The seller refused to move and how to avoid it

The seller refused to move and how to avoid itYou probably saw this story in the news over the weekend.

http://wate.com/2016/06/11/nashville-woman-buys-home-seller-wont-move-out/

This lady bought a For Sale By Owner [FSBO] home and closed on June 1st.  Everything was great until she found out that the owner did not move out at closing and is still living in the property.

She will need to take legal action to have the former owner evicted from the home.  

It’s really sad for the buyer.  I can’t imagine being in her position.  Thankfully, she is getting some pro bono legal help from Grover Collins with Collins Law Firm.  

People like Grover Collins make me proud to live in Nashville.

What gets me more than anything is that this could have been avoided multiple ways.  If the buyer was represented by a Realtor, I doubt we would be reading this today.

You’ve probably heard me say this before, “In a real estate transaction, it’s not always what you know.  It’s what you don’t know that can come crashing down on you.”  

This is why it is imperative that you get good advice from a Realtor throughout the transaction and know when to ask the right questions.  These questions shine light on the unknown to protect your downside and prevent tragedies like this from occurring.

After reading the story, I was left wondering.

Was the date of possession spelled out in the real estate contract?

Did the buyer do a final walk through right before closing?

Were there other signs that the seller was not above board?

The emotional excitement of buying a home (especially in this market) can make you blind to things that you would have otherwise questioned.  

If you want to talk about other ways that you can protect yourself in a transaction, just give me a call.  I’m here for you!

Post a Comment