(305) 793-1365 restivomiami@gmail.com

Can The Seller Keep My Escrow Deposit? A Buyer’s Worst Fear!

November 18, 2009

P R O P E R T Y   S E A R C H

R E S T I V O – H E C H T M A N    T E A M

 Seller Can Keep Escrow

CAN THE SELLER KEEP MY ESCROW DEPOSIT? 

ISN’T THAT EVERY BUYER’S WORST NIGHTMARE?  

The answer is “YES!” … to both questions!  

The seller can keep your deposit … if you fail to adhere to the time-frames and  the terms of the contract.  

One of my sellers  just heard  from FREC (Florida Real Estate Commission): 

My “seller” was awarded the “buyers” full escrow deposit … and rightfully so!   Here’s why…The contractual terms and timeframes were not adhered to, and the buyer’s Realtor was basically incompetent:  “Failure  on the part of the buyer (and the buyer’s Realtor!) to provide notice of inability to obtain financing within the loan commitment period resulted in the buyer’s loss of escrow money!”

My seller, Mrs. Estate (no …  not her real name!),  was packed and ready to close and vacate… and ready to sign over her house to the buyers… So what happened? 

ON THE BUYER’S SIDE:  The buyer did not actually qualify for a mortgage (and failed to advise the seller of his inability to obtain financing), although he marched on toward the closing date as though he had… or  would … or could.   The buyer’s Realtor did not relay that ‘complication’ on to any of the other interested parties either:  seller, seller’s attorney, or me (the seller’s Realtor).   By not disclosing the  ‘hiccup”…  and by not asking  for an extension to the contract, the buyer (and his Realtor!) put his escrow deposit at risk.  That disregard to contractual terms resulted in the buyer losing his entire escrow deposit.

Can a seller KEEP your escrow deposit?  The answer is ‘yes’.   A seller can keep your escrow deposit for failure to perform, or failure to adhere to the terms of the contract.   In an escrow dispute (where the Broker is holding escrow) FREC  determines which party (buyer or seller) is entitled to the disputed escrow deposit.

DON’T PUT YOUR ESCROW AT RISK.   Adhere to the time-frames… and work with a competant Realtor!  Buying or selling property in Miami?  I can help with any of your real estate needs.  Call me at 305-793-1365,  or feel free to drop me a note here.

The Most Comprehensive Report On The Luxury Lifestyle

The Most Comprehensive Report On The Luxury Lifestyle

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the defining voice in the luxury real estate industry, and The Wall Street Journal’s Mansion Global Custom Studios bring you the 2021 Global Luxury Landscape Report. The report delves deeply into the inner workings of the world’s...

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram
Follow by Email
RSS