Q: What can I do when the seller won't cooperate?
I'm buying a house that needed work that the seller is responsible for and we've had to push closing too many times to count because they keep dragging their heels, not communicating with us about what was happening, not having the work done. Now, there's work under the house that needs to be done that can't be done because the owner turned off the sub pump and caused more damage that needs to be fixed before the original work can be done. We're supposed to close in less than a week and here we are again. I'm beyond frustrated, what's the point of having a contract when they don't follow it. I don't have enough characters to describe everything that's happened. We were supposed to close the first time the middle of may and it's now the middle of July. What can I do because they don't seem to want to fix the new stuff so we can finish and close this deal? My agent and broker both said they've never dealt with anything like this or a seller/agent/broker like these.
A: The point of having a written contract for sale of real estate is to create enforceable rights. If you wanted a voluntary whatever-agreement, then you wouldn't have a written contract. Read it. Have a lawyer read it. Enforce it. Hint: Enforcement is often done in courts and sometimes involves damages.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
