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Question
I own a house in PA with my ex-partner. We're trying to sell the house, I just want it over with. We got an offer that's 10,000 less than the asking price. We countered saying we would accept 7,000 less. The buyer wouldn't accept the price.
I don't want to wait any longer to sell. So I am now willing to accept the lower offer of 10,000 less. My ex doesn't agree.
My question is... could she be held accountable for delaying the sale of the house by not agreeing to accept the offer? Is there any way I can force the sale whether she agrees or not?
Hey, Amy.
I'm seeing your name connected with "ex-partner" and "could she be held accountable" to indicate two females in a relationship that is no more. As a gay man in a 13-year Domestic Partnership here in San Diego, I'm sorry to hear that. However, we must go on.
Presuming that I've gotten those assumptions right, the answers to your questions are best left to a real estate attorney familiar with the various laws in the State of Pennsylvania. There are situations where the answer in some states is yes but in other states it's no. And the relationship in some states can play a pivotal part. Since Pennsylvania, to the best of my knowledge, doesn't have any protections (civil union, domestic partnership, marriage, etc.) for gay couples, whether or not you can force a sale might depend on just exactly how the two of you hold title (joint tenants, joint tenants with right of survivorship, etc.). I think Pennsylvania will look upon you two as simply two people holding title to real estate and now having a mere disagreement, so I'm inclined to say that you can't force your ex-partner to sell. However, it's still best to consult an attorney familiar with real estate law, contract law (for whatever agreement you and your ex-partner might have, verbal or written) for Pennsylvania, and whatever rights/accords Pennsylvania might provide for two same-sex partners.
In this buyer's market, though, I would consider an offer that is only $10,000 less than the asking price to be a very good offer if they were pre-qualified buyers.
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Russel Ray
Expertise
Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.
Experience
Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.
Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego
Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas
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