Seller dropping out of a deal

[Lucas Vanroboys]

Hi everyone! 

I've got a very unique situation here and I would like to gather a few opinions on some option I have.

So to start, I went under contract on a multi-family in the Boston area late in June. The seller agreed to my offer and we both signed a "contract to purchase real estate #501". On that contract, the P&S date was listed, but we pushed that date back a few times because the seller couldn't get the proper documentation to us (leases, expenses, proof of rent, etc.). After a few back and forths, it became clear the seller is either extremely disorganized or intentionally lacking transparency. Last week, there was an affidavit issued at the registry office regarding her mortgage and now, after almost of a month of delaying P&S, the seller has said she will not move forward with P&S. Can you just do that? Do I stand on any ground here to enforce a sale? Why would someone 180 like this?

I like the deal and I've spent a lot of time, money and energy on this so don't want to just walk away empty handed to start over again, but if I have to... I guess I have to.

Does anyone have any recommendation or advice on this situation? 

[Ken M.]

Quote from @Lucas Vanroboys:

Hi everyone! 

I've got a very unique situation here and I would like to gather a few opinions on some option I have.

So to start, I went under contract on a multi-family in the Boston area late in June. The seller agreed to my offer and we both signed a "contract to purchase real estate #501". On that contract, the P&S date was listed, but we pushed that date back a few times because the seller couldn't get the proper documentation to us (leases, expenses, proof of rent, etc.). After a few back and forths, it became clear the seller is either extremely disorganized or intentionally lacking transparency. Last week, there was an affidavit issued at the registry office regarding her mortgage and now, after almost of a month of delaying P&S, the seller has said she will not move forward with P&S. Can you just do that? Do I stand on any ground here to enforce a sale? Why would someone 180 like this?

I like the deal and I've spent a lot of time, money and energy on this so don't want to just walk away empty handed to start over again, but if I have to... I guess I have to.

Does anyone have any recommendation or advice on this situation? 

Did you have a title report run and is it clean?
Has a lis pendens been filed against her or the property?
Are there real estate agents involved?

 Since it's a multi-family, is she having trouble collecting rents?

Does she have a pending legal action that will prevent closing in the time period allowed?

Did you talk her into selling in the first place or did she come to you originally?