How can I get keys same day as final walk through?

Question

Is it possible to do final Walk through and get keys the same day?  The seller has tenants and her daughter living in the home. My agent says we need to do final walk through a few days before closing.  He’s alluding that same day let’s/closing isn’t possible

The seller was filing a restraining order on the tenants when I first walked through the house and they refused to leave.  I don’t trust the whole scene. What can I do or get in place in order to protect myself and ensure I get keys same day as walk through?

she has $7650 of my EMD because I had to extend to 60 day closing.  Thank you for any advice on what I can do to make this happen!

Chris Seveney · Answer

@Amy Konopka

I always do the walk through the same day and just prior to the closing and heading over to title company (or they come to me).

I would always recommend to do it that day.

Bill B. · Answer

Same same same. Always walk the property on the way to title company. What if it burned down, blew up, flooded, or everything was stolen?

Next time I would buy with the stipulation it’s delivered empty. That way you walk the empty unit on the way to closing. If you aren’t moving everything in the unit you have no idea how much damage has been done.

John C. · Answer

@Amy Konopka

You walk through the house an hour before closing, go to the office, sign, get the keys, then walk back through the house and change the locks.

Period, no other way.

Bill B. · Answer

The sellers should never be moving out on closing day. You own the property sometime on closing day. The only way you know you can move in on closing day is if they are already gone before closing day. What if their truck breaks down, someone gets hurt, Erie’s more than they thought, the place they’re moving in to isn’t ready because that seller hasn’t moved out yet?

I have never seen sellers still in a house on closing day. I have no idea how that could be a common practice.

Amy Konopka · Answer

My realtor friend answered the question for me-my agent is incorrect. It is absolutely possible to close the same day if title is on board and everything is lined up before hand.  The same way people sit together, at a table and sign the paperwork then sliddddddeee the keys across the table.  That’s why I couldn’t wrap my head around this. I bought a home in 221 for cash and the keys were handed over as soon as escrow had confirmation of funds.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

@Amy Konopka, what difference does it make if the tenants are staying for closing? They can as easily damage the unit(s) 1 day before closing as 1 day after closing. Once you have the keys, you still are bound by the lease and also state law with regard to entering the house, so it isn't like you can go back after closing and just walk in.

If you were concerned about the tenant situation, why didn't you negotiate for the property to be made vacant before closing.

Look at the language of the contract, if it doesn't guarantee you the right to inspect the exact day of closing you are out of luck. It isn't always feasible to do the final walk-thru the day of closing. Often its done the day before especially if closing is happening in the morning.

What is your main concern here? Maybe there is another way to alleviate that concern.

How can I get keys same day as final walk through?

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