A short sale seller decided that everything they had put into the home was theirs and this included toilets, sinks, door knobs, light fixtures, light switches, rose bushes and the list goes on...was theirs and they had the right to take it.  Luckily the buyer was a contractor and it all worked out but we know the lender had a major issue with the seller after the close. The seller was a lawyer.  I don't miss those years. Enough said.

Our first house. It was a divorce situation, and the entire process was a nightmare. (The house was actually egged mid-way through the sale.) We signed papers, got the key, and when we pulled up to the house, cops and neighbors were all over the yard. The ex-husband and the brother-in-law were in a brawl over a paint sprayer that had been left in the garage. That cleared up, and the ex gave us a walk-through, proudly showing where he had grown a certain type of plant in the basement. Happily, none of my buyers have had to go through such an experience!

Yes, and why i would never tell my buyer to let a seller stay after closing. There was a deal with another company, the seller was not out at closing, said they did not know they had to be out at closing, they agreed to pay rent and stay a couple of weeks. No money was withheld, no agreement signed, buyer closed, seller took their money and stayed a month. After they left, it was found they took cabinets, all appliances, most lights and left a dirt trail through out

None that stand out. Most of my sellers move before close if escrow. Not too many rent backs. There were plenty of bad scenarios during the preforeclosure years, but we knew them going in. The damage was done when we saw the home. Someone took all the flooring once.

Not my clients... but about 15 or 18 years ago some sellers stayed in the home for an extra 4 days or so and the house burnt down. There was no insurance as the new owners didn't get renters insurance and the sellers no longer owned the home.  Neither company would pay a dime. That is when our entire industry in my area said - holy smokes - we better stop doing post possesion.  I haven't done it since that time.

we don't close unless everyone and everything is out before closing.... and the locks are changed immediately after closing....

Had a seller that the moving company on the day of the closing and move, postponed the move for a week due to a driver's shortage. Fortunately, everyone was calm, the buyers intended to do work on the home prior to moving in anyway, and it all worked out.

I have had people late geting out but again, we clear this hurdle by doing the walk through

I had one happen in November, where the seller gave up on keeping the home up, poo piles everywhere in the backyard, and barely cleaned.   When we viewed the home and on inspection was very clean.

One couple rip wall paper half down and left dirty diapers in each room.

     Made the mistake once of letting a BUYER take early occupancy.  HVAC system mysteriously failed over the weekend.  This was before Home Warranties.  Buyer demanded a new system; Seller said "No".  It was a mess.  

     My rule since then:  Seller gets out before closing, Buyer gets keys handed to him/her by the Title Closer at the closing table. 

Only one I can remember. My seller was a Relo and they didn't clean and left items in the house..couldn't get the Relo company to crack down on them. I called a cleaning company and paid for the cleaning and made the buyer happy. Guess who they called when they were ready to sell? Me!

A few nightmare stories for sure. The most recent was a seller leaving all kinds of "crap" in the home for the new owner to deal with.  It did not happen. A demand was sent and the seller got the house cleaned up.

Nathan,

Nothing of note in our real estate life. A

Seller had burned through about 4 listing agents in 3 years time, and has newbie listing agent when my customer wants to buy that house.  All of our armor wore very thin during the transaction because of seller's behavior (and they worked at major government hospital in town!).  Promised they'd be out on Saturday but still their on a Hot Sunday morning.  Finally gone Sunday evening, along with items agreed to be left with the sale.  Got my CC License after that one, as that seller made us feel we were in mortal danger to be around them.

The seller refused to move out - which necessitated eviction by the sheriff.

Nathan - Have never had to experience sellers staying in their home after closing. However, I have had sellers leave stuff behind, most of it junk, or just a dirty home.

In a traditional sale it's usually pretty clean.  Sometimes they might take a mirror that they don't realize needs to stay.

One of the agents in my company hired three of his buddies to being a truck to move the seller out. The sellet wasn't being difficult he just was an older gentleman and didnt realize he just needed to be gone. It all worked out fine. Had a few where appliances, hvac, etc stop working a few days after closing on a few occassions (like they just KNEW they were under new ownership). Home warranties have helped immensely in those situations. I can't think of anything horrifying.-Kasey

It was a challenging transaction from start to finish and then beyond when the seller decided to not move out per the language in the contract.  It has only happened once and once is definitely more than enough.  

Stuff happens. Life is not perfect. Move on.

I do not recall any issues in recent years.

The house began to fall apart at the walls

Yes. Had it happen last year and the day the movers were coming the sellers grown children were still in bed at 9AM. The buyers were freaking out. Of course, it took 3 times longer to finish getting out as they thought it would. I kept saying the sellers were in a daze. 

Nathan Gesner I've never had a hold over.

It has never been a problem. We have found the post-occupants very appreciative of the buyers cooperation.

I don't want to say 'worst' I want to say challenging. The seller refused to move when the closing happened. It was a divorce situation & both sellers pre-signed & he just would not move. I went to talk with him on several occasions & all he said was 'when I'm ready'. He left the place somewhat of a shambles but at least he was out. Very trying man & I knew why the wife was divorcing him.

HEARD in a CE course:

Buyers and Sellers are at the closing table, with a contractual post-occupancy agreement in place. While they're signing the paperwork, the house catches fire (I don't recall the reason but faulty wiring or some such; nothing intentional) and burns to the ground. 

Worse nightmare than the loss of the house itself --> Whose insurance is responsible?

None, to be honest. At least not yet.

No experience of this nature that was not caused by bank foreclosing in the 'day.' The betrayed owner physically removed every dollar they invested and a little extra for pain and suffering.

Every time an 'overstay' is suggested, I add up the cost and few are willing to put down the $25,000 such an overstay will cost.

I try to make it NOT AN OPTION.

Not yet

Not yet!

I had fun with short sales when they know they have to move, but could not find a place. It can be extremely stressful for everyone involved. 

The purchase of our own home:)) seller did not move out for three days and Diane wanted to take legal action:))Endre

Nathan Gesner - worst? The keys provided to my buyer just did not work!

(And buyers felt - they took all the money and....)

Never a good policy; potential for sellers to become deadbeat tenants.

Nope it's never happened. I have had several rent-backs that were part of the contract. I did have a seller who was relocating and the mover canceled the morning of the move, the day before closing

Whew!  Sounds like a nightmare ... but for me, I've not had any "worst experiences" with post-closing occupancy yet.  Knock on Wood.