... and the emotional baggage of having lost their home... maybe a little compassion is needed... and agents save the "Greed is Good" (Gordon Gekko) attitude for your next commercial sale. It's ok if "trash" is left at the curb on Tuesday and pickup is Thursday... I understand your frustration you didn't ask enough questions of the listing agent... are "these" ceiling fans remaining with the house after closing... is the LG Steam Dryer Staying?...is the 200 year old Swarovski Crystal Chandelier staying?... then most importantly write it on the contract to be clear to all parties...
We have all gotten to the end of the transaction...frustrated and at wits end... Don't let that happen to you... remember happy and stress free Transactions make Residential Real Estate the "Best" Business in the World...
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