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When selling your property, it’s crucial to NOT be an unhappy seller. An unhappy seller usually turns into an angry seller, which makes the sale of their property almost impossible. After writing this article about the 5 crucial keys to NOT being an angry seller, I have come up with 9 more crucial points for making the sale happen, with the seller’s cooperation.
You might not know, but 9 out of 10 times when we have difficulties during the sale of a property in Costa Rica, it’s because the seller is uncooperative. Sounds strange, right? You’d say that most sellers who receive a decent offer on their property want to do everything possible to take the sale to close.
Most of the time, this happens because they are under a lot of pressure and stress. Nonetheless, it’s amazing how friendly people can suddenly become very difficult and even ugly to deal with. Then, the realtor spends more time putting out fires left and right than necessary.
Let me repeat point 1 again, so you don’t have to go back to the other article all the time:
Yes, the seller always pays the real estate commission. Nonetheless, it’s important to understand a couple of simple things:
a. No matter how hard the real estate agent works, he/she doesn’t get paid if someone else sells the property. That’s because most agencies don’t take exclusive listings.
b. We get paid to advertise and sell the property, not to get shouted at.
c. The realtor never gets paid for advertising, gasoline, tires, phone bills, lunches with clients, and all efforts made unless he/she sells the property.
d. The seller pays at closing, never before.
9 More Crucial Points for an Unhappy Seller
Now that you’ve reread point 1 feel free to learn about 9 more crucial points.
6. Dual Agency
While a dual agency is illegal in some other countries/states, it’s very usual in Costa Rica, although there is sometimes a conflict of interest. A dual agency means that your listing agent also acts as the buyer’s agent. Therefore, our agents at GoDutch Realty have specific rules to follow.
The real estate commission, at closing, is deducted from the sales price, so you’ll receive less. The escrow company will disburse the funds to everyone. Don’t become an unhappy seller if you have to pay the standard 5% real estate commission + 13% VAT on top of this commission at closing.
7. Home Inspection
It might make you an unhappy seller, but a buyer can request a home inspection. Therefore, an intelligent seller makes sure everything in the home is functional. Do you have a severe problem? Then, discuss how to attack this problem when putting it on the market. For example, if a roof replacement is needed, disclose it when advertising the property with a price reduction included.
Do NOT try to cover up the property’s problems; a home inspection report always shows the truth and will turn you into an unhappy seller.
8. Furniture
Are you promoting the property turnkey? Then, be clear about what you’re offering! Turnkey means EVERYTHING except personal items and belongings.
Don’t come back on your word later. Taking stuff that was promised will make the real estate agent look like a liar. Don’t just leave leftovers. That’s childish!!
9. Walk-through
At GoDutch Realty, a walk-through of the property on the closing day is mandatory. That’s because the realtor’s responsible for the house being in good shape at closing. A buyer is not legally protected if the seller leaves the country after closing and the property is not as promised in the option to purchase-sale agreement.
More often than you think, an unhappy seller tries to skip this walk-through. There is always a reason for that.
10. Broom Clean
An unhappy seller tends to deliver the house dirty at closing. This is a reason for the walk-through so the buyers can see the house is “broom clean” and feel comfortable to close.
It is unpleasant and incorrect to leave garbage the movers left behind to those who bought your house.
11. Utility Bills
I always have difficulty getting the utility bills out of the sellers, especially from an unhappy seller who is angry for not receiving the asking price for the property. Sellers have to cooperate with the realtor to show the last 3 invoices of each utility.
12. Bank Check or Wire
At closing, the seller will receive the funds at closing to be wired to their bank account indicated in the option to purchase agreement. The escrow company will take care of the disbursement of the funds to every party involved in the sale. Usually, it takes a few hours for the funds to arrive (sometimes even the next day). That’s because escrow companies have many wires on the same day and order them after 2 p.m. Nowadays, it’s very uncommon to ask for a bank check, but it’s possible to do so if desired. Therefore, why should only the seller pay for the use of escrow?
13. Septic and Other Details
Before closing, even an unhappy seller should assist with essential details of the property. With things like:
- Septic tank location
- Breaker box location
- Labeled keys of every door on the property
- Phone list of handymen and other specialists used by the seller
14. Keys
The buyer must receive the keys and remote controls to the house AT closing. NOT on the day after.
The seller is NOT allowed to stay the night after the property transfer, as it is now owned by the buyer. Unless the buyer agrees, of course. I recommend the buyer talk to his attorney before allowing the seller to stay in a house that’s not his.
Why be unhappy?
Life is too short to be unhappy. You’ll find that lots of realtors just put up with complaining and impossible sellers. Because they are afraid of losing a client. I have taught my agents that real estate is difficult enough as it is. No extra hardship is necessary.
Our agents are allowed to make their own decision to stop offering their services to a problematic seller if needed. There is no reason our agents should accept to be used as a doormat. Therefore, if you’re an unhappy seller, it’s time for you to move on. It’s time for you to find another listing agent. Please!
Do you want to be a happy seller? Then contact us, and we’ll give you a better service than you can imagine
Image used from drobotdean on Freepik
