An OOPS at the Closing Table

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

I have already done my three entries for this month's challenge, but was reading another post for the challenge, and reminded me of a funny situation.  Well, it wasn't funny at the time, but it sure is now!

 

I had the Seller, and the transaction, as I can remember was uneventful all the way to the closing table.   In Colorado, if possible, Buyer and Seller sit at the closing table together.   This didn't happen during COVID but has again regained popularity.   Buyers want to meet the Sellers, and the Sellers want to know who is moving into their home.   (IF the transaction has gone well)

All were sitting at the table, the escrow agent was getting signatures, and the Seller was finished with their few pages to sign, and sitting back relaxing.   The Buyers then had to sign the "alias" page, and the husband looked over and asked when she had THAT last name.   W E L L, it was in my first marriage......   OOPS, guess she never disclosed she was married the first time, and the Buyers then stepped out of the closing room to have a heated discussion.   You could hear them from the hall.   My Seller asked --- do you think they will return and close?

 

They did return and close, but the rest of the closing was a bit "icy" in the room.    The buyers did not hang out after the closing was finished, as I think they were both very embarrassed.

 

Now every time that page is signed, I always think of this day....and how it could have gone a whole different direction!

 

 

 

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 (22)

Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, it is funny now, but sure was not that day.   My seller was very nervous whether or not they would return and finish the closing.

Mar 25, 2023 06:21 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, you are right, you just cannot make this stuff up, it is funny now.

Mar 25, 2023 06:21 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Joan,

Wow I'm sure that was a tense moment! I'm sure there was a heated discussion after the closing from those two. We don't have sellers and buyers close together and haven't for years for exactly situations like these. Now with the privacy issues the sellers and buyers personal information on the closing should not be revealed by being in the same room. The sellers have such a few papers to sign they don't like sitting there with all the documents the buyer has to sign. Interesting you are still closing with both parties present.

Mar 25, 2023 06:39 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

WOW, how could you not disclose a first marriage? I would have tried to follow up with those buyers (you know, to get the listing after the divorce...lol).

Mar 25, 2023 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

Dorie, we do, and sometimes the Seller comes about 15 minutes before the end of the closing, so the buyer can have privacy.    But, if there are funding conditions, it will take longer to wait.

Mar 25, 2023 06:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty that probably would have been a good idea.  That was years ago, and would have to figure out which seller that was.  

Mar 25, 2023 06:45 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Joan Cox - When you've been in the real estate market long enough, you learn not to be a Secret Agent. In your story, you had a Secret Closer and I can just imagine the look on the spouse's face when he discovered Skeletons in his spouses Closet that he owned too!

I am so thrilled to know that you have been inspired by the entries for the March to a Solultion|ActiveRain March 2023 Challenge. You discovered some new material for future posts and I was very happy and proud to read this great inspirational story! It's fresh! Clever! And it's YOU!

Mar 25, 2023 07:20 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP it wasn't a "secret closer", she was my trusted title escrow officer, and definitely wasn't expecting skeletons!

Mar 25, 2023 07:37 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Joan Cox - Oops! I made an Ooops!

Mar 25, 2023 08:10 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Joan, for sharing this story. As Nina Hollander, Broker commented, you can't make up these unexpected situations.

Mar 25, 2023 11:54 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Roy, I was shocked to say the least, and very happy they came back to the table to close!

Mar 25, 2023 12:03 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Joan,

Boy!  That is quite a story.  It is not just a small thing either!  I certainly can understand why the rest of the closing was...." icy."   In Arizona,  buyers and sellers close separately.  In fact, they can sign all the docs well prior to closing. 

Mar 25, 2023 05:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Joan- this scene could go in a "Real Housewives of ____ " show!  I love Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty's comment. 

Mar 25, 2023 06:44 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Mar 25, 2023 07:01 PM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Sounds like the buyer's husband wanted to know if his wife had been married previously

Mar 26, 2023 07:16 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh, how uncomfortable to all! Yikes. No one likes or needs surprises like this one.

Mar 27, 2023 04:58 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, many times the sellers do close earlier, to enable them to leave day of closing.

Mar 27, 2023 05:38 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, that was very awkward, and glad this hasn't happened again.

Mar 27, 2023 05:38 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 Kathy!

Mar 27, 2023 05:39 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ed, thinking that wife should have disclosed long before this purchase!

Mar 27, 2023 05:39 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paula, very awkward for all at the table.

Mar 27, 2023 05:39 AM