My very first closing in my real estate career was the perfect primer for how things sometimes go in this business. It was wild and unpredictable, but ultimately in the end there were signatures on the dotted lines.

This client never wore a wedding ring or mentioned they were married. All the showings were just him — solo. During the closing, it finally came up.

Well, that was at 9 a.m. — by 4 p.m. myself, an attorney, a lender and the client’s wife were in their apartment trying to finish the closing. They both signed, but in between shouting matches, no joke!

So the moral of the story is not only that you MUST legally disclose if you are married before you close, but that real estate takes multiple parties working together. Teamwork is where things can go right AND go horribly wrong. 

If you ever want to grab some coffee or a drink, I have plenty more stories (ask me about looking in an attic for a dead rat smelling up a house during closing!)

Sometimes anything that can go wrong, will, but there are a few measures to help. Here are my top tips for avoiding horror story closings:

You can’t avoid incompetence

It sounds awful, but as I stated before, things go off the rails when others don’t do their due diligence. It simply happens, and as an agent, you have to be ready for it. 

Create a margin for error

I always leave some buffer room and margins for things to go wrong. Planning ahead this way means when things DO go wrong, we have the ability to anticipate it and make the next move quickly.

Research builders

For anyone building their home, research your builder extensively before ever signing on. I know plenty of horror stories with the fingers pointed at builders. Check the Better Business Bureau and never miss a weekly walk-through. 

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Did you know in North Carolina bathroom mirrors convey, meaning they are sold with your house? So does landscaping, tv mounts, light fixtures, and even sometimes curtains. Want to keep your mirror or the backyard swings? Sellers should be clear to spell out what is coming with them and what is not in an MLS report. Buyers interested in certain items need to spell those out in an offer. 

Choose the right agent

I previously wrote about the importance of choosing the right real estate agent and how to do so. Check out my blog on choosing the right real estate agent for you. Have questions? Feel free to reach out! I can help in your real estate adventures.

Want to learn more about real estate or the buying and selling process? Check out my free Ebooks, here, available for download!