It isn’t over until it’s over. The closing is the last step in buying or selling a home. Until the last T is crossed, the last I is dotted and the keys are in your hand something can go wrong. These are the 4 most common ways a closing can either fall apart or be delayed.

Low Appraisals

This is an issue because a buyer can only obtain a mortgage for the amount of the appraisal, minus the down payment. If the appraisal is low and the buyer is using a conventional mortgage, they can submit an appeal to get a second opinion. Pleading your case is another option. Just recently I was able to get an appraisal up by $5,000! I did this by pointing out errors in the comparison houses the appraiser used and highlighting features they hadn’t given enough weight.

This is a great success story but not as common as I or my clients would like it to be. Renegotiating is a common method with low appraisals but also a tricky one. There are many ways to sneak past a low appraisal by negotiating the purchase agreement. Please follow the link at the bottom of the page to learn more about working around low appraisals.

High Expectations

Big struggle sellers face is buyers making too many requests after the inspection. In some sales, I’ve seen 15-20 things buyers want to be repaired. This is typically a dozen little fixes. A loose handle here, a dripping faucet there but the little things add up quickly. As a buyer, these little requests don’t seem like much but when there are 20 of them it becomes a problem for sellers. Often there is another negotiation over what the seller is willing to fix. This is where the closing can fall apart. If the two sides aren’t willing to make concessions one will inevitably walk away.

Incomplete Repairs

A terrible walk-through is perhaps the worst way to start off a closing. Sellers not completing the agreed upon repairs is a frustrating problem to find right before closing. This issue often requires last-minute renegotiating, such as including additional money in escrow or even delaying the closing. Undoubtedly, neither side of the transaction ends up fully pleased, after all that is the basis of a compromise.

Timing

Especially in this market, timing can be an issue in many closings. Low inventory leads to contingencies, which means the buyer or seller will only close upon their previous or new home successfully closing. Timing is crucial as both sides need to juggle moving their belongings out of one house in time for the closing and transferring them to their new home. The multiple closings needed with contingent offers must be planned on or near the same day and there is little flexibility to adjust these dates.

The tangled logistics of moving from one home to the next and carving out enough time to do so is quite a struggle. I suggest asking your Realtor for advice before booking a moving truck because there will be a tight window. In addition, if you have a place to pre-move items to your move will be easier.

Learn more with my other blog posts including:

1: Low Appraisal? Three Ways to Save the Sale of Your Home

2: What Buyers Can Expect After A Home Inspection

3: 5 Ways to Showcase Your Home for Successful Showings

If you have any questions, please let me know, I’m always happy to help. You can give me a call at 612-889-6496 or send an email to [email protected].

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