Have you ever had that scenario that seemed kind of scary? I have a listing, priced right, good condition, and motivated seller. It took a little longer that anticipated to get an acceptable offer, but finally did.

The good news...full price offer, with a little closing costs, which was expected. The bad news...a BRAND new agent that is totally lost in the whole "real estate" thing. Oh, and an out of town lender that I never heard of. OH, and wants to close at a title company I've never heard of.

We are (were) scheduled to close this coming Monday. I have been contacting the buyers agent a LOT, to make sure there are no bugs in the process. The last two items, a termite certificate and appraisal results. I took care of the termite, with no problem. The agent said that the appraisal was in (several days ago), and even told me how much it appraised for. The lender calls me TODAY, postponing the closing because the appraisal is not complete?

The agent saw an order for the appraisal and the contract "target" price", and actually thought that was the appraisal! I am practicing patience because I was new once, but can't anyone that can read tell the difference between an appraisal order and the appraisal?

Since I had called my sellers several days ago, stating that there were no more hurdles, and one of them has already traveled for HOURS to be here for Monday closing, they are thrilled to hear the news. The lender apologized, saying that he had no idea where the agent got that info, but nothing can be done now except wait.

I knew I should have never prayed for patience!

Yes it happens............At least the sellers have buyers.......

I just help the agent the best I can as I realize it will make the closing happen sooner and hopefully they will get training soon.

Ah the joys of real estate

As a broker for our real estate team here here in Minnesota, I sometimes experience types of "snags" that can occur in files as they move to closing.

Hang in there! As we know, real estate closings and transactions involve alot of people. And unfortuately it is not a perfect process. There are a lot of spots where the ball can be dropped. And it is sometimes by the various parties.

As a Listing Agent, I ALWAYS know if and when the Appraisal has been scheduled, conducted, and completed . . . . IF there was an Appraisal. Here, Appraisers make arrangements to access the property by contacting the Listing Agency. Who thought they let the Appraiser in on this one?

The only exceptions for me were when BofA took smart pills and started ordering AVMs on NON-Jumbos a few years ago, and started handing out New Purchase Money Mortgages using $35.00 Automated Valuations. I haven't seen that happening lately.

Don't Appraisers make appointments through LISTING Brokers in Louisiana?

I think Murphy (of Murphy's Law) plays a big role in real estate. You know, the Murphy's Law that says if something can go wrong, it will go wrong. It ain't over until all the signatures are on the closing documents. Sometimes it ain't even over then.

This stuff happens all the time, I too have had my share - of stuff. This is a G-Rated site, LOL

But, what would happen if you had a specific checklist to work from? Hence,you be commited to that checklist. Could that mean qualify the buyer's agent, the buyer, and the lender?

At times we could be working with so-called professionals that sucks. To many times folks in this business are operating by the seat of their pants. Who would get on a airplane if the pilot was flying by the seat of his pants?

After, some pretty good coaching from Scot Kenkel, I learned that you better be in positive control of the transaction or else, problems happen.

It's a personal and professional thing, it's about an agent being really committed to the clients and themselves.

How many times could we get the sellers a great offer on paper but.... that is the only thing that is great? What do you have?

Could you have a mob (including your sellers) after your backside?

Be in control of the transaction, and use systems and checklists these things will help!

Best Regards,

Morris Benningfield

I recently closed a deal with an agent in Denver. He thanked me and said it was nice to do a deal with a good agent for once. Maybe he deals with the above type of deal all the time.