Can I make the seller keep up his yard before closing?

Question

We are in the process of buying our first home. When we did the inspection, th yard was well manicured with the bushes trimmed and beautiful flowers around the house. As we are awaiting closing, the lawn is brown and the bushes are overgrown. Is it ok to ask the realtor to have the seller keep up the yard up until closing?
Is it worth mentioning?

Answer 1

Unless it was in the purchase contract, legally you can not make them do it. However, if anything is broken or so overgrown that it is effecting the normal use of the property then they would have to fix it.

You can always ask if you want, alot of sellers might just do it because they dont want to have to deal with any kind of last minute hassels or legal disputes.

Answer 2

Technically speaking, it is still THEIR HOUSE until the day you close, so tending to the yard is still their responsibility, not yours - yet. Here is where you can be a softee and let them get away with it, or hold their feet to the fire at the closing and deduct money from their final check for the cost of mowing, etc. This is difficult to do because the closing agents come to closing with the checks all made out and everybody is expecting to receive their check and you will be the bad guy if you hold them up for the cost of mowing. It is best to negotiate directly with the seller at this point and try to arrange to have the place mowed on the day you close or the day before and split the costs between the two or you, or make them do if you can.

Answer 3

This is a difficult position for you and for your Realtor. They can ask, but the seller has no obligation to maintain anything, except the working condition of appliances etc. I assume you will do a "walk thru" prior to closing? Test everything, toilets, water in kitchen, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, even the windows.

Answer 4

No, it is not worth mentioning. You MIGHT inquire if the seller would allow YOU to perform the maintenance you desire such that the landscaping appears as you desire before you close and move in.

Answer 5

If this was really important to you, it should have been written into the purchase contract. Since it wasnt there's really nothing you can do.

Answer 6

1st impression...he did his job.....now its on you, not to mention, over 1/2 the country [US] is in a drought condition........brown and over grown, dont ring true........

Answer 7

you could ask himm too. Usually they would do that if you asked thewm too.