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The seller walked out of the closing......so I SMASHED his piano!

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Cahill Associates

Last year, at the closing for one of my transactions, the seller walked out of the closing, so I smashed his piano!

Yes, I know that the title needs some explanation.  I have tried to write this up a few different times, but there is just so much to write, so to make a verylong story short, here are some highlights (or lowlights):

  • The final walk through went well, but we could not get into the garage and there was some extra building materials in the basement.
  • Upon hearing that there would have to be a hold back when the seller walked into the closing, he abruptly turned and walked out of the building only to have the listing agents chase him down the street in the pouring rain in the middle of Boston.
  • He ended up walking out of the closing a total of FOUR times before he was finally convinced that he could be sued for specific performance if he did not comply and sign the paperwork. 
  • The listing agents ended up agreeing to dispose of extra debris in his basement.  The seller had of course insisted that this material went with the house since they were left over from the renovations.  We are not talking about some extra tiles here, but a few truck loads of building scraps.
  • I had to promise, in writing, that whatever was left in the garage when we finally got it open (the seller had conveniently "lost" the keys and swore that it was empty) I would get rid of.  How bad could it really be, right?
  • When I went to the prior owner's home after it closed to politely ask him for the garage keys, he pretty much slammed the door in my face.
  • After we paid the locksmith to get the garage open, we found the seller left us a present: a grand piano!  Since it was a wreck and could not restored (I had someone look at it), I had to take matters into my own hands:

Check out the youtube clip of me having to smash up the piano so I could get it out of there.  The camera ran out of batteries just under two minutes into it.




Piano Smash - This is what happens when a homeseller leaves his piano behind...

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Thanks for reading!

David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates
cell 781-910-6506
www.DavidCahillHomes.com

 

 

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Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

LOL!!! Good title...great way to take the frustration out on the piano. Enjoyed reading and watching ur video

Feb 22, 2010 01:46 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

HA, that was GREAT! Did you feel better after that? I would have.... but you should have been wearing earplugs.

Feb 22, 2010 01:47 AM
Lisa Stafford
Broken Arrow, Tulsa, McGraw Realtors - Broken Arrow, OK
Broken Arrow OK Homes For Sale

I love the title.  And I'm sure you felt better after the job was done.

Feb 22, 2010 01:50 AM
Jeana Cowie
RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Paramus, NJ
Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES

David, Poor you. What a crazy story. At least you took out your anger on the piano and not the seller.....

Feb 22, 2010 01:52 AM
David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

Ritu ~ Thanks for watching.  Those first few swings sure did feel good!

Andrea ~ Much better, thank you!  My ears were ok, but I forgot to wear gloves and I got a bunch of blisters and callouses torn off! :(

Lisa ~ I like creating attention-grabbing titles.  Works every time!

Jeane ~ That was one crazy seller, too!  The listing agents, whom I work with, are still mad at this guy.  He selfishly put us through a lot!

Feb 22, 2010 01:55 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

David, I'm sure you had a little fun with that sledge hammer and I know you said the piano could not be restored, but it sure hurt to see that happen to a piano.

Feb 22, 2010 04:49 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi David...that was one tough Piano, what was with the Seller leaving the Construction material? was this a short sale or bank owned property and he was Mad?

Great Post

Mar 16, 2010 05:56 PM
Danielle O'Brien
Parkway Real Estate - West Roxbury, MA
Real estate Broker / Owner in Boston

ahhh! the age old "but it was there when i bought the home" or "the buyers may need this" excuse when it comes to seller responsibilities & cleanouts before closing! sorry for the trouble, but im sure smashing that piano was a somewhat of a consolation!

Aug 31, 2017 02:51 PM