worst value proposition among similar options. Most sellers, like Tim and Sue, don’t realize how quickly the market can shift—sometimes in just a few weeks. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to price your home right the first time. Home D sold, and Home E went pending almost immediately—proof that well-priced homes still move, even in a shifting market.
PRE-CLOSING ERROR: BUYERS MOVING IN TOO SOON
A homeowner had accepted an offer on their home and had already moved out, waiting for the sale to close. To their surprise, they discovered that the buyers had started moving in before the close of escrow. The seller contacted their agent, who immediately reached out to the buyers' agent. It was clarified that the buyers should not have had access to the keys, let alone begun moving in. The buyers said they thought it was fine to move in early—but it’s not. Allowing buyers to take possession before closing presents serious risks. If someone is injured on the property, or if there’s a fire, theft, or other damage, liability and insurance coverage can become a major issue. Until escrow closes, the property still legally belongs to the seller, and most homeowner insurance policies do not cover unauthorized occupants. While the buyers ultimately did not move in early, they had already transferred the utilities into their name. The agents worked together to explain that even utility transfers should wait until after the transaction officially closes.
PRE-CLOSING ERROR: LARGE BANK DEPOSIT CAUSING DELAY
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