Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Short background:

We're in contract on a townhouse and we are scheduled to close on the 22nd of this month! The appraisal was done, title approved, everything looks good to close. We mentionned to our broker, who mentionned to the listing agent, that we would like to get in sometime before closing (if possible) to get a few measurements so that we can order the new fridge, couches, etc. beforehand.
Also, the sellers live OOS, so they have not been home in the past few months and the house still has furniture and belongings in there.

Today we get a call from the listing agent and she tells us that the sellers will be at the house all week this week to clean it out and that we can stop over at anytime to get in to take measurements.

BF doesnt think its a good idea for us to go there when the sellers are there. He's afraid that it might complicate things. I, on the other hand, dont feel its the worst thing in the world to meet the sellers.

My questions:
1. did you meet your sellers prior to closing?
2. If so, do you think it hurt or helped you in the end?
3. Do you think we should go and get the measurements while the sellers are there or should we just wait until we've closed and moved in?

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We met our seller because he was home during the inspection.

I don't think it makes a difference at all. I could tell our seller liked us, my DH especially, but bottom line is he just wanted his house sold, so even if he hated us, I don't think it would have made a damn bit of difference. He still would have taken our money.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We met the seller before hand. She was a very nice lady (she was a nun actually!) and was selling her parents house now that they had passed and I think in our case it helped us since she was very emotional over selling the house and knowing that she was selling to a young couple who were just starting out (and who actually got married at the church she started at!) made her happy!

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We had a great relationship with both our buyers and our sellers. It was beneficial to all parties. I can't see how it would hurt or complicate things for you at this point.

Message edited 9/13/2011 10:40:03 AM.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We met our sellers the very first time we went to see the house. Then they were there the couple of times we went back to the house for inspection, measurements, etc. I don't see it being an issue.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I met the seller when I was interested in buying.

I had no issues. It was nice to meet her and ask her any questions I had about the area or the place I was buying.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I don't think it would be a bad thing.

I just wouldn't mention anything about what you'll be doing to the home after you move in. Sometimes sellers are funny about that. They think their house is perfect the way it is.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

If you already worked out the contract and are in contract, it really cant hurt too much.

We met our seller (and only met our buyers briefly at inspection then again at closing). Our seller was wonderful. We even drove her to the closing withus b/c while packing she lost her keys. It was a great experience for us, since she was a nice lady who clued us in on so many aspects of the home.

If anything they would be less likely to meet you if they had a problem, so if they dont have a problem meeting you, then I wouldnt worry about meeting them, KWIM?

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Our seller was always there, we saw the house a hand full of times before we closed. We needed measurments like you. I don't see how it could complicate things when your about to close.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I am friends now with my sellers. In fact our kids are in the same daycare.

The contact is signed I say meet them.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I never met out seller because it was a short sale and no one was living in the house!

But my brother sold his house and he is still really good friends with the people who bought from him

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I don't see why it would be an issue. If I were your agent, or the listing agent, I might try to be there, too. But it's common for buyers to go back before closing to take measurements or show the house to family or whatever. Many times, the sellers are still living there and are there when the buyers come in. Most of the time, everyone involved is polite and happy, because everyone is getting what they want (presumably, the sellers want to sell, and the buyers want to buy).

If for some reason the sellers didn't like you, I wouldn't worry about repercussions with the final walk through. You are entitled to get the property in the same condition it was in when you saw it and as it was represented on the listing. If something is broken or missing, it has to be addressed, and, as a previous poster said, the lawyers work it out.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

1. We did meet the sellers prior to closing. We met the wife the first time we went to look at the house. The 2nd time was at the inspection where the husband offered both me and my REA a glass of wine. (We were visibly pregnant). The third time was at the 1st walk through where we also took measurements of the rooms. They asked if we were knocking down walls.
2. I don't think it hurt us at all, they knew that we were going to be taking care of 'their house' that they had lived in since they had it built in 1973.
3. We got the measurements while they were there, we just explained we wanted to order new furniture and make sure it fit. No problems.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We never met our sellers as they had already moved to PA. I think this had no effect on the sale. I think it would be fine to take measurements when they are there.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

My questions:
1. did you meet your sellers prior to closing? YES

2. If so, do you think it hurt or helped you in the end? It helped tremendously. They liked us and we had none of the issues that some people have with their sellers. In fact, they had a whole cleaning crew in on the day we closed and there was not a spec of dirt anywhere. We bought some furniture from them and then they left us a few things & all the extra tile, manuals for everything, etc. They took extra care on these things after they met us. Not everyone is so nice but I am glad we met them.

3. Do you think we should go and get the measurements while the sellers are there or should we just wait until we've closed and moved in? It's so much easier to do ahead of time & to know what you need based on measurements. Even if you wait to shop, there are so many other things to do right after closing.

Message edited 9/13/2011 7:34:47 PM.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

I met my seller, nice guy. He is the bodyguard to a fashion designer. I was so hoping he'd leave a little something behind!


Meeting him didn't help us or hurt us. At the end of the day you have to remember this is just a business transaction. I doubt a seller would make things difficult or complicate things just because they met you. Even if they hated you, at the end of the day they just want their house sold.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

You are already in contract so what could it hurt. They can't decide they don't like you and just bail out of the deal. And honestly I would get in measure and get out. No need for a lot of chit chat.

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

Funny you mention this, because we have never seen our house without the seller there!!! She was there at the showing and the inspection. She is an older woman and super sweet. When we brought DD back to see the house I think that sealed the deal, she was happy to give her house up to a nice family. At the inspection she made us tea

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

When we bought our previous house and also sold that same house we met the sellers (when we bought) and the buyers (when we sold).

Both people were so friendly, so nice and it made the process go even smoother. In fact I am friend on FB with the people who bought our old house.

Only time it turned not so good was when we purchased our first home, and the seller called me on my cell a few times scared we were going to back out of the deal. We had gotten so friendly with them that we exchanged phone #s (BAD IDEA BTW, would NEVER do that again).

But otherwise all parties were a pleasure to deal with.

However when we bought our current house we met the husband once (at closing) and the wife once at a showing. They were rude, and always seemed annoyed when we came. They NEVER told us anything about the house...there are STILL light switches we have no clue they are for

Re: Do we meet the sellers or not - need advice

We met our sellers at closing but due to some outstanding permit issues we were in contact and we called them once when they accidentally delivered something to our house. It's kinda a nice....