Your house has been on the market for a while, and you’ve finally received a solid offer. The price is right, and things seem to be moving forward. But be cautious: the deal isn’t finalized yet, and there are still potential hurdles that can delay the sale of your home.
While common issues like failed inspections or financing troubles can slow things down, unexpected factors could also arise. From unanticipated appraisal discrepancies to unresolved title issues, these challenges might delay the sale of your home in Anderson and disrupt your timeline.
Here are 4 things you may not have thought of, and how you can avoid them slowing down your move:
PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS
In the hustle and bustle of selling a house while juggling your daily life—especially if you’ve already moved into a new house—it’s easy for small details to slip through the cracks.
For many homeowners, unpaid utility bills, particularly water bills, are among the most commonly overlooked items. But how does an unpaid water bill impact the sale of your house?
If there are outstanding water bills, the title company may be unable to obtain a clean lien from the city. Without this lien, a new mortgage cannot be issued promptly, delaying the sale of your home and creating unnecessary stress.
To avoid this problem, the simplest solution is to stay on top of your bills. However, as a precautionary measure, consider opening an escrow account with your title company to cover last-minute expenses. If the title company discovers an unpaid water bill, funds from the escrow account can be used to settle it, ensuring a clean lien is obtained.
And don’t worry—any remaining money in your escrow account will be refunded to you after closing, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.
LAST-MINUTE DAMAGE
Discovering damage in your house is never ideal. But if you’re just days away from closing, unexpected damage caused by a storm or other emergency can feel devastating and disrupt the sale.
No matter how close to closing the damage occurs—even if it happens the morning of closing—it remains the seller’s responsibility to address and repair it. Ignoring this responsibility can delay the sale of your home and create additional complications.
To stay ahead of any issues, keep a close eye on your property, or ask a trusted neighbor to check in daily if you’ve already moved out. This vigilance ensures that unexpected damage is spotted and addressed quickly.
To protect yourself from costly out-of-pocket repairs, make sure your home insurance policy remains active until the closing date. This way, you can file a claim for damage repair if necessary, avoiding unnecessary financial stress and ensuring the sale proceeds as planned.
SURVEY PROBLEMS
While buying a house in the middle of a residential neighborhood may seem straightforward, surprises can still arise. One common issue is uncertainty about property lines, which can complicate the process.
If you can’t provide clear documentation of the property boundaries—especially when fences, driveways, or sheds come into play—it could delay the sale of your home. This issue is particularly common in older neighborhoods or smaller towns where larger parcels of land were divided into smaller plots, often informally or without proper records.
To avoid boundary disputes derailing your sale, consider getting an official survey done early in the selling process if you don’t have existing documents. Waiting until the final stages can lead to unnecessary delays and even risk losing the sale entirely.
By addressing property line concerns upfront, you can streamline the transaction and ensure your home sells smoothly, avoiding last-minute surprises that might jeopardize the deal.
MAJOR PURCHASES
Buying a home is exciting, and some buyers jump the gun a little by stocking up on new furniture or making other purchases before closing.
Even if buyers have already been approved for a mortgage, their credit is typically rechecked just before closing to protect the loan company’s investment. If buyers have made major purchases, accumulated additional debt, or had any late payments that negatively affect their credit score, it could jeopardize their funding. These last-minute issues can delay the sale of your home, causing significant setbacks and frustration for everyone involved in the transaction.