My buyer wants to back out of his deal - with all contingencies removed - 3 days before he signs to close. Reasons given are that he's not sleeping at night and he and his partner are fighting about it. I know he'll lose his $44K deposit and probably owe the listing agent her commission of $34K, correct? Any strategies for talking him off the ledge? He's always dreamed about living in this part of town so it's not the neighborhood.

Does he know he will lose his deposit? Sometimes they change their mind back again when they find out they can not just walk away free and clear.

I can't imagine how any Contract would have been drafted that has the Buyer owing the Listing Agent anything ?

The P&S is a Contract between the Buyer and the Seller.

The Listing Agreement is a Contract between the Seller and the Listing Broker.

The Buyer Representation Agreement (if there is one) is a Contract between the Buyer and the Buyer's Broker.

Under which Contract would the Buyer be paying the Listing Agent anything? . . . The Buyer typically receives NO SERVICES from the Listing Agent; therefore he owes that Party no Compensation.

Of course, the Buyer loses his/her Earnest Money Deposit to the Seller (he may also be liable for a breach of Contract Suit); and he may owe the Buyer Broker something (depends on the wording of the EBA) . . . . but he never signed any Contract where the Listing Agent and the Buyer are both Parties to the same Contract.

Get your broker involved. Take the buyer back out to the property and let him see all the things he loved about the property in the first place.

It seems buyers remorse is getting the best of your client. I agree with Barbara - get your client back out to the property

Time to put on your psycholigist hat figure out the cause of the fear. Its a very commen reaction for a buyer or seller. Tell them to quit watching the news for a few days, all the stats are general and not specific to locals. Have a meeting with them over a beer summit. You could also offer them a bottle of Tylenol PMs, that will cure the sleepless nights.

At least you have a headsup. I had a buyer go AWOL 3 days before closing 2 years ago. I'm still waiting for him to return my call.

so what happened sfbroker? what's the update?