Last Minute Problem

Some closings go as smoothly as silk, others can be quite challenging - todays is working its way towards one of the challenging ones. We are scheduled to close on a property at noon today with the final walkthrough being conducted this morning at 9:30. The buyer totally "freaked" when she walked through as the owner had spackled over nail holes where pictures had been removed but had left white spots about 6" in diameter all over the walls (all were painted a variety of colors). The buyer has movers at her home ready (and being paid by the hour).

So, what to do? The property needs to be delivered in "substantially the same condition as of the date of the contract and broom clean". Obviously, there were not white circles of spackle all over the walls. In this case, the buyer has a legitimate complaint. The seller will not make any concession, he honestly feels that he was doing the buyer a favor above and beyond what was called for. The owner is now on his way back to the house to remove the spackle - water soluable according to him and the buyer is waiting to do a second walk through - while the movers are waiting around by the hour.

We're off to the races, I'll let you know what happens..........