Reason Why the Buyer Cannot Close Escrow on Time

Susan Kelly Updated on Sep 26, 2022

If the agreed-upon closure date is not met, the contract is at least in peril, and in the worst case, it will be considered null and void. It is customary to request an extension of the closing date; nevertheless, the sellers could not agree.

Arguments Against Extending the Closing Time

If the sellers believe that the value of their property has grown after some time has passed, they may decide against extending the closing date. The seller's circle of friends and family may have been quite vocal about their dissatisfaction with the price at which they believe the item was sold. In either case, the selection is heavily influenced by the anticipated worth of the option. Prices tend to go higher in very active marketplaces.

In addition, it's possible that the purchasers requested repairs amid the escrow process, which left the seller with a sour taste in their mouths. During the escrow period, some buyers and sellers do not get along well with one another, and as a result, occasionally, negotiations fail, and unfavorable sentiments arise. In the agreement, it will be explained that there is a chance that the escrow may never be complete, and if that happens, the buyer will not get a refund. It's conceivable that the seller is seeking an alibi to eliminate the prospective purchasers, which is a possibility.

A court of law could have a different view of the situation than a seller does on their legal right to cancel an order. A lawyer might make a case to demonstrate that the buyer behaved in good faith and that they intended to complete the transaction in question. In such a scenario, the court may conclude that a seller has no legal authority to cancel a contract merely because the allotted period has passed. This conclusion may be reached for a variety of reasons. There is not a lot of clear-cut evidence in the courtroom. Even if the seller objects to the idea of signing an extension-of-time agreement, this won't always convince the seller to do so. There is also the possibility that the seller may decide to withdraw their offer to sell the home.

Reasons for an Extension to Close

When a buyer cannot complete the transaction by the agreed-upon date, the seller will often request that the buyer sign an addendum granting an extension of time and investigate why the buyer needs more time. When the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure regulation, also known as the "Know Before You Owe" rule, was implemented, there was a modest increase in the amount of time it took to close transactions. The Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act required certain federal mortgage forms to be filled out, and TRID's goal was to unify those forms. In defense of TRID, it should be noted that delays often result from poor communication between the lender and the closing agent or title business.

A refusal to underwrite the policy makes the situation even worse. When applying for a loan, borrowers are subjected to rigorous examination. The lender is often found to be directly responsible for the delay. Problems at the buyer's place of employment or with their families are another possibility. There are no assurances that just because things are going swimmingly in your life right now, they will continue to do so throughout the escrow period that lasts between 30 and 45 days.

Persuading a Seller to Sign an Extension

One tactic that is effective if a buyer cannot close on the property by the scheduled date is to make an offer to the seller to release the earnest money deposit before closing. This, of course, is based on the assumption that the buyer is confident in their ability to complete escrow. To put your money where your mouth is, however, you should release the deposit to the seller if it will only be a few more days until the closing date is reached. It's conceivable that the seller is seeking an alibi to eliminate the prospective purchasers, which is a possibility.

Escrow officers are the persons who, in most cases, are responsible for preparing the instructions to release the earnest money deposit. In the agreement, it will be explained that there is a chance that the escrow may never be complete, and if that happens, the buyer will not get a refund. The earnest money deposit is typically between one and three percent of the home's selling price.