I was hired to sell Mom’s house. I met with the siblings and outlined the process. Interest rates were at their current peak, so we discussed how time was of the essence. We could spend time painting and updating the property, or price the house strategically to sell.
For the sale, the septic system would need to be brought into compliance. If we acted quickly, we could get it installed before the frost set in. The property was thoroughly cleaned, and a few touch-ups were made. Bids were obtained for the septic system, and we were on the market.
A full-price offer, NOT subject to a home inspection, came in, exactly the type of offer you hope for when working on an estate. The septic company confirmed they’d have no issue completing the new septic system before closing, which was 11/17. On 11/8, the mound portion of the septic system was installed, and damage to the driveway occurred.
It is written right in septic system contracts that the septic company is not liable for such damages. When dump trucks drive on asphalt/concrete, it will likely crack. Unfortunately, there was no other access to the backyard of this property. So now what? We have 9 days before closing and a damaged driveway. I started calling around to get bids.
It is November, and most of the asphalt companies have already closed for the season. The buyer’s agent was also calling for bids. And, as with everything, there are multiple ways to accomplish tasks. I was looking for someone to repair the damage, and the buyers were getting bids to replace the entire driveway… meanwhile, the septic was still not officially completed – electricity had to be hooked up, and we still needed the final inspection for code compliance.
Two days before closing… the driveway issue was not resolved. The buyers wanted a brand-new driveway. In negotiations with the buyer’s agent, I reiterated, per the purchase agreement, that we needed to bring the driveway back to like condition. It was a 17-year-old driveway; we understood that the buyer was upset, but that didn’t mean the seller needed to replace the entire driveway.
The seller agreed to pay the repair portion toward the buyer’s closing costs so the buyer could fix the driveway in the spring, as they saw fit. Buyers agreed to these terms. It is now the day before closing, and we are still waiting for the septic compliance certificate from the county. After multiple calls to the septic company and the inspector, we finally got the compliance certificate!
We close on time! Oh, I forgot to mention we had to coordinate multiple water tests too… just another day of service as the Family Realtor.