Selling a home is like taking an airline flight across the country. When you start on your trip, you have no idea how the trip will go. Neither does the pilot. You could run into different types of turbulence, or other passengers on the trip could pull different stunts on you. Ideally, you should have a smooth flight and land on time. Certainly the pilot will try to use his or her experience to navigate around the storms and go for the “smoothest flight”, but if they are honest, they cannot promise a turbulent-free trip. Their job is to get you to your destination in the least amount of time and aggravation, while keeping you informed throughout the trip.

As your REALTOR®, we see ourselves as the pilot of the plane. Our job is to assist you in the sale of your home. We can’t promise you a turbulence free flight, or that other parties to the transaction will not try and pull a few stunts, but we can promise you that we will utilize my experience and expertise to take you on the smoothest flight that we can.

Attached is a somewhat humorous list of the different types of turbulence or stunts we could encounter. This list is not all encompassing, but it catches most of the common issues we might run into. While a few of the items may seem “picky” to some, they are very real and fearful to others. Click here to print this list.

The Buyer/Borrower:

1. Does not tell the truth on the loan application.
2. Submits incorrect information to the lender.
3. Have recent late payments on credit report.
4. Found out about additional debt after loan application.
5. Borrower loses job.
6. Co-borrower loses job.
7. Income verification lower than what was stated on loan application.
8. Overtime income not allowed by underwriter for qualifying.
9. Applicant makes large purchase on credit before closing.
10. Illness, injury, divorce or other financial setback during escrow.
11. Lacks motivation.
12. Gift donor changes mind.
13. Cannot locate divorce decree.
14. Cannot locate petition or discharge of bankruptcy.
15. Cannot locate tax returns.
16. Cannot locate bank statements.
17. Difficulty in obtaining verification of rent.
18. Interest rate increases and borrower no longer qualifies.
19. Loan program changes with higher rates, points and fees.
20. Child support not disclosed on application.
21. Borrower is a foreign national.
22. Bankruptcy within the last 2 years.
23. Mortgage payment is double the previous housing payment.
24. Borrower/co-borrower does not have steady 2-year employment history.
25. Borrower brings in handwritten pay stubs.
26. Borrower switches to job requiring probation period just before closing.
27. Borrower switches to job from salary to 100% commission income.
28. Borrower/co-borrower/seller dies.
29. Family members or friends do not like the home buyer chooses.
30. Buyer is too picky about property in price range they can afford.
31. Buyer feels the house in misrepresented.
32. Veterans DD214 form not available.
33. Buyer has spent money needed for down payment and closing costs and comes up short at closing.
34. Buyer does not properly “paper trail” additional money that comes from gifts, loans, etc.
35. Does not bring cashier’s check to title company for closing costs and down payment.
    

The OTHER Realtor(s):

1. Have no client control over sellers.
2. Delays access to property for inspection and appraisals.
3. Unfamiliar with their client’s financial position-not enough equity to sell, etc.
4. Does not get completed paperwork to the lender in time.
5. Inexperienced in this type of property transaction.
6. Takes unexpected time off during transaction and can’t be reached.
7. Not cooperative with other parties to the transaction.
8. Does not do sufficient homework for their clients.

The Property:

1. Engineer will not approve septic system or well.
2. Inspection report reveals substantial damage; seller is not willing to fix or repair.
3. Home was misrepresented as to size and condition.
4. Home is destroyed prior to closing.
5. Home is not structurally sound.
6. Home is uninsurable for homeowners insurance.
7. Property incorrectly zoned.
8. Portion of home sits on neighbor’s property.
9. Unique home and comparable properties for appraisal difficult to find.

The Escrow/Title Company:

1. Fails to notify lender/agents of unsigned or unreturned documents.
2. Fails to obtain info from insurance companies or lenders in a timely manner.
3. Lets principals leave town without getting all necessary signatures.
4. Loses or incorrectly prepares paperwork.
5. Does not pass on valuable information quickly.
6. Does not coordinate well. Many items can be done simultaneously.
7. Does not help out on small problems.
8. Does not find liens or title problems until the last minute.

The Appraiser:

1. Is not a local appraiser and misunderstands the market.
2. Is too busy to complete the appraisal on schedule.
3. No comparable sales are available.
4. Is not on the lender’s “approved list”.
5. Makes important mistakes on appraisal.
6. Lender requires a second or “review” appraisal.

Inspectors:

1. Too “picky” with conditions and “scares” the buyer.
2. Infuriates the seller.
3. Home inspector not available when needed.
4. Inspection reports alarm buyer and sale is cancelled.