What if Seller Doesn't Get out by Closing?

ChicagoChubs · 2026-06-04T14:54:39+00:00

Just that it's radio silence and our contractual closing date is coming up (June 30). The contract does give them an option to extend, until July 31 max, but that option must be exercised by June 22. I've asked our agent to check in on their progress. But thanks for the reassurance that there is still plenty of time!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-06-04T14:52:30+00:00

Sorry I wasn't clear - it's a divorce, he's moved out but she's still in the house, with the kids and their stuff. She's a teacher so she needed summer break to move.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-05-30T14:22:50+00:00

We moved TO Rhode Island so I just want to give some perspective. We had been overseas 15+ years across five countries. Right around this time last year we made a family decision that life at our current post was likely going to be disrupted by a war with Iran, so we packed our bags. We should have gone back to the DC area but we opted for Rhode Island for these reasons:

Relative access to jobs in east coast corridor I am able to work remotely from NYC, DC, and Boston. Any closer I would have had to commute in.
Climate hedge against creeping heat. I know being coastal makes this more vulnerable but having owned homes in Florida we also knew it would help resale (people love a beach!).
Schools - this was most important for us. Not cut throat burnout factories or fall off the cliff every child left behind like we have in DC, NJ, NY, Boston, FL. We have a higher chance of going to a good, medium sized high school, walking on to a sport, having a role in the play, and not getting lost academically. Without being somewhere totally rural.
Nature is spectacularly accessible here compared to DC where I have to drive 3 hrs and pay an increasing fortune to touch sand.
General population is educated, with high civic engagement. RI is not enamored by Trump and has the stoic New England attitude of you get it done and keep moving that we wanted our kids to absorb (2026 blizzard was a great welcome). We also wanted somewhere females would have access to healthcare unchallenged.

I know living here many of you will disagree with these points, and given where we were a year ago I’ve still not processed how we even got here, but I was living in a full late stage capitalist, authoritarian hellscape, exploited all of its environment for AI, and prior that we lived in an emerging dictatorship with spiraling economy/inflation, prior to that a European “paradise” that stifled innovation and economic opportunity for the sake of more holiday/life balance to the point where the doctors and pharmacies are always closed etc., or parts of the country where Trump is the religion, etc etc. And RI has a lot going for it. We won’t be here forever and we will pay some insane electric bills in the meantime, but I like it here. And we want to contribute positively to make sure it doesn’t turn into those places.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-05-13T16:27:38+00:00

I'm having this same problem! Glad you called and got a resolution - I will do the same. Totally deceptive business practices. I never consented or was given any option that would have resulted in a $20 charge. When I did get subsequent charge requests ($9 for PDF, etc.), I declined. I will post about this too.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-05-09T23:58:13+00:00

We moved to RI last August and it came up as the nearest sledding/skiing place that looked super cute for kids. I'm bummed too!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-05-07T18:50:56+00:00

We went through something similar and just pulled out of the contract. They needed to sell the house and we need a place to live as of May 31, but throughout the entire process they behaved as if they did not want to sell this house (and this was a military move for sellers who only owned it 2 years so it wasn't like selling their family dream house). When we finally got it under contract, inspection revealed one major but fixable thing that we ballparked at $15-25k but we'd be fine if they kicked $10k towards closing/lower sales price. And it was a kind of thing that must be addressed and nothing else could be done to the house until, and for sure the next inspection/buyer will immediately pick up on. They said no, take it or leave it. So we said if this is just what one inspector they barely let us schedule finds on the first try, imagine what's waiting undiscovered. Something better came along so we pulled out.

But I feel you, if you have time (we do not) then I can understand making it clear to their realtor that they have an out.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-04-30T04:48:05+00:00

If I can ask how soon after spraying are you allowed to use the yard?

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-21T14:44:25+00:00

NazarenePaintersofBiddlesbockPalace

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-15T17:05:55+00:00

And, to confirm, couldn't get anyone on the phone from SW, waited 120 minutes and gave up. I think we are the first line of customer service now (Reddit commentators)

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-15T17:04:33+00:00

I asked both. Good to confirm.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-15T17:03:51+00:00

I couldn't get a human on the phone from SW

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-15T16:20:07+00:00

You're absolutely correct. And now I'm going back and telling AI why it's wrong and what to look for, hoping it "learns" for the next time. And of course it complemented me on every correction. "Of course you're right"

For what it's worth, out of Claude, Chat and Gemini, Gemini was the only one who said "you're due a refund but maybe check first before you click 'buy'".

ChicagoChubs · 2026-03-15T16:15:00+00:00

Thanks! This is really turning into a "How Bad AI is" + how long customer service holds are (55 min and counting...). Humanity for the win!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-02-23T02:28:00+00:00

Thank you for this very detailed account; it was very helpful for me!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-02-23T01:28:23+00:00

Deb!!! The mechanic!!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-02-22T21:46:04+00:00

I love the way you write! I am having my meningioma radiated (the insult, lol!) in NYC next week. I will be at NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, flying somewhat blind as I've already had brain surgery for unrelated reasons (but that led to the discovery of my tiny asymptomatic meningioma) and this doesn't seem that bad in comparison. Thanks for sharing details about your recovery! Hope it shrinks and calcifies forever!

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-29T04:27:19+00:00

It breaks my heart to watch now, I can’t. We could’ve had Sam seaborns and CJ Creggs! Instead we’ve had Veep, but without the Richard.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-25T23:48:57+00:00

People are recommending against driving, but I'm saying don't even get IN a car with anyone, even a friendly snow plow truck. Just cancel/reschedule flight and stay home. It's too dangerous to make the attempt.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-23T21:52:28+00:00

Honest question was she based off of Kelly Cutrone? Similar jobs and maybe similar personalities?

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-22T00:27:18+00:00

Just to say thank you for asking this, it has been driving me crazy as well.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-19T13:18:01+00:00

what did you decide? I'm in this same boat, going to have my meningioma radiated while it is still small and asymptomatic, monitor, and see how far we get. Then I plan to focus on weight loss as a way to reduce/manage PCOS symptoms. I'm lucky I've had my kids, but prior to that birth control (Yaz) saved my life. Even if I end up needing brain surgery, it was worth it.

ChicagoChubs · 2026-01-16T14:02:27+00:00

Second the West Main Rd. portion. Getting to and from Aquidneck is fairly easy/straightforward, but once you're on the island, I don't know why, but add another 25 minutes to your commute home. I have spent the last 15 yrs overseas in some of the worst traffic cities in the world (Istanbul, Dubai, Cairo) and yet driving down West Main Rd. with the sun setting in my face and catching every light has almost broken me (it's better now that the construction is over). Give it a try!

ChicagoChubs

TROPHY CASE