Rewriting the Finish

Escrow had closed on my buyer’s dream home—a charming Mid-Mod that we had found in Rio Del Mar, where from the moment we had first stepped across the threshold, she got the sense that everything about it had been designed and decorated to her exact tastes.

After negotiating for several of the key furnishings and décor items to remain after the sale, we requested a guided walkthrough with the seller so my client could learn how to maintain the home to the same standard by getting details about the irrigation, fountains, plants, and any other systems they might want to pass along tips on.

Surprisingly, the walkthrough request was declined, so we asked if they would consider shooting an instructional video showcasing the various elements and systems of the home. They declined that as well, signaling a less-than-warm reception.

We chose to take the high road, not knowing what kind of stresses the seller was under, and to still make possible a better storyline for her introduction to the home, I volunteered to treat her to an initial consult with a landscaper and a few other professionals who could independently assess and advise her to provide a measure of reassurance.

With the guesswork out of the way, all that was left was for my client to count the days until she could move in. And since we had granted a leaseback for the seller to stay an extra week after closing, my client was extra excited to get news that the Seller had moved out early and the keys were waiting for her under the mat.

Unfortunately, upon opening the door she was disappointed to see that the place wasn’t exactly move-in ready—there had only been minimal cleaning done, with nails and hooks still protruding where any artwork had been, and there was food left in the fridge.

I reached the listing agent and she assured me there had been a mix-up on the timing and they would have a crew there the following morning to make good, but the job they did was only slightly better, with nothing done about the nails and other relatively minor fixes we would have expected. 

It was pretty clear at that point that a more proactive team needed to be brought in, so I made a few calls and added my cleaner and painter to the list of vendors I had already lined up. After an initial interruption to her dream finish, things are back on track, and the place is abuzz with helpful professionals making it shine like it did the day she fell in love with it.

It should go without saying that your move-in should be a joyous experience after going through all the trials and tribulations of finding and buying the right place. And sometimes, it takes just a little extra attention to get there.