A Day In The Life

I recently represented sellers in the successful sale of their home, guiding them through several unexpected challenges while protecting their interests every step of the way.

Shortly after listing, we secured a cash offer with no contingency for the buyers to sell their own home. Once the inspection was completed, the buyers requested a credit for a noted defect. I helped my clients evaluate the request, negotiate fair terms, and formalize the agreement through an addendum.

The closing was set for a Friday. However, on the Monday before closing, the buyers’ agent notified me that the sale of the buyers’ own home—unknown to us —was also scheduled to close that same Friday and was delayed due to a lender issue related to flood insurance documentation. Because Tuesday was a holiday, the lender couldn’t issue the Closing Disclosure in time. As a result, their closing was pushed to Monday, leaving the buyers without the funds they needed to close on my clients’ home, despite having represented themselves as cash purchasers. There was not enough time for the buyers to liquidate investments as a backup, and although it was disappointing for my clients, I advised them through the situation, and they agreed to delay closing as a professional courtesy.

Complications continued. The buyers’ movers were already scheduled, and the buyers asked to move their belongings into the sellers’ garage before closing. I advised my sellers on the liability and legal risks associated with allowing a buyer to store property prior to transferring ownership—risks that additional escrowed funds do not eliminate. My clients chose not to allow early access, and I fully supported their decision. I communicated this clearly and professionally to the buyers’ agent, who was frustrated, but my priority remained protecting my clients’ interests.

On the morning of closing, after the buyers’ final walk-through, their agent reported a leak near the pool filter and requested a $1,000 escrow holdback from my sellers’ proceeds. My clients were uncomfortable with this option—they were concerned about giving the buyers control to choose a potentially overpriced repair provider. Instead, they contacted a trusted pool repair company and scheduled a same-day service window. In the meantime, the buyers had movers ready to unload their truck and were growing more agitated by the minute. Recognizing the urgency, I personally called the pool company to explain the situation, and they kindly rearranged their schedule to send a technician within 15 minutes. The repair was completed within an hour. This allowed closing to proceed smoothly, the buyers to move in that afternoon, and my clients to receive their proceeds without unnecessary holdbacks.

Throughout the process, I advocated strongly for my clients, provided clear guidance during high-pressure moments, and facilitated solutions that protected them legally and financially. Although the buyers and their agent were frustrated at times, my responsibility was to ensure my sellers were treated fairly and to navigate the transaction to a successful close—something I’m proud to have delivered despite the many last-minute complexities.