Even when you've dotted all your i's, real estate closing days can be stressful. Take two anxious parties – a buyer, a seller – a few banks, a couple of lawyers, and a moving company – and you've got a lethal cocktail with the potential to blow the lid off the blender.
Now add a missing chunk of drywall.
Picture this: It's 30ยบ and my feet are sweating in my less than practical new pink heels, resulting in squeaking noises with every step. I'm almost done my final home inspection, and I'm heading for the door – and that's when I see it. A hole in the family room wall approximately one foot wide by six feet high.
I stood there, feet burning, mouth agape, and had a flashback to the family's growth chart – that until very recently, had occupied that very spot on the family room wall. 17 years of growth spurts now en route to a subdivision in Ottawa.
This made the missing garage door remote pale by comparison, as the new owners were not only perfectionists – they were circling the block waiting for the high-five hand off of the keys from their lawyer.
More sweat and a quick call to the other agent, I found out that the previous owner had a bit of a last-minute melt down and took it upon herself to carve out her kid's growth chart with a hand saw – tossing it in the moving truck before heading out of town. The agent hoped my clients, as parents, would empathize and see humour in the situation.
They did not.
Long story short, I paid far too much for an emergency patch and paint job. I then purchased some baby powder to sprinkle in my shoes, some margarita mix, and a charming removable growth chart as their housewarming gift.
Squeaking though yet another closing, my specialty.
Meghan
meghan.laing@domus.ns.ca
