In this episode, Leigh’s guest, Rosemary Buerger shares how a young couple had to learn a very hard lesson while selling their house providing further proof that you need help and protections in place when it comes to selling your home. Realtors and owners alike need to due their due diligence when it comes to who they allow into the home. This crazy story involves two houses, terrible tenants and $10,000 worth of damage. Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience. Time Stamped Show Notes: 00:42 – Leigh welcomes Rosemary Buerger 00:52 – Rosemary says they are experiencing great growth in Fayetteville, North Carolina 01:34 – Fort Bragg is located in Fayetteville; Rosemary is a proud, army wife and army daughter and this is what brought her to Fayetteville 02:45 – Last year, Rosemary listed a home which had tenants in it and she could not take photos of it at first 03:17 – The tenants refused a prospective buyer into the house and her client told them they only have a month’s lease left 03:48 – A month later, Rosemary receives an inquiry about the house, but later found out that the caller was inquiring about the tenants 04:25 – Rosemary found out the tenants made an offer on the person’s home (the one who called), moved in early paying only the security deposit and then cancelled the contract two days before close and refused to move out 05:10 – The couple who owned the house had to hire an attorney and the wife kept asking Rosemary questions about what she should do 06:02 – The tenants caused $10,000 in damages, they not only caused damage to the house, but they also had to pay the attorney’s fees on top of having to clean the mess they made in the house 06:48 – Rosemary says the tenants did not take care of the house because they knew all along they could not afford it 06:56 – Rosemary says agents and consumers have to be very careful in letting people into their homes 07:21 – The house eventually was listed and a sale was going smoothly when Rosemary received a call from the buyer’s agent saying they were terminating right before closing, unless the offer was decreased by $10,000 08:31 – Rosemary says you have to know who you are dealing with 08:51 – Leigh says it is the realtors who know that things like early possession do not work 09:31 – Rosemary says there are ways you can protect yourself if you are the buyer 10:21 – Consumers have to understand that agents are also protecting the memories of their homes 10:39 – There is a due diligence deposit if you want to buy a house 11:23 – There are states that do not have laws about real estate 12:07 – Leigh says clients should also keep their mouths shut about the stories of their properties because buyers can use it to their advantage 13:10 – Rosemary says nobody could anticipated what her client would go through, the young couple had to learn things the hard way 14:07 – Call 910-984-6794 or check out Rosemary’s website 15:28 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate 3 Key Points Due our diligence to protect yourself and your home—get to know the people who are buying your house. Ask your realtor what protection you have in place as the one who is selling your house. Do not share every detail or story about your house to those who are interested in your home as they can take advantage of it. Credits Audio Production by Chris Mottram Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives Cover Design by Two Minds Design Original Music by Rimsky Music