All Forum Posts by: Dave Jones

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and advice. Everything was handled by the title company except the earnest money, and the contract is clear on terms, dates, etc. I have no interest in getting the buyer back, only the EMD he owes.

I appreciate the perspectives about this being a waste of time to pursue, and you're probably right. I'll look more into the fees of small claims court and the time commitment on my side and see if I want to bother.

Fortunately it was a relatively cheap lesson on my part, and easy to correct the next time.

Thanks everyone.

I'm selling my house FSBO and the buyer gave me an earnest money check made out to me. For whatever dumb reason, I held it and didn't deposit it for a few weeks.

Right after I attempted to deposit it, the buyer backed out. This was also PAST the window written in the contract when he was allowed to back out without penalty.

The next day, my bank notifies me that the check didn't clear because his account was closed. He claims it was due to him closing the account because his truck was broken into and checks and other personal material was stolen.

He claimed he was going to send a new check, but that hasn't happened, and he's stopped responding to me.

What are my best options at this point to collect the earnest money that he owes me contractually? This is on a property in Texas.

Thanks,

Dave

I have a house in Cedar Park that I'm selling FSBO, but I'm out of state. Are there recommendations for someone who would just show it as an open house for 1-2 days for a fee?

All I'd want them to do would be to stay in the house as people check it out, and hand out print-outs I'd give them such as a 1-pager and seller's disclosure.

The house was my primary residence originally, but I then rented it for many years. Unfortunately the last tenants left the bathrooms in bad shape, so the next owner will have to at least redo them before renting or moving in. I'm sure prospective buyers would like to inspect that up close.

Any recommendations or advice?

Dave