Dateline Dayton – At noon yesterday, we were to close the sale of our home.  You may already guess, it did not take place.

Last Thursday, I was notified that the closing was scheduled for noon on Wednesday,  the final day, according to the contract.

I was relieved that at last the sale was going to take place.  I even cut the grass, so that the yard would look nice for the new owners.

Last Thursday evening at 7 o’clock, my realtor called. She told me there was a problem.  According to the purchaser's realtor, it had something to do with a 401k and the number of withdrawals taken to pay for fuel oil and getting the funds for the down payment.

Upon my realtor's investigation on Friday, it appeared the 401K issue was a smokescreen. The problem seemed more serious. Jennifer, my realtor, even questioned how these people were pre-approved, if they even were.

I am upset. Disgusted with the purchaser's realtor.  It appears we were sold a bill of goods regarding the pre-approval by the realtor's own mortgage company. A sham.

I took my day off Tuesday and spent most of it doing curb appeal work. Jennifer wants to hold an open house on Sunday.  When we had snow and cold weather, no one would expect that your yard would be in the best shape.  Now that we have better weather, it was necessary to get the yard in order. 

For weeks I have felt something was wrong.  Awhile ago, I accidentally met Larry, the purchaser, at the house.  He said he really liked the house. He just had to stop by.  I showed him around. I told him what the various light switches controlled.

Upon leaving, he asked if he could bring his wife by. He knew she would like to see the house again.  I gave him my telephone number. He never called.  That should have been a signal to me.

This is only the third time I have sold a home. Never experienced anything like this.  A couple of lessons I learned: Never stop selling your home until you have the cash. Don't let your realtor post a “Sale Pending” sign because everything stops at that point.

As I am fond of saying, “a sale isn't a sale until it is paid.”  Anyone can sell. It takes a special person to collect.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net