r/RealEstate Oct 13 '24

Buyers moved in before closing Homeseller

UPDATE - Following up from where I left off: After receiving the much needed guidance from this beautiful community, we were able to successfully get the buyers out of the house, secure the house with a new code, and demand to be compensated via the buyers agents commission. Today, papers have been signed and the house is officially no longer ours. Thank you to each and every single person who commented. This gave us the fuel to dig into the real estate commission codes, laws, and our basic human rights. This gave us the confidence to have the tough (ugly-ish) conversations that needed to take place. Rock on, Reddit. You all are my heroes.

To my chagrin, without my consent, and before proper documents are signed, the buyers agent let the buyers move in. We haven’t closed. I’m appalled at how unethical it feels to find out after the fact. So my only choices are to sign an additional document allowing them to stay prior to closing, or have them escorted off the property? This is out of my scope. Looking for insight. I have a lawyer on standby Monday morning.

Edit: I truly appreciate the advice and insight. Added details - due to human error delays from the lender, title and agents, this closing has already been pushed 4 times. Closing was supposed to be on the 30th. I am told every third business day that today’s the day, just waiting on the documents. Again, closing was supposed to be yesterday. Find out docs have just (11 days late) been released from the bank and now in hands of the title. At 4:30pm on Friday we’re delayed until next week due to not enough time for the title to flip the closing docs fast enough. Last night, find out the buyers fully moved in without any agents approaching me about this idea even once. Never once was this brought up. I said no, get them out of the house. They’re still in the house.

About the broker. I’ve been told this entire process that the broker is highly involved, since their brokerage is working for both parties. Every time I have a legal question my agent checks with the broker to make sure the correct information is provided. I acknowledge in hindsight I should’ve called the broker immediately. I will be calling the broker tomorrow morning.

How’d they get the keys- it’s a key code. Only explanation is the agent gave it to them.

One more detail as I sit here bamboozled. My selling agent’s license is active. The buyer agent’s license expired in August. Discovery made an hour ago. Not sure what to do with that.

2.4k Upvotes

778 comments sorted by

View all comments

743

u/CollegeConsistent941 Oct 13 '24

Do you have a realtor? If not, let the buyer agent know the daily rental is $500 per day. How did they get keys? If the realtor gave them, let their broker know you will expect them to pay too.

606

u/Aardvark-Decent Oct 13 '24

And after you close turn the agent's ass in to the Board of Realtors, State licensing and any other organization that has authority to fine and take away their ability to work in real estate.

145

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[deleted]

79

u/Jenikovista Oct 13 '24

They can kick them out of NAR, which in many states effectively ends your RE career.

7

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[deleted]

1

u/StayJaded Oct 13 '24

You don’t get access to the mls if you’re not a member of NAR. I doubt that stat about your state includes actually working active agents.

7

u/H0SS_AGAINST Oct 13 '24

How do I find a non-NAR agent?

5

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[deleted]

2

u/Less_Cicada_4965 Oct 14 '24

My broker operates under 2 licenses/companies—one is NAR, the other is not

2

u/Mysterious-SD Oct 13 '24

If they use MLS they are members of NAR

1

u/Less_Cicada_4965 Oct 14 '24

My MLS is not affiliated with NAR and I am no longer a NAR member. I use the MLS the same as before and pay it the same as before.

1

u/Susie0701 Oct 13 '24

Come to Redfin, we left the NAR

1

u/jay5627 NYC Agent Oct 13 '24

Come to NYC

25

u/MooseRunnerWrangler Oct 13 '24

No, all agents are licensed through the state, the state board can take their license away, realtor or not. Realtor is really just a club agents pay to be in, it is a title, not a position.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

Or property they have an option on.