So you’ve found your dream home, your offer was accepted, and your agent is working towards a closing day. Everything is going according to plan and you’ll be moving in just a matter of weeks, right? Not so fast…
While it’s usually rare for a seller to bow out of a sale, it can and does happen from time to time. Whether it’s due to cold feet or an inability to find a new home, there are many reasons why a seller might want to back out of a deal. Therefore, it’s wise for buyers to keep expectations and emotions in check until after the closing.
Below are 4 common ways a seller can back out of a home sale without any financial or legal consequences:
If a seller decides to back out of the sale after the deal is already under contract, a buyer can pursue legal recourse. A real estate transaction is a lot of work and very expensive for both sides, so a buyer is well within their right to seek damages. There are also real estate laws that may force the seller to honor the terms of the purchase agreement; however, laws do vary by state.
Luckily, sellers don’t back out of deals very often; however, if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, it’s important to know when a seller is able to walk away without repercussion. Your real estate agent should be able to advise you on the best course of action.