Homebuying: Why Buyers Back Out from a Sale

1 Feb

Some people sell their houses for various reasons, such as moving places or opting for a smaller or bigger home. If you are the seller, you probably want to sell it as soon as possible. You might need this money to add to your budget or something else. However, buyers do have requirements as well. They are also looking for a home that will fit their lifestyle and budget.

As a seller, you also have to think in the shoes of your potential buyers. Aside from that, some factors on their side can also put them on hold in buying your home. In this article, you’ll learn the potential reasons why buyers back out from purchasing a property.

Reasons Buyers Walk Away from Pursuing the Purchase

Sellers cannot force a buyer from pushing through the purchase. They might have valid reasons why they have to back out. In this case, here are five reasons why a purchase agreement does not move forward:

  1. Cold Feet: Some buyers change their minds at the last minute. In this case, reality must have hit them. Buying a house involves paying the mortgage, interest, property taxes, and maintenance costs. The thought of these expenses might have led them to think that it’s too early to handle them. For this reason, they end up backing out of the deal.
  2. Unqualified for a Mortgage: Before buying a house, a buyer must be pre-qualified for a loan. Various lenders offering the best mortgage loan rates are already available. Buyers can use them to achieve a convenient way to pay for the house they want to buy. However, some buyers might not be qualified to get a mortgage loan. One reason this happens is because of their poor credit score or history.
  3. Job Loss: This is probably the hardest reason a buyer has to back out. It is not only because they lost the chance to acquire the house but also their source of income. In this case, the uncertainty is high for them to pay on time. That is why they choose not to pursue the purchase. Otherwise, it can only lead to more headaches in the future.
  4. Better Home: A buyer can still change their mind if you haven’t closed the deal yet. Aside from that, they might keep looking for a home, even if they talked to you already. That is why you should not keep your hopes up as a seller, not until the deal is closed. This way, it is not tough to accept the reality that the buyer backed out.
  5. Failure to Sell Their Old Home: Your buyer can also be a seller. In this case, they are also looking for someone who will buy their old home. They might need the money to add in closing the deal with you. However, your buyer has to back out since it did not happen. Their funds might not be enough without the money from selling their old house.

The items above show the reasons from a buyer’s circumstances. Depending on how far the deal has reached, these reasons might require further negotiation between the buyer and seller. However, the house you are selling can be a factor also in why a buyer backs out. The next part will include the property’s circumstances that may affect the buyer’s decision to buy it.

Property Situations Making the Buyer Back Out

Your house may also have something to do with the not pursued deal. Below are a few reasons that made your buyer cancel the purchase:

  • Your house is likely to undergo inspection: During this period, the home inspector may discover issues affecting the future value of your property. If you do not disclose any significant structural damage or pest infestation, finding it out during the inspection can immediately change their minds.
  • Inspection results: You and your buyer will have time to talk it over after an inspection. Both of you will come up with an agreement to do repairs or improvements. However, your buyer will withdraw if you do not comply with this agreement.
  • Your property may have an easement: In this case, you have to settle this easement to help your buyer avoid future disputes. However, the purchase will not pursue if the easement remains undisclosed.
  • Unresolved issues: The purchase may not also pursue if there are issues with your home’s title. Unresolved issues are a concrete ground that allows buyers to withdraw their offers.

Given these points, you have to ensure that your property is clear. This way, you will not encounter a buyer that will not pursue buying your home. You also have to keep in mind that anything can happen while the process is ongoing.