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Missed-Takes Happen.

By
Real Estate Agent with Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 UT DRE# 6541633-SA00

Missed-Takes Happen.

 

A relatively, uneventful closing brought with it much joy to sellers and buyers alike. Along with that, a last-minute kerfuffle! When the property recorded, the new home owners were given 3 days to change over the utilities into their name.

 

In the meantime, the listing agent:

• pulled the real estate sign

• released the e-Key box's shackle

• left all the keys to the property inside

 

The buyers showed up but couldn't open the garage door after pushing in the code multiple times. The buyer agent called the other party, saying that a key man is necessary and the bill will be sent to them.

 

The listing agent relayed that the electricity was turned off because the buyers failed to transfer utilities. Apparently, the buyer's agent forgot to advise them, prematurely placing blame on the other agent.

 

However, it was just a missed-take, costing buyers and their agent both a little time and money.

 

My Professional Advice:

Listing agents - leave the keys, garage door openers or pool fobs with a 3rd party, like the title office or at the brokerage.

Buyer agents - Ensure everything is streamlined and the utilities are scheduled to be turned on upon recordation.

 

Photo by: Grok

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I, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin at Red Rock Real Estate Utah am responsible for my opinions expressed in this blog. Information herein is deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed and may change due to market conditions. Please do not take my pictures or artwork and use them as your own, they are my property and copyrighted.

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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin is a southern Utah REALTOR® assisting buyers and sellers in in the St. George area, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Veyo, Central, Hurricane, Ivins, La Verkin, Leeds, Santa Clara, and Washington real estate markets.
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Red Rock Real Estate
90 E 100 S, St. George, UT 84770

BuynSellUtah.com
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Comments(21)

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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Wanda,

I hate that when things happen at the end to sour a deal. Its the thing they will most remember about their transaction because it ended on a sour note!

Jan 03, 2025 05:49 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Wanda... such a stupid reason to incur costs and stress... whether I'm representing a buyer or seller I start  checking that utilities have been transferred to the new buyers' names for the agreed upon date a good two weeks prior to closing.

Jan 03, 2025 06:13 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing this story and your advice.

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

Jan 03, 2025 06:35 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

The week before closing, when we change utilities and return modums is the week of HEll.  The listing agents very likely will not have the information or will take 3 days to get you the information required to change everything over. I have asked that the MLS provide us with a form that had to be filled out and signed by the seller.  Information when you are in a crunch is golden.

Jan 03, 2025 07:45 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

You're welcome, Bill Salvatore - East Valley!

Jan 03, 2025 08:35 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Everyone can make mistakes but to blame someone else before realizing it was on your part is ridiculous, Dorie Dillard Austin TX. It happens though!

Jan 03, 2025 08:36 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Three days is plenty of time in our digital, online world, Nina Hollander, Broker. Sometimes, it can be unintentionally overlooked, as in this story!

Jan 03, 2025 08:38 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Hope it helps another professional to avoid the scenario, Roy. It can be very stressful for all involved when it happens!

Jan 03, 2025 08:39 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Here, it's a quick process. Fill out the online form, pay the deposit and wallah! Utilities are humming in the new owner's names, Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518.

Jan 03, 2025 08:41 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

water companies will not change until they have a copy of the deed of transfer, so you have to go the day of closing to their office before 3 pm to get it put in the new owners name or be without water that night.  I had one who closed on the 3rd of July a Thursday.  The closing was at 4 so the water company was closed when they went, the water was turned off and not back on until Tuesday.  I put them in a motel for the weekend. Lesson learned, closings before holidays are done before noon.

Jan 03, 2025 12:23 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Wanda, I have gotten phone calls after closings and they forgot to get this or that.  I remind them of the list of mailbox number, garage door codes and more that was in writing that I gave to the agents.

Jan 03, 2025 09:44 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! sounds like the Sellers side either did not know what they are doing, or are VERY VERY sloppy.

Jan 03, 2025 04:21 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Most everything is an easy fix, Will Hamm. Mistakes will be made and that's what makes us human!

Jan 03, 2025 05:42 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

That would be the buyer's side, George Souto. Seller gave buyers 3 days grace period to change utilities over, they did not, so the power was turned off, not allowing them to access entry through the garage door.

Jan 03, 2025 05:44 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

HI it sounds like such a simple thing to do...put the utilities in your (the buyer's) name but can be forgotten. It would be good for both agents to set reminders. 

Jan 03, 2025 06:30 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Some people just have to learn things the hard way, haha.  If someone is going to own a home, they should know to get the utilities transferred into their names and agents should know to remind them to do that if they haven't thought of it, haha.

Jan 04, 2025 05:02 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Wanda - mistakes, mishaps and other unfortunate stuff is a part of life.  As much as it can avoided, it seems Murphy's Law seems to rule far too many days. 

Jan 04, 2025 06:05 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

It could have easily been prevented, Kathy Streib. The only thing to do now is to move forward, despite the short-lived drama!

Jan 04, 2025 09:55 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

We have to ensure clients get the information necessary to move forward, Endre Barath, Jr.. Sometimes we miss a step but thankfully it wasn't irreparable!

Jan 04, 2025 09:56 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Just wanted to show both sides and how a missed-take can happen when least expected, Brian England. We're all fallible but when in error, taking responsibility for it, is the right thing to do!

Jan 04, 2025 10:23 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Most days, luckily, I do not answer the door when Murphy comes knocking, Michael Jacobs. He is not a courteous visitor and does not have good intentions!

Jan 04, 2025 10:43 AM