Most real estate transactions close with few if any issues. Every now and again however you
get a reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong.

I was representing a buyer client in Barrie, Ontario on the purchase of her home. My client was a single mom as was the seller of the home.  I did a final revisit a day or two prior to the closing date, just to ensure appliances were still there and in working order and the house was in good shape.

Upon my arrival it was clear to me the home owner was completely overwhelmed with the
packing process. I advised my clients lawyer at the time about this problem and that we may
have a problem with the seller actually leaving the home on time.

Closing day arrived and I received a call from my client indicating things were moving
along nicely and she should have possession soon. Relieved, I drove by the house and
discovered that there were many large items at the curb and still movement at the residence.
I called the listing agent at that time and asked if his client was planning to be done soon as
there was a pile of items at the curb that my client would NOT be inheriting. The listing agent
advised me the seller would be out by 4 o’clock. and those items at the curb would be
removed.

I attended the house at 6 pm. The items curb side had actually grown in number. There were a
couple lights on inside the home and when looking through the window it was clear there were
still items inside that had to be removed. Also the house was extremely messy.

I again called the listing agent informing him of this. He said he would call his client and find out
what was going on. The listing agent called me and informed me that his client was totally
overwhelmed with moving and she had no help etc etc. While having sympathy for the lady this
was now my clients home and she still had no key. The listing agent promised he would stop by
her place at 9 pm, the new deadline, and ensure everything was fine.

I received a call at 9 pm from the listing agent stating his client was all done moving but
wanted to clean the house prior to my client taking possession. They would be out before
midnight !!

I asked the agent to ensure that happens and to send me a text when they are out as my client
was understandably upset and I needed him to ensure the house was locked up properly once
they were out.

I went to bed and of course did not sleep a wink. At 1am I sent the listing agent a text asking
what the status was. I received a picture of the kitchen area stating they were out and all was
locked up and fine.

At 7:30 am I got up and immediately went to the house. I arrived and found the pile of items at
the curb had grown, not gotten smaller. I entered the house to find it was complete mess. I went
into the garage and found there was still many large and small items still there.

Thankfully my client was not there or she would have been very upset. I immediately called the listing agent and told him something needs to be done with a junk removal company to pick up the items at
the curb as they were not my clients responsibility. I also told him the clause in the agreement
was for the house to be “left in a clean and broom swept condition” which the home definitely
was not, and that cleaners were going to have to be brought in at his clients expense.

He totally agreed with me and called me back shortly indicating that junk removal company
would be arriving in two hours and he was still working on cleaners. Knowing that the junk
removal company was coming shortly I realized I needed to get the items out of the garage and
to the curb for removal for my client. So I hauled the items such as wood, drywall cat litter
boxes, still with cat poop in them, paint cans and shelving to the curb and swept the garage out
prior to the junk removal company arriving. At least the garage was in a “broom swept condition" when I was done. As I was getting dirtier and dustier I was thinking how ridiculous this was, and how “glamorous” being a real estate agent can be. 

I informed my client that things were coming together and that we have keys and that it was being professionally cleaned later in the morning.  When I received a text from the listing agent indicating the cleaners were finished I again attended the house to make sure it was in great shape for my client, which it was.

All in all a very stressful closing and very little sleep, but in the end, the home was left in
excellent condition the way my client expected it to be.

READ MORE STORIES WITH JIM:
Overlooking the Obvious

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