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Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon (Bend Premier Real Estate)

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Rainmaker
1,052,056
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Yes interestingly, it was not my client but the seller of property that my buyer was purchasing--this seller was also the designated broker of his company. His wife was also an agent, but a relatively new agent who was from Central America and spoke extremely broken English. The property was owned by both as community property so she could sign off, but it took extra time and was tough with her emotional state on top of the language barrier, plus her newness in the business. My heart went out to her, and we pitched in and helped her as much as we possibly could-- and one of their senior agents was able to quickly take on the duties of the DB.

Aug 26, 2017 05:52 PM
Rainer
91,335
Theo Shaw
Baird & Warner Residential Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Serving Evanston, IL & Beyond

Oooh, good question.  I guess it would stop the transaction until it was ascertained who now would own the property. 

I recently listed a rental for a client who co-owned the property with her ex-husband.  She was planning on leaving the country soon for 6 months, possibly during the time the house was listed with me.  In past years, other agents had taken the listing, requiring only the client alone to sign the listing documents.  I insisted that the ex, who lives out of state, sign the docs too--in case anything should happent to the client while she was traveling.  I always check to see who really owns a property I list, and how they own it (joint tenancy, etc.) 

Aug 26, 2017 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Lynnea Miller I am closing on a property next week that we made an offer on a year ago. I represent the Buyer. The Seller died and had no will. It's taken this long, almost a year to the day to get this one settled.

Aug 26, 2017 06:14 PM
Ambassador
5,229,243
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

3 times, Lynnea!

The first two times, the delay was 1 and 3 months but, both went through.

The third time was fairly recent and the attorney was amazing - she knew the client was dying and worked with the state to have the ownership transferred to the client's only child and we actually Closed ON TIME! I understand that's quite rare though.

Aug 26, 2017 05:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

We had two sisters fake one of their deaths (car accident was the story) to get out of an escrow. They and their agent were sued for fraud.

Aug 26, 2017 11:30 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,581
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Thankfully, no at least not yet.   I imagine what transpires next would depend on the details of the individual transaction.  

Aug 26, 2017 09:59 PM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We have had several clients die during, but not due to, projects that we were working on.

The success of the project generally depended on how well they had prepared their successors.

Aug 26, 2017 09:09 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

I have not had someone pass away during escrow. However, I have done many probate situations that have taken 3 months to twelve months to resolve. Lesson: If you care about your heirs, go to an estate planning attorney and get your will and real estate ownership in order.

Aug 26, 2017 08:27 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,488
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Yes, and with blood sucking people arguing over their rights! It was a mess. Luckily, I had patient buyers willing to wait it out!

Aug 26, 2017 07:12 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Not yet.

Aug 26, 2017 06:41 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Thank goodness NO

Aug 26, 2017 05:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes & everything was put off around 10 days. Then the buyer wanted to know 'where' she died so as not to mess up the vibrations in the house.

Aug 27, 2017 05:48 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Thankfully, not. But I had one die in an automobile accident 5 days after we listed... I sold the house for his widow.

Aug 27, 2017 04:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I haven't had that happen.

Aug 27, 2017 04:07 AM
Ambassador
2,435,649
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have not had a client die during escrow, but I would have assumed there would definitely have been an impact. It is interesting to read some of the comments here that indicated closings still happened on time. Wow!

Aug 27, 2017 03:23 AM
Rainer
353,865
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

Even if I thought I knew that answer, I'd call CAR and talk to an attorney about what the next step would be.

Aug 26, 2017 09:34 PM
Ambassador
2,061,046
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I've had plenty of issues with transactions (we're not an escrow state)... but I've never had a client die between contract and closing.

(Oh, crap... I shouldn't have said that out loud, should I?)

Aug 26, 2017 07:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nope!

Aug 26, 2017 07:22 PM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

No it's not happened, thankfully

Aug 26, 2017 06:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I have not, thank goodness.

Aug 26, 2017 06:15 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have not had a client die. I have had a couple of clients that I was afraid they would die and had to go to the hospital to do the closings.  

Aug 26, 2017 06:13 PM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

We/I have not been in this particular situation, though it might depend if you are referring to the Buyer or the Seller.  I'm thinking the transaction would end, if it were the Buyer, while the Seller's Estate would continue on with the sale Lynnea Miller - I will read replies below, and you must share your two different scenarios!

Aug 26, 2017 06:04 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

no, I actually have never had that happen in 39 years.....

Aug 26, 2017 05:02 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Yes I have, did not affect the transaction, the son was the designated representative and we closed on time. 

Aug 27, 2017 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,588
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Lynnea Miller \

I can't say that I ever have had that experience and I hope I never do

Aug 27, 2017 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Lynnea Miller - Not happened to me - yet.

Aug 26, 2017 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have not but the deal would go on as the estate is still responsible.  For buyers that may not be so unless the estate has the cash to purchase

Aug 26, 2017 05:45 PM
Rainmaker
7,834,961
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Not that I recall.

Aug 26, 2017 05:24 PM
Ambassador
1,076,531
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I have, and it put an end to the transaction.

 

It happened early in my career, and taught me to never, ever, assume a client is being flaky.  

Sep 25, 2017 03:35 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

In all my years, luckily have not had a client die between contract and closing, thankfully!

Aug 28, 2017 06:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,343
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have not; however, I assume it could be a sticky situation.

Aug 28, 2017 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Yes, and it is still in probate 6 months later. Due to close this week though!

Aug 28, 2017 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
785,106
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

Not yet.

Aug 27, 2017 05:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,035,056
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

No, but the buyer's father died during the transaction.  It was a foreclosure with a smaller bank that turned out to be very patient.  They waited and we closed.

Aug 27, 2017 03:37 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Scary thought.

Aug 27, 2017 03:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've had a buyer back out at the last second because family deaths in the old country, but thankfully never a client die.  I'm pretty sure that would kill an escrow (no pun intended) if it were the buyer.  As a seller, it might still work but also may turn into a probate.

Aug 27, 2017 10:14 AM
Ambassador
3,587,835
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I have not Lynnea but almost. What they did is do a beneficiary deed and if the person passed before closing the home was owned by the other party. Just sold two like that lately - both had beneficiary deeds.

Aug 27, 2017 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Has never happen to me.

Aug 27, 2017 08:40 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No. Most of my clients have already made their transition by the time I list their home.  

Aug 27, 2017 07:27 AM
Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

No, but I had a few I was worried about.  

Aug 27, 2017 07:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I wish the listing agent would drop dead. Only motivation was double ended on 95% listings over 4 figure transactions.  Most of us wanted to have nothing to do with him.  

Aug 27, 2017 07:21 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Fortunately not...

Aug 27, 2017 06:41 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I've had this happen.  It was the seller and the closing was delayed for months for probate.

Aug 27, 2017 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Lynnea Miller Yes I have. The property of deed per her will to eight adult children heirs. The main issue was getting these people who lived all over the U.S. to sign the paperwork. All was successful except for one heir who was homeless. I found him through a church in another State and the property successfully closed.

Aug 27, 2017 06:18 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Yes, she was selling her home and buying a new one. Of course she was let out of the purchase, with the sale the buyer still wanted, the heirs still wanted to sell and the buyer even offered them time, but some heirs were down right nasty

Aug 27, 2017 06:01 AM