My elderly mom has a condo for sale in Alabama. Mom lives with my sister on the east coast and is eager to sell. I'm in the Rockies and have POA for everything for reasons I won't get into. Mom isn't fully incapacitated, but she is sometimes an unreliable narrator and frequently wants me to handle stuff she can't or doesn't want to handle. No biggie; she's my mom.
A few months ago, Mom had hired a real estate agent in Alabama but wasn't satisfied that the realtor was trying hard enough. Theoretically, she sent the agent an email last week "firing him," but she hasn't received a response.
Then, yesterday, Mom's condo neighbor somehow found a potential buyer and put Mom in touch. Mom has talked to the buyer twice over the past 24 hours, and she wants me to talk to him ASAP.
I'm eager to sell the place but extremely cautious about doing anything until / unless we're sure she has actually broken her realtor contract. I advised Mom today to send a certified letter to the agent — if nothing else to get proof that Mom wants to break the contract and is making the effort.
Mom is angry with me for not contacting the new buyer. I'm looking for confirmation that I'm thinking straight or even just some advice.
elderly mom's negotiations outside of contract
byu/damn_it_beavis inRealEstate
Posted by damn_it_beavis
1 Comment
Can you call the realtor yourself and confirm? Generally speaking your mother would have had to sign a formal cancellation of contract form.
This is important because if this potential buyer has had any contact with her agent previously there is the possibility of the procuring clause (read her listing agreement if you can) kicking in.
Edit: If you can’t reach the agent, call their managing broker.