06/01/2026
This is extremely common in today’s market. We have many potential sellers that would like to place their home on the market BUT are afraid they won’t have a place to move to. We wanted to share a few strategies that our clients use that you may want to consider:
1) Delayed Closing
A typical closing occurs around 45-60 days after the seller has accepted an offer. As a seller, if you feel you need more time, we can ask for a delayed closing. Perhaps 75-90 days would make you feel more comfortable if you need to find a rental to move to. We can add additional language into the listing to make it clear to any potential buyers what you are looking for.
2) Post-Occupancy Agreement
Our clients have utilized this strategy quite a bit over the past several years. A post-occupancy agreement is when the seller is allowed to stay in the property for a period of time AFTER an official closing. The time period varies but we have seen anywhere from a couple of days to 6 months. We have seen some “rent-free” scenarios as well as scenarios where buyer and seller agree on a monthly rental amount (typically would cover mortgage, taxes etc.)
3) Contingent Upon Seller Securing Home of Choice
This is another option for a seller. We would place this language right in the listing to make it very clear to buyers about the contingency, so there is no confusion. This allows a seller to officially go under contract with a buyer, while still allowing them an “out” if they are unable to secure a place to move to. The amount of time a buyer gives the seller to find a home varies and can be negotiated. We typically see buyers giving sellers 30-90 days. We would put language into the listing to protect our sellers and make it clear what they are looking for. Some buyers may be okay with it while others may not consider it an option.
Our team loves to come up with options that make it work for all parties! Transparency is key- so we make sure to get the appropriate language in the listing. This will make it clear to all potential buyers what you are looking for. Contact us to discuss a strategy that will work for you!
The McCormick Team at KW Platform
www.AbbeyMcCormickRealEstate.com
~Abbey, Norm, Jill and Meghan