Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Virginia

Rights on closing time frame

In the process of closing on a house we signed a contract to purchase on May 23 closing was set for May 30 but no later than June 6. As of July 19 we have still not signed. They keep telling us by the end of the week and another week goes by this has been going on for approx. 4 weeks now.

We took early posession with the assumption that we would sign no later than June 6. If we break the contract we will lose the money we have invested so far, also the house was listed with public sewer and I had to run all over town just to find out that it has a septic system which just caused more frustration. We are tired of living out of boxes for fear that the closing is not settled yet.

My question is, Do we have any legal rights?


Asked on 7/19/05, 1:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Rights on closing time frame

Of course you have "legal rights". However, just what they are is not entirely clear to me from the facts which you've outlined here and, of course, not having access to the purchase contract, I am even further limited in my ability to assess your situation from a legal perspective.

Also, you really haven't clarified the essential problem behind the seller's delay and, whether, perhaps, the seller doesn't really want to sell to you after all. Also, I assume that when you say "we took early possession", that you really mean that you wanted to take such possession but

due to the seller's occasioned delay, you have been unable to do so.

Without clarification of these various issues and a review of your purchase contract, I would not be in a position to venture any assessment as to what your rights might be in the particular situation which you've attempted to describe.

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Answered on 7/19/05, 3:21 pm


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