My most recent Santa Clara probate sale has some issues. The home is old and dated. I did as much staging and cosmetic fix ups as possible, but it is still old and dated. The windows are single paned, the hardwood floors need refinishing, the bathrooms have old tile and one has only a bathtub and no shower, and to top it off the owner died in the house. This is very bad luck for many of the buyers in this neighborhood. After three weeks on the market we got a signed contract. The average marketing time in this neighborhood is 47 days. The home had just had a price reduction and the offer was for full price at that reduced price. Needless to say I was ecstatic. However, a few days after the contract was signed the buyer was at the house and for some reason got very worried because there was no key for the door from the garage to the side yard. The executor of the estate only gave me one key and I was not sure if it opened that door or not. The realtor said we had to give them a key before closing escrow. The next day I went to the house and discovered the front door key opens that door as well. However, before trying it I told her if it did not work I would get a new key for that door. Problem solved.
So what was really the issue here? These buyers are purchasing a Santa Clara probate sale which must be sold “As-Is” They were willing to accept the condition of the house and the fact that there was a death on the property. However, for some reason the small issue of the key rubbed them the wrong way. This is very common in all transactions. I was guilty of it myself once when selling my own house. A $200 issue made me crazy. The real issue is that this is a huge financial transaction, and since you have so much at risk and many things that are out of your control, whether you are a buyer or a seller, it is easy to focus on a small issue where you do have some control.
But the real truth is that these buyers are getting a Santa Clara Probate for a great price and my sellers are getting a home they need to sell to settle the estate and all of the tax advantages for selling now. So these smaller issues need to acknowledged for what they are, solvable. Someone will step up and be the grownup, hopefully one of the realtors, and let the principals move on with their major goals. This is an emotional time for all parties so do not be surprised if some small problem takes on a life of its own.
Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams Realty
marcy@marcymoyer.com
www.marcymoyer.com
650-619-9285
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